Chapter 11: The Apple Season

After the class at the Astrea Knowledge Academy, young Eris left the room with a sense of reflective calm. Professor Zaran’s words resonated in her mind as she walked through the long marble corridors toward the main exit. Outside, sunlight bathed the grand capital of the empire, Alvaria, and the fresh air heralded the change of season.

Eris decided to take a stroll through the market before returning to her studies. Her light cloak billowed in the wind as she crossed the broad cobblestone streets. The hustle and bustle of the city, with vendors calling out and the constant flow of people, felt reassuring to her. The market was the heart of the capital, where merchants gathered to sell their goods, and today it was teeming with activity. Apple season had begun, and the sweet aroma of fresh fruit filled the air.

She passed by a fruit stall and picked a shiny apple from a basket. The elderly vendor gave her a warm smile as Eris paid with a few copper coins. Taking the first bite, she felt the juicy flavor flood her mouth, a reminder of the times of abundance in the empire. The crunch of the fruit under her teeth blended with the lively sounds around her.

At the far end of the street, a group of guards patrolled the area. Eris watched them move forward in their gleaming armor, imposing yet with a sense of routine in their movements. Peace reigned in the capital, but the shadow of war was never too far away. As she chewed her apple, an unsettling thought crossed her mind: it had been nearly ten years since the last migration of the great beasts.

The migration season was approaching again, and with it, the risk of skirmishes on the empire’s borders. Eris knew that war always followed those migrations, though it didn’t seem imminent for now. However, at the academy and throughout the empire, the murmurs were the same: a great expansion was on the horizon.

For as long as anyone could remember, the migrations of the beasts had triggered small expansions along the empire’s borders. The creatures that survived the harsh conditions and the imperial walls were few, and those that perished left behind vast uninhabited territories that the empire quickly claimed. Additionally, the population was growing at an accelerated pace, and more land was needed to feed the citizens and sustain the military power.

“More land for the empire,” Eris thought, taking another bite of the apple. Her family, owners of several farms on the borders, was directly involved in this cycle. Her father and mother traded food from those lands that continually expanded, always near the new fortresses built after each migration. She knew that the stability of her home largely depended on that constant expansion. But for Eris, her path went beyond the family trade. She wanted to be more than just a merchant. Her desire, clear for years now, was to become a strategist, someone capable of leading the empire’s forces and making key decisions on the battlefield.

She paused for a moment, watching the guards again, imagining what kinds of decisions she would make in their place. “The empire will need more than swords for this next expansion,” she thought as she tossed the apple core into a nearby waste basket.

Eris saw herself in command rooms, plotting maps, planning not just for war but for the peace that would follow. Professor Zaran’s teachings echoed in her mind: only those who understand knowledge are capable of making the best decisions, of knowing when to use force and when to use their mind. She knew she would be one of those people. She was already studying at the best academy in the empire, but academic knowledge alone wouldn’t be enough. She would need to understand how her enemies thought, how to operate not just on the battlefield, but also in politics, economics, and culture.

War, though inevitable, didn’t frighten her; it was part of what she had always known, part of what the empire represented. But for Eris, the key lay in how to win the war with the least cost, how to ensure her legacy was not only one of destruction but also of growth.

“The beasts will come, as always,” she thought as she continued her way back to the academy. “And when they do, I’ll be ready. I won’t just be a warrior, I’ll be the one who decides how and when we fight.”

The echoes of the market faded behind her as she walked once again along the paths that led to the academy. With her mind focused on the future, Eris knew it wouldn’t be long before her decisions and abilities were put to the test. The empire’s borders didn’t wait for anyone, and war was always around the corner. But now, more than ever, she was determined to play a role in that great game of power.

As she walked back to her room in the academy, her thoughts circled around the challenges to come. Moving through the silent corridors, an undeniable truth settled in her mind: with war at the door, many students from the academy would have the opportunity to join the imperial army. For some, it was a chance for glory; for others, an opportunity to rise through the ranks and be recognized as strategists or generals.

She knew that every ten years, with the migration cycle, the empire allowed academy students to join the army whenever they wished, a tradition that had become a rite of passage. Imperial Law guaranteed that anyone with the desire and skill could enlist in the armed forces. It all came down to the trials: individual challenges that determined in which regiments and under which command each would serve. Some, like Eris, sought to rise quickly, aspiring to be strategists. Others were content to be warriors in the infantry, living a life filled with combat, though less intricate in the art of planning.

Eris, however, had no doubts. Her ambition was not limited to wielding a sword on the battlefield. No, she wanted to be at the center, where the key decisions were made. She knew that to achieve this, she would have to excel in the trials, especially before the selection council, composed of two strategists, two generals, and the captain and vice-captain of one of the elite army companies. These six would decide her fate, and Eris was determined to earn a place among the best.

As she entered her room, the faint light of the moon filtered through the window. The cool air filled the space, but she barely noticed it. Her thoughts remained focused on the trials ahead and the council. She knew that talent alone wouldn’t be enough to stand out. She needed precision, both in combat and in planning, as well as the ability to think quickly under pressure.

Before diving into her studies, Eris decided to go through her breathing and cultivation routine. She sat at the edge of her bed, crossing her legs into a comfortable posture, and closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing. At eighteen, Eris had reached the nerve refinement stage of Elemental Sense cultivation. But more than anything, she knew preparation was key. Despite the external distractions, focusing on her personal growth was essential. As she recalled Professor Zaran’s lessons, she realized her success in the council trials wouldn’t depend solely on wielding a sword but also on her control over prana and her ability to understand the natural flow of energy.

