Kael, Ethra Prime Outer Systems
Kael stepped out of the operating room, the cool recycled air of the academy medical facility hitting him like a refreshing wave. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, feeling the weight of the new experiences ahead of him. With a determined breath, he decided to pull up the GPS function on his node. Focusing his gaze, he mentally commanded, Open GPS.
A screen flickered to life in his vision, and a detailed map of the surrounding area sprang into view. Kael was momentarily taken aback by the clarity and precision of the map, which displayed not only the layout of the academy but also highlighted various points of interest. He marveled at the technology, but he quickly reminded himself that he had to stay focused. He found the icon representing the courtyard and mentally clicked on it.
As soon as he did, a virtual yellow line appeared on the ground, overlaying the actual floor and guiding him down the hallway. He followed the line, feeling a sense of excitement mixed with nervousness. Just as he began to walk, a door to his right swung open, and Leo stumbled out, looking dazed but sporting a goofy grin.
"Kael!" Leo exclaimed, his eyes brightening as he spotted him. He was dressed in the same military uniform Kael had received, and under his left arm, he clutched the other set of clothes. "You made it! How was the surgery?"
"It was... interesting," Kael replied, trying to downplay his earlier anxiety. "How about you? You look like you just woke up from a nap."
Leo chuckled, his grin unwavering. "I feel like I did! But hey, I'm ready to take on the world! Let's walk to the courtyard together."
As they strolled down the hallway, Kael felt a sense of camaraderie with Leo. They chatted about their experiences, the war, and how they thought the other human nations would respond to the Archons' attack, especially the Lindon Empire. The conversation flowed easily, and Kael appreciated the distraction from his worries.
"Do you think they'll actually get involved?" Leo asked, his brow furrowing. "I mean, the Lindon Empire has always been pretty isolationist."
"Maybe," Kael replied, considering the implications. "But if the Archons keep pushing, they might not have a choice. It's hard to say."
They shifted the topic to Mira, and Kael felt a warmth in his chest as he mentioned her. "She seemed really nervous about leaving home."
"Yeah, I can imagine," Leo said, nodding. "But she's tough. I think she'll do just fine."
Their conversation shifted to the other students, and they began to discuss the cute girls they had seen among the other squires. Kael felt a lightness in his heart as they joked and laughed, the camaraderie easing the tension that had built up since their arrival.
As they approached the courtyard, Kael noticed a black-haired youth standing among a group of peers. The boy caught Kael's glance and scowled at him, a look of disdain etched on his features. Kael's instincts kicked in, and he felt a familiar unease wash over him. Years of being picked on had taught him to avoid confrontations, and he instinctively stepped back, keeping his distance.
"Who's that guy?" Leo asked, noticing Kael's reaction.
"Just someone I'd rather not mess with," Kael replied, shaking his head. "Let's just keep walking."
As they entered the courtyard, Kael's eyes widened at the sight before him. Forty sets of armor stood in neat rows, each one sleek and imposing, with black armor plates and silver energy trim. They were as tight-fitting as the armor his father had worn, and Kael felt a thrill of anticipation at the thought of wearing one.
But one set of armor caught his attention more than the others. Near the back, he noticed that one of the armors was missing its right arm, the sleeve capped over with hard armor plating. A narrow visor helm sat on the ground next to it, and Kael's gaze was drawn to the one-armed set, curiosity piquing his interest.
After a moment, all the students had returned, and Instructor Johiem stepped forward, calling them to attention. "Cadets! Welcome back! You look more like soldiers now."
The students quickly fell into line, and Kael felt a surge of pride at being part of this group. Johiem commanded their attention, his expression serious. "Listen up! I'm about to explain what is expected of you this year."
Kael's heart raced as he listened intently. Johiem began by outlining the structure of their training. "Every month, except for the first one, you will form groups, and a knight will be chosen for you to shadow on his missions as his squires. These missions could range from diplomatic or courier tasks to dangerous creature subjugation missions."
A grave silence fell over the courtyard as the weight of his words sank in. "You could very well die if you are not prepared," he warned, his tone somber.
Kael exchanged worried glances with Mira and Leo, who stood nearby. He caught Mira's wide eyes and Leo's narrowed ones, but none of them spoke. The gravity of the situation hung heavily in the air.
Suddenly, a girl in the front spoke up, her voice trembling with indignation. "But the school is responsible for our safety! These types of missions are too much for first years!"
Johiem's icy glare silenced her instantly. "Did I tell you that you could speak?" he barked, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
When the girl didn't respond, he ordered her to drop to the ground and do forty push-ups. The rest of the group watched in stunned silence, the severity of the instructor's authority palpable. "Talking out of turn will not be tolerated," he reminded them, his voice low and dangerous. "Insubordination of any sort will be punished."
Kael felt a chill run down his spine as he watched the girl struggle through her punishment. Johiem continued his explanation, detailing the evaluation tests they would have to take every six months. "Your rank will be determined by these tests, along with the grades given by the knight who accompanies you on your missions and the quality and quantity of your elemental core."
He emphasized the importance of ambition, stating that they had five years to reach the rank of knight. "If you can't manage that, you will be turned out of the academy or offered other spots in the military," he said, his tone grave. "And that would be the ultimate shame."
Kael felt a knot form in his stomach at the thought. He glanced at Mira, who looked equally concerned, and Leo, who seemed to be processing the information with a serious expression.
Johiem went on to explain the benefits of achieving the top three ranks, including a personal instructor to help them master techniques, extra time in the training gyms, and their own personal lunch lounge. Kael recognized this as a clever way to introduce fierce competition among the squires, pushing them to strive for excellence.
After a moment of silence, Johiem clapped his hands once, and the crowd fell silent. He pointed to the armor behind him, his expression somber. "Congratulations on becoming Fifth Class Squires. To wear the armor behind me is an honor few get to achieve."
