Team 1

In a towering skyscraper that pierced the New York City skyline, a man occupied the topmost floor, his presence marked by a contemplative gaze cast upon the bustling cityscape. Seated with an air of authority, he indulged in a large Cuban cigar, its fragrant smoke curling through the air. His attire, a dark purple suit, absorbed the city's luminance, a striking contrast to his black curly hair tipped with fiery red. The rhythm of two emphatic knocks disrupted his tranquility, causing him to extract the cigar from his lips, a sigh accompanied by wisps of smoke escaping as he responded, "Come in."

The door yielded to his summons, revealing a towering figure. A bald, muscular man stood before him, his massive frame enveloped by a black suit that appeared almost comically inadequate for his colossal proportions. "Lord Travis Black, some of our volunteers have survived the experiment."

Drawing another breath of smoke, Travis released it leisurely before responding with measured indifference, "Have they now?"

The man gestured to his compact cell phone, entirely dwarfed by his hands' enormity. "Indeed, my lord. We've also determined the location of the Inquisitor exam."

Travis's smirk materialized alongside the words that slipped past his lips, the air around him imbued with his enigmatic aura. "Ah, Washington, D.C. Then let's orchestrate a little field test before presenting our wares to our gracious benefactor."

With a bow that appeared strained under the weight of his master's presence, the bald man concurred, "At once, my lord."

However, apprehension tethered his resolve, prompting him to stutter slightly before conveying the truth. "Young Lord Black is among the participants, undertaking the exam."

A heavy silence enveloped the room, punctuated by the faint shattering of the glass window through which Travis had been peering. "Is that so?" His response, dripping with an amalgam of amusement and menace, resonated like a harbinger of impending conflict. "Seems the brat wants to challenge both the Union and me. So, all those attacks were his handiwork. He dispatched our men according to my teachings – can't fault him for that." His form rose from the chair, exuding a menacing aura that seemed to seep through the very walls. Black shades adorned his face, unable to conceal the intensity of his glowing purple eyes.

Grahm, the bald subordinate, felt the chills of trepidation racing down his spine, mingling with beads of cold sweat on his forehead. He addressed his lord with a voice laced with unease. "My lord, are you still considering the field test?"

Travis, casting an appraising glance at Grahm, silenced any lingering doubts. "Grahm, did I stutter?"

A solitary bead of sweat descended from Grahm's cheek, plummeting onto the floor below. "No, my lord."

Reassured, Travis strode towards his subordinate, his touch igniting a mix of terror and anticipation in Grahm's heart. A breathless moment hung suspended as Travis's hand alighted upon Grahm's bald crown, instigating fleeting panic within his mind. 'This is it, I'm done for...'

Travis sighed audibly before retracting his hand, an unexpected respite for Grahm. "Merely unleash experiment 2207, let it wreak havoc, and observe how long it contends against the Inquisitors." Reclaiming his seat, Travis donned his enigmatic shades, his purple eyes' intensity undiminished. "Ensure the entire confrontation is meticulously recorded. Our patron requires a vivid demonstration of their investment."

Grahm rose from his bow, a semblance of relief flickering in his stance. "Yes, my lord," he affirmed, retreating from the room.

Travis, restoring his cigar to his lips, cast his gaze once more toward the expansive view. "That impertinent brat. Perhaps my punishment has been overly harsh this time. Still, I require him – for now. I'll permit him some leeway to frolic outside for a spell. After all, he is mine."

Amidst the bustling ambiance of the Inquisitor exam stadium, Sable's laughter echoed with pure exhilaration, reverberating through the air. "Ah, do you see now? I've told you all along – we have an abundance of promising prospects in this year's batch!"

The assembled Knights exchanged glances, momentarily taken aback by Sable's uncontainable joy. Amid their collective bewilderment, Caleb managed to steady himself and articulate his inquiry. "Sable, I understand that you played a significant role in recruiting many of these applicants, but were you aware of the capabilities of that Ryan youngster?"

Sable's gaze shifted to Caleb, his expression a blend of candor and self-assuredness. His hand found its way to the back of his head as he spoke. "To be honest, no, even I was caught off guard by that lad's prowess." A smug grin emerged on Sable's lips, his satisfaction palpable. "However, I had a hunch that he'd be at least this impressive. I mean, come on, he's under the wing of none other than the Red Wolf himself."

