As the dawn's first light kissed the horizon, a solitary figure could be seen bounding along the cobbled streets. He skirted past a garden, its entrance flanked by two imposing stone lions, before collapsing onto a nearby bench. With heavy breaths, the runner caught his breath, soaking in the stillness of the morning air.
The garden was alive with an array of vibrant and colorful blooms, their sweet fragrance hanging heavily in the air. Each petal seemed to glow in the light of the rising sun, casting a spell over the surrounding area. Two massive lions, their stony gazes fixed and unwavering, stood guard at the entrance. The figure resting on the bench could not help but marvel at the beauty before him, pulling up the green hood of his cloak to shield himself from the morning chill.
The figure was Asrar, and after catching his breath, he continued his morning run with energetic strides.
After several days, whispers began to spread across the kingdom, like ripples on a still pond, that a heinous and unholy cult had emerged, hellbent on wreaking havoc and chaos upon the land. The fiendish followers were said to be launching brutal attacks on academies throughout the vast expanse of the Tvar Kingdom. The Iron Legions Academy and Wizarding Academy branches were not spared, with reports of casualties emerging from their ranks. Yet it was the Black Hand Academy that bore the brunt of the ruthless assault. The noble houses, incensed by the loss of their offspring and kin, raised their voices in outrage, demanding answers from the academies' high council and even the royal court.
This news had reached Asrar through the whispers of his fellow green cloaks. He knew that Earline was fine, as she was still recuperating in their estate, but he was unaware of his older brother Algar's life-or-death situation. Several days had passed since he dispatched a letter to his family, inquiring after Algar's safety and assuring them of his own survival.
Every month, when Asrar gets an open leave from the academy like everybody else, he makes his way to Birom town, where he meets with Hugo, a watchful guardian sent by his father to keep an eye on his progress. But since the month had barely started, he didn't have that ability to take absentee leave. Instead, he resorted to a safer method of communication: penning a letter to Hugo and entrusting it to him to deliver directly to his family.
When he started writing the letter, Baldwin, who was getting better, saw the letter and directly told him that it was unreadable. Asrar was taken aback before he slapped his forehead, realizing that he had written the letter in his physician's handwriting, which was notoriously difficult to decipher. He cursed himself for not considering that fact and quickly rewrote the letter with the more legible handwriting that was commonly used throughout the kingdom.
Asrar, who had almost finished his morning jog, snickered a little before developing a wry smile.
Though I'm not sure why Baldwin didn't write one for his family.
As he made his way through the relatively empty academy grounds, Asrar caught sight of the training grounds, still bearing the scars of the violent earthquake that had rocked the land. But now, after days of tireless work, the signs of construction were almost complete. The sound of hammers clanging and stones grinding could be heard as the workers and guards carefully reconstructed the buildings and repaired the damaged walls.
Asrar jogged by the training grounds, and he noticed a group of guards patrolling the area, their torches casting flickering shadows on the ground. They looked at Asrar with suspicion, puzzled by his early-morning exercise routine. In this realm, such habits were rare, and most students were still asleep or studying in the great hall.
In that moment, Asrar encountered Eddard, the cheerful guard who had aided him before. In recent days, they had crossed paths several times, and Asrar found him to be an easy companion. Eddard and his brother also seemed to hold Asrar in high regard. With the openness and humility that came naturally to him, the two brothers quite liked him.
"Greetings, young lord," Eddard's voice boomed as he noticed Asrar jogging. "It's another morning of exercise, I see." Asrar slowed down, his breath uneven, as he acknowledged the guard. "Good day, Eddard," he greeted, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Have you retrieved the batch for me?" Asrar knew that despite his efforts to change it, Eddard wouldn't budge on the formal address, so he had accepted it.
Eddard cast furtive glances around them, ensuring no prying eyes were near, before producing a pouch from his satchel. "I have brought the things you requested, young lord," he whispered, his voice hushed with secrecy. "But you must be cautious; even though these are mere herbs, transporting them is akin to smuggling." Asrar gratefully accepted the pouch from Eddard, and the two exchanged a nod before parting ways.