Kael felt a swell of pride at the acknowledgment. "After this day, you will wear your armor everywhere," Johiem continued, his voice firm. "For the next few months, you will live in your armor—eating, sleeping, and even working out. The only time you can take it off is to wash yourselves and the armor, which you will be required to do twice daily."
Mira tentatively stepped forward, her voice steady despite the tension. "What are you trying to accomplish by doing this?"
Kael cringed, fearing that she might get into trouble, but to his surprise, Johiem smiled at her question. "We want you to get used to your armor, to know it inside and out," he explained.
He then raised his voice, issuing a stern command. "This will also apply to the training swords you will be receiving." He noticed the confused looks on their faces and continued, "I know many of you had custom swords made for you by family, but those will only be used on your missions. You will be gifted with training sabers made from a special spell alloy produced by the Guardian Blacksmiths. These swords will be both good conductors for your elemental abilities and effective weapons."
Kael listened intently, understanding the importance of being equipped with the right tools. "A knight, much less a squire, should never be without his armor or sword," Johiem added, his tone serious.
He explained that they would receive their dorm assignments after the meeting, and their armor and swords would be delivered along with their other belongings. "Welcome to the Silvercrest Academy," he concluded, conveying the Federation's hope that they would become stalwart knights in the future.
As he finished, Johiem announced the top three ranks from the entrance test. "In first place, we have Mira Gaelstrom," he declared, and Kael felt a rush of pride for his friend. "Captain Kofhika will be your private instructor."
Mira's eyes widened in surprise, and Kael could see the excitement bubbling within her. Johiem continued, "In second place, we have Leif Silvershale."
Kael's gaze shifted to the black-haired youth he had seen earlier. Leif shifted excitedly, maintaining a neutral expression, but Kael noticed the congratulatory looks from those around him. The boy seemed to be well-liked, and Kael couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
As Johiem continued to announce the ranks, Kael's mind raced with thoughts of the challenges ahead. He was determined to prove himself, to honor his father's legacy, and to forge his own path as a knight. The weight of the armor he would soon wear felt both daunting and exhilarating, a symbol of the responsibility he was about to undertake.
Finally, Johiem announced, "And in third place, Kael Wolfshire."
Kael's heart skipped a beat, disbelief washing over him. He had almost missed his name being called, too busy studying Leif's social group. He stepped forward awkwardly, feeling the unfriendly eyes at his back. Ignoring them, he focused on Johiem, who was now looking directly at him.
"You did exceptionally well on both the practical and written portions of the test," Johiem said, his voice steady. "You scored a 98% on your written test."
Kael felt a swell of pride at the acknowledgment, but he was relieved when Johiem didn't mention his Sul ability. That was a secret he wanted to keep close to his chest.
"Your instructor hasn't been chosen yet," Johiem continued, "but you are to report to the third training ground by 7:00 in the morning."
Confusion washed over Kael. Then he realized it couldn't be easy to find someone to train him in Sul. As the formation was dismissed after one final bout of well wishes from Johiem, Kael rushed toward Mira and Leo, hoping at least one of them would be in his dorm.
Lady Kain -New Kargetsfa Capital Core
Meanwhile, in a luxurious hover car gliding through the bustling streets of a night-covered city, Lady Kain sat in the back, her thoughts swirling. The vehicle's white leather seats and polished wooden panel doors exuded opulence, but her mind was elsewhere. The city lights flickered through the dimmed glass, casting a soft glow on her delicate features.
As her node pinged with an incoming call, she reluctantly answered, her tone haughty and annoyed. "What do you want, Dean Silverdrake?" she asked, irritation lacing her voice. She had been enjoying a peaceful drive, and the interruption was unwelcome.
"Apologies for disturbing you, Lady Kain," Dean Silverdrake replied sincerely. "I have a proposition that might interest you."
Her skepticism flared, but she straightened in her seat, curiosity piqued. "What could possibly interest me?"
"Kael Wolfshire," he stated, his voice steady. "He possesses abilities that you would be uniquely qualified to train."
Excitement surged through her, and her hand trembled slightly. Finally, she thought, I won't have to carry this burden alone. But she maintained her composure, her face a mask of calm. "Thank you for coming to me first, Dean. How many others know about Kael?"
"Only one other person besides the boy himself," Silverdrake explained.
"Good," she replied, her voice firm. "Do everything in your power to keep his abilities a secret. I will be on the next ship to Ethra Prime, but it will take at least a week to arrive."
"Thank you, Lady Kain," Silverdrake said, his tone filled with gratitude before ending the call.
As the connection severed, a torrent of excitement rolled through her, mingling with trepidation. How long can I keep him hidden? she wondered, anxiety creeping into her thoughts. She felt the weight of the responsibility pressing down on her. Was it right to place such a heavy burden on a young man's shoulders? But with the Archons' appearance, she knew there was no choice.
Lady Kain tapped on the window separating her from the driver. The glass slid open silently, revealing a hulking figure behind the wheel. "Where would you like to go, Lady Kain?" he asked in a husky voice that matched his imposing frame.
"Take me to the spaceport," she instructed. "Contact the main house and have them prepare a suitcase to be sent to the spaceport."
The driver nodded, and the window closed automatically. Leaning back in her seat, Lady Kain's mind whirled with plans and possibilities. She was the only other Sul user in the galaxy, a member of the ruling council, and now she had a chance to guide Kael. But the stakes were high, and she felt the weight of her decision pressing down on her.
As the hover car glided through the city, she steeled herself for the challenges ahead. She would protect Kael, train him, and ensure that he was ready for whatever lay ahead. The future was uncertain, but she was determined to shape it.