Induction

Cain was nervous. That was a given for all Inductees.

He stood besides hundreds of other children, all ages of approximately sixteen. The children were organized into a square, each standing a meter apart from each other. They all wore the same outfit that was handed out by the instructors earlier on in the morning. The afternoon sunlight washed over his body, yet the early winter wind still bit into his skin. His gray cotton clothes did little to shelter him from the elements. Cain could tell the others close to him were suppressing shivers like himself. Better not to stand out to the instructors. Some children learned that the hard way.

Luckily, Cain was on the taller side for his age. After glancing around to make sure any instructors were watching, he stood on his toes to get a better look at his surroundings. He stood in the middle of a large courtyard. He was surrounded by tall stone walls to the south. At its center was an incredibly large gate, two heavy portcullises standing between him and freedom. On said walls were occasional watchtowers, with distant figures doing patrols.

To the west and east were steep barren cliffs to which the walls were built into. Above the cliffs were where the infamous Trials were held. Supposedly. The cliffs continued to the north, melting into an incredible mountain range. At the cliff's foot stood an incredible structure. While not exactly tall, the structure expanded laterally for seemingly kilometers. Made from the same dark stone as the tall walls, it was an oppressive and imposing edifice. Miscellaneous structures stood all around. Their purposes Cain could only guess.

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Before Cain could observe any further, a loud voice echoed from in front of him. A tall man walked up to the raised wooden stage that stood at the edge of the courtyard. The man had short black hair in a militaristic cut. Two parallel streaks of white hair started from his hairline. The man's face seemed to have been carved from granite. Heavy set jaw, piercing eyes, with a singular vertical scar running across his left cheek. He wore a fine black uniform with red lining. A sheathed sword of some sort was hung from his thick belt around his waist. The open maw of a greatwolf was stitched gorgeously onto the right shoulder of his sleeve. Below the stage stood a line of instructors, all wearing similar outfits as the man. The only difference was that they all wore white bands around their left arms.

"December 27th, year 1210 of the Arcilian Calendar. Welcome Inductees, to the Institute."

There was not even a whisper from the children.

"Today marks the induction of the 75th Cohort of the Laconian Institute. You all may expect to spend the next year training to fulfill your stately duties. Fear not. Many have come before you. And after graduation your duties do not end. You are required to serve another three at the Line. But I'm sure you all know that already."

Cain heard a child to his left - a shorter boy with dark hair - audibly whimper. The child on his right - a taller lanky girl with ash white hair - snorted.

"My name is Conduit Alexander Horicus. You may call me Conduit Horicus or Conduit. I was appointed by the Emperor's court to facilitate the training of all you Inductees."

The Conduit perused over the Inductees, his cold calculating gaze seeming to appraise the potential of the children.

"During your training here, you will learn and master all the basics of wilderness survival, martial combat, battle tactics, war strategy, and our Empire's history. But more importantly, you will learn discipline, perseverance, patriotism, and camaraderie."

He took a dramatic pause.

"Good luck Inductees. And may Fa watch over you all."