“For Victra’s sake, can you be any louder?” Gabriel woke to a husky voice.

“Sorry,” Jonan whispered far too loudly.

“What are you doing?” Lakan asked, his voice still heavy with sleep.

“Never mind, go back to sleep.”

The bed to Gabriel’s left creaked as Ryn sat up, his longer hair slightly disheveled as he rubbed his eyes. He always stayed up too late reading under his blanket, a habit that often left him groggy in the morning. “It was your damn mouth that woke me up, Lakan.”

“Looks like I’m up too now,” Gabriel said as he jumped off his bed and helped himself to a ladle of water in the corner of the room.

“Usually, it's Orion waking us all up. Why are you all annoyed at me?” Jonan pointed out.

“He isn’t so Ash-damned loud,” Lakan said.

“Well, thanks for waking me up, looks it is time for training,” Gabriel said.

Ryn, still half asleep, asked, “More training?”

“Of course.”

There was a long silence, and Lakan yawned as he got out of his bed. “You know what, I’ll join you.”

Gabriel turned to Ryn and Jonan. “You guys should join us, too.”

Ryn hesitated, his eyes lingering on the floor. “I need the rest, plus there's the announcement this morning. Another time, perhaps.” Gabriel sensed an underlying apprehension in Ryn's tone. He could never quite read him. "Another time," Gabriel said with a smile, before turning to Jonan.

“Don’t look at me. I’m a normal human being. I need at least some sleep. We can’t all be freaks like you.”

“Sleep. What an odd concept. I’m not familiar with it,” Gabriel said with a rueful chuckle.

“What, is the old Orion back with some jokes?” Jonan quipped.

“Who knows, maybe hanging around you has that effect. Do you think he’s contagious?” Gabriel dramatically looked around the room, his head swiveling in mock fear. “Am I going to be uttering jokes for the rest of my life?”

Jonan laughed, “There are worse diseases to catch.”

“That there are, that there are,” Gabriel nodded.

“What’s got you so chipper this morning?” Ryn asked, a thoughtful expression on his face.

It was meeting his old friend, knowing that he wasn’t alone. Then again, upon reflection, he realized he had never truly been alone. These boys, his friends, always stood by his side, even when he didn’t deserve it.

“Well, I had supper with the royal family last night.”

“What!” the boys all exclaimed in unison.

“I thought I was the jester,” Jonan said.

“He isn’t joking,” Ryn said, his eyes wide open, standing with rapt attention, his morning grogginess vanishing in an instant.

“It was better than I thought. The prince and princesses were there too.”

“Why didn’t you tell us before?” Ryn asked, his tone almost accusing. Gabriel had always been aware of Ryn’s unwavering devotion to the royal family, but he couldn’t quite understand why they meant so much to him.

“I wasn’t sure it was happening until it happened.”

“Are the princesses as beautiful as they say?” Jonan asked.

“Casena is still young, but I must admit that Adriella has an allure to her.”

“To be seated with them, what an honor,” Ryn said, his voice tinged with admiration.

“Well, tell us everything,” Lakan said.

“If the rest of you want to hear it, you better be joining me for training.” Gabriel tugged on Lakan, his determination evident in his firm grip. “Alright, big man, let’s go,”

“What!” Ryn exclaimed, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. “I’m coming.”

Jonan groaned, “Damn you, Orion, making us exercise even more. I can’t be the only one that sleeps now.”

Gabriel chuckled, “Look at you guys. Keep this up, and you might catch up to me in no time.”

They all left their rooms and walked to the sandy arena. Jonan dragged his feet whilst Lakan and Ryn walked by his side.

“You seem better today?” Lakan asked tentatively, in a quiet whisper that only Gabriel could hear.

“I’m starting to feel like my old self. Like nothing can bring me down.”

Lakan let out a small laugh. “Famous last words.”

“What are you laughing about?” Jonan asked.

Gabriel and Lakan looked at one another, then proceeded to ignore him with a smile etched onto their faces.

Before long, their feet sank into the cool, sandy grounds of the training arena. The early morning air was crisp, carrying the fresh scent of dew and the faint aroma of smoke wafting from the distant kitchens. Birds chirped in the distance, a gentle reminder that the world was waking up around them. Yet for Gabriel and his friends, the day had already begun in earnest.

Gabriel told the boys to do some stretching and then started telling them all about his supper.

Jonan seemed more excited about the food he ate rather than the company he kept, Ryn kept pestering him about little details that mattered little to him and Lakan kept asking about the King and the Prince.

