Before Klarion could give more than a passing thought to the impending challenge of unlocking a class, Professor Mordrane continued speaking.
“Having established the importance of unlocking a class, I now want to speak to you about the second announcement, which is just as critical to your survival and success as scions at this Academy: bodyguards.”
The classroom stirred, some students exchanging glances and whispers, while others were more stoic, almost like they had been expecting this. Klarion himself felt the same flicker of curiosity of concern that he experienced when Alesin and Rolfun had first brought up the topic with him. Though he had come quite a distance, and was just beginning to adjust to life as a scion at the Imperial Academy, the concerns about bodyguards that he had previously had remained with him. He just did not know how he could deal with the responsibility of taking care of complete strangers.
Professor Mordrane continued, the murmurs dying away as she returned to speaking. “As scions of noble houses, each of you carries not only your personal ambitions but also the weight of the future of your houses. While you are here to learn and grow, you will face challenges of various sorts that will require more than your own abilities and skills to survive. It is for this reason that bodyguards are not just allowed but required.”
Klarion’s stomach churned as Professor Mordrane declared that bodyguards were not optional but a requirement. His fingers clenched around the edges of his desk so hard that it creaked. Hector looked over, but before he could comment, the Professor was speaking again.
“That being said, there are rules governing the presence and conduct of bodyguards. Pay attention, as ignorance will not excuse violations. Firstly, bodyguards are permitted to be armed at all times; you, as students, are not, with very limited exceptions.” Her eyes drifted around the classroom, pausing on exposed hilts and scabbards leaning against desks. Klarion was acutely aware of how large his own weapon was beside him. “I say this once: do not show up to future classes with weapons, or you will face severe consequences. You have been warned.”
A few students again shifted uncomfortably at this, but Professor Mordrane ignored them to continue, “Furthermore, while you may recruit and employ multiple bodyguards, as most nobles end up doing, you will only be permitted to bring one with you to class at any given time. Any additional bodyguards you retain must remain at your housing or out on errands, but they are not to accompany you in academic settings.”
As the professor finished speaking, Klarion was surprised to see that the red-headed girl from earlier, Marentia, had again raised her hand. This time, he noticed on her shoulder the mark of a baron’s scion. Going by the look on her face, whatever impact Professor Morgrane’s chastisement had on early was now forgotten.
“You had another question, Marentia?”
“Professor, isn’t that rule inherently unfair? Higher-ranked scions with larger rooms and more resources can support more bodyguards, giving them an advantage over others.”
Klarion half-expected the professor to rip into the girl again, but to his surprise, Mordrane simply nodded.
“An astute observation, but it misses certain nuances. While it is true that higher-ranking students might house more bodyguards than those lower in rank, the costs of maintaining them — upkeep, training, gear, levels, all to ensure their continued effectiveness — are significantly higher as well. Keep in mind that there are strict rules on external assistance granted to scions from outside the Imperial Academy. It is unlikely enough would be permitted any one scion to the degree that they could obtain such an advantage. As a result, those who end up relying on quantity often find themselves short of quality protection.”
“So focusing most of one’s efforts on a single, strong bodyguard would be what you advise, Professor?”
“My advice,” Professor Mordrane said slowly, “is to heed the advice of others but to make your own decisions. Circumstances will be different for each of you, and it remains possible that having a number of weaker bodyguards, as compared to a single strong one, might prove to be a benefit,” she shrugged, “or it might lead to your death. Now,” her gaze hardened as she looked away from Marentia to take in the class as a whole, “I trust there are no more questions?”
No one so much as blinked at her glare.
“Good. Then there is but one final thing to share with you all, and then we can be on our way to the Hall of Bonds.” She raised a hand to make several hand symbols in the air. With a jerking motion, she brought her hand down, and as it descended shimmering discs of silver appeared on the desks of every student in the room, including Klarion’s. The disc was about the size of a coin, and as he looked closer at it, it almost seemed to shift colors in the light of the room. Picking it up revealed it was light in weight.
“These Marks of Bonds are enchanted to form a bond between you and your chosen bodyguard. Simply extend it to your chosen bodyguard in the House of Bonds, and when they accept the mark of your House and your name will appear upon their flesh.” She raised her hand, and in a mid-air tapping motion, looked almost like she was typing something. “Now, if you will all accept these Assignments, we can be on our way and I can get on with my day.”
Klarion jerked in his seat, causing the whole thing to rattle and his greatsword that had been leaning against the desk to fall to the floor with a clank. Several nearby students, including Hector, turned to stare at him with looks ranging from curiosity to contempt, but he was too busy reading what had appeared unprompted on a screen before him.
Academy Assignment - Mark of Bonds: Your First Bodyguard
Professor Mordrane has issued you a ‘Mark of Bonds,’ a token of authority that grants you the right to contract your first bodyguard. Your task is to visit the Hall of Bonds, located near the central campus square, and use the Mark to choose your first bodyguard. Choose wisely.
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Conditions for Success: Travel to the Hall of Bonds to select your first bodyguard using the ‘Mark of Bonds.’
Rewards for Completion: Your first bonded bodyguard.
Accept: Yes/Yes
He read through the Academy Assignment, quickly determining that it was essentially a quest like some of the games he had played in the past, though the way this one was written indicated direct ties to the Imperial Academy itself. Given that it listed specific conditions for success, as well as a reward, he guessed that it was functionally the same. Though he still had reservations, especially given the nature of what ‘bonded’ meant, it was not like he had a choice with the options not including one to decline. He selected the obvious choice and as he did the screen pulsed once then shifted into a second Academy Assignment.
