Elemental Zodiack

Chapter 29: Fate

--- A few hours after arriving home from the Zodiack meeting, Yoso and Laure were still looking through all of the new applications from promising soldiers and graduates that wished to join Squad 1. It's been roughly 2 months since Yoso came back to Dinsfurd after his training in Melyndor ended, and he's already become a Zodiack... The number 1 Zodiack that is. This is the biggest feat one can achieve in Dinsfurd since the Zodiack with the number 1 is the actual leader figure of the country. Because of this reason, many fighters aspired to join his squad at such a moment.

"Yoso... Aren't you tired already? It's already 2 AM..." says Laure with a tired voice, prior to all the paperwork he's done with Yoso until now.

"No way! We still have some unreviewed applications!" says Yoso while pointing at a big pile of paper that was sitting on the table of his living room

Kein that was assisting them could be heard snoring from the direction of the jacuzzi, while Shouko and Shizuo already left a few hours ago.

"Isn't it a bad idea for mister Kein to sleep inside the jacuzzi?" asks Yoso

"Let him be... Let's finish our work first..." says Laure

Then Yoso catches a glimpse of someone's application, or more exactly, her attached photo.

"Hmm... I know this girl... But I don't remember where I've seen her," says Yoso while intently staring at her photo.

"She was a student at the Academy in the same year as Shimada and his group, so she's the same age as you as well. Shimada, as well as Konno Shouko and Asterius Shizuo, graduated from the Academy at the age of 12, but students normally graduate at around 16 years or so. They were just talented, and Shimada proved strong enough to be a Zodiack at the age of 14. This girl you say you know probably just graduated from the Academy... Her name is... Ah, Minase Akira," explains Laure, as of remembering the face of the girl. It would be normal for the principal of the Academy to know something about his students.

"I see... So most of these applications are from inexperienced fighters... Wouldn't it be better to join the army first and then transfer to the Zodiack troops?"

"Well, it would be a normal procedure, but to join the Zodiack troops, one would need outstanding grades and talent, as well as luck. Shimada started at the age of 12 in Shiro's Zodiack troop, while Konno and Asterius joined the army, and got transferred into Shimada's squad after he became a Zodiack," explains Laure

"I see... Well, at least now I can have an idea about who I should allow joining the squad for now..."

"It is up to you... And now... Let's finish this faster so we can actually sleep for once before the actual recruiting that'll be tomorrow," says Laure while taking the pile of papers in front of him.

And so, the two of them continued sorting and reviewing applications, for three more hours...

The next day, Yoso went together with Laure and Saki to the Military Base of Dinsfurd, where the meeting hall was. In this place, people that aged everywhere between 16 years old, to even 40 years old got together, with the hope that they could join the First Squad of Dinsfurd.

"Hello everyone... After reviewing all your applications, I came to the agreement that only 250 of the 514 present people will make it to squad one! I analyzed all your stats and past records, as well as accomplishments and personal past, and sorted it all out to find out who would fit best Squad 1. On the big monitor behind me, you'll see the names of the accepted ones, in alphabetical order, grouped in five distinct groups! Fifty of you were placed under the Defense group, whose commander is mister Laure Edroch! Another fifty of you are under the Intelligence group, whose commander is miss Saki Kurata!

Fifty of you are in the Magic group, whose commander is the former Zodiack, mister Ryuuen Akasa, also fifty of you are under the Attack group, whose commander is mister Kirino Dirk. And lastly, fifty of you are under the Specialist group, which I command myself. Look for your name on the monitor, and please, don't be upset if you didn't make it up this far... This is all I have to say!" says Yoso with a strong, serious tone while facing the big group of soldiers.

Many seemed disappointed with the results, and many seemed puzzled about the fact that they didn't expect to be separated into five different divisions.

But also, there were a few people that looked indeed, really happy, no matter which division they were assigned to.

"To think that he could sort all of them in one night... Yoso surely is one incredible kid," thinks Laure that was looking at Yoso, as he backed off the stage.

After half an hour, Laure stepped on the stage and took the microphone, and then everyone stood silent, watching carefully.

"The allocated time to find your name is over. If you didn't find it anywhere in those five divisions, I'm asking you to take your leave. The reason why we had this meeting so early in comparison to the other Squads, is that we wanted to allow you all a chance to sign up for another one if you were to fail. So just because you didn't get accepted into Squad 1, it isn't the end of the world. Go and sign up for the other Zodiack Squads, or maybe even the army, and serve your country with faith!"

