10 A Transfer Order?

The villagers look towards me with frightened eyes, some of them even kneeling. 'Well, I don't blame them.' I think as I look at my bloody appearance and the many corpses on the ground. They were alive just a moment ago. I look at my sword and frown when I see a crack on it's surface. 'An ordinary sword can't handle my attacks anymore. I need to replace it with a better one.'

''İ-is he really that devil guy?''

''I-I don't know, he is strong though.''

Nervous whispers around me turns me back to reality and I see an elder of the village bowing with his knees on the ground towards me. I look at him before speaking.

'' You should rise, I just did my mission.'' I tell him casually.

''I-I wouldn't dare. D-devil-san, thanks for saving our village, I want to express our gratitue for all of us here. Do you have any instructions for us?'' He asks with a fearful yet respectful tone. 'Maybe I should keep my identity secret in villages or city. İs my reputation that scary?' I think helplessly. I smirk as an idea comes to my mind.

''I indeed have something to ask from you. An extremely important request.'' I ask with a chilling voice. All the villagers gasp with fright as they kneel as well, some of them even shaking.

''P-please tell us your needs, we will try our best.'' Elder asks with a shaking voice.

I point my finger towards the stable of this town, elder and the villagers look towards stable as well with confused looks.

'' Do you want a horse, benefactor?'' Elder asks with a confused voice.

'' That horse over there, the brown one. Helped me once in the past, he is a friend of mine. Take good care of him.'' I tell him casually before leaving with a wave of my hand. He is the horse that I used to reach marine branch as a kid. As we are on our way back to the marine base, Crow starts speaking with an annoyed tone:

'' The more you grow up, the more childish you become. Did you have to scare them like that?''

''Well, I couldn't help it. Also it is better if they are scared a little, I wouldn't want them to go back on their word after all.'' I reply with a casual tone and a light smirk. We walk in a comfortable silence after that for a few hours, reaching the marine base a few hours before sunrise.

[Marine Branch 12, Few hours Before Sunrise, İn the Office]

'' So... you are transferring me away?'' I ask with frown.

''İt is not that I am transferring you, I got an order from headquarters. They think you have too much potential to stay in this area. They want you to be transferred to branch 10 in Rodos City.'' Maynard tells me with a tired voice.

Branch 12 and branch 10 is actually extremely close. Only difference is branch 10 protects the inside of the city while branch 12 protects the outside, such as villages.

'' What does it got to do with my potential? Branch 10 is not much different than branch 12 anyway.'' I ask with a confused tone.

'' I was going to get there. This is not an ordinary transfer, the captain of branch 10 will be testing your abilities and character. İf he deems you fit, you will be transferred to headquarters to go under an elite training. İf you manage to go to that camp and finish it with good results, you will reach a high rank in marines. This is an opportunutiy for you.'' Maynard finishes with a serious tone. 'It seems he wants me to take this opportunity. Sigh, this is an order from headquarters anyway, I have no choice.'

'' When should I leave?''

'' Some marine officers form branch 10 will come to take you tomorrow morning.'' I nod towards him before leaving towards the exit.

''There is one more thing...'' he stops me. I turn around and look at him with raised brows.

''You should talk with Hina, before you leave. Or she will be mad.'' he finishes with a smirk.

'' I know, I know.'' I reply with a tired voice as l leave the room.

--- Next Morning ---

The marine officers from branch 10 came early in the morning. Sizing me up with arrogant and disdainful smiles.

''Oh, so this countryside boy is called a devil?''

''You shouldn't believe such exaggerated rumours.''

Two of them whisper to each other. The one at the very front coughs and glares at them making them shut up. He turns towards me and intrroduces himself.

'' My name is Ramon, I am the captain of marine branch 10, I will be your superior and tester for 1 month.'' He introduces himself. I nod towards him and also introduce myself. We were about to take off but a pink haired girl crashes into me making us fall to the ground in an awkward position. My back is facing with the ground while she is on top of my chest. Her cheeks are flushing red as she looks towards me and shouts with anger:

'' YOU DARE TO LEAVE WİTHOUT TELLİNG HİNA!'' She shouts in a fierce tone.

''I was going to tell you but you were sleeping, so... mpfh'' I try to explain but she covers my mouth with her hand cutting me off.

'' Shut up. I don't want your excuses.'' She tells still angry. ' Well I guess I was on the wrong, her only friend here is me after all' I take her hand off my mouth and look at her in the eyes.

''...Okay... I am sorry?'' I apologize awkwardly yet sincere. She looks at me for a few seconds before nodding her head. ''Hina forgives you.'' ''... Can you get up now? You are really heavy, I might be crushed to death'' I tease her with an amused tone. Her cheeks turn even redder as she gets up in a hurry. I also get up as I hear her mutter ''...He is unbearable.'' There is a few seconds of silence before Hina breaks the silence:

''Hmpfh, don't get big headed because you are going to the headquarters earlier, Hina will catch up to you in no time and beat you.'' I was about to tease her again but the determination in her eyes makes me stop.

'' Okay, I will wait for you to beat me.'' I tell her in a serious tone. She examines my expression before nodding towards me.

''I hope you pass this test. H-Hina will miss you.'' She tells the last sentence with a nervous voice.

'This girl's mood change so fast, I can't adapt at all' I think as I pat her head '' I will miss you as well.'' I say to her sincerely. She runs off after that muttering '' Hina is not a child anymore, why is he patting my head?''

I look at her dumbfounded before turning towards Crow. ''... Hina was really strange today, isn't she?''

Crow sighes before answering in a sad voice. '' ... You are too oblivious, I pity that poor girl.''

''?'' I look at Crow confused but a voice calls me before I can put more thoughts into this.

''Hey, boy! Come inside already, we don't have the whole day.'' A voice shouts from a cart.

''I'm coming'' I answer as I walk towards the cart with Crow on my shoulders.