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She remembered the teachings about "Elemental Sense." Mastering it was a crucial process if she wanted to advance further in the stages of control. Being able to sense elemental energy, drawing it into her body, and circulating it through her lungs was a vital skill. Every stage of improvement—blood, organs, skin, bones, tendons, muscles, and nerves—was a step toward a more powerful future. However, each step had to be carefully considered. Learning to control prana required not only willpower and talent but also a deep understanding of herself and her body. She was already at the last stage, just like most of her peers at the academy. Nerve refinement took time, especially to avoid irreversible damage, which could leave her paralyzed at worst. But with each mana revolution through her body, she could feel slight improvements accumulating, granting her greater mental clarity and enhanced speed of thought. Eris knew that the more precise her control became, the greater her advantages would be—both in battle and in strategic decisions.

Slowly, she inhaled, feeling the prana flow through her nerves, circulating through her body like a subtle but powerful current. At this stage, precision was everything. Any mistake in the flow could delay her progress, but Eris had faith in her abilities. She had practiced this routine for years, perfecting every breath, every internal movement of energy.

The prana moved steadily through her body, flowing into her limbs and then back to her brain. Though the process was complex, it felt as natural as breathing to her now. During those moments, her mind cleared, focusing only on the energy coursing through her body. No other worries troubled her.

Ten minutes later, Eris opened her eyes slowly, feeling a renewed sense of calm. Her mind was sharp, her thoughts flowing effortlessly. She felt more connected to her surroundings, her body lighter, and her mind keener. She knew that each cultivation session brought her a step closer to her ultimate goal.

She stood up from the bed and walked over to her desk, where a pile of scrolls and books awaited her attention. Grabbing the first one, she began reading, her eyes skimming rapidly over the pages. Eris always found satisfaction in her studies. Knowledge gave her power, and every new page provided her with more tools to face the future ahead.

The sound of the pages turning filled the room as the night’s silence settled around her. Each word in the scrolls resonated like an echo of her own ambition. The teachings of great strategists and the tales of legendary battles wove themselves into her mind, forming a tapestry of knowledge she needed to master to excel in the upcoming trials. Eris knew the council would not only assess her combat skills but also her ability to think critically and quickly under extreme pressure.

As she read, moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow over the room. Eris was deeply absorbed, feeling the information imprinting itself in her mind. One scroll discussed the importance of logistics on the battlefield, while another explored strategies of flanking and surprise attacks. With each page, her understanding of the art of war expanded, fueling her desire to become a respected strategist.

Still, she couldn’t help but let her mind wander to the challenges that lay ahead. She knew the competition would be fierce.

Unlike the prodigies like Kaelan Voss, Liora Tanis, Eldrin Sarn, Miraen Farael, and Aislin Korrin—who had already reached the Golden Dan realm and were interviewed and assigned before the others—most of her peers, including Eris, were still in the nerve refinement stage. Each of them aspired to be recognized by the council. Some, like her friend Kael, were natural-born warriors, skilled in close combat. Others, like Lira, excelled at using innovative tactics. However, all of them would face her in the trials, and Eris was determined not to be just another face in the crowd.

After some time, fatigue began to set in. The words on the scrolls blurred, and Eris realized she needed a break. She reclined in her chair, closing her eyes for a moment, letting the tension dissolve. Despite the calm she tried to cultivate, the weight of what lay ahead was undeniable. She had been assigned a tutor, a renowned strategist who had served in several campaigns. The lessons were intense and challenging, pushing her beyond her limits each session.

Just as she thought about her next encounter with her tutor, a soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Eris, it’s me, Kael," her friend’s voice came from the other side.

"Can I come in?" he asked, his voice brimming with energy.

"Yes, come in," she replied, smiling at the sound of his enthusiastic tone.

Kael stepped in with a half-eaten apple in hand, biting into it with relish. His messy hair and vibrant gaze always gave him an air of carefree confidence that Eris admired.

"Studying again?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Don’t you ever get tired of reading all day?"

"I don’t have time to rest," Eris replied, refocusing on the scrolls. "There’s too much at stake."

Kael approached, glancing at the scattered scrolls on her desk. "Did you know I’ve heard some rumors about the council?" he said, his voice filled with excitement. "They say they’re not just looking for skill but for originality. It’s not just about ability—it’s about innovating in strategy."

Eris straightened in her chair, intrigued. "Originality? How are we supposed to show that in the trials?" she asked, her mind already racing with ideas.

"Maybe you could present a strategy that combines what you’ve learned about logistics and attack tactics. The best generals are the ones who think outside the box," Kael suggested, taking another bite of his apple with enthusiasm.

Eris fell silent, considering the idea. A spark of inspiration flickered inside her. The thought of merging different concepts and presenting them in a novel way could be the approach she needed to stand out.

"You’re right," she said, her voice filled with renewed determination. "Maybe I should think about applying what I’ve learned in less conventional situations."

Kael nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Exactly, and don’t forget that practice is key. If you don’t risk failure, you’ll never know what you’re truly capable of."

Grateful for her friend’s encouragement, Eris felt a surge of energy. The pressure wasn’t going to disappear, but with each passing day, her resolve grew stronger. The war was looming, and her destiny was at stake.

"Thanks, Kael. I needed that," she said, feeling her mind spinning in new directions.

"So, do you want help coming up with some ideas?" he asked, a mischievous gleam in his eye.

Eris smiled, realizing the importance of having someone by her side. "Yes, I’d love that. The more ideas we have, the better prepared we’ll be."

The two of them sat down at the table, and as they exchanged thoughts and brainstormed, the night wore on. As the hours passed, the strategy began to take shape in her mind. The moonlight continued to illuminate the path ahead, a path where Eris—the aspiring strategist—could shine with her full potential in the coming war.

A future full of possibilities.