"Great, now I look like my father. Please explain to me why a school uniform needs so many chains?"

"Stop whining. Now you finally look appropriate for a prince."

"How is anybody supposed to fall for this disguise? Couldn't you have picked some low ranked noble instead?"

"Your body practically screams: average young male, so with the mask on not even his mother would notice the difference."

"I try to take this as a compliment. But why is this thing so damn itchy?"

"Thanks, it was tailor made just for you."

"Do you hate me this much?"

"It's for your own sake. With an undetectable mask wouldn't you forget to put it on in the morning?"

"..."

"I thought so."

A man seated on a plain black chair was holding his temples as he stared at the female assistant opposite his desk. Cold white mist could be seen drifting out of his hands.

"I am so glad to be an ice-magician at times like this, but what is this nation of weirdos thinking?"

"I am very sorry, headmaster but I do not know either. They massaged us out of the blue only a few hours ago."

"I know communication with us is difficult when they are in their dwarf galaxy. But why could they not have told us by one of our outposts? Also the accidents happening in the last few days, the timing just seems too suspicious to be a coincidence."

"Do you really think these barbarians would be capable of the latest terrorist attacks?"

"According to our records, they should not be capable of hiding from the Eternal Fleet's supervision. So they either had help from another outside force or from the inside."

"Should I tell the royal guards?"

"No, for now I will just keep that prince close. We have too little information and I do not want to start a diplomatic incident if they really have nothing to do with it. Also we can't rely too much on her majesty's agents."

At the private space port of the royal academy on Eternum's first of two moons Cruor.

"Welcome prince Orion of the Kriven Dynasty. What an unexpected honour that you decided to spend a semester at our prestiges academy. I am headmaster Nicolas Frigoris. Please call me Nicolas, your highness."

"Sure thing, but just call me Re... I mean Orion. I hate it when they call me highness."

"As you wish, Sir Orion. Please follow along. I will show you around the academy grounds."

They left the space port to enter a dome that contained an entire green habitat.

"Even though we are on Cruor, you can still walk around outside without a worry.

The over 10 square kilometre big area is completely covered by a multi layered energy shield.

It not only protects from cosmic radiation but also holds an entirely functional water cycle. The expansive forest and lake area is used for outdoor classes and can also facilitate private activities.

We have every facility one can imagine, starting from the biggest archive in the Kingdom, a gigantic combat arena for tournaments and even one of the most powerful super computer's for simulating large scale warfare.

As part of the military strategy class, you will experience a real time fleet battle with hounders of battleships at your command. The victory in the school tournament even counts as a military achievement and can be of great benefit if you decide to join our glories army after graduation.”

As Rex (hereafter called Orion for convenience) followed along, a servant with short silver hair came close to his ear.

"Just so you know, I have prepared some safety measurements in case you get taken hostage or otherwise in danger."

"Really? Don't tell me you will threaten them to blow up a moon or something?"

"...Am I really so predictable?"

"What do you actually plan to do...?!"

Nicolas turned around as their voices carried over.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Is something the matter Sir Orion? Please tell me if anything bothers you in the slightest."

"Oh it's nothing, my servant was just concerned about the local safety measurements. You see, we heard that there were a number of accidents in the last few days. To be honest it's quite upsetting."

"Ah yes, it is true there have been a string of freak accidents. Please rest at ease young prince, this moon is also the main base of the military forces in this sector. Nothing and no one unauthorised can get on- or off this moon."

"I'm not so sure about that one."

"Excuse me?"

"Ah nothing, please continue with the tour."

"...Then where would you like to visit next?"

"If I may interject. My prince, I believe the combat arena would be very informative and beneficial for our cause."

Nicolas glared at Sirius with cold eyes. His demeanour immediately changed while addressing him.

"I don't know about the etiquette in the Dynasty Sir Orion, but I believe it is quite rude to..."

"It's fine, he is a close friend after all. Although I have to admit his quick temper often gets me into trouble, I would for the life of me never part ways with him."

Sirius, caught by surprise, could only stare at 'Orion', who in turn kept eye contact.

"Prince..."

*cough*

Nicolas, feeling irritated, had started turning around and was now heading towards the arena.

The construct was over 200 meters in diameter, like most buildings in the Eternal Kingdom

it was coloured black with red accents and had sharp spikes reaching to the sky.

"Cruor Stadium can hold over 100 000 spectators, the fighting floor can fully simulate any environment of a desired planet. From the weather, gravity, plants- and even wildlife."

"Classes also take part in the form of simulated field trips or also called combat excursions. We are lucky, I believe Secundus is sending his students into a jungle infiltration today."

As they had entered the stadium the first thing Rex saw was a dense jungle. There were otherworldly birds flying between the treetops, strange looking lizards crawling about and a thick mist was covering deeper parts of the forest.

In the centre was a clearing in which a military outpost was located. Besides them there were quite a few other spectators, most of them, according to their uniform, seemed to be other students who were cheering on the participants. Nicolas guided them to a few special seats high up in a private lounge, where they could be undisturbed.

