School of Amicideus, Nation of Peacius, 16th Ledia 1325

The wild flames grew larger and larger. I was losing control of them rapidly. It was as though I destroyed a dam and the stored-up water started to surge out uncontrollably. My mana continuously burst out in waves, with each wave stronger than the last.

“TEIGA! TEIGA! CEASE YOUR PRESENTATION IMMEDIATELY!” screamed the principal.

I could barely see anyone through the turquoise flames. I had no visual contact but I could still hear clearly. The cracking of the magic barrier was becoming more evident. Showing that it was reaching its capacity.

“Bring forth water from the sky! Sky Rapids!” chanted someone.

With utmost immediacy, a vast bubble of water materialised above me before crashing down. The bubble exploded as it hit me. Water surged in every direction, extinguishing the flames without hesitation.

Within the gushing water, I felt comfort before everything else faded to darkness.

***

Military School of Peacius, Nation of Peacius, 20th Ledia 1325

An immense headache hit me, causing me to jerk awake.

“AHH!” I screamed in reaction to the headache.

“Awake now, are we?” asked a figure who stood in front of the bed that I was lying on.

As he continued to hide in the shadows of the room he said, “Then let us get down to business, shall we? Teiga of the Ura Clan?”

“Who are you? Where am I? What happened to the examinations?”

The figure stepped forward into the sunlight that shone in from the windows, revealing a rather tall and well-built man wearing glasses, black blazer, pants, and a purple inner shirt.

“Let me summarise this for you. You failed the examination and your parents have decided to enroll you here instead.” The man said as he adjusted his glasses. “My identity is of no importance to you now but know that I will give you the worst and best days of your life. The bed that you lie on now, shall be the one that accompanies you throughout your 3 years here.”

Finishing what he had to say, the man simply turned and walked towards the room’s door and opened it.

“Ahhh yes. One more thing. You are in Company 1, Platoon 3 and your Cadet Number is 064. Training will start tomorrow for you. Just for your info, Company 1 is basically 1st Year and your platoon is your class.” Then he walked out of the room while the door closed by itself quietly.

“What… I don’t get it! Did I actually fail? I’ve never even heard of this school before! What’s worse is that my beloved parents were the ones who sent me here…”

As I sat upright on the bed, I kept questioning everything about and around me more and more. Right before I nearly lost it, a knock came from outside the door and it opened.

“You sure are pathetic, aren’t you?” said Liroi as he strolled in with a comforting smile on his face. “Well, whatever. It is nice to know that you’re awake.”

“Liroi! What happened at the examination!? Why did I fail?”

“Well, you couldn’t even produce the slightest mana flame and when you realized you simply fainted from the shock of realisation,” said my partner as he turned his head towards the window as if looking for confirmation for what he said.

But something about what he said doesn’t sit well with me. I couldn’t remember anything from the examinations except the comforting gush of water that was released on me.

“Hey, Teiga. You still remember our promise to find out the truth behind the desertification?” Liroi asked hastily.

“Of course. If there’s one thing that I wouldn’t forget, it will be that!” I excitedly replied.

“Well. Now both of us are one step closer to that. I am in a prestigious magic school and you’re in a fully government-controlled school. At least that’s what I heard. Both of us can find out about the phenomena through different means!”

I immediately felt a tinge of jealousy when he said that he was in a prestigious school but before I could complain, Liroi jerked up and turned towards the exit.

“I have to go now. It would seem the visiting time is over, we will see each other soon… I hope…” he said while hurrying out of the room.

Everything seems so suspicious to me now. First was the weird man who said weird things. And now it is my best friend who seems to be hiding something from me.

“WHAT IS GOING ON!” I shouted at the top of my lungs.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!” shouted someone else outside of the room trying to top my volume.

Hearing that, my courage shrank. I hid under the covers trying to hide my embarrassment. How unbecoming of a noble, I thought. In the midst of my embarrassment, I remembered my promise with Liroi and shook myself to wake up.

