The hall of iron banners was packed that day. B.A.M soldiers, ministers, palace scribes, all pressed shoulder to shoulder, waiting for the announcement. The air crackled with tension—the day of Names and Ranks. The day when the King himself, or his shadow through Soren Vask, carved destinies with a single decree.
I stood in formation, sweat crawling down my back beneath the stiff black uniform. My heart pounded like war drums.
The great screen flickered alive. The herald's voice echoed across the chamber:
> "By order of His Majesty Chris Blackwood, King of Blackwood and Supreme Commander of B.A.M, the following promotions and demotions shall take effect immediately…"
Names rolled like thunder. Captains to Colonels. Majors reduced for cowardice. Entire divisions merged. Cheers. Gasps. The sharp inhale of men who had just seen their lives rewritten.
Then—my name.
> "Cadrel Kadrin—by decree of the King and upon recommendation of General Soren Vask—promoted to High Commander. Placed five ranks beneath the King's Right Hand."
The hall exploded.
Gasps. Murmurs. A ripple of disbelief ran through the soldiers like fire. It was impossible. A leap so unnatural, it defied the ladder every soldier feared and respected. Men who had trained for decades froze in silence. Others clenched fists, swallowing envy.
My chest felt hollow, as if my soul had left my body. My father's face flashed in my mind—how he spat at me, told me I'd die for nothing.
And now…
I stood, promoted above generals, lords of war, men who once barked orders at me. My rank just five steps below Soren Vask himself.
The hall erupted again as Soren stepped forward, expression unreadable. His voice cut through the noise like a blade:
> "This is not favoritism. This is recognition. The King himself has witnessed this boy's loyalty. And loyalty… is rarer than skill."
The room bowed. I couldn't breathe. My name was written now—not just on the list, but in the bones of history.
Whispers spread everywhere:
"The boy… the Minister's son?"
"Impossible. How—?"
"Did the King—?"
I kept my face still, but inside, a fire roared.
The impossible had happened.
And in that moment, I realized something terrifying.
The King wasn't just rewarding me. He was claiming me.
I no longer belonged to my father. I no longer belonged to myself.
I belonged to Blackwood.
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