"Since it is your first time experiencing this scenario, I will explain everything in detail to you.

The goal today is to take the outpost back from the rebelling locals of this jungle planet.

They can either eliminate 80% of enemies or capture the flag in the sealed control room.

But only one person carries the necessary explosives. Once you get hit by blaster fire or magic from the simulated enemies you are out and have to leave the mission area."

"Wait a moment, what exactly do you mean by magic?"

"Ah that's right, I am very sorry I forgot that in the Dynasty I believe you call it mutations."

Sirius nodded and chimed in. He gave Orion a meaningful look.

"That is indeed true. In our homeland mutations are not common, even among nobles.

As you are probably aware, the royal family for example do not possess any of this so-called 'magic'."

"But nobody needs that stuff anyway, I mean what use do these flashy moves have when confronted with fire from heavy blasters or even bombardment from space?"

"You have indeed a point Sir Orion. Although here in the Eternal Kingdom we care for our traditions and emphasize the usage of magic in real combat against shields and blasters.

The unexpected usage of an ice-wall or a fireball in combat can often turn the tide of battle. We also created some advanced methods of integrating magic with modern weaponry."

Multiple screens that portray the students in heavy combat suits, showed close ups from many angles, so the viewers could see through the undergrowth and trees.

A total of 15 students slowly approached the outpost. Suddenly one male student got caught by a carnivorous plant and was pulled out of view. Another one fell down a pitfall full of strange insects.

"Are they really fine? It's unbelievable that what you see is supposed to be only training."

"Yes, it may seem that way for our spectators. We do this for entertainment and immersion purposes, but rest assured we just do not show the extraction of the failed participants. But I can assure you the most harm you will take is psychological or a few scratches and bruises. Most things look much more terrifying on screen then they are down there, for example the pitfalls lead straight to an extraction tunnel."

They came closer to the outpost and the inhabitants of the simulated world, who looked like lizard people, opened fire on them. Most students took cover immediately, some concentrated for a second and created their own cover in the form of an ice-wall and others just vanished from sight to reappear in a nearby tree's shadow. Soon most Lizard people got burnt to a crisp by the common fire magicians. A few even had specialised rifles, in which they focused their magic abilities to create a more devastating blast.

"Indeed they seem to be very accustomed to fighting with their own mutations, from what I could gather the most common types are fire, darkness and then ice."

Sirius was just about to continue his explanation as the 13 remaining students made it to the clearing. Then a loud gunshot rang out.

One female student fell screaming, while holding her shoulder which got almost ripped apart. Everyone on the scene was perplexed at the sudden event.

Nicolas' face, which had shown a satisfied smile until just seconds ago, froze and his eyes filled with panic.

"What the hell? Did you not say that it was safe? Get a medic down there quick!"

"I... I can't fathom it! This has never happened before."

"Dammit, why is everyone just staring! Quick, get to her Sirius!"

"As you command my prince."

Without missing a beat, Sirius activated his hidden combat suit and flew at breakneck speeds toward the students who were still frozen in terror. Orion quickly followed behind his friend. When he got to the scene Sirius had already started treating the young woman.

He applied first aid while Orion gave him cover all the while looking around for the culprit.

"Energy to the front shield!"

Another bang rang out and an exploding projectile came flying from the outpost.

It hit the barrier at full speed and Orion was only barely able to hold his ground.

As the shield flickered he turned towards Sirius who received his gaze and immediately threw him an elongated thermo rifle that he had hidden inside his robotic body.

"Cover her and the others, I will go in."

Sirius got up, carried the now stabilised student on his back and created a new energy barrier. He looked at the other students and made a theatrical gesture with his free left hand.

"Come with me if you want to live!"

"Being a robot doesn't make that line less cheesy!"

"Shut up, better get your ass in there and kill that assassin!"

"Fine, but please note that I think this was really cheap."

Orion smiled as he turned around and dashed towards the outpost while charging

his rifle.

He shot higher than where he thought the assassin was hiding. The blaster turned the ceiling of that room into molten rock in an instant.

"Shit I knew it! Why are those lunatic’s weapons always set to the most destructive mode?"

He switched the gun to paralyse and dashed through the front door. The moment he entered, he set a wide ray across all visible angles in the room before even looking if there were enemies inside. Something heavy hit the floor and a combat robot became visible. The humanoid robot, which had hidden beside one window, was now laying unmoving on the ground. It was still holding an imposing, military grade, sniper rifle for explosive rounds.

"It's a miracle she survived that bullet. The assassin robots here apparently really suck at their job. Wait, what's that sound?"

He slowly approached the robot with his raised rifle.

"It almost sounds like the activation sequence of a thermal detonator...shit"

He jumped and turned to the side, covering his face.

The last thing he remembered before falling unconscious, was his suit integrated computer activating emergency measures.