Elias jumped up. Sunlight that was slowly reaching his sleeping face was now blinding him straight in the face. It was his first day of what he deemed the rest of his life.
Today he started at the Imperial Army Academy. Most of his fellow friends and teachers viewed this as a poor decision.
He had the capacity to enroll in a top scholarly academy if he applied himself. Truthfully he didn’t want to.
He would become a soldier of the imperial army for Ardun. Possibly a lieutenant if he could hone his battle abilities. Anything higher than lieutenant would be near impossible without a drop of noble blood in him.
He ran his hand through his black hair and shut off his alarm clock. He showered and donned his uniform.
For the most part the uniform was a pure white color. The trim, arms, and a stripe going from the armpits to the bottom of the pants were black. One day he wished to get gold to separate the colors indicating the rank of lieutenant.
On the collar of the uniform each student was allowed to put their house symbol or in cases like Elias, an insignia of choice. Elias admired the collar of his uniform.
He chose to put a white pawn. He smiled to himself of the symbolic identity of the pawn. Because of his blood status he was viewed as unimportant in the world, just like a pawn on a chess board. He finished making himself presentable and headed off to the academy.
About an hour later he laid eyes on the academy for the first time. Elias thought the academy looked more like a palace or castle.
Tall white spires spread up into the sky and surrounded it. The main building was the largest thing he had ever seen.
It had to be since it housed all the students, classes, and equipment needed for war.
He felt severely unprepared as he began to wander aimlessly through the grounds.
The academy told him to only bring his issued uniform, and identification.
Admittedly this was all Elias had to his name. He would have everything provided for him while the nobles were allowed more privileges like room arrangements and select furniture.
The only thing he felt comfortable knowing was that the room sizes were the same. The academy viewed this as you come in here as equal civilians but rise to a degree of importance.
He at least wished he knew the plans for the day. All they told him to do was arrive at the allotted time.
As he followed the crowd and wandered into the main hall he was immersed in a field of black and white. If he was to be a soldier he at least should act like one he thought.
He rolled his shoulders back and puffed out his chest correcting his posture.
Figuring he was supposed to check in at one of the counters he marched through the sea of people and approached a man at the counter.
“My name is Elias and I am here to check in sir.” He passed over his ID.
“Elias,” the man hummed, “You will be in barracks C room number 317. Here is your room key and schedule. Follow the directions on the schedule for today.”
Elias then departed from the lobby and looked at the schedule. First was the opening ceremony speech.
It also had a map of how the students were supposed to be arranged. On the map there were three sections, one for each of the freshman barracks.
After in the correct section you were supposed to line up by room number. Elias figured the arrangement was based on the normal caste system and he placed himself with the rest of the nobodies.
At least he wouldn’t have to share a room with some he had to bow down to while being taken advantage of.
Glancing further down the schedule. His heart sank. In bold letters read battle placement tests.
All students have been arranged into a bracket. You were supposed to fight and defeat your opponents until you are defeated.
This would then be used to measure your fighting ability and determine your battle weapon training course.
It wasn’t the fact that he couldn’t battle that he was worried. In fact it was completely opposite.
He learned swordplay earlier than most nobles by standards. He was taught by an army soldier named Kayle.
Kayle had practically adopted Elias and taught him everything he knew. Elias even adapted Kayle’s somewhat cynical views and ideals.
Sadly one day Kayle had moved north across the land and Elias’s lessons came to an end.
However he never stopped practicing. He sighed as bells began to ring. It was almost time for the ceremonial speech.
“Greetings to all new academy students. I wish to welcome you here to the Imperial Army Academy.
I am general Kobdan. Here you will be tested and pushed to the farthest reaches of human ability.
I expect each and every one of you to follow every single protocol to the letter.
First, you all have been assigned a barracks letter and room number. These are to be you classmates, roommates, and on the battle field, your saviors.
Next, I wish to explain the rules of the combat training test. Each student has been assembled in a bracket.
Here you will battle with training weapons until you have fallen. Training weapons if you are not used to them,” his gaze turned over to the barracks C unit, “are blunt weapons.
Stolen story; please report.
They will hurt when you do not properly defend yourselves. Luckily, since they are blunt, you will not manage to hurt yourself with your own weapon.
However these weapons can still cause severe harm. I will not lie to you. Many serious injuries even death have been caused here due to training weapons.
Let this be a lesson for you to learn how to defend yourself properly. Training weapons will be provided if you do not have one in your corresponding weapons room.
You now have thirty minutes to arm yourself and report to the area on your schedule for training. Fight hard and do your families proud.”
They were then dismissed and Elias headed off to the weapons room of barracks C.
He didn’t want to be the laughing stock of the barracks with some second rate weapon that didn’t even work.
He followed in suit with the rest of the students but the weapons provided for them were of poor quality.
Armor lined the first set of shelves so Elias picked a set up. Most of the shields were gone and the bucklers were almost exhausted also.
As for weapons there was a couple of spears and an abundance of short swords. Long swords were either missing or previously taken.
It was only after this battle test you were able to specify under a weapon and receive a good quality one you would use throughout the rest of your studies unless you broke it.
More students rushed by him and picked up a weapon as he slowly paced back and forth hoping for an overlooked weapon that wasn’t a spear or a short sword.
“Is there a problem student?” said a grim man behind him. His uniform was trimmed with gold thread signifying a lieutenant and commander of barracks C possibly. Elias snapped to attention.
“There appears to be a poor selection of weapons here sir,” replied Elias.
“What is your name student? And what business have you with a poor selection of weapons?”