By saying so, everyone saluted once, and then, over half of the present soldiers left the room at once.

This time, Saki stepped in and took the lead.

"I now want everyone to go to his appointed Division Leader in the different parts of the Meeting Hall. This is the first time you can ask questions and talk with your leaders so try to make it worth it!"

After saying so, Saki slowly walks away to one of the corners of the hall, where fifty other individuals came. This was the same situation at every place in the room. The commanders meeting with their subordinates for the first time. The most lively part was the middle of the room, which was occupied by Yoso's division. No one realized at first after just looking at a bunch of names, but Yoso's division looked to be made of only people under the age of 20. It might be like this because it is easier for Yoso to interact with others that are around the same age as him.

Many trainees were asking questions, which Yoso answered with a smile on his face. After just a few minutes of talking with him, the new members of the Squad already started building a nice trust relationship with Yoso. He was just this type of person, that would make others want to cooperate with him and be by his side.

After the meeting was coming to an end, most of the new soldiers were taking their leave. One girl stayed still for a few extra minutes, watching how Yoso was talking to others. This was the same girl that was staring at him at the Zodiack Tournament and even at his Zodiack Challenge when he fought the other Zodiacks. A 16 years old girl that just graduated from the military academy of Dinsfurd, and got lucky enough to join Squad 1, in the same Division as the Number 1 Zodiack.

Probably after he realized that she was looking at him, Yoso started approaching her, probably remembering that he saw her application last night.

"Hello, miss Minase. I've seen your application, and I can just say that it impressed me a lot. I hope that we can work together well!" says Yoso

Yoso came at her out of a sudden, so she was really flustered. Her face was red as a strawberry, and her voice was trembling as she responded.

"Y-Yes, sir! I hope that I can meet your expectations..." she said in a low, quiet voice that could barely be heard.

"Ah... Now that I think of it... I've already seen this silverish hair once... If I remember well it was back then..." thinks Yoso

Just as she was about to leave, Yoso stopped her in place.

"Hey! Are you... Remembering me? You know... From the Black Cross incident two months ago..." says Yoso

"Y-Yes... The truth is that... I didn't even get to thank you properly for saving me, and I also couldn't find any clue about who you were at that time... That's why I decided to join this Squad after I've seen you again..." she says while looking down, not being able to maintain eye contact with him. She was a truly shy girl, but there was something else that made her be flustered at this moment.

"I see... Well, I think I have to thank you too! I've heard later about the fact that you were trying to help the civilians in that zone before you got caught by the Black Cross minions. It is an impressive feat for someone that was still a student at that time!" says Yoso with a large smile on his face.

"T-Thank you!"

"-By the way, miss Minase. I'll have to leave for a mission at the end of this week..."

"Ah...I see..." she says with a pretty sad tone.

"I can't take mister Laure, nor any other commander with me. Miss Saki and mister Laure have their work to do, and I already gave mister Ryuuen and mister Kirino the task of taking care of the squad while I am away... But I needed to take someone from my squad with me, so this is one of the reasons I was searching for new members..."

Minase couldn't understand everything about this... But for her, it all started to come together already. Since Yoso wasn't especially close to anyone in his Squad yet, the next possible thing he could ask would be...

"I want you to come with me, and some other Zodiacks on the next mission. It will be a pretty hard one, but judging from your stats, you should be just fine..." says Yoso

"Yes! I'd be really happy to accompany you Commander Yoso!" she says in a happy tone like all of her shyness faded away for a moment. But after she realized that she spoke too loud and direct, she looked down, her face reddening like before.

"No need for honorifics! Call me Yoso, please!"

"S-sure... Y-Yoso!"

Hearing her, Yoso's heart skipped a beat for a moment.

"She is so cute!" thinks Yoso after being bombarded by Minase's cuteness

Laure and Saki could only smirk and laugh while intently staring at Yoso's conversation from afar. Maybe this is the reason that Yoso actually ended his conversation with Minase, waving her goodbye.

Returning to Laure and Saki, the mockery started...

"Who was that cute girl, Yoso?" asks Saki with a smile on her face

"I can't believe you're growing so fast... I am not even married yet..." says Laure

"...Please don't..." says Yoso while looking at them with an annoyed expression