Ryn rotated his shoulders in rapid circles, trying to loosen up from sleep. “So, Princess Adriella wasn’t a big fan of you?” he asked, his enthusiasm betraying his usual calm demeanor.

“That is putting it lightly. If looks could kill…” Gabriel said with a laugh.

“She is the perfect princess: beautiful, regal, and kind.” Ryn stared up into the sky as if Victra was listening to a prayer. “I only saw her in passing once, when I was invited to the castle for the midwinter ball with Father last year.”

“Maybe she has a body double,” Jonan said.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

While Ryn adoringly thought of the royal family, Jonan didn’t seem to care that much.

“Alright, no more talking. Time to run,” Gabriel said.

His comment gave rise to groans from his friends as they started running laps. Gabriel pushed them to run harder and longer, giving Soltis a run for his coins. Before long, they were all out of breath, sprawled on the floor together in a makeshift circle.

“So, this is what you do every morning?” Lakan asked between breaths.

Gabriel stared into the sky, a Velictra circling above him. “Yes”

“Why?” Ryn asked.

Gabriel turned, meeting Ryn’s gaze. “I want to be strong. The strongest warrior in Valandor. Strong enough that no one can ever hurt the people I love again.”

There was a quiet moment as the boys listened to the desires of their friend.

“Well, this just turned serious,” Jonan chuckled awkwardly. “You might have some competition. That big oaf might want to compete with you for that honor.”

“We’ll see how long he can stay on my training regimen,” Gabriel said.

“Is that a challenge?” Lakan asked.

“So, you’re going to be joining me from now on in my morning exercises?” Gabriel asked.

“I won’t be shown up by you. I’ll join you.”

“Well, this is cute. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I do like my sleep,” Jonan said.

Ryn nodded along. “We are short on time. Better get ready for the announcement.”

“Yes sir,” Jonan saluted with a mischievous laugh.

They walked back, and as they did, Jonan slapped Gabriel hard on the back. “No more wallowing. We’re here for you.”

He was taken aback by the seriousness in the jovial boy's tone. He shook his head exaggeratedly, “Jonan, you can be serious?”

Jonan wagged his fingers at Gabriel’s face. “Remember, I’m the funny one.”

Gabriel placed his hand on his shoulder, “Thank you, Jonan. It means a lot.”

Gabriel and his friends bantered while they got ready, their curiosity mounting with each passing minute. As they made their way to the announcement hall, they bombarded Lakan with questions, but he remained tight-lipped, a knowing smile playing on his lips. The suspense only heightened their anticipation, making the journey to the hall feel longer than usual.

The corridor leading to the hall was filled with other first-year students, their hushed whispers adding to the tension. He glanced at his friends—Lakan, who seemed calm, Ryn, who kept adjusting his tunic nervously, and Jonan, who looked like he could fall asleep standing up. Gabriel wondered if they felt the same apprehension. What could be so important to gather all the first years like this?

As they stepped into the announcement hall, the room buzzed with excited chatter. A trace of anticipation mingled with the scent of polished wood, creating an almost tangible tension in the air. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting long, dramatic shadows across the room. The large space was lined with rows of intricately carved benches, and the high ceiling was supported by grand wooden beams that seemed to reach towards the heavens. Every detail of the hall spoke of tradition and the weight of expectations placed upon them.

Taking their seats, they found themselves surrounded by other students. Gabriel scanned the room, taking in the eager faces of his peers. Elias, taking a seat to Lakan’s left, snapped Gabriel out of his thoughts. Gabriel hadn’t spoken to Elias much since their heated debate at the first dinner, where Gabriel had unwittingly antagonized him by questioning the valor of war. Elias still held a grudge, his sharp glances often making that clear. Behind Elias, Derax, the only other student who matched Lakan’s size and also lacked a named father or grandfather, settled into his seat. Gabriel knew little about Derax beyond their polite nods and brief greetings. Despite his quiet demeanor, there was an intensity in Derax's eyes, a determination that hinted at hidden depths and unspoken ambitions.

“So, what’s the announcement about?” Elias asked Lakan.

He picked up on the croak of chairs as boys all around them leaned in, hoping to get an answer.

“You’ll have no luck. We have been trying to get information out of him all morning,” Ryn said.

The boys all let out a sigh, Gabriel amongst them.

Elias tried to pry further. “Just tell us already. You must know what this is about.”

Lakan just shook his head in response.

“We’ll find out soon enough,” Derax said.

And he wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t long before Lakan’s father stepped forth and commanded everyone’s attention. Even this distance away, Gabriel couldn’t help but be baffled by the man’s size. He couldn’t believe he had even sparred with that behemoth.