Academy Assignment - Unlock Your Path: The First Step
As a first-year scion at the Imperial Academy, your primary objective is to unlock a class within the System before the end of the academic year. This crucial step will determine your aptitude and direction, ensuring your eligibility for continued study. Explore the Imperial Academy, train your abilities, and uncover opportunities that lead to unlocking a class. Remember, there are many paths to power — seek knowledge, refine your skills, and demonstrate your worth.
Conditions for Success: Investigate opportunities and training within the Imperial Academy to understand the requirements for unlocking a class. Meet the System’s criteria and successfully unlock your class, then report your success to the Academy Registrar before the deadline.
Rewards for Completion: Automatic enrollment into the second year at the Imperial Academy.
Accept: Yes/Yes
This one felt more daunting, though at least it came with no need for moral reflection, nor for hesitation. Both the text and what the Professor had said indicated that, should he not unlock a class of his own, he would not be allowed to progress to the second year of his education. While he was still unsure as to the exact timeline for when Earth would go through its Integration, he hoped he would have at least a few years before it happened to get ready. And the best way to get strong enough, based on what little he had seen, was to continue here at the Imperial Academy. So he quickly selected to accept this one too.
As soon as the screen was gone, he noticed that Hector had turned in his seat to stare at him with a raised brow. The other scion’s expression was a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
“Something wrong, Klarion?”
Klarion blinked, shaking his head slightly. “No. Just a screen popped up that I wasn’t expecting.”
“Let me guess: Academy Assignments?” Hector asked, his amusement turning into a smile.
“Yeah, two of them. Are they supposed to appear like that?”
Hector chuckled. “Oh, absolutely. The Academy loves to spring things on you when you least expect it. Especially without in-depth explanations. Keeps you on your toes — or that is what my cousin claimed.”
“So these are the first ones you have received as well?”
“Oh, no, I’ve already received one,” Hector admitted with a shrug. “So, these new ones weren’t a surprise for me.”
Klarion tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. “What was your first one for?”
Hector waved a hand dismissively in response. “Oh, nothing major. Just something to help out an old family friend.”
Klarion narrowed his eyes slightly, studying Hector’s casual demeanor. The other scion’s wave and nonchalant tone belied something deeper — but he could not tell what. Then again, helping a family friend seemed like it might be a relatively minor task, similar to the first Academy Assignment he accepted. He decided not to press the issue, not least of which because it had nothing to do with him.
“So,” Klarion said instead, leaning back in his seat while most of the classroom began gathering there things. Professor Mordrane was already moving towards the door, but he had some questions still to ask, and Hector seemed like he knew a bit more than the average student. At least based on his responses so far. “Are these Academy Assignments a regular thing?”
Hector nodded, “That they are. As much a part of life for us scions as the lectures and, eventually, the duels. They’ll keep coming, mostly from the different faculty members, but occasionally from the Academy itself. From what my cousin said, most are required, though some are optional. Still, completely those of the second group are still strongly encouraged.”
Klarion frowned. “And if you don’t?”
“Well, then you find out what happens if you don’t meet the Academy’s expectations.” Hector shook his head, “I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to find out.”
That was a sentiment that he could agree with. Setting aside the possibility of other, more dangerous Academy Assignments for now, Klarion shifted the conversation to a topic of more immediate importance. Bodyguards. While he knew asking questions about the process risked revealing more about his lacking background, he judged the risk worth it if it led to some good advice.
“I don’t suppose you have any advice on picking a bodyguard?”
“Pick one.” On seeing Klarion’s face shift into a glare at the unhelpfulness of Hector’s comment, the other scion chuckled before giving a more serious answer. “Most of our fellow students will be like you — picking their first bodyguard without a clue about what they’re doing. In some ways, the Hall of Bonds is a gamble, but don’t worry too much. If you pay attention, and ask a few questions of the bodyguard candidates that interest you, you’ll do fine.”
Klarion opened his mouth to respond, but the professor’s voice rang out over the mostly emptied classroom.
“If you few are done procrastinating,” Professor Mordrane called, tapping her fingers against her clasped wrist in impatience, “I would like to go about my day. Up.”
Klarion turned back to Hector, but he was already putting his notebook away and standing. Klarion ripped out the pages of what few notes he had taken, and made to hand the notebook back over to Hector. The other scion shook his head.
“Don’t worry about it. Just return the favor sometime. I’ll see you at the Hall of Bonds.”
Without another word, Hector put his notebook away and joined the end of the line of students leaving the classroom to follow Professor Mordrane. It was becoming a bit of a traffic jam at the door since the Professor spoke, so Klarion took a moment longer to mull over Hector’s words. He glanced toward the greatsword now resting awkwardly against his desk after its earlier near fall, a reminder of how unprepared he felt in the face of this new world. Sliding the Mark of Bonds into his pocket, he grabbed the harness holding his greatsword and pulled it on. The weight of his weapon settled heavily across his back as he adjusted the strap. He could barely feel the Mark of Bonds in his pocket, but he was extremely aware of its presence. A tough decision was ahead, and he wished he had some more time to think it over, but since he didn’t he would do what Hector had suggested. He would ask questions and keep his eyes open. Maybe he would get lucky and someone would immediately click with him.
Steeling himself, Klarion finally strode to the exit. The Professor and the rest of the class had already left, and he was one of the last stragglers, the others already rushing through the doorway to catch up. He didn’t mind being last, though. It would give him some more time to come up with questions to ask once he got to the Hall of Bonds.