“Yes. Now’s not the time to care about embarrassments or what not. He is finding out about our promise his own way. I must also do my part.” thinking that, I got out of bed and headed out of the room in a white shaggy shirt with brown shaggy shorts that I did not even realise I was wearing because it was just so comfortable.

Once I was out of my room, I turned my head left and right to see a long stretch of hallway lit up by sunlight shining in from windows. I walked up towards one window and peeked out. What I saw was a rather nice view. Outside the buildings was a snowcapped mountain with a lush forest at its base. I could see the trees swaying gently which was calming.

“HUP! HUP! HUP!” with sounds of metal clanging.

Hearing the sound, I looked down from the forest to see a parade square filled with half-naked men wearing only their lower-body armour while their upper body’s muscles glistened with sweat. Each man held a long sword and swung them effortlessly in a routine exercise.

“BWOOOM!” the sound reverberated through the building as nesting birds from the forest tried to escape from the explosion.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

*gwak* *gwak* *gwak* sounded the birds as they flew away in search of a new home.

The explosion came from within the forest. Yet, the half-naked men didn’t seem to mind it. They continued with their own routines. Soon, more explosions followed. Small black-and-orange mushroom clouds raised themselves above the canopies of the trees.

“Just what is this school… I know that this is a military school but what the…”

“Ahahahah. Looks like you are well enough to move around now.”

I swiftly turned my whole body towards the voice and got into a weird stance. Must have been the explosions that perked me.

“Now, now. No need to be scared. You will get used to this soon enough.” said a muscular man that was at the same height as me. “I am Virs Kingpin, one of the lecturers here. I’ll be taking over as Principal tomorrow.”

“What happened to the last principal then?” I asked without thinking.

“Ahhh, you will know tomorrow. Come, I shall bring you around since I am free now.” Virs gestured his scar-filled hands to me.

I followed him with clouds of doubt in my mind.

“The place that we are in now is the dorm. The female’s dorm is perpendicular to the male’s dorm. Once we reach the end of this hallway and you look to the left, you’ll see the female dorm’s wing.”

The wooden floors creaked as we walked above them. My eyes traced the walls and ceilings to see plastered and mouldy walls. I cringed at the thought of having to breathe in their spores every day.

However, when we reached the end of the hallway. I turned my head towards the female’s dorm to see the total opposite of the male’s. Their wooden floors were polished. The walls and ceilings freshly re-painted with the faint smell of paint lingering about.

“Hey, can I stay in the female’s dorm instead?” I asked.

“Suit yourself. That is if you’re prepared for the consequences. The females are extremely territorial. Worse off than the empires. AHAHAHAHAH!” replied Virs with a loud sinister laughter.

“May I ask? What are the consequences?”

“Well, you saw those explosions? Yeah, those can be one of the many consequences. And it is also why their dorms are so well-maintained. Because of those consequences. Anyways, on to our next location!” he said cheerfully while skipping down the stairs.

I simply widened my eyes and squeezed my mouth together when I came to know of what would have happened to me if I shifted my residence.

After climbing down 6 flights of stairs, we finally reached the ground level. I quickly glanced around before Virs could guide me along. The ground level was lit up by white glowing stones held by glass cages hanging off the ceiling. It was as though there were miniature suns. The ground level looked like a typical lounge area with a reception counter, sofas, tea tables and book shelves.

“This area is the common area where men and women can stay as and when they like. Interesting things may happen during free period,” the bulky and short man said. “The lavatories are placed at each end of the wings by the way. As for showering, it is outdoors.”

The way he placed emphasis on “may” and “outdoors” tells me that nothing good will come of showering and free time. I was already beginning to have a bad impression on the place I landed in before I’ve even explored the whole premise.

“Does this place not have a single normal place?” I questioned seriously with slight irritation in my tone.

“Of course we have! This is a military school, my son. And I am going to bring you there now.” exclaimed Virs with obvious excitement hidden in his voice.