He stood tall at the front of the hall, his voice carrying a weight of authority and pride. "I commend you all for your diligence and dedication to your training thus far. Strength will be our guiding principle in the days and years to come. But with strength comes the need for evaluation. Going forward, there will be changes.” He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, letting the tension build. “The rankings will commence now."

Murmurs filled the hall, the noise rising like a tide. Some students puffed out their chests, emboldened by the challenge, while others wore contemplative expressions, weighing the implications. Gabriel, sensing a twinge of uncertainty, squared his shoulders and forced a stoic expression. He couldn’t afford to show any sign of weakness.

“In four years' time, one student amongst you will be chosen as the captain, leading all your classmates in a battalion. We won’t just choose someone then. Instead, we will nurture a select number of students to potentially take this position,” the Grandmaster said. “At the end of this year, we will select a prime, one who is likely to lead when the time comes. Continue to do well, and you will be the captain. We will also select three others to be second in command. These three are most likely to be the officers in this battalion. However, in time, all things can change, and the prime may no longer be a captain or even an officer. But know that no one other than a prime or a second has held the title of captain.”

As the Grandmaster detailed the rankings, Gabriel glanced at his friends. Ryn’s worried glance darted around the room. Jonan gave an indifferent shrug, and Lakan’s face hardened with determination. Each reaction mirrored the heavy weight of the announcement. This was more than just a competition—it was a test of their very survival at the academy. The gravity of the situation pressed down on Gabriel, making him feel as if the dark stone walls were closing in.

He was behind the other students, lacking the years of experience they had. I’ll be the best in four years. No one trains as hard as I do. But what if it's not enough? The thought gnawed at him, sending a chill down his spine. I have to be good enough to be selected by the end of the first year. I have to.

“The captain will be the one who excels most in battle. A fearsome warrior is needed to lead the strength of Balatia. The officers will be made up of those who excel in combat as well as other areas. The officers, and the captain especially, will be honored under Victra’s light and will go on to fame and riches, perhaps even earning a name.”

Gabriel’s heart pounded as he listened. Fame, riches, and honor were fleeting distractions. What he sought was power. He clenched his fists, determination hardening his resolve. I won’t just be a captain. I’ll be a general. I’ll lead with an iron fist, and no one will dare threaten us again.

“Starting today, spars will occur each quarter moon cycle. A ladder board will be established, and the ranks will be posted across the academy. Those who win the spar will earn three points, a draw will earn you a point, and a loss will earn you nothing. And be warned, those who lose three times in a row will start to lose three points for every spar they lose.”

Gabriel pondered the significance of these points and how the captains and officers would be judged. As he surveyed the room, he noticed the students’ eyes glistening with a mix of excitement and determination. They were the best in Balatia, and now, they would have a tangible measure to prove who truly stood at the pinnacle.

“A tournament that even his majesty will take place at year’s end. The rankings will be used to choose the top 64 students. Those who rank the highest will compete against the lowest. And those who do not rank within the 64 will no longer be students at the academy.”

The wide eyes of the students changed from excitement to nervousness. He heard some chatter amongst the boys, some fearful, some boasting. Elias especially looked nervous. Gabriel hadn’t really paid attention to him during training, but perhaps that was indication enough. Ash-damned Jonan seemed like he was a few blinks away from napping. Gabriel's resolve was firm, but beneath the surface, a nagging fear gnawed at him. Failure was not an option. If he didn't rank high enough, he would be expelled, losing his chance to gain the power he needed. I cannot be one of the thirty expelled students. I will not.

“I see some of you are nervous. Good. Let this be the reason to drive you to be the strongest you can be.” The Grandmaster’s eyes roamed the whole room, his eyes resting on each of the students as if measuring their responses. “Any questions?”

Gabriel spotted a single hand go up instantly, stretching as if to reach the ceiling. “Who will decide who spars with whom?” came the annoyingly haughty voice of Velar.

“Master Soltis will,” the Grandmaster simply replied, gesturing to the man.

Soltis had reason enough to hate him, and now within his power was a tool that could bring Gabriel’s demise. He could constantly place him against those at the top of the class, pushing him further and further down the rankings. Gabriel had to get stronger quickly.

The answer seemed to please Velar, who turned and openly stared at Gabriel. His gaze was a promise Gabriel looked forward to fulfilling. He glanced at Velar, his rival's smirk fueling the fire in his chest. He knew that today he would fight Velar.

Gabriel let out a toothy smile. The thought was both exhilarating and daunting, but he welcomed the challenge. It was time to prove himself, to show everyone—especially Soltis and Velar—that he was not to be underestimated. This is really turning out to be a great morning.