A great night's sleep. As soon as the instructors brought us back to the dorms, I collapsed completely. I hadn't realized how much I had pushed my body until it surrendered the moment it touched the bed.
The dorm building is fairly simple, made of gray stone with low ceilings and few windows, located just beside the complex where the exams for commoners were held. This part of the academy is like a separate town, divided into small zones depending on the type of applicant.
To the east are the huts of the aspiring civil servants or advisors. Calling them "shacks" would be generous. They're damp, shaky wooden structures that look like they'll collapse under a strong breeze. Their inhabitants walk with their heads down, knowing their future depends on staying invisible to the nobles.
At the center lies the residence for commoner knight aspirants—a long, sturdy building with more than a hundred individual rooms. This is where we, the ones who aspire to fight, sleep under the same roof. Behind the building is a modest stable where mounts can be kept. Some recruits don't even have a horse yet, so the academy rents them out... for a fee. Ten gold coins for a medium-breed mount. I had no idea how lucky I was until the instructors saw mine and suggested I sell it. "Too flashy," they said. "You'll attract trouble."
They were right. Some lesser nobles might see it as a provocation... or an opportunity.
Speaking of provocations, the instructors made one rule clear: no killing inside the campus, and never in front of an instructor. Everything else... is allowed. Theft, intimidation, humiliation. The academy believes the real world is cruel, so this place just reflects that truth. Some instructors even outright ignore us commoners, only paying attention to the nobles.
And yet, all of this feels new to me. Fascinating. I feel like a child with a shiny new toy. Despite how much the commander's presence shook me... I'm more motivated than ever.
I woke up before dawn. With my body recharged, I went out looking for water. There are no faucets or pipes here. Just a communal well out in the open.
According to Angel, it was 5:30 AM. I had an hour before the first ray of sunlight. When I reached the well, there was already a line. Some waited with buckets, others were bathing using boards to keep their clothes dry. There were no dividers, no privacy. Even some girls were quickly washing themselves at the back, dodging stares.
But the moment I set foot near the well, everyone stepped aside. The guy using the bucket handed it to me with both hands, his head lowered. I could feel their eyes on me... and not just his. Everyone was watching. It wasn't respect. It was... reverence. Fanaticism. A chill ran down my spine.
Before I could say anything, two figures approached from behind. Both were knight aspirants.
—Don't worry about that —one of them said, placing a hand on my shoulder like we were old friends—. Come on, I'll explain on the way.
He was a solid-built young man with black hair and dark brown eyes. He grabbed the water bucket for me and led me to the bath area—a series of open cubicles with makeshift boards to leave clothes.
—Hey, newbie. I'm Dixon. Looks like you're surprised by the way they treated you back there —he said, undressing without shame.
—William. And yeah... I guess it was weird.
—It's simple. Imagine this part of the academy as a town within a town. The civil servant aspirants need peace to study, but they're still commoners. Nobles bully them mercilessly. But there's a rule: nobles can only mess with us—the knight aspirants, who can fight back. If we don't let them humiliate the weak, then the others stay safe. You follow?
—They depend on us —I nodded, understanding.
—Exactly. That's why they treat you like a savior. To them, you're a living shield.
There was a brief silence. I undressed and began pouring cold water over my body. The sensation was invigorating... until Angel's voice snapped me out of the trance.
—Immediate threat detected. Activating Eternal Mode.
I didn't have time to think. My body moved on its own, stepping back just in time to dodge an attack. Water splashed everywhere. I rubbed my eyes to see... and there he was—Dixon, with a crooked grin.
—What the fuck is this supposed to be? —I said, breath catching in my throat.
—Hehe... you don't need to know yet. Just give up and you won't get hurt.
The calm in his voice made my blood boil. This wasn't a joke. He was serious.
—If that's how it is... don't blame me for what comes next —I said, lowering my center of gravity.
Dixon drew a short sword. But as it moved, I noticed something odd. He wasn't aiming to kill me. The strike came with the flat of the blade. He just wanted to hurt me. Humiliate me.
Big mistake.
When he launched a horizontal swing, I stepped forward, lowered my axis. My shoulder slammed into his chest, my hands locking his wrist tight. One more step, and I spun my hips, throwing him over my shoulder in a perfect judo takedown.
His body flew... and hit the ground with a dry thud, like a sack of grain.
Dixon writhed, gasping for air.
He wasn't out cold... but he was hurting.
—Okay! Okay, I give up! You win! You're the captain now!
My expression turned cold. I still thought he was bullshitting me. I walked over and pinned him, one knee pressing his chest, one hand gripping his hair, the other leg pinning down his sword arm. Completely immobilized.
—You'd better start talking, or I'll make sure you're chewing food with your fucking ass for the rest of your life.
—Alright, alright! I'm telling the truth! This is how we choose the leader of the commoner knight group! Get that thing out of my face, this is fucking disgusting!
My position had placed my dick right in front of his face, making the whole thing extremely awkward. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty about it. I slowly stood up.
Dixon sat up, still shaking. He raised his fist toward me.
—Don't take it personally... It was my duty to try. There's only one captain spot, and someone has to take it. If I didn't do it, someone else would've.
He paused, catching his breath.
—My brother's a soldier in the royal army. He was in this academy ten years ago. He told me everything: the hierarchy, the rules, and how leadership is decided. Not by vote, not by merit. By force. If you manage to take down all the other new recruits within the first week, no one questions you. That's why I ambushed everyone before they woke up... beat them, scared them, made sure they'd never raise their heads. You were the last one.
I stared at him in silence. The guy had planned it all. Calculating. Cold. But his plan failed because of one thing: me.
Dixon raised his fist again.
—The spot's yours now, William. Own it... not everyone will follow you forever.
I bumped his fist without a word. I felt something honest in that gesture. Maybe even relief.
When we stepped out of the bath, a small group was waiting outside. The other recruits. Some bruised. Others bandaged. All quiet.
One of them spoke:
—So you're the new captain?
I nodded.
—I don't care if you follow me. But if you get in my way, I won't hold back.
The guy gulped and lowered his head.
—Just... make it worth it.
The others followed with simple bows. Not submission—respect. The raw, reluctant kind.
We walked together toward the training yard. The sky began to brighten, and the first whistle echoed in the air.
It was time to begin the day... as a leader.