The Knights, taken aback by this revelation, collectively displayed their astonishment, with Caleb vocalizing their shared disbelief. "Wait, you're saying the Red Wolf, Loid Asher, brought him here?"

Sable's grin broadened into a sly smirk, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Yes, indeed. Quite the unexpected twist, isn't it? But, well, it's time to move forward. The next exam awaits, and we wouldn't want our applicants wandering the night away, would we? After all, it's only the first day of the exam." Sable cleared his throat gently. "Alright, all of you aspiring Inquisitors, your results have been evaluated. Allow me to unveil the designated teams."

The words that had fallen from Sable's lips left the entire assembly of applicants stunned and wide-eyed. Among them, none appeared more thunderstruck than Ryan and Don. A soft chuckle escaped Sable's lips, his amusement evident as he observed the collective surprise his proclamation had elicited. "You all seem quite taken aback. Well, there's no need to fret. Allow me to clarify. The teams we've crafted for you will play a crucial role in your journey to pass these exams. We've decided to group those who've showcased exceptional performances together on the same team."

Don, his thoughts racing at the turn of events, was astounded by the revelation. 'Same team as Ryan? So, they've guaranteed that we'll be together. But this also means that we'll be in the spotlight, a target for others to aim for. Is Sable's intention to use us as a benchmark for the rest?' His determination took root, accompanied by a simmering anger. 'Damn it, Sable. Just wait. Once I've reached the strength I need, I'm going to give you a piece of my mind.'

Sable's devious smile waned as he redirected his focus. "And now, for the Team 1 members. Let's start with the first-place applicant, Ryan. His unparalleled skill and power earn him a spot on this team." His gaze shifted, acknowledging the second-place holder. "Next up, we have Donaldo Espinoza in second place, primarily chosen for his exceptional speed and proficiency."

The white-haired girl, Nina Liakhovich, stepped forward with an air of nonchalance, her smile lighting up her features.

"The third member of Team 1 is Nina Liakhovich, who clinched fifth place. Her strategic efficiency in dealing with her adversaries played a decisive role in her selection."

Mia Musashi, the katana-wielder, came forward gracefully, her sword sheathed at her side. A respectful bow was her greeting to the group.

"Securing seventh place, Mia Musashi stands as the fourth member of Team 1. Her compassion and dedication to assisting her fellow applicants in achieving the required points greatly contributed to her position."

"The Fifth and final member of Team 1 will be the tenth-place applicant Duke St.John. His ability to work in a team and take the least dangerous actions to achieve his goals has granted him the last place."

A camaraderie between two men, Duke St. John and his counterpart, shone in their exchanged glances. The darker-skinned Duke offered a fist bump, his voice earnest. "Let's make it through this, Sir."

The blonde man laughed heartily, returning the fist bump. "No need for formalities anymore, Duke. We're both on equal footing here. See you at the end of this journey."

With an approving nod, Duke joined the group with a sense of resolve.

Sable's finger pointed toward the exit. "To Team 1, I ask you to proceed through those doors. Knight Silva will guide you through the next phase of your exam."

Ryan's expression was a mixture of displeasure and frustration. He shot a brief, unimpressed glance at his teammates, his inner monologue reflecting his sentiment. 'This is not what I had in mind. I wanted to test my strength against these guys, not become their babysitter. Fine, I'll carry them if I have to, but they better not slow me down.'

He set his gaze ahead and began walking toward the exit, the rest of the team following suit.

As they walked, Don took the initiative to break the silence. "Hey, everyone. I'm Don. I'm here to do my part, and I promise I'll give it everything to ensure we all make it through. So, um, nice to meet you all."

Duke playfully ruffled Don's hair, his warm grin showing his camaraderie. "Nice to meet you too, Don."

Nina's laughter chimed like the tinkling of a bell as she skipped alongside Don and Duke. "I'm Nina. Leave the smashing to me. Anything in our way, I'll shatter it into pieces!"

Mia's voice held an air of noble elegance as she joined the conversation. "I vow upon my blade that I'll provide unwavering support to the team, ensuring that each of us emerges from this ordeal unscathed."

As Team 1 continued their journey, they united not just as a group of individuals, but as a team with a shared goal. Their footsteps echoed in unison, a testament to their newfound alliance. However, beneath the surface, a dark and formidable presence known as the Union was preparing to make its move, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the path that lay ahead.