The competition had concluded—some rejoiced, others lamented.
For the nobility, the result was far from pleasant. With their innate sense of superiority, it was difficult for them to accept the victory of Ethan Hayes, a commoner.
Yet, the reality was undeniable. Even the involved parties themselves acknowledged it.
"Nice, Ethan! Well done!"
"Incredible! Who would've thought you were this strong!"
"What do you mean by 'kid'? Show some respect; it's Captain Hayes now!"
The members of the Black Bull squad came forward to congratulate Ethan. Among the nine squads, the Black Bull was the only one Ethan had good relations with.
Despite the presence of nobles and royals within their ranks, the Black Bull members were approachable, understanding, and grounded. Characters like Luck the battle maniac and Noelle Silva, a royal with a sharp tongue, though harsh on the surface, were good-natured deep down.
Aside from the Black Bull squad, the happiest group was the commoners. Ethan's victory symbolized their interests and future.
Now that everything was settled, the commoners cheered and shouted Ethan's name with great enthusiasm.
"I, by the authority of the Wizard King, hereby appoint Ethan Hayes as the Captain of the Tenth Magic Knight Squad. May you forge a bright future and achieve greatness!"
At the ceremony, Ethan accepted the captain's emblem with a broad smile.
In this moment, his identity transformed—from a mere border town commoner to the captain of the Tenth Squad of the Clover Kingdom. He now stood on equal footing with the other nine captains.
"So, have you thought of a name for your squad?" the Wizard King asked casually.
Every squad had its unique title: Golden Dawn, Black Bull, and so on. Surely, the Tenth Squad couldn't settle for just "Tenth Squad." That would sound far too uninspired.
"Hmm..." Ethan pondered for a while.
A name wasn't something to take lightly. Would anyone join a group called "Roll-Up Shutters Squad"? No way!
A powerful, awe-inspiring, and meaningful name could leave a strong first impression, unite hearts, and boost confidence and pride.
However, the name also needed to align with the current circumstances. Unlike the other squads, the Tenth Squad was meant to provide a fair advancement path for commoners, gradually eliminating the conflict and division between commoners and nobles.
Therefore, names that were overly grandiose, like "Heavenly Court" or "Squad of the Gods," would feel excessive and backfire.
After all, for now, the Tenth Squad was just Ethan—a one-man operation.
"Dawn's Light. The squad will be called Dawn's Light," Ethan declared after some thought.
This name seemed fitting. Dawn symbolizes the first ray of light breaking through darkness, much like the commoners' current struggles and aspirations.
It perfectly encapsulated the Tenth Squad's core mission.
"Dawn's Light? Not bad," the Wizard King nodded approvingly.
The name exceeded his expectations. He had even prepared a few backup names for Ethan, but they were now unnecessary.
"Then I officially announce: the Tenth Squad, Dawn's Light, is established!"
As the Wizard King's words resounded, applause erupted.
While the commoners expressed heartfelt congratulations, the nobles and royals clapped reluctantly, merely going through the motions.
For them, the formation of Dawn's Light symbolized a future where countless commoners could stand as equals. This notion was intolerable to any noble or royal.
"By the way, Wizard King, where will the Tenth Squad's headquarters be located?" Ethan asked.
Having a name was one thing, but a squad also needed a base. They couldn't just assemble in the streets.
"Haha, I've already arranged it. Your headquarters will be near the Black Bull squad's base. Someone will guide you there shortly," the Wizard King replied with a smile.
"The Black Bull squad, huh?" Ethan nodded.
The Wizard King had put some thought into this. Of all the squads, only the Black Bull was friendly toward him. Placing the Tenth Squad nearby would ensure they received support during their early stages of development.
"Alright, this meeting is adjourned!"
As the crowd dispersed, everyone returned to their own business.
The events of the day had left a lasting impression on everyone. Not only had Ethan claimed the captaincy of the Tenth Squad, but his astonishing strength had also shaken them deeply.
This meant meddling with the Tenth Squad's affairs would be near impossible in the future.
"Ethan, hold on a moment," the Wizard King called out, stopping him.
His eyes sparkled with curiosity, looking at Ethan as if he were a rare gem.
"Tell me, how did you create that spell earlier? Fire and lightning? I just can't figure out the connection between the two!"
Ethan was speechless.
The Wizard King was a true magic enthusiast!
But this was consistent with his character. It would've been stranger if he wasn't curious.
"Well, it's actually quite simple. By using fire magic to rapidly heat the air, you generate an updraft. As the updraft intensifies, it creates cumulonimbus clouds—you know, the kind of clouds you see before it rains. These clouds naturally produce lightning. With sufficient mental and magical control, you can shape and direct the lightning."
Hearing this, the Wizard King looked both enlightened and confused.
With a lack of basic scientific knowledge, comprehending the mechanics Ethan described was no easy feat.
"Basically, if the conditions are met, anyone can generate lightning. Whether or not you can control it depends on your individual talent," Ethan added, simplifying the explanation.
He had no intention of delving further.
Explaining advanced concepts to someone without the necessary foundation was exhausting—he'd rather focus on building Dawn's Light.
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