Time passed through relentless training sessions between Enette and Abel.
Enette had taught Abel everything he needed to know about the Qephraï. He had also shown him maps of the world, divided into four massive islands. Abel still hadn't memorized the names of all the continents, nor the Archons who ruled them, except for the one they currently lived on: Seyrel, governed by Archon Lysander Vorel. Seyrel ranked as the fourth most important continent among the seven.
Today, the weather was beautiful.
Yet the world itself had changed overnight.
Enette had explained to Abel that once every year, on the same date, while everyone slept, the world reshaped itself. By morning, nothing outside the cities and continents was the same. Because of this, mapping the world beyond inhabited zones was impossible. Sometimes, it made things incredibly complicated especially when it came to strategy or simply keeping one's bearings.
« The day is really beautiful today. Our suspension will be lifted soon. Even though training with Enette has been more than enjoyable, I'm starting to get tired of it. Especially since we'll soon return to active duty within the troop. I'll already be ten years old in this world.
Well… I don't really have to worry like others do, since I can't die. Life is pretty good. I'm even starting to truly appreciate my parents more than in my previous life. At least they're not ashamed of living a miserable life they chose it themselves.
Soon, we'll all be able to enjoy time together again. Anyway… I've arrived. I shouldn't keep Enette waiting. He's regained his confidence for a while now. It's nice to see. He almost made me feel sorry for him back then. »
Abel walked through the corridors toward the same room he went to every day. It had become a habit. But unlike his previous life, he genuinely liked the one he lived now. For the first time, he felt truly unique.
He stopped in front of the door.
He no longer bothered knocking. He simply opened it and stepped inside.
But unlike usual… Enette was not alone.
"Oh, good morning, Madame Van Hauban. I'm surprised to see you here."
"Good morning, Abel. It's a beautiful way to start the day, don't you think? I believe today will be a very good day for you… for both of you."
She continued calmly.
"The troop has observed your progress over the past month. Normally, your suspension should have lasted four more months. However, we are in need of manpower. A war is approaching."
Abel stiffened slightly.
"We've had disagreements with another troop located on the Seyrel continent. This means the war will not take place in unknown territory. The entire troop will be mobilized.
We will form several temporary combat units. Even though Enette has lost his rank, it would be foolish not to appoint him as a unit leader. Abel, you will serve as vice-unit leader. You will each be given one hundred soldiers."
She paused.
"The centurions will command stronger units, and so on. This time, Enette will not be allowed to act on his own initiative. In fact, it's possible that you may not even fight. The opposing troop is known as the Green Bees. Their leader, unlike me, is not a Decarches."
She turned toward the door.
"I came to inform you. Preparations will take all of next week."
"Why is this war happening?" Abel asked. "We don't fight people without a valid reason."
Van Hauban smiled faintly.
"A good question. In truth, the Green Bees sold information to extremely notorious bandits. They are difficult to track and are becoming dangerous.
Once we flush those bandits out, a second war will follow. And through that… we will gain immense renown."
She turned away.
"That is all. I have preparations to make."
Anastasia Van Hauban left the room, leaving Abel and Enette alone.
Abel stood facing Enette. Enette sat on the couch, hands resting on his knees.
"Abel," Enette said quietly. "Anastasia told me that if I bring her the head of one of the Green Bees' centurions, I may regain command of a unit. I could even become a centurion myself."
His eyes burned with determination.
"We need to train. We only have one week before the war. We must reclaim what was taken from us."
« She really fired him up… He'll be terrifying on the battlefield.
But I also need to prove my worth. I can't let Enette take all the glory. »
"Didn't you say you had something important to tell me?" Abel asked.
Enette looked away, clearly uncomfortable.
"No… not yet. I'll tell you when I'm sure I can do it. Probably after the war. Or after the second one against the bandits.
For now, you're the priority. You need to grow stronger. We'll train twice as hard this week until your body spits blood."
The week before the battle was brutal.
Abel and Enette trained relentlessly.
On the day of departure, the troop was ready. Warriors stood tall, all radiating strength. Watching them, Abel felt it was impossible to lose.
But in the Green Bees' camp, preparations were far from orderly.
Inside a cold, dim office, two men sat facing each other. Three others stood behind the one who appeared to be the troop's leader. His skin was covered in red blotches, his long black hair greasy, his beard thick and unkempt. Despite appearing twenty-two years old, his lifestyle betrayed his true age.
"I'm glad to see you," the leader said. "As you know, the assistance I provided to your bandit group has caused me serious trouble. A war will break out soon. The opposing troop is already on the move.
I want you to mobilize your men as support. You will be rewarded."
The bandit smirked.
"That won't be necessary. Only I'll support you. I'm one of the four commanders. The others aren't available. As for our leader… he's busy hoping to meet a Qephraï Y'shoth-Naal."
He leaned forward.
"Pay me, and I'll reduce the enemy troop myself."
"Are you serious?" the leader snapped. "This isn't a game! The opposing leader is a Decarches!"
"Perfect," the bandit replied calmly. "Strong enemies are more fun. Weak people disgust me.
One condition though. I want a private tent. Only women may enter. If a man enters without permission, I'll cut off his head."
He stood.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a fine vintage to prepare."
After he left, the men exchanged uneasy glances.
"Who does he think he is?" one whispered. "He's an amateur. He'll soil himself at the first clash."
"We have no choice," the leader replied. "We need manpower. If this is the price to ensure the strong survive… so be it. Prepare for war."
Both camps were ready.
Wars were common in this world. Archons existed to limit them but some wars were inevitable.
The two armies arrived on the battlefield.
Vast plains of no man's land stretched between them. Camps were erected, facing each other, separated by two kilometers.
In the Silver Needle camp, orders were given.
"Listen carefully," Anastasia said. "I'll send a centurion to deliver the formal conditions. The Archons require diplomacy. They'll likely do the same. The war begins in two hours."
In the Green Bees' camp, the bandit commander was sent instead.
They met at the center of the plain, shrouded in thin mist.
The bandit looked around.
"Terrible weather, huh? Anyway… I was told to negotiate. Honestly, this kind of war is just about who has the biggest balls, right?"
The centurion hesitated.
"I… I suppose. The war begins in two hours. You chose the location. We chose the time."
The bandit tilted his head.
"Hmm. That doesn't work for me."
"What? You don't get to…"
Before he could finish, the centurion's head separated from his body.
Chaos erupted.
"Your schedule sucks," the bandit laughed. "So I decided to start now."
The war had begun.