The sun hung high, blazing at its zenith, marking the third day since the Nine Squads Competition. Ethan Hayes, now the captain of the newly formed Tenth Squad, found himself busier than ever. The recognition and responsibility had thrust him into a whirlwind of tasks that allowed no reprieve.
Every day, hundreds of commoners gathered at the squad's newly assigned headquarters, eager to join this historic group. Ethan also busied himself with designing the squad's insignia and uniform. At first, he considered adapting the uniform of "Akatsuki," but he quickly dismissed the idea.
"A fully cloaked figure in all black? That's more terrorist than public servant. What's next, a menacing monologue while floating over Clover Kingdom?" Ethan mused, chuckling at the absurdity.
After much thought, he settled on a simple yet elegant concept: the insignia would depict a rising sun amidst clouds, symbolizing hope and progress. The uniforms would be akin to formal suits with an added cloak—a balance between practicality for combat and sophistication.
With his designs finalized, Ethan handed them to a temporary assistant assigned by the Wizard King. He then stepped outside to address the next pressing issue: recruitment.
Rigorous Recruitment
The Tenth Squad's purpose was clear—it existed to provide commoners with an unbiased avenue for advancement. Yet, Ethan knew that loose recruitment policies would lead to chaos. He devised strict criteria:
Age and Magic Level: Applicants under 20 must possess a grimoire of at least two-leaf rank. Applicants aged 20–30 needed magic power at or above the Eighth Domain. Character Check: No criminals, swindlers, or oppressors. Background checks would extend to three generations to ensure integrity.
"Better to start small with quality than let the squad become a den of chaos," Ethan concluded.
"Hel, have the names been registered?" Ethan inquired of Hel, his assistant.
"Yes, Captain. Those meeting the criteria are registered. Verification and background checks will take approximately ten days," Hel reported.
Ethan nodded. "Good. Inform the crowd that the first round of recruits will be announced in two weeks. The rest should disperse."
Hel relayed the message, though it was met with dissatisfaction from many outside the gates.
"Why not let us all join?"
"Isn't this squad meant for commoners? I've waited three days!"
"Figures. Now that he's made it, he's forgotten his roots."
Ethan overheard the complaints and merely smirked. He returned to his quarters, unaffected.
"These people think I owe them? If they meet the standards, they'll have their chance. If not, they're free to complain elsewhere. Dawn's Light doesn't cater to leeches or ingrates," Ethan muttered, penning down strategies for the squad.
Expanding Horizons
As the crowd dispersed, Ethan refocused on what mattered most: personal growth. Titles and accolades were fleeting, but strength endured.
Ideas flowed as he jotted down techniques to refine his magic. One such concept was compressing wind magic to enhance its destructive power—a skill he dubbed Spiral Sphere.
"This could serve as a versatile core for countless techniques," he noted. The idea of advancing it into a Wind Spiral Shuriken held immense promise.
One by one, he listed innovations to enhance his combat arsenal. His ambition wasn't just to elevate himself but also to create a squad that would be a beacon of strength and fairness.
Amid his musings, a familiar voice broke through the silence.
"Ethan! Get out here!"
It was Asta, his relentless comrade, hollering with characteristic fervor.
Ethan sighed, but a grin crept onto his face. Some things never changed.
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