When I enter the academy doors, the face of the bored instructor greets me. His voice and tone are somewhat more professional today.
"Ah Kelric, I figured you'd take the alternates. Follow me then."
"You're instructor Zyre then?"
He turns back towards me, his mouth open. He stood there silently as a look of concentration passes over his face. His laugh is loud when he speaks again.
"I can't believe I didn't introduce myself yesterday hahaha! Yeah, I'm instructor Zyre. Now let's get a move on, those uptight old crows don't like to be kept waiting."
His words make me realize that he's not giving my tests personally today.
It takes around fifteen minutes of walking down various hallways before we arrive in a part of the academy I haven't seen before.
Instructor Zyre motions to me and gestures that I should enter the room we've stopped in front of. He doesn't seem to have any intention of following me inside.
I do so and see five battle hardened men sitting atop a dais. The table they sit behind has tapestries with a different image in front of each.
From left to right, there's a shield on the first tapestry, a bunch of weapons are layed across one another in the next. In the middle is a bear trap, to the right of that are flames, and on the end is a singular sword.
The men have a overbearing air and it feels like I'm about to fight a dangerous opponent.
The one in the middle is raised higher than the others and gives me a command.
"Sit."
I do so and walk over to the stool in the center of the room. I can tell it's positioned intentionally to make me feel small and insignificant.
The test hadn't even begun, and they were already playing mind games. Or perhaps it had, and this was a part of it to see how I would react.
It shouldn't matter either way, I payed an old librarian quite a few coins to read aloud various military stratagems. My mind has always been fairly sharp when it comes to combat and I'm confident I can answer any questions they ask.
My face is blank as I look up at the greying men.
The one in the middle begins talking again.
"You are taking the Battle Tactics test. I, as the Master of Deception will preside over this test and decide if you pass or fail. State your name."
"Kelric Bladebane."
"Very well Kelric, the test starts now. Master of Defense, please begin."
The man to the far left immediately says his first question.
"What is the purpose of force dispersal?"
His question is so bloated and I'm not sure what specifically he wants, so I explain every facet.
"There are many purposes, I'd say the main one is spreading out vulnerable military assets and personnel. This minimizes any collateral damage from befalling a sizable portion of a singular force. It also prevents opposing intelligence squads from gathering hard information. Breaking up into covert-"
"Enough. When should one deploy the hedgehog defense?"
I almost start talking before I stop myself; the old man smiles slightly at me when he notices.
"When one needs too."
He nods to the Master of Deception.
"Master of Offense, your turn."
The man on the far right speaks to me now.
"What are the eleven methods of planned attack?"
"Supporting Fire, Spearhead, Hovering Wedge, Encirclement, Hammer and Anvil, Frontal Assault, Infiltration, Flanking Maneuver, Defeat in Detail-"
He asks another question and cuts me off before I'm even finished.
"What are the three types of patrol?"
"Reconnaissance, Fighting and Standing."
"If you were outnumbered fifty men to one, which method of retreat do you use?"
Again, I feel like this question is a trap, so I say something unexpected.
"I do not retreat and instead enact the bounding guerrilla tactic and whittle down the opposing force."
The Master of Offense nods.
"Master of Weapons."
The man directly to the left of the Master of Deception looks at me disdainfully before speaking.
"What are the two most important weapons a man has?"
This one is simple.
"His mind and his body."
He nods and the one on the right of the Master of Deception speaks before he's told too. I didn't notice before, but he's several decades younger than the others.
"How many men have you killed?"
His question startled me, and I answer without thinking.
"A lot."
He laughs like a child while the Master of Deception admonishes him.
"Master of Destruction! Hold your tongue."
I think he's going to hit the laughing man when he pinches his tongue between forefinger and thumb.
The master of Deception sighs and turns back to me.
"What are the three main tenants of deception?"
I'm a little stumped on this one because I've never had a need to deceive others.
"Umm Camouflage.. Disinformation and uhh.."
He frowns at me as I struggle to come up with an answer.
"… Demoralization?"
He narrows his eyes at me before nodding.
"What is a False Flag operation?"
This one I don't have an answer for and the first time since I started the exam, I think I might fail.
"I don't know."
He shakes his head and speaks again; this time it isn't towards me.
"Those in favor of passing Kelric Bladebane?
Four hands raise while the Master of Deception keeps his down.
"Very well. For the record I will state as Master of Deception that Kelric Bladebane has passed the Battle Tactics test."
I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.
"You are dismissed."
I get and leave the room and can't believe that my legs are shaking a little. Those men had been slowly letting their bloodlust out during the test, making it hard to think properly.
Instructor Zyre is waiting for me as I exit.
"So, did you fail?"
I shake my head at him.
"No, I passed."
He seems somewhat surprised, I guess he didn't have high hopes for me after all.
"All right then, follow me to the next test. Be prepared, this is one where you could lose your life."
Nodding at his words, I follow him to the next area.
It takes a while and we pass in and out of smaller buildings on the academy grounds. I notice that current students are making their way to classes and a few looks at me questioningly.
One student comes up to us and tries to start talking to instructor Zyre.
"Sorry Milton, not now. I'm taking Kelric here to do the Subjugation test."
The student sucks in a sharp breath and looks at me pityingly.
