Chapter 13: Voices of Glory (Part 8)

“Claude, come. Follow me.” I nodded.

I wondered why he asked me to follow him suddenly. Did he personally wait for me to follow him?

I gestured to Ariel and Mike that I’ll be off somewhere alone for a while. This sudden news surprised them, but as both looked at each other, they giggled soon after.

Huh? What are they thinking anyway?

Do they…? Nah, couldn’t be right?

Well, I couldn’t care less because Captain Rizzou was not waiting for me. He was walking as if I was following him already, perhaps 30 yards away.

I ran after Captain Rizzou and finally caught up with him. Both of us disappeared into an empty hallway. As soon as we were out of anyone’s eyes and ears. Suddenly, he put his arm around me. I was taken by surprise by the sudden change of his attitude.

“So, Claude. What do you think of being a princess saviour? Being a hero?”

He asked of me while being all warm and chummy now. Out of everyone’s sight, I guess he was free to do whatever he wanted.

“U-Uh… I think it feels good but in a weird kind of way.”

I struggled for words to explain what I felt earlier when the crowd was singing my name and cheering me on. And also the fact that I had to walk up to the main stage and showing myself to everyone even though I have stage fright and being nervous around so many people.

“I see.”

Captain Rizzou seemed perplexed by my answer.

“I-It’s just that I’m not used to having every eyes on me. And what’s more getting the crowd cheering and shouting for my name. It feels… different. But honestly, if you want to know, I like it somehow.”

“Ahhh… so that's what you mean, ehh…”

He was all smile again. Perhaps he was worried that I might feel a little out of place with what was happening in the hall and he wanted to make sure how I felt directly from me. I really appreciate the concern he had given me.

“With time, you will get used to it. No one gets used to it the first time they are on stage. Unless you are some attention seeker.”

Captain Rizzou chuckled. I too follow suit. The way we were walking and talking did not suggest that he was my superior, but more like a comrade.

“But, Claude. Do remember these two things I’m about to tell you. Keep it close to your heart all the time, every time, alright.”

I bite my lip and nodded.

“First, never let your achievements and your deeds go over your head. Don’t let whatever you have achieved in your past stop you from seeing your present and the future. Use your past achievements as the current yardstick to improve and to better yourself.”

“And second, always give your best. Do not try to give your best. Just give your best, without the word ‘trying’. I know you have all the potentials and talents that the Goddess have given you, but if you ever rest your laurel thinking that you have done enough, it’s going to come and bite your ass hard. So, don’t slack off and keep on improving. Even if you never see any immediate result. Patience is a virtue that comes to those who believe and work hard!”

“Yes, Captain Rizzou!! I will remember and keep your advice close to my heart.”

His face was full of proudness as I said those world to his face. His immediate reply was to rub my hair messy.

“Good, Claude. You have a good and mature head with you despite being one so young. Now… let’s get back to business.”

Again, as usual, his disposition changed in a swift manner as he resumed his serious attitude, with his hand crossed his body while he continued to walk forward.

“The reason why I call you to follow me is that I want you to meet your Squadron Captain. Since you have taken the test back at the Strategic Headquarter the other day, we have already identified you your squadron and assigned you to them.”

I gulped.

Already? That was fast. Wait? When did I take the test anyway? I wondered to myself.

Captain Rizzou suddenly stopped as soon as he reached a door opposite a window with an excellent view of the main courtyard.

“Look at those Elites out there. They are going to have their test soon. But since you have already taken yours, I want you to rest in this room and wait for your Captain.”

He peered through the window with the main courtyard view as he talked to me.

“Some of them will be your comrade, but I doubt that will be as many as others. But nonetheless, you need to wait inside that opposite room for a while.”

He then turned around and took a quick look at me as he went and opened the door to the room.

“I’ll be gone to facilitate the test for our Elites, so stay here for a while.”

“B-But… I still got some questions to ask you, Captain.”

As he smiled, he nonchalantly brushed off my pleading.

“That can wait, right? Besides, all your questions will be answered as soon as you meet your Squadron Captain here. Besides, you could do with a quiet rest since you were the star of our show earlier.”

I went into the room.

As he bid his goodbye, I bowed to him and close the door. I’m all alone in the room now. The room was tastefully designed with soft leather made long couches. Perhaps they would call it a sofa. There’s a small rounded table situated right next to it. And around the wall of the room was various bookshelves. Not far away, there’s a map of the Kingdom of Elsigardia on the wall.

Well, I couldn’t be bothered too much what’s inside this room anyway. I won’t be long anyway, so no point observing and scrutinizing the whole room. The only thing inside the room that I paid attention to was the sofa. It’s long enough for me to lie down. Perhaps it could serve as a bed since it’s soft and cushy enough.

As I lie down on the sofa, I began to recollect what happened today. But unfortunately, I haven’t gone too far as I dozed right off soon after.