CHAPTER 3 - New Life

I took a deep breath as I entered the room, scanning my new surroundings.

It was a small but cozy dormitory with two cozy beds, a desk, and a wardrobe.

It was quiet except for the sound of my footsteps on the hardwood floor.

I slowly made my way to the bed on the right side, setting my backpack down on the floor.

I collapse onto the bed, my body exhausted but my mind still racing with thoughts of the academy, my home, and my future.

But after all my work, this was it, I was officially a part of the academy. I had made it through the grueling physical and mental tests and was now a cadet.

I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling of accomplishment. After years, and the last few days which were horrible, I was finally here.

I sit on my bed to take a deep breath and think.

But then my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

I opened my eyes to see a girl walking in, carrying a backpack.

"Hi there," she said, giving me a friendly smile. "I'm Emma, your new roommate."

I smiled back, feeling relieved that she seemed nice. "Hi, I'm Kael," I replied, extending my hand for a handshake.

Emma shook my hand, and then proceeded to set her bags down on the bed opposite mine. We made small talk, discussing her background and the reasons why she and I decided to join the academy.

I learned that Emma was born and raised in the city of Sainto, which is pretty far from our current location.

She had always been fascinated by martial arts and dreamed of becoming a skilled fighter.

She would spent hours watching other people train and even started practicing in her backyard, honing her skills and perfecting her techniques.

It was nice to have someone to talk to after the intense few days.

As we continued to chat, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment of peace and quiet. I knew that the next few years would be challenging, both physically and mentally,

but I was ready for it.

As Emma and I conversed, I found myself increasingly impressed by her unwavering dedication and passion for the martial arts.

Her account of training tirelessly in her own backyard struck a chord with me, evoking memories of my own years of rigorous practice.

Through our shared love for combat, I felt a sense of kinship with her that seemed to deepen with every passing moment.

We chatted at length, sharing anecdotes and getting to know each other better.

Emma's kind and approachable demeanor put me at ease, and I found myself growing more comfortable around her as the night wore on.

The warm, gentle glow of the bedside lamp cast a soft radiance across the room, and as my eyelids grew heavy with weariness,

I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the cozy bed that awaited me. All in all, it had been a long and eventful day, but in the company of my newfound roommate and friend,

I felt a sense of contentment and peace that was hard to come by in the tumultuous world outside.

But then Emma asked me a question that would stun me for a few moments.

'So what city are you from?'

I hesitated for a moment, grappling with the difficult truth that lay behind her question.

"I'm from Keoul," I responded, my voice heavy with emotion.

"The city was attacked just a few days ago."

Emma's expression softened immediately, her eyes filled with genuine sympathy.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry to hear that," she said, her voice quiet and gentle.

My heart ached at the memory of the tragedy that had befallen my home, and I struggled to maintain my composure as I spoke.

"My family... they didn't make it,"

I managed to say, my voice breaking slightly.

Emma's eyes widened in shock and horror, and I could tell that the news had affected her deeply.

"I can't even imagine what you must be going through," she said, her tone heavy with emotion.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" I shook my head slowly, my mind reeling with the enormity of my loss.

"No, I'll be okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"It's just hard to think about sometimes."

For a few moments, we sat in silence, the weight of recent events heavy on both of us.

Eventually, Emma broke the quiet, her voice filled with determination.

"Just know that if you ever need someone to talk to, or if you just want some company, I'm here for you," she said firmly.

"And no matter what happens, we'll get through this academy together."

Her words brought a small smile to my lips, and I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me.

"Thank you, Emma," I said, my voice filled with sincerity.

"That means a lot to me."

After a few moments of quiet reflection, we both decided it was time to turn in for the night and get some rest.

As I settled into bed and closed my eyes, a sense of excitement and sorrow filled me.

The road ahead was sure to be difficult and fraught with challenges, but I felt confident and ready to face them head-on.

And with Emma by my side, I knew that I had a true ally in this journey, someone to rely on and offer support when the going got tough.

As I drifted off to sleep, I felt a sense of comfort knowing that I wasn't alone in this new and uncertain world.

The following day, I woke up feeling a sense of calmness and readiness for the day ahead.

As I sat on my bed, I noticed that Emma was no longer sleeping in her bed. It was probable that she went outside to train, I thought to myself.

Knowing that there was still a couple of hours before the first lecture of the day, I decided to take my time getting ready.

I made my way to the closet and noticed a bag with my name written on it. I was surprised to find that it contained the academy uniform.

I carefully took out the uniform from the bag and examined it closely. It looked crisp and formal, and I couldn't wait to try it on.

Slowly, I put on the uniform, feeling the fabric against my skin. I took a deep breath and looked at myself in the mirror, admiring how cool and professional I looked.

The uniform fit me perfectly, and I felt proud to be a part of this academy.

As I set out towards the general's training ground, my mind racing with anticipation for what the day would bring,

I happened upon Emma walking along the same path. Our eyes met as she approached me.

"Good morning,"

I greeted her with a smile.

"Good morning, Kael," she replied, returning the smile.

I asked her if she had been training, and she confirmed that she had.

I couldn't help but admire Emma's dedication even so early in the morning.

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After a minute of small talk we went together towards the training ground, where we were greeted by the general and the other students.

"Hello young warriors," the general began, his voice stern and commanding.

"My name is General Patrio, and from now on, I will be teaching you the basics of the sword."

As he spoke, I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness wash over me. I knew that the training ahead would be tough, but I was eager to learn and improve my skills.

Emma and I took our places among the other students, ready to begin our training.