"Ohh.. may the gods luck shine upon you, Kelric."
He then turns and leaves like he's seen a dead man walking.
I discard all my unimportant thoughts and try to slowly coax my rage; I'm going to need it in the battle to come. I never knew when the beasts in the arena would have strange powers, and they were always the most dangerous ones.
Elias called them evolved or something which makes it able to use its affinity. It's nice to put a name to the magic, I've been curious about it ever since those abyss panthers almost gored me.
I'm led into an armory before the test begins. There's a wide selection of weapons to choose from, but it pales in comparison to what the arena had.
I'm surprised to learn that I can use whatever I want, and I'm not limited to just a sword or a shield. I've never been able to be equipped with both before.
I forgo a shield however in favor of a double handed broad sword. A couple long daggers outfit my waist before I stand ready.
The Subjugation test has a high failure rate not just because one has to face an evolved beast, but because the beast is not revealed to the examinee prior to starting the test.
I check my weapons one more time and turn to nod at instructor Zyre.
We pass through the armory's doors and head to the test site. This test takes place in the academy's dueling ground where students can challenge others and win glory in front of their compatriots.
It reminds me of the arena in a way, just less grand.
Zyre looks at me one last time before pushing open the door that leads to where my fight will take place.
As I enter, I feel myself transported back to the arena for a second as I see a few spectators in the stands. Students and staff alike are here to see me take on the Subjugation Test.
Some cheer and wish others me good luck.
I do not need luck. I know I will win; I always do.
The more they cheer, the more it feels like a small-scale replica of the arena where I made my name known in Kalabar.
A sudden anger rises at this thought, and I renew my vow.
'I'm going to kill those bastards.'
My thoughts turn violent as I keep fanning the flame of hate within me. I can feel the process being expedited by the familiar scenery around me.
There is no one counting down, no one to announce the fight, there is nothing until a heavy stone door creaks loudly. It's hoisted up by thick chains on the wall opposite of me by a man operating a crank.
The room it reveals is dark and I can't make out what's inside until a massive, furry brown head appears into the light. Its tusks are cruelly shaped in a twisting pattern that promises pain and its body's weight impacts the ground with vibrations as it moves.
The tempo of my battle energy pulses a frenzied beat.
I see a puff of smoke from the mouth of the Hell Boar as it notices me. A scream tears from not just my mouth, but from deep within. It's guttural as I feed into the rage and let it strengthen me. My muscles are compacted tight with raw power as I leap forward. It takes only seven massive steps until I'm on it.
Directing a hard swing horizontally at the beast's chest, a painful thud reverberates through my palms.
The boar met my strike with its tusks, and its powerful neck keeps the beast from even flinching at the impact. I'm shocked by this fact, even in my half lucid state.
The last Hell Boar I killed wasn't even half as big as this one.
Heat rises in the air in front of me and I have to duck as a manifestation of fire flings toward me from the beast's mouth. Springing to my feet, I glance down and notice my shoulder is singed and the skin has already blistered up with white oozing pustules.
I can't be bothered with it for long because the boar does a charge of its own. My sword braces against my side as I plan to take it head on. Theres a shocked cry from the people in the stands when they see what I intend.
I should dive, but my body is rising in its strength, and I feel the peak of madness close, taking control of me completely.
BOOOMM
The impact sends me skidding back as my feet sink into the dirt. Its tusks caught my sword, and I can't move it as the charge continues.
I'm pushed back continuously and have to change my method.
Suddenly, I'm in the air as I jump, leaving my sword behind. Hands find the daggers at my waist and I'm plunging them downward, aimed at the beasts back.
I score two long gashes, which erupt with blood, as I roll over top of the beast.
The roll doesn't stop when I hit the ground and instead continues. Barely on my feet again, I have to dive to the side as another blast of concentrated heat heads towards me.
Again and again, I have to leap out of the way until the Hell Boar takes up another charge.
In my peripheral, I see my sword to the left and rush for it.
I hook the toe of my boot under one side and place my heel on the other. The spectators shout in alarm now when they see me flip the huge blade into the air.
The Hell Boar is close now and can't dodge as I snap my leg out and kick the hovering sword.
My aim is true, and it sinks deep in its chest, but the beast does not stop.
I meet its charge now, dropping my daggers to reach out with bare hands to grab tusks. My rage has reached its crescendo and I'm not pushed back by the boar any longer. My knee slams into the sword in its chest, sinking it to the hilt. It's squeal of pain invigorates me.
Veins bulge beneath my skin as I lean backwards and lift.
CRACK
The Hell Boar's dying and confused grunts cease when I slam it on its back from over my head. There's a small crater from the impact.
I'm still yelling in madness and rip my sword out it's chest to lop off its head. My rage stops blinding me when I notice that there aren't any of the usual cheers as I raise the head in victory. My mind is slow but soon recognizes horror masking the faces of the spectators.
I dumbly lower the head, my anger forgotten and replaced by the shame of letting these people see the wild animal inside me. It's the second time in as many days and I hate myself for it. My steps are slow leaving the arena, the side effect of letting my rage control me completely. My muscles throb in intense pain, I overexerted my body when I lifted the Hell Boar in the air.
I see instructor Zyre as I leave the dueling ground, he only has a single word for me as I walk past him.
"Pass."