He didn't head back toward the dormitories but instead toward the well behind it to wash his body before getting ready for the start of the day. His first class was with Master Alewen, their weapons master.
Asrar, with a grimace of distaste, surveyed the basins of murky water, with sponges and cloths strewn carelessly nearby. The thought of using them to wash himself made his skin crawl. Instead, he headed toward the well, braving the chill of the morning air. The forest, once his favorite spot for bathing, was now forbidden after the recent incident; hence, the well was the next best option.
As Asrar was drawing water from the well, his eyes caught a glimpse of two figures draped in green cloaks, huddled together in a suspicious conversation. He strained his ears to listen in, but their hushed whispers were beyond his hearing. Suddenly, he noticed one of them handing over a small pouch of coins to the other. The one giving the money was none other than Eadric, but the identity of the other figure eluded him. Although intrigued by the clandestine transaction, Asrar decided to mind his own business, knowing that he had not been noticed by the two.
Asrar finished washing by the well and made his way back to his room. He carefully tiptoed past the sleeping form of Baldwinn, who was snoring loudly, and tried to ignore the lingering stench in the air. The academy had finally removed the bodies that had been hanging in the rooms, but the smell of death still permeated everything. As he settled at the table to write, Asrar couldn't help but wonder if they should change their lodgings, but the thought of the heavy expenses that would come with it made him shake his head.
There was still some time before the class when Asrar dove into the book called "Exotic Plants and Herbs and Their Uses," which he had borrowed from the library after returning the "Chronicles of Eldor." Being from the "black cloak" section, it cost him 7 merit points to borrow for a week. He also borrowed two other books, "Human Anatomy" and "Guide to Poisonous Plants," for free from the "green cloak" section. In addition, he took "The Dagger Mastery Book," written by Master Aric—the black cloaks' weapons instructor. Asrar preferred this book over Aelwen's, as it delved specifically into the art of using daggers; it cost him another 9 merit points to borrow for a week.
Asrar's mind was filled with thoughts of the incident that had happened, and he had long realized that he must grow stronger if he was to survive the dangers that lurked in this world.
Ever since that fateful day, he had taken to chronicling the most important events in a weathered old diary. Among the many twists and turns that followed, one stood out in particular: the headmistress made a rare appearance and named the dead middle-aged woman cleric as one of the perpetrators. The students were beside themselves with rage, spitting on the wretched woman's lifeless form and beating it with their boots.
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And yet, there were other events that captured his attention. One being the reappearance of the black and purple cloaks, which fueled the students' doubts and suspicions; their doubts and fears were voiced openly for all to hear. The other was the monastery of light's entourage, led by two middle-aged paladins, who made a grand entrance into the academy, leaving everyone in awe. To the young nobles, they were heroes beyond compare, men of valor and honor whose very presence brought tears to their eyes. When the paladins disappeared inside the Raven's Lodge, a great castle that housed the academy's masters, the students could only wonder what secrets lay hidden within its walls.
On the day of their departure, the paladins gifted the injured students with a powerful form of high healing that, although could not regrow severed parts, could mend broken bones and heal gaping wounds. While many were saved by the paladins' divine intervention, there were some unfortunate souls who perished at the doors of the infirmary before they could be tended to. which almost gave Baldwinn a heart attack as he graciously thanked Asrar.
Amid the green cloaks' rising resentment and their mounting rebelliousness, they were about to be rocked by the fourth and most critical event. It was a proposition from the academy's higher ups, a tempting offer that would give them the option to depart back to their noble abode with a substantial amount of gold coins or remain and receive 60 merit points. Many students were already considering going away, and with the gift, they hurried to leave. Morgaine, Elysia's roommate, was one of those who could not resist the offer.
However this was but a ruse employed by the academy to assuage the aggrieved green cloaks, after all they were sorely lacking in coin. They were either of mixed blood, born to low nobility, or the youngest of their kin. Asrar, for one, possessed all three of these "qualities.
