CHAPTER 148: EX 148. AZURE COLONEL

The air inside the ceremonial hall held a solemn weight, one woven from discipline, reverence, and the kind of silence only soldiers knew how to maintain. When Vanguard Rebecca stepped forward, her boots echoed crisply against the polished floor. The room quieted further, like a breath held in collective anticipation, as she began to speak.

"The skirmish that took place recently was one we never expected to occur," Rebecca said, her voice commanding yet calm, the cadence of a veteran who had led through chaos and come out the other side with her spine straighter. "But as soldiers of the Federation, we are trained to expect the unexpected... and neutralize the unstoppable."

’She’s really good at this,’ Leon thought, arms crossed, slouched slightly in his seat beside Elizabeth.

"We battle at the frontlines," Rebecca continued, "so those we wish to protect may live without fear. And those who have fallen... may never be forgotten."

There was a pause, not for drama,.but for remembrance. Heads bowed, as there was no cough or shuffle just silence.

"But today," she said, "is not a day of mourning. Today is a day of celebration. Some of our own will be rewarded for their bravery, strength, and intelligence, and will serve as living examples for the rest of us to emulate."

Then came the names.

"Combatant Boniface," Rebecca called.

A young man with hard eyes and a sharper posture strode forward. There was no music or dramatic lights. Just a firm handshake, a nod of acknowledgment, and the pinning of a new badge,.marking his promotion to Elite Guard. One after the other, soldiers followed, the same procedure. Just honor given quietly, the Federation’s way.

And yet, the soldiers stood taller when they returned to their seats. Faces held a gleam that wasn’t just from polished medals, it was pride. Not from the rank. Not from the credits. But from recognition. For soldiers raised from childhood under the Federation’s watchful eye, being seen and approved by it was sacred. A purpose fulfilled.

’My stars, this is so boring,’ Leon thought, leaning forward with a hand over his cheek. His white hair shifted slightly as he stared at the stage, unimpressed. ’I thought there’d be, I don’t know... fireworks? At least a song?’ His gaze flicked sideways. ’Now I’m glad they didn’t do this for me when I was promoted to Combatant. What a waste of time that would’ve been.’

Elizabeth caught his expression and smirked. "You don’t look happy for someone about to be promoted."

Leon didn’t skip a beat. He plastered on a fake smile, his voice dry.

"You must be mistaken. Can’t you see how thrilled I am?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and looked away. "Hopeless."

The ceremony dragged on. Another name. Another promotion. Another badge. Then, finally, a change in energy.

"Elizabeth Queen," Rebecca called.

The hall shifted.

As Elizabeth stood, winked at Leon, and walked toward the stage like a woman who knew the ground should be honored to hold her steps. Leon clapped, loudest in the room, as everal heads turned but he didn’t care, she was his woman after all.

"Elizabeth Queen," Rebecca said clearly, "you have not been in the base long. But your arrival was vital in the capture of a high-intelligence-value target. For your contribution, you are hereby promoted to Crimson Commander."

Rebecca removed Elizabeth’s grey Trial Cadet badge, a simple silver disc, and replaced it with the Crimson Commander insignia: an eagle over three stars. A subtle gleam caught the light. With Prestige radiating from that symbol.

Elizabeth raised her right arm in a crisp three-finger salute.

"You have done well, Commander Queen," Rebecca said, returning a four-finger salute.

"For the Federation," Elizabeth replied.

"For the Federation."

The salute broke, and she turned, graceful, and composed, as she returned to her seat beside Leon.

Leon leaned over, voice low. "It looks like you can order me around now."

But before she could say anything, a new voice took the floor.

"Leon Kael," Arbiter George called, stepping forward where Rebecca had stood just moments ago.

Leon straightened.

He gave Elizabeth a sly smile.

"Sorry. Looks like you lost your chance."

He rose from his seat and strode toward the stage, eyes steady, posture relaxed but his pulse began to rise. It was finally his turn.

****

For most ranks in the military, a base commander’s presence was enough. A handshake, a badge swap, a short acknowledgment, that was the standard. But becoming an Azure Colonel wasn’t standard. That required a Silver Marshal.

Unless, of course, your name was Leon Kael.

In that case, even that wasn’t enough.

The Federation had four Golden Arbiters, each one just a step below the Supreme Warden himself. They didn’t show up for ceremonies. They didn’t sit through speeches. They moved policy and people with a word. But for Leon’s promotion, one of them had been summoned. Not out of necessity, but out of significance.

If not for a few... delicate reasons, including the fact that the Governor himself couldn’t stand the idea of seeing Leon’s smug face, the man would’ve come in person. After all, Leon Kael wasn’t just a prodigy. He was the Governor’s secret successor.

And now, he was about to become a Colonel.

Leon’s boots hit the final step of the stage as he approached Arbiter George, a man known for his iron composure and even harder judgments. Leon stopped, back straight, chin high, and raised a sharp three-finger salute.

"Combatant Kael," George began, voice slow and deep, like it was carved into stone. "Your contributions to the recent skirmish were undeniable. You held back multiple A-rank demons so weaker soldiers could survive, You captured a high-value intelligence target and displayed bravery, strength and courage, all good qualities of a great soldier."

Leon’s brow twitched as he held the salute

’Why didn’t he add intelligence?’

But Arbiter George had already reached for the badge.

With quiet precision, the Arbiter removed Leon’s Combatant insignia, a silver triangle that gleamed with cold authority, and replaced it with the Azure Colonel’s badge: a green snake coiled tightly around a silver staff. The serpent shimmered under the light, its eyes like emerald flame.

Then, without hesitation, Arbiter George gave a rare five-finger salute, the highest gesture of honor.

"You have done well, Colonel Kael."

Leon’s chest lifted with a quiet breath as he replied clearly, "For the Federation."

"For the Federation," Arbiter George echoed, their arms lowering in perfect unison.

And just like that, Leon Kael became the youngest and fastest to ever reach the rank of Colonel in the Federation’s 300-year history.

****

Federation Military ranks

Trial cadet

Combatant

Elite Guard

Iron Captain

Crimson Commander

Azure Colonel

Black Vanguard

Silver Marshal

Gold Arbiter

Supreme Warden (only the Govornor)