Commander Cassandra stood before Solis, her piercing blue eyes holding an air of authority. Though she had just sworn him in as an official Postknight, she wasted no time in handing him his first assignment.
"Solis, your first mission is of utmost importance," she began.
Solis straightened, standing at attention.
"Six months ago, a dragon attack devastated Pompom Village which is in Katalan Valley near the border. The village has been rebuilt, but they still rely on our support. Right now, a group of Rank D Postknights is stationed there, providing aid. Your task is to deliver lumber to help them construct a podium for their upcoming annual festival."
Solis's jaw tightened at the mention of the dragon attack. That very disaster had taken his father's life and destroyed his village too. His fists clenched slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm.
"I understand," he said.
Cassandra studied him, noting the tension in his stance. "The people there have suffered, Solis. We serve not only to fight but to rebuild and bring hope. Do you accept this duty?"
Solis exhaled, then nodded firmly. "I accept."
"Good." Cassandra gestured to a nearby attendant, who handed him a Postknight scroll.
Solis took the scroll and unraveled it slightly. As expected, its magic shimmered faintly—a sign of dimension magic at work. Postknight scrolls weren't ordinary paper. They acted as storage tools, capable of holding multiple objects in a separate dimensional space.
"This scroll contains your delivery," Cassandra explained. "The lumber is stored inside, and once you reach Pompom Village, you can release it. The magic will handle the rest."
Solis nodded. This would make the journey easier.
"Also, now that you're officially a Postknight, you can access your own weapon."
At that, a Postknight apprentice stepped forward, carrying Solis's newly acquired sword. A massive, broad-bladed weapon—sturdy, heavy, and fitting for his increased strength. The hilt was wrapped in black leather, and the silver blade had a faint shine under the torchlight.
Solis grasped the hilt and swung the sword experimentally. Heavy. Solid. Just right.
"Thank you," he said.
Cassandra smirked. "Try not to break it on your first mission."
Solis nodded before turning toward the exit.
His first mission as a Postknight had begun.
---
Journey to Pompom Village
With the Postknight scroll safely tucked away, Solis set out toward Pompom Village. The road stretched before him, winding through the open plains. The late afternoon sun painted the sky in warm hues, casting long shadows as he marched forward.
Six months.
That was how long it had been since the attack. Since his father's death.
He tightened his grip on the scroll. His father had always been strong, yet in the end, even he had been powerless against the dragon's might.
But Solis wouldn't be.
He had grown stronger.
Stronger than before.
By the time he neared the outskirts of Pompom Village, the sun had dipped below the horizon. The sky now carried shades of deep purple and blue. Lanterns flickered to life along the village's main road, casting a warm glow over the newly rebuilt homes.
Solis sighed. It's good to see this place thriving again.
Rather than heading straight to the village center, he decided to rest for the night. Up ahead, an inn stood on the outskirts—a modest establishment, yet welcoming.
He stepped inside.
---
A Quiet Evening—Almost
The inn was warm, bustling with a few travelers and merchants. The scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filled the air. Solis made his way to the counter, setting his sword against the wall before ordering a drink.
"I'll have a mango juice," he said.
The bartender—a short, elderly man—chuckled. "A knight who prefers juice over ale? That's rare."
Solis smirked. "I need a clear head for tomorrow."
The bartender nodded, setting down a tall glass of golden juice in front of him. Solis took a sip, savoring the sweet flavor.
Just as he was about to relax, the inn's door slammed open.
A drunken man stumbled in, his movements clumsy yet aggressive. His eyes were bloodshot, and his clothes were stained with alcohol. He staggered toward the bar, slamming his fist onto the counter.
"Oi, old man! Another drink!" he barked.
The bartender frowned. "You've had enough for tonight."
The drunkard sneered. "Don't tell me what I can or can't have, geezer!"
Solis set his glass down. This isn't going to end well.
The drunkard suddenly reached over the counter, grabbing the bartender's collar. "I said, give me another drink!"
Before he could do any harm, Solis stepped in.
"Let go of him," Solis said, his tone firm.
The drunkard turned, glaring at Solis. "Who the hell are you?"
"A Postknight," Solis replied, crossing his arms. "Now let him go."
The drunkard let out a rough laugh. "What's a knight gonna do, huh? Lecture me?"
Solis sighed. Some people never learn.
The drunk swung a fist.
Solis ducked.
With a swift movement, he stepped in close, grabbed the man's wrist, and twisted it behind his back. The drunkard yelped in pain.
"Wanna rethink your choices?" Solis asked.
"L-Let go!" the man stammered.
Solis released him with a shove, sending him stumbling backward. The man hesitated before cursing under his breath and storming out of the inn.
Silence followed. Then—clapping.
Solis turned toward the source of the applause.
Two familiar figures stood near the doorway, smirking.
"Well, well," one of them said. "Solving problems with your fists, huh?"
Solis blinked in surprise before his lips curled into a grin. "Vaidya? Ada?"
---
Reunion with Old Friends
Vaidya, the ever-sharp strategist, pushed up his glasses, a smirk on his face. He wore the official Postknight armor, a Postknight scroll tucked neatly in his satchel. Beside him, Ada stood with her arms crossed, her wooden sword resting against her hip. She was grinning.
"You're looking stronger," Ada noted, eyeing him up and down.
Solis chuckled. "And you two have already moved up in rank."
"Of course," Vaidya said. "We're not ones to slack off."
Ada elbowed Solis. "You, on the other hand, decided to disappear for six months."
Solis scratched the back of his head. "Yeah… I needed time to train."
Vaidya nodded. "Looks like it paid off."
Ada smirked. "Still, you're the same old Solis. Jumping into fights before thinking."
Solis laughed. "Some things never change."
Vaidya tapped the Postknight scroll on his belt. "We were actually going to check on the supply deliveries tomorrow. Guess you're here for the same reason?"
Solis nodded. "Yeah. Just arrived."
Ada grinned. "Well, in that case, let's team up."
Solis smirked. Just like what we had six months ago.
The three of them sat down, sharing stories of their missions, their training, and how much they had grown. For the first time in a long while, Solis felt at ease.
But he knew—this was just the beginning.
Tomorrow, his mission awaited.