Time passed, and the second bell chimed again. Asrar previously noted that the bell starts at sunrise and ends at sunset; each bell sound happens within a three-hour period for a total of five bells.
He roused the snoring Baldwinn, and the two donned their cloaks before venturing out. It had been several days since the ghastly event, and they were due for their first class since then. Master Keiran's class was first on the schedule, as was the custom, but the professor had been ruthlessly slain, so they had to move on.
The training grounds were soon to be opened, and the remaining green cloaks were filled with apprehension. Despite their unease, they made their way to the open field, where dozens of their fellow students, now fewer than a hundred, looked worn and tired.
Master Aelwen stood at the forefront of the training grounds, her expression etched with a burdened sadness that Asrar couldn't help but notice. Perhaps she mourned the students lost during the terrible incident or carried the weight of guilt for their fate, or maybe both.
Asrar took a moment to scan the training grounds, his eyes darting from one end to the other, taking in the rows of wooden structures and the fresh scent of freshly cut grass. But something caught his attention, and he noticed the humanoid training dummies, standing tall on their wooden legs. He wasn't the only one to take notice; everyone in the field stopped to get a good look at them. As he turned, Asrar caught Elysia staring at him and Baldwinn, but she quickly looked away, leaving him with a bitter smile on his lips.
She had stopped talking to us ever since that incident.
Before they parted ways that day, Asrar accompanied Elysia to her chamber to fetch her clothes and other necessities; unfortunately, they also found a corpse in her room, and this time it was a female corpse, which made them worry. The hanged bodies they had found were of the same size as their companions, and they could not help but dread the worst. Yet the academy didn't say anything about this matter.
As Asrar reflected on the recent tumultuous events, he sensed a cold stare piercing through him. Turning to face the source, he found Eadric glaring at him with unbridled animosity.
What did I ever do to this guy?
While Asrar was lost in his thoughts, Master Aelwen began tapping her fingers on a glimmering orb in her hand. Suddenly, a wave of powerful energy surged around them. In a hoarse voice that sounded ancient and otherworldly, a message was emitted from the orb: "Snowmelt month, day eight, morning roll call: 133 absentees from the green cloaks."
These words sent goosebumps through the field, and even Master Aelwen was surprised before her countenance grew even more heavy.
It seems like the academy has yet to update its database.
Master Aelwen's voice echoed through the place, causing the students to go silent. She lowered her hand. "Today, we shall heed the headmistress's instructions and continue with the trials," she announced. The students' faces contorted in fear at the mention of the word "trial" "Do not fear," Aelwen continued, "the forest remains closed. The trial is a three-on-one battle against the wooden training dummies. If you fail, your team will lose five merit points. But if you succeed, the entire team will gain five merit points." She paused to let her words sink in. "As we have lost.... some of our comrades, you will have a quarter of an hour to assemble your teams. If someone is left out, I will weaken the dummies for them."
All those who remained among the green cloaks had strong hearts, unafraid of the unfair treatment. They were willing to endure hardship to gain strength, and the trials ahead were just another obstacle to overcome. Among them, the girls were scarce, and their original small numbers had dwindled to only twenty after the incident. It was clear that for this challenge, the males were in high demand. And not to mention females; even Asrar didn't get invited to any team.
Asrar watched as the students searched for their partners, and the other stronger or older boys were quickly snatched up by teams eager to have the strongest members. Baldwinn, who stood silently beside him, was in high demand, but he remained leisurly by Asrar's side. Despite being sought after, Eadric, who was regarded as the strongest green cloak, took his time before choosing a team, his eyes scanning the crowd with a bored expression. He was acknowledged by everyone as the strongest green cloak, and it was just a matter of time before he went up the ladder.
Asrar gestured to Baldwinn, and the two set out to find Elysia. She stood alone, isolated from the other female students, who seemed to keep their distance from her. Even her suitors were hesitant to approach her, for this was no ordinary test of intellect but a battle of brawn and skill. Except for couples, none of the males wished to risk their chances by aligning themselves with a girl at this time.
