Ethan looked over at Lena, who stood beside him with her usual calm demeanor, her expression unreadable. He felt a flicker of curiosity, but her face gave nothing away. On the other hand, Jessica seemed puzzled, her eyes darting between Ethan and Lena. She was clearly aware of an unspoken exchange but chose to stay silent.
‘She must’ve done something to help me,’ Ethan thought, his gratitude growing as he considered how Lena had subtly intervened. ‘I’ll thank her later.’
Lucan cleared his throat, pulling everyone’s attention back to him. His gaze swept over the Iron Vanguards standing behind him, a hint of pride lighting his eyes as he gestured for them to step forward.
“These are the finest among the hired Ascendants,” Lucan began, his voice a mixture of authority and respect. “Allow me to introduce each one. You’ll want to remember their names.”
A tall, athletic woman with dark, cropped hair first stepped forward. Her sharp, calculating gaze fixed on Ethan, and she nodded slightly. Her movements were precise and controlled.
“This is Seraph,” Lucan introduced. “Our strategist. She can assess any situation in seconds, finding weaknesses and advantages and creating quick battle plans. Seraph’s saved us from traps and ambushes that would have been certain death more than I can count. Her intuition borders on the supernatural.”
Seraph’s eyes held a glint of silent confidence, and she offered Ethan a brief, approving look before stepping back in line.
Next, Lucan motioned to a man who towered over the others, his brawny arms crossed over his chest. He had a relaxed smirk, but his piercing gaze spoke of years of combat experience.
“This is Thorne,” Lucan continued. “Our shield—both literally and figuratively. There’s no wall he can’t break through, no weapon that’s ever phased him. You look to him if you need someone to clear a path or hold a line.”
Thorne gave Ethan a nod, a flash of amusement in his eyes as if daring Ethan to test his strength one day.
Beside Thorne stood a man with sleek, silver hair tied back in a short ponytail. His demeanor was calm and controlled, almost meditative, with an aura of quiet authority that was somehow as intimidating as it was reassuring.
“This is Calder,” Lucan said, his tone carrying a note of respect. “Our tactician and weapons master. He knows the intricacies of every blade under a weapon, and she has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of combat techniques. When he speaks, everyone listens.”
Calder’s eyes briefly met Ethan’s, his nod almost imperceptible but filled with acknowledgment. It was clear he observed every detail and missed nothing.
Next, a lean, wiry figure took a step forward. His fingers constantly twitched as if eager for action, and a glint in his eye hinted at a restless energy.
“Axel,” Lucan introduced, his lips curving into a slight smile. “Our scout and reconnaissance expert. If there’s a place we need eyes on, he’s the one who gets there first, unseen and unheard. He’s saved our lives more than I can count with his information.”
Axel shot Ethan a quick grin, his gaze playful yet piercing, before returning to his place with a cocky salute.
The fifth figure, a woman with an intense gaze and auburn hair pulled back into a high braid, stepped forward. Her posture was flawless, almost regal, with a silent, unbreakable focus that radiated from her.
“This is Rhea,” Lucan said, his tone shifting to admiration. “Our healer and alchemist. She’s trained in some of the rarest healing arts and can treat injuries and conditions no one else would dare touch. More than once, she’s pulled us back from the edge.”
Rhea’s calm, unwavering gaze settled on Ethan, and she gave him a polite nod. Clearly, she was the quiet strength behind the group, the one who held them together when all else failed.
Finally, Lucan nodded toward a shorter figure standing slightly apart. He had a wild, untamed look in his eyes and a grin that hinted at unpredictability.
“This is Flint,” Lucan said with a wry smile. “Our demolitions and sabotage expert. He’s as skilled in setting traps as he is in disarming them. Flint’s methods can be… unconventional, but when it comes to disrupting enemy operations, he’s unmatched.”
Flint gave a small, enthusiastic nod, his eyes glinting excitedly as he acknowledged Ethan. He looked ready to spring into action at any moment, the embodiment of controlled chaos.
Lucan stepped back, his gaze sweeping over the Iron Vanguards with unmistakable pride before returning to Ethan.
“These are the Iron Vanguards,” he finished, his voice steady. “Each one has chosen to be here, to fight alongside you in whatever lies ahead.”
Ethan felt the weight of Lucan’s words settles over him, realizing the caliber of allies he now had at his side. He then turned to the group, extending an inviting gesture toward the doors leading into the training ground.
“Nice to meet all of you. Please step inside. This will be your training ground for as long as you’re with us,” Ethan said, his voice steady and welcoming.
As they moved into the training facility, the Ascendants found themselves in a vast, immaculately organized space with state-of-the-art equipment. Racks lined the walls, brimming with various weapons, from traditional blades to the latest Ascendant technology.
Luckily, the place was completed just before the Ascendants stepped inside. It was now reinforced with high-tech equipment, sparring mats, designated areas for different training regimens, and specialized zones for honing elemental and tactical skills.
Jessica and Lena exchanged a quick, satisfied glance as the hired Ascendants looked around, visibly impressed. Lucan and the Iron Vanguards were used to the raw, brutal battlefield conditions.
Still, they were genuinely surprised at the setup. The group was silent for a moment, absorbing the details of the facility. Seraph let out a low whistle, her eyes scanning the room’s carefully structured layout. At the same time, Thorne grinned, clearly appreciative of the equipment’s quality.
“This is… well beyond what I expected,” Lucan admitted, approvingly glancing at Ethan. “A setup like this? It’s rare, even for some of the most established operations we’ve worked with.”
Ethan nodded, taking in their expressions with satisfaction. He understood what this setup meant to them. He’d spent time and effort ensuring that this training ground would offer all they needed—and it was worth every resource to gain their respect.
Despite their strengths and experience, their life as an Ascendant was never as simple as raw power. Each of them had their own reasons for joining.
The Iron Vanguards had spent countless years on the front lines, facing death in every moment, often outnumbered and outmatched. No battle had ever been easy, no mission without risk.
They had accepted his offer as a temporary respite, a break from the relentless cycle of combat that defined their lives.
Even as Ascendants, they had never been guaranteed an easy life. Strength alone wasn’t everything—it borders took a sharp mind, survival skills, and resourcefulness to navigate the world beyond Novan City’s. And for many of them, earning a living was as grueling as their missions. In the outside world, an Ascendant’s life was anything but secure.
Ethan’s offer for a monthly payment was comparable to what they could earn from a dangerous mission that lasted three to four months. However, that mission came with the constant risk of losing their lives. The opportunity was tempting for each of them, giving them a reason to contemplate a change in direction, even if just for a little while.
For Calder, it meant something more personal. His mother had recently fallen critically ill, and this job would allow him the chance to be close to her, even if only for a while. And, as each member of the Iron Vanguards had grown up in Novan City, returning home offered them a familiar sense of comfort they rarely experienced.
Their presence had a noticeable effect on the other hired Ascendants, who seemed more assured now. The respect for the Iron Vanguards among their ranks was clear, and seeing these seasoned veterans join Ethan’s cause only made the rest of them more determined. Evidently, the task they’d signed on for carried weight and purpose, and that made all the difference.
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