Chapter 6 – The First Step
6th of Varentis, Year 1247 PDG
Dorm Residency, IBE Headquarters
The sun had already begun to set over the sprawling compound of the Imperial Bureau of Enforcement. The warm glow of dusk bathed the trainee dormitory buildings in amber light, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Rein walked alone, a sturdy duffle bag slung over his shoulder, the strap digging into his collarbone.
He glanced at the folded document in his pocket—the same one that had assigned him to Room 5 in the residential wing.
> Room number 5...
That's right, that was my assignment. Top-ranked candidates grouped together...
It's not just a coincidence.
He pushed the door open.
Inside, the room was surprisingly spacious. Four neatly arranged beds lined the walls, each with its own small cabinet and wardrobe. Two washrooms and a shared bathroom connected through a side hallway. The lighting was warm and clean, though there was already a clear sign of chaos—one of the beds had clothes thrown carelessly over it, boots scattered on the floor nearby like they'd been kicked off mid-run.
Rein's sharp gaze swept the room.
A quiet man sat on the bed closest to the wall, calmly polishing something in his hands. Across the room, a woman reclined on her bed, flipping through a newspaper, her eyes occasionally darting up from the page. Both of them looked toward Rein as he entered.
He nodded politely, then glanced between the two unoccupied beds. One was a mess—the other, untouched.
Rein stepped forward and dropped his bag on the clean bed. He sat down, stretching his back slightly, feeling the tension settle in his shoulders.
Just then, the door swung open.
A tall, broad-shouldered trainee with wild black hair and a smug grin stepped inside.
"Ah, so you're the fourth roommate," he said with a deep, casual tone.
Rein looked up. The man's voice was familiar.
> That guy... what was his name again? Dante... something.
The man approached him directly, stopping just a step too close, eyes sizing Rein up.
"What's your name, and which rank did you get?" he asked.
Rein didn't flinch. "Rein. And I assume you already know that room assignments are based on ranking. So if I'm here… the rest of you must be the top four as well."
The man blinked, then laughed. "Hah! Serious type, huh?" He extended a hand. "Name's Dante Novas, Rank Four. Nice to meet you, Mr. Stoic."
Rein smirked slightly and took the handshake. "Rein Aldric, Rank Two. I remember you—you made quite the impression during the ranking announcement."
Dante gave a mock-sigh. "Oh, that guy? Pfft. Weaklings everywhere. Not that I'm cruel, but come on—this job isn't for the soft-hearted. You can die out there, y'know?"
Rein's expression didn't change. "He passed the exam. That alone proves he's not as weak as you think. Even if he ends up in a safer branch of the IBE, he's still in."
Dante scratched the back of his neck, then shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. I always thought joining the IBE meant fighting criminals head-on, not... paperwork."
At that, the silent man on the bed finally stood up, walking over to join them. His movements were calm and precise—like someone who thought before he acted.
"The Imperial Bureau isn't just about fighting," he said. "Information gathering, crisis analysis, negotiations, incident cleanups... there's a lot more behind the scenes."
He gave a small nod.
"Revin Irene, Rank Three. Nice to meet you both."
Dante raised a brow. "Oh wow, the quiet guy can talk. Nice to meet you too, man."
Rein responded with a courteous nod. "Likewise."
Dante turned toward the woman still on her bed. "And you? What's with the silence? Planning to be our introverted roommate?" He chuckled.
The girl lowered the newspaper and gave a deadpan look. "I'm not an introvert. I'm just the only girl in this room."
Rein gave a small grin. "Don't worry, we won't eat you alive. IBE doesn't discriminate between genders, after all."
She sighed and stood up, folding the newspaper neatly.
"Elena Charles. Rank One."
Dante blinked. "Whoa, number one? Respect."
"So," he continued, "anyone know what kind of hell they'll throw us into tomorrow?"
Revin pushed his glasses up. "Didn't you read the induction packet?"
Dante rolled his eyes. "Too many pages. I skimmed it."
Revin sighed. "It's two-month intensive. Strategy classes, emergency simulations, and daily combat training. At the end, there's something... different. They mentioned a special test during the final week."
"Ugh, school again?" Dante groaned. "Why do we have to go through lectures here too?"
Elena answered without looking at him. "Because not every battle is won with brute strength. Some fights are decided before they even begin."
Rein lay back on his bed, arms behind his head, a rare lightness in his tone. "I'm excited for tomorrow. It's the next step to becoming an IBE officer."
Revin nodded. "Also, just a heads-up. The packet mentioned that room assignments are fixed—unless there's a major issue, we're stuck together."
Dante smirked. "Guess that makes us a squad now."
Rein turned his head, staring at the ceiling.
"I'm okay with that," he said quietly. "I've never had many friends… but I'm willing to try."
Elena folded her arms. "As long as no one causes problems, I'm fine with it too."
Dante threw himself dramatically onto his own bed. "Man, this is gonna be fun!"
The room fell into a calm silence as the sun finally disappeared beyond the horizon. A faint hum of energy lingered in the air—anticipation for what was to come.
> This is just the next step, Rein thought, eyes slowly closing.
And I won't stop walking until I reach the end.
– Chapter 6 End –
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Info box :-
[World System: Timekeeping]
[Calendar System: PGD (Post Great Devil)
Full Form: Post Great Devil
Year 0 PGD: Marks the year of the Great Explosion caused by the death of the Great Devil and the fusion of magic with his energy, which reshape the world and its power system.]