Out of the stuffy dorm, we went. The late afternoon sunlight and heatwaves slapped my face the moment I took half a step out of the dorms.

“What is this! How does one train in such conditions?!” I complained while wiping off droplets of sweat.

“What are you complaining about? This is considered cooling already!” rebutted the lecturer.

“Right…”

The more steps I took, the hotter my feet felt. Then I looked down on my feet to check for any injuries only to realise I was barefooted and wearing shaggy clothing.

*slap*

I gave myself a hard facepalm knowing that I am dressing in the worst way a noble could dress as.

A damn peasant.

“Father and Mother would have vomited at this sight if they were here.” I thought.

“Training your pain endurance already? Good job my son!” proudly shouted Virs as he walked further away from me while I was taking in my pathetic sight.

“STOP CALLING ME YOUR SON! I AM THE SON OF LEVI URA, NOT VIRS KINGPIN!” I shouted back.

As I shouted, the men who were training turned their sweating heads towards me and each gave me a soul-piercing stare. It was as if I executed their parents right in front of them.

“C’mon, my sons. He’s new to the family here. Treat him well!”

“YES, SIR!” replied the men while slowly sheathing their sharp gazes and returning back to their training.

I quickly ran up to Virs for some explanations and perhaps protection.

Sensing my approach, he simply noted that calling us his sons was simply an act of affection from a mentor to his pupil and nothing else.

“We have reached our destination. The main school building!”

I scanned the whole building and I did not know what to think, let alone speak. It is extremely contrasting to the dorm that seemed more like a prison.

The whole façade of the building looked as though it is the Royal Library with all the marble carvings about mythologies etched into the walls, elegantly framed windows, well-trimmed lush green hedges that line the first level, carefully laid out brickworks and smooth wall paints.

“wow…” I mumbled to myself.

“Let us move on.”

I just dragged myself forward while my eyes glued to the outside. Once I stepped into the building a different air blew into my face. But before long, I recognized the air. It is the same as the dorm. I looked around again and I rubbed my eyes thinking that we somehow walked back into the dorms again. The same dull and constricting atmosphere.

I’ve never felt so done in my life. Even just my old room’s design was a thousand times much better than this whole building’s design. Enough said.

“Well erh. Let’s just say that renovations are still ongoing?” Virs said quietly.

“You all spent it all on the outside, didn’t you guys?” I asked even though I already knew the answer.

“Let’s save this for another day. This building should be easy for you to explore, isn’t it? With the signs and stuff. I have admin matters for tomorrow, to tend to. Bye, my son!” said the bulky man who was obviously trying his best to slip away.

“Tch, whatever. I have more freedom now.” I thought to myself as I searched around for something that may interest me.

I walked further into the building and the whole entrance area was filled with cupboards that students are to put their shoes in. The stench of fermented shoes became more overpowering as I walked deeper. Soon I couldn’t take it anymore and ran towards the hallways. At the end of the entrance area was the floorplans of the whole building.

I took a step closer and checked the legends.

“First Level: Admin and Staff Rooms. Second Level: Laboratories. Third Level: 1St Year Classrooms. Fourth Level: 2nd Year Classrooms. Fifth Level: 3rd Year Classrooms. Rooftop: Portal to Training Grounds (Prohibited to students unless with the company of an authorized personnel.)”

“Hmm, the rooftop seems the most interesting but I can’t go. Everything else is so generic. I guess I will just go back to the dorms and sleep the rest of the day away. It is such a weird day after all.” I thought.

I glanced around once more to see if I left out anything interesting but only saw 2 separate wings of hallways. The West Wing and Right Wing. Each of them seemed to be the mirror image of each other.

“ARGHH. WHY DID I HAVE TO FAIL THAT TEST!!!” I screamed in my mind while rubbing my head violently.

I traced my way back to the dorms looking at familiar landmarks, most notably the training men who stared at me again while I walked past them.

Taking the 6 flights of stairs again and a long hallway lit up by the setting sun and a few glowing stones. I was finally back in my room.

