Chapter 3

Lessons and trainings of each and every student of Preston Academy were still ongoing and a lot thornier than the past month. With the addition of more talented learners from the surrounding cities, their schedule became more packed, much more as they had expected.

The first phase of the training program included the participation of all students regardless whether they have high or low level aptitude in any of the required areas of knowledge. Usually, combining both tiers in a single program never happened before because of some typical discrimination between them. But, such things were needed to be thrown aside for the time being.

The main reason for the combined program is that, the association wanted to test and categorize them, as soon as possible, into the field that suits them, before the next phase begins. And this is also to avoid wasting precious energy and effort in learning skills that are not even suited for their constitutions.

Prior to this imminent war, they might have all the time and chances to choose their own path in cultivation and pursue their dreams of becoming strong. Even if their chosen path brought them down to the lowest of lowest of aptitude level due to incompatibilities or lower affinities, all of these unfavorable conditions did not matter as long as they have the determination, will, and patience to endure difficulties that are coupled to their chosen fields.

But, not at this occasion, when they are panic stricken because of a coming war. Time was not in their side at the moment. And there are no guarantees that there will be another chance after this.

Due to this circumstance, most the talented students were eaten by the pressure. Their impatience to become stronger by the moment, made them susceptible to this burden. Instead of making progress in their skills, their performance became sloppy and disorganized, worst case they fell behind their peers.

But, there are also some dependable ones, especially from the newcomers. Despite of the pressure, they still get their bearings on the line and not letting themselves be consumed by the impending crisis.

Every now and then, individual and team battles are being conducted to gauge the extent of their abilities. The major motivation for these battles was not just for test their thinking prowess, power, and decision-making but also to classify the leaders from the followers.

“Night Fiore (A/N: We had a glimpse of him on Day 6 – Part II, though his name wasn’t really mentioned back there. This is just to inform you guys.), a promising one.”, Aris Roanov uttered in his low yet seemingly monotonous tone. As one of the respected professors of the academy, and at the same time a Guardian of the association, his uncaring and intimidating expression which has been magnified more by his short black hair and pitch black eyes, didn’t really spare him a good impression from onlookers.

“You think so too?”, Director Moira was beside him. She couldn’t help herself from reacting after hearing his barely audible words, even though she knew that those words were only meant as note for his self.

Professor Aris didn’t respond and he continued observing the battle exercises in front of them with his still indifferent expression. This made Director Moira inwardly sigh. This person only has a few facial expressions in his arsenal and only she knows what kind of person he really is. “You know, professor, if you are interested in the amount of his potential, you should consider taking him as your apprentice.”, she tried to gauge if there are changes in his expression but was disappointed to find the same indifferent look.

“I am just a Guardian, much just like you director.”, she was a little surprised when Professor Aris responded. She knew that this person doesn’t like to hold even short conversations, unless he was interested. “And a Guardian taking an apprentice, isn’t that overtaking our power?”, he added, but this time, his previous low and monotonous tone somehow changed into a barely audible undertone of mystery as he leaned his head a little bit closer to the director.

Director Moira giggled inwardly, “Well, there are no rules saying that we can’t take apprentices. And if there is such a rule, it won’t really matter if you keep it as a secret, right? It will just come out as an unusual favoritism for some people, but who cares?”, her words trying to probe out Professor Aris’s interest. “I, myself, have kept a few prospects. If you don’t want him, then I might as well add him on my list.”, she grinned to herself. This time she noticed a miniscule change in Professor Aris’s face. Her innate skills in being extremely observant in every little detail in her line of attention made her notice such slight differences.

Stolen novel; please report.

Professor Aris looked at her with an unnoticeable hint of irritation, but Director Moira didn’t miss such detail as she gave him a wide smile.

“D-Do not make a move on him director…”, he replied, looking away from her seemingly probing smile. Director Moira smiled again, but this time it was genuinely. Their conversation ended just like that as they went back in observing their student’s fiascos.

…

Who… Who I am... name…

…

Klein… my name…I can only remember my name. Everything else… in my head is hazy.

I can’t move my body…this…

Am I inside a tube? And I am… submerged in water… yet why am I not drowning?

Where… am i?

...

Slowly I regained consciousness. I tried to blink a number of times to gain my vision back. And as I had a clear view of where I am, confusion struck me. Confused as to why I forgot about my name even for just a moment. Confused as to where this place is and why I am here.

I am not even sure how many days had passed as I have no way to determine day and night. I can only estimate that almost a week had passed, since the time I woke up, base only on how many times I slept and woke up. At first, I was frantic when I realized I can’t move any parts of my body, except for my eyes. And I was utterly confused when some people kept checking on me, every now and then, on their holotabs.

When I tried to remember what happened, I ended with nothing but bits and bits of blurry faces and obscure events that don’t make any sense. I even speculated that it must have been possible that I hit my head somewhere that I, myself, forgot that I even hit my head at all. This made me even more confused.

I don’t know why I am inside this preservation shell, that is what they call it, and why they are keeping me here in this white room. All this time, I kept acting that I am still an unconscious state. Even though this shell seems thick, I can still hear their voices from outside so I listened to every bit of their conversions. But most were scientific and medical things that I can vaguely understand. One thing I understood from all their conversations was they were altering something in my head. When I heard this, I can’t stop myself from trembling, at least inwardly, as I can’t make any expressions much less move anything in my body, except for my eyes.

If what I heard were not wrong, they were not just altering something inside my head but they were adding some more as well! However, I am not sure what they were altering or how they did it, but, considering the already fuzzy images in my head means that they have already started or might have done doing so. If they already did, why is it that there is not even a bit of inkling or just even a thought that something is wrong with my memories? Everything feels normal except for the blurry images in my head. Most of it feels like ah, maybe because it’s been so long that I already forgot about it feeling.

Were my assumptions wrong? No! I am sure that I heard them talking about altering my brain!

But that was only one of my problems. The bigger problem here is how can I get out of here? I can barely even move an inch and worst I stuck inside this shell. I don’t even have a slight idea when will they ever finish these tests they are forcing me, literally. This is against human rights.

My internal rantings stopped when three figures strode the room. They were not the usual white robed people or should I say doctors that I always see running back and forth around me and my shell. The three of them wore clothing dominant in black. The first figure I notice was the tall man with a long robe. In fact, I recognized him. He is one of the ten powerful Bishops of the association and he was in the second spot.

He is my master.

…