The general surveyed the group of students with a stern expression.

"Now, before we begin, let me remind you that training with a sword is not child's play. It requires discipline, focus, and dedication. You must treat your sword as an extension of your body, and learn to control it with precision and skill."

He paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on each student in turn.

"But fear not, for I am here to guide you. We will start with the basics: proper stance, grip, and footwork."

He walked around the group, making sure each student was standing correctly.

"Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, weight evenly distributed. Good. Now, hold your sword with both hands, palms facing inward. Your grip should be firm, but not too tight.

Remember, you want to be able to move quickly and smoothly."

He demonstrated the correct grip, his large, calloused hands gripping the hilt of his own sword with ease.

"Next, footwork. Your feet should move in sync with your sword. Step forward with your front foot as you swing, and back with your rear foot as you retract."

He demonstrated the proper footwork, stepping forward and back with fluid grace.

"Now, try it yourselves. Start with slow, controlled movements. Don't worry about speed or power yet, we'll get there eventually."

I followed the general's instructions as closely as I could, trying to absorb every detail. Emma was doing the same beside me, her focused expression a testament to her determination.

The other students were all different, some struggling more than others, but all seemed eager to learn.

As we practiced, the general circled around us, offering advice and corrections where needed. His gruff voice echoed across the training ground, mixing with the sound of metal clashing against metal.

As I continued to practice, I could feel my muscles start to ache from the repetitive motions. But I pushed through, determined to master the sword.

As I swung my sword, I noticed the general pause in front of me, his piercing gaze studying me intently.

"Hmm, not bad," he muttered, nodding in approval. "You have some natural talent, boy."

My heart swelled with pride at his words, and I couldn't help but steal a glance at Emma to see if she had noticed. She was too focused on her own training to pay attention to anything else.

The general moved on to the next student, but I felt a newfound confidence in myself. Maybe I really did have what it takes to become a great warrior.

As the training session drew to a close, the general gathered us all together to deliver a final message.

"Remember, the sword is not just a weapon. It is an extension of your body and your will. You must learn to control it, to wield it with precision and purpose, or else you won´t be able to unlock the amestos power within you"

It is not enough to simply swing it around like a brute. You must master it, make it a part of you."

His words resonated with me, and I knew that I had a long journey ahead of me. But for the first time, I felt like I was on the right path.

Emma and I walked back to our dormitory, both lost in thought.

"Did you see how the general looked at you?" Emma suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks.

"What? No, I didn't notice anything like that."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Of course you didn't. But trust me, he sees something in you."

Her words filled me with a renewed sense of determination, and I knew that I would do everything in my power to become the best I could be.

Once we arrived back at our dormitory, I couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness that had taken hold of me.

Despite feeling tired, I felt a pull towards the city beyond the academy walls.

Without much thought, I decided to venture out and explore the streets on my own.

As I walked through the bustling city, I couldn't help but notice a stark contrast between the reality of the ongoing war and the demeanor of the people around me.

Despite the looming threat of conflict and destruction, life seemed to carry on as usual for the citizens.

There were no signs of panic or fear, and people went about their daily business without a second thought.

The lack of concern for their own safety left me feeling uneasy and I couldn't help but wonder if they were aware of the dangers that lurked just beyond the city walls.

As I continued to explore, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something wasn't right. Despite the façade of normalcy, I knew that the war could not be ignored forever and that we needed to prepare for what was to come.

As I wandered through the bustling city streets, lost in thought and contemplation, I gradually realized that I had strayed from the main roads and stumbled upon a quiet, dimly lit alleyway.

Suddenly, my thinking was interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing behind me. Turning quickly, I saw a mysterious figure in robes approaching me.

The hooded figure's face was obscured, shrouded in a veil of shadows, leaving me unable to discern their identity or motives.

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Before I could even utter a word, the figure vanished from my sight, moving with an inexplicable swiftness and fluidity. Stunned and bewildered,

I spun around in an attempt to catch another glimpse of the enigmatic stranger, but they had disappeared without a trace.

Filled with a sense of unease and foreboding, I resolved to go back to the safety of my dormitory, pondering the strange encounter as I made my way back through the bustling city streets.

As I entered the dormitory, Emma greeted me with a warm smile and asked how my time in the city was.

With an anxious voice, I replied,

"Nothing much, but I saw someone for a split second."

Emma's expression turned concerned as she asked,

"What do you mean? Did something happen?"

I recounted my experience in the dimly lit alley, explaining how I had encountered a figure in robes who had appeared and disappeared in a matter of seconds.

Emma listened intently, her brows furrowed in concern.

"That sounds strange. But maybe it was just a passer-by"

I nodded. "You're probably right."

I decided not to think about it and rather trained for the rest of the day with Emma.

As the evening wore on, Emma and I focused on honing our combat skills, practicing our stances and maneuvers.

The sound of metal clashing against metal filled the air as we sparred with our training weapons, sweat pouring down our faces as we pushed ourselves to our limits.

Despite the exhaustion, I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that I was getting stronger and more skilled with each passing day.

And having Emma by my side, pushing me to be better and supporting me through the tough moments, only made the experience more rewarding.

As the training session came to a close, I collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath. Emma sat down beside me, a small smile on her face.

"We did great today," she said, her voice full of admiration.

I grinned back at her, feeling a sense of pride in myself.

As we caught our breath, we chatted about our day, exchanging stories and laughter as we shared our experiences.

And for a brief moment, the weight of the war and the uncertainty of our future were forgotten, replaced by the simple joy of being in the present moment with a friend.

END OF CHAPTER 3