“My name is Elias sir. And if the point of the test is to test our fighting capabilities shouldn’t we fight with equal gear sir?”
“So you believe if I gave you this sword behind me you could fight on equal terms with nobles?” It was after he said this Elias noticed the sword behind him.
“Well that would resolve one problem sir.”
“Oh? And what else is there?”
“Even if I chose to fight, it would only cause more trouble for me. If I choose to stand up to a person of noble birthright it would cause problems in the future.” The commander laughed.
“Follow me Elias. And let’s see if we can’t solve that little problem.”
Elias followed the commander. He led him down a series of hall ways and they reached a room. On the door read Commander of Barrack C: Zacharias Tuxton.
Zacharias then handed Elias a mask. It was black on the right half with white on the left. In the middle the two colors swirled together. It only had two eye holes.
“Sir?” questioned Elias.
“Wear this mask in the test. The teachers will know it was from me and allow it.
Hopefully this will give you the courage to fight on equal grounds with the nobles. Although it will be a dangerous road if you choose to take it.”
“And what about my insignia?” Zacharias looked at the pawn and laughed. Then he passed him a black clamp.
“You might just have what it takes to survive.”
Elias covered his pawn with the black clamp and placed the mask over his face. He adjusted his battle gear in the mirror checking for any evidence of his true self.
His hair had been concealed behind his helmet. It was a filthy old thing with very little padding left.
This was to be his only protection for his head making blows less lethal but still harming.
He picked up the training weapon and checked the hilt length. It was a hand and a half sword.
Ordinarily designed for one hand with a shield but adapted to a two handed weapon if the shield was lost.
This made it longer than short swords but lighter and less effective than giant two handed swords.
After he decided he would not be able to even determine who he was, he followed Zacharias into the arena.
The arena as it was called was an eruption of noise and stench. It resembled more of a coliseum than anything else.
Older students were already seated in the stands surrounding the arena. The arena had been modified to the battle test.
Several semi clear squares divided the land. Each student was to have a one on one battle with another in a designated area.
Instructors were a top of every stage ready to officiate the fights.
Elias’s grip tightened on his sword that hanged on the right side of his hip. The stands continued to erupt in shouting and laughter.
Elias was in the middle of his test squad. He tried to conceal himself from the prying gaze of outsiders.
He was also grateful that his test squad wasn’t the same group of people that surrounded him in the ceremony speech.
He would have to take off his mask then and there if everyone knew who he was from the speech.
Gratefully Elias remained concealed for the most part. He did get a few questioning looks form those around him but remained silent.
It was his first day here and he knew he could trust no one. He figured any street urchin would sell him out if it came to that point.
He continued walking with his squad. The squad rounded a corner and proceeded down an isle of battle squares.
It halted outside of square 21-14. A tall figure who led the squad to the battle square addressed them.
“Here is where you will take the battle test. You have been given your number on your schedule.
Above the entrance is your bracket. Each person will have a one on one battle until you are defeated and one person remains.
Once it is your turn, present your ID card in your corresponding entrance. Once inside the two combatants will fight until one has been defeated.
You have five minutes after every match to prepare yourself and submit yourself for battle.
If you do not arrive in time you forfeit the match.
Let this be known. If you have no noble blood in you make sure you pay respects to those who have.
Follow these rules and you may find your time here more pleasant than others.
All men are not created equally. There are those of us who have been born into success.”
Elias was confused. They expected him to loose and moreover they would punish him.
Right when he submitted his ID card everyone would know who he was.
But what then was the point of the number system? Was it actually possible to be a combatant with the mask and clamp given to him?
Elias looked around the arena. For the most part he could see a handful of nervous students.
A few stood tall laughing. Probably knowing they wouldn’t even have to lift a single finger throughout the whole tournament if they followed the imperial chain of nobility.
“First year battle tests have now begun. First combatants please show your ID cards and proceed.” Boomed a loud voice.
The stands erupted in a massive cheer.
Elias watched as two students walked to the two entrances of the battle square.
They flashed their ID cards and then strolled on stage.
He then turned to the bracket in the middle of the doors to find his number. He was the third match.
At least he would get to observe a bit to calm his nerves. The two students entered the arena and faced each other.
Each person had a confusing look upon them as they tried to identify the insignia on their opponents’ collar.
Judging from their confused expression and the short swords in their hands, they were also from barracks C.
Elias had no time to look around at what was happening in the other battles because the two in his square ran at each other.
They were more like wild animals or barbarians than soldiers Elias thought.
One student brought up his sword and slashed it down on his opponent.
Instead of parrying the blade to the side, the student tried to block it completely.
The attacking blade crashed down on his opponent forcing his arm and blade back into himself.
It continued down until it struck the persons helmet. The student became stiff.
The blow surged through his helm rendering him stunned and dazed to move as he toppled over.
The referee stopped the fight and gave victory to the winner. After a moment the downed student regained control of his body.
They both walked back out through their respective sides and rejoined the group as the next two approached the platform.
Again one student was carrying a short sword. His opponent was anything but barracks C.
In his left hand he carried a kite shield and a long sword in his right. On his collar bore a crest.
At a distance it appeared like it was some form of black bird. They entered their ID cards and entered the arena.
Panic struck the student from barracks C as he looked around for advice of what to do.
“Kneel down and be hit by my sword fool.” Commanded the noble.
And Elias could see this was supposed to be the appropriate thing to do when confronting a noble.
Sure enough the student kneeled down and the noble approached him.
The noble brought his sword down plainly and gently struck the student on the shoulder. The referee concluded the match.
Sweat trickled down Elias' forehead as he walked to the second entrance on his right. He concealed his ID card and walked in.