In an underground training field. Rows and rows of knights in full armour stood before in podium. Proudly on their chests hanged a medallion with an image of sparking hammer striking. On the podium, an old instructor stood. He looked at the knights standing straight neatly and took a deep breath. His voice, like a lion, boomed out.

  "Knights of Ensemble! The organisation has a mission for you! There is an incident with our ally, Saturn's Children. And we need a scapegoat. Who volunteer?! HOWEVER, I MUST REMIND YOU! THIS WILL BE A THANKLESS TASK! EVEN IF YOU SACRIFICE YOURSELF FOR THIS MISSION, YOU WILL ONLY BE BRANDED A TRAITOR IN ALL BUT HIGHEST OF CLASSIFIED FILES. EVEN THEN, YOU WILL BE FORGOTTEN IN LITTLE MORE THAN TWO WEEKS. IF YOU VOLUNTEER, NOT ONLY YOU BUT ALSO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, LOVE ONES WILL ALSO BE IMPLICATED. DON'T THINK ABOUT RECOGNITION, ALSO! THE HIGHER-UPS WILL ONLY THINK OF YOU AS A FOOLISH TOOL AND LAUGH AT YOU. NOW, I ASK AGAIN! WHO VOLUNTEER?!"

  The knights stood in silent. The tension in the room was palpitating. Yet, no one made a move. They all stood there. Their fists gripped hard. At this moment, a knight yelled out.

  "SIR, I WILL, SIR!"

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  The instructor's weathered face shook in anger. He looked at the knight and bellowed.

  "YOU FOOLISH BOY?! DON'T YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID?! NOT ONLY WILL YOU BE BRANDED A TRAITOR, YOU WILL ALSO BE DEALT A TRAITOR'S DEATH! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEAN?!"

  The knight's back is as straight as ever. Light of determination shone in his eyes.

  "I AM WELL AWARE. HOWEVER, I DON'T AFRAID DEATH. I ONLY AFRAID DYING WITHOUT A CAUSE! IN THIS LIFE, I ONLY HAD MY SISTER. SHE DIED IN ESSENCE WAR. SINCE THEN, I REALISED, FAMILY IS MOST IMPORTANT. THE ORGANISATION TOOK ME IN. IT CARED FOR ME. TAUGHT ME. RAISED ME. I VIEW THIS ORGANISATION AS MY FAMILY. HIGHER-UPS MAY NOT CARE, HOWEVER, FOR THOSE PRECIOUS PEOPLE. FOR MY NEW FAMILY, I AM WILLING TO DIE! PLEASE GRANT ME THIS, SIR!"

  The aged instructor looked at him with deep blue eyes. And then, turned with a huff and left.

  "Remember, boy, you are no hero. However, for this moment. Only just this moment. You are one. Go. Go and live to fullest for tonight. The organisation will reimburse for everything"

  "Thank you, sir!" The knight said and took a breath.

  "Don't call me sir! Call me Greyjoy. You at least earned this," the instructor said these echoing words.

  "Thank you, Sir Greyjoy!" The knight smiled with a smile as beautiful as dusk. He turned to leave. But stunned.

  The knights rushed forward. With grim faces, they tore out their medallion and kneeled to place it near his feet.

  For they knew, at that moment, the meaning of medallion had lost and only one was left.

  Excerpted from

  —

  Rise of Adamant: Prologue