However, before they could reach Elysia, another group of two male students arrived, causing Elysia to look up and offer a smile. "It took you long enough...." she said, but her grin quickly faded when she recognized the two individuals as the infamous troublemaker Quinn and his companion. "Oh, Lady Elysia, who else did you expect it to be?" Quinn asked, his tone filled with mischief. "Let's put our differences aside and join forces for this trial." Elysia remained composed and replied, "I respectfully decline your offer." But Quinn persisted, his eyes roving over her form as he added, "Come on now, don't be shy. You're just a weak little girl. We could help each other out, and perhaps even more." He leered at her, licking his lips in anticipation.
Elysia's face twisted in disgust as she noticed Quinn edging closer. Instinctively, her hand reached for the ring on her finger. But before she could act, someone intervened, seizing Quinn's flailing hands. It was Eadric, standing elegantly like a peacock. "Young lady Elysia," he said in a voice that brooked no argument. "Do not heed this trash's words." He shoved Quinn away with a powerful arm, though he refrained from striking the miscreant, knowing that direct violence was against the rules. "You lot go away, and don't force me to act," he warned, his eyes flashing dangerously.
Quinn and his companion slithered away, their language brimming with curses and their demeanor reminiscent of lowly brigands, bereft of any sense of nobility. The spectacle drew the attention of the other students, and a round of applause erupted for Eadric's gallant intervention, particularly from the young ladies.
Elysia didn't like the way they drew attention, and she had no intention of joining Eadric's team. But perhaps it would be worthwhile to follow him, if only to escape notice. "Miss Elysia," began Eadric, "seeing as how you are without a team..." His words were cut short by the sudden appearance of two students: a youth with messy hair and a chubby young man. "You! We have rejected many people for your sake! You aren't seriously considering taking on this peacock's offer, are you?" Baldwnn spoke out loud, causing everyone present to gasp in shock.
"Who are you!" called out Eadric's comrade. Asrar recalled him as the one who had wielded the charge skill in their previous trial, but their other companion was nowhere to be seen, having likely died or left the academy like the others.
"Peacock..." Eadric's face darkened.
"My apologies, but our team is already forged," Asrar replied in a measured tone, turning to address Elysia directly. "Am I not right, Elysia?" The use of her name, spoken so easily by Asrar, only served to deepen the scowl on Eadric's face. His face darkened even more when Elysia smiled and nodded in agreement.
Though he swiftly regained his composure, his words were steeped in venom. "If you truly are her teammates, then why did you abandon her and not aid her when she was in need?" Elysia scowled at his insinuation, but before she could respond, Asrar spoke up with amusement. "You mean her confrontation with Quinn? Had you not intervened, Elysia would have dispatched him with ease. And as for why we did not lend aid, well... your performance was most amusing. The other guy had even left too quickly to count his money pouch." Eadric's frown deepened at Asrar's words, but he held his tongue, excused himself, and departed; his companion followed shortly after, but not before glaring back at the two of them .
Eadric came to a sudden halt and turned back, his piercing gaze fixing on the group. "Listen well," he said in a low voice. "In one month's time, there will be a competition that takes place. And I expect that all of you will participate." As he turned to leave, the other students scrambled to offer themselves as teammates, their eagerness palpable. The whispers grew louder, rumors and excitement spreading like wildfire throughout the students, some feeling this set of events were growing to be interesting.
Elsepth, standing amongst the crowd, also saw what happened and smiled mysteriously. Two males stood right by her side.
Elysia let out a sigh of relief, her eyes lighting up as she thanked the two, "Thank you; I figured that since you were getting too many invitations, you may have forgotten about me." The words tumbled out of her mouth in a frustrated tone. Baldwinn was about to tease her, but Asrar interjected, "Do not worry about this; the most important matter is that we have to devise a plan together to defeat the training dummy." Asrar's words captured their attention. "As you know, this trial was once the gateway to the academy, and since we're all wearing green cloaks, I presume you too got defeated just like me." Elysia felt a rush of blood to her cheeks, while Baldwinn snorted.