I simply threw myself onto the bed not realising that it is made of only hay covered by a cloth. The hay stabbed my face through the cloth and I rolled around the bed in pain. Again, the hay stabbed every part of my body as I rolled around. Then I realized my stupidity and stopped.

“I am so stupid…” I mumbled and fell deep asleep with the prickly feelings. My fatigue was strong enough to overshadow my grumbling stomach.

***

Military School of Peacius, Nation of Peacius, 21st Ledia 1325

*bang* *bang* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

The sound of doors being banged against jolted me. The bangs were slowly getting closer to my room’s and I braced myself for it. I took a deep breath and wiped off the saliva on my cheeks. I could hear my neighbouring room’s door banged on.

The moment when I predicted my door to be banged on, the room door slid open and Virs peeked in.

“Awake, my son? It is morning. Head down to the parade square after you wash up and dress in the uniform that we placed right by your bed last night. The shoes are also beside it.”

“Erh…Sure…” I was pleasantly surprised that my room door wasn’t banged on like the rest.

*BANG* *BANG* *bang* *bang*

Virs continued down the hallway, waking up every inhabitant.

Upon processing what he said, I peered over the side of my bed and saw a neatly folded white full body dress with a red silk robe by its sides lying on the floor.

“Damn it, now it is going to be dirty. Why can’t they just hang it or put it on the bedside table…” I complained while looking for a cupboard or a bedside table.

There were none. My room was totally bare except for the bed and the window.

I didn’t even realise it when I woke up yesterday. “My god… WHAT KIND OF ACCOMMODATION IS THIS!” I shouted.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!” screamed someone again. Just like the previous day.

At this point in time, someone telling me to shut up was already to be expected.

Once I accepted that truth of my living quarters, I took up my uniform and changed out. The robe had a ferocious looking tiger wielding a long sword sewn onto the chest area. The uniform quality felt surprisingly good; cooling and smooth inner surface.

I glided my hands over the dark floor trying to find the shoes trying hard to not touch the floor. Finally, my hands bumped into something that felt like straps.

I grabbed it and held it up. I looked at it. It is just a black leather strapped-sandals.

“Haishhhh…”

Once I was dressed up and all ready. I headed out of the room for the toilets to wash up before going down into the parade square.

A few minutes of washing up passed and I went down to the parade square where all my fellow schoolmates were gathering in their supposed companies and platoons already. There were signs placed at the front of the parade square that marked out the companies and platoons. So, I went ahead to search for the sign that denoted my group in the midst of an increasing crowd.

“Watch where you’re going, shorty.” complained a chubby and tall student when I accidentally bumped into him but before I could argue, he went off in search of his company and platoon.

“Rude.”

At last, I found my company and platoon. I proceeded to join the group and just stood there like a statue as I knew nobody here except for Virs and the dude that has a weird dress code.

Luckily, my awkwardness was shared by my whole platoon and company as we are all freshmen. Thus, I felt a bit of comfort from knowing that. Everyone was just standing around with no aims and stared at any place that was empty to avoid eye contacts. I tried to find if there was anyone that I could get along with but all I found out was that my platoon has an equal number of guys and girls. Surprising for a military school.

After what seemed like an awkward eternity, everyone finally settled down and a group of people appeared from inside the dorms, carrying forward what seems like a podium to the front of everyone.

The moment the podium was sat down. The weird dude stepped on top of it and cleared his throat. This time, he was wearing purple blazer and pants with a blue inner shirt.

“Good morning to all you, young men and beautiful ladies! I am Henri Vici, the Principal of this military school. As of today, I am stepping down and Virs Kingpin will be taking over while I will be taking Company 1, Platoon 3 as their mentor. That’s all.” announced Henri as he looked in my direction and gave me a disturbing smile before it faded into a poker face.

His side-combed hair looked more serious than ever.

His glasses reflected the morning sunlight.

And his final smile sent a shiver down my spine…