Rael walked alongside his new friends, feeling a sense of camaraderie as they navigated the academy grounds. The morning sun bathed the buildings in a golden light, and the excitement of a new day filled the air. As they approached the main building, the group paused.
"Well, this is where we part ways," Keita said, a touch of sadness in his voice.
Rael looked puzzled. "Part ways? Why?"
Keita chuckled. "Didn't you know? We all have different vocations. I'm aiming to be a culinary arts expert."
Zhatar nodded. "I'm in the weapon smith course. It's a family tradition, and I'm here to hone my skills."
Rael felt a bit dumbfounded. "I hadn't even thought to ask about your vocations before."
Kwayur shrugged. "You never asked, so we never talked much about it. But now that we're on the topic, what course are you in, Rael?"
Rael paused. "Actually, I don't know. Let me check."
As his friends gave him puzzled looks, Rael pulled out his notebook and flipped through it. His eyes widened as he read the assignment: The Kingdom's Official Knight Course.
"The knight course?" Rael muttered.
Kwayur's eyes lit up. "Guess what? I'm in there too. Looks like we'll be seeing more of each other, huh?"
Rael nodded, still processing the information. "Yeah, I guess so."
The group split, each heading to their respective classrooms. As Rael walked away, he felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. He was deep in thought when he heard a familiar voice call out to him.
"Rael!" Elara's voice was filled with delight as she approached. "How are things going? I see you've already made some new friends."
Rael smiled. "Yeah, they're good guys. How about you? How are your roommates?"
Elara's face turned pensive. "They're not very friendly. We all behave like strangers."
Rael felt a pang of sympathy. "Must be tough. But don't worry, we'll hang out together. And we need to exchange information too," he said, giving her a meaningful glance.
Elara nodded, understanding his silent message. "By the way, I'm also in the Royal Knight Vocation course."
Rael fretted again, realizing he had never asked her about it either. He comically smacked his forehead. "I'm so dumb sometimes."
Elara laughed, her eyes sparkling. "Calm down, Rael. It's not a big deal."
Rael introduced Kwayur to Elara. "Elara, this is Kwayur. Kwayur, meet Elara."
Kwayur extended a hand with a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you, Elara. I look forward to seeing you in class."
Elara shook his hand warmly. "Likewise, Kwayur."
The trio walked to their classroom for the Royal Knight vocation. As they entered, they could feel the air of competitiveness. The gazes of the 117 other students in the room were sharp, some assessing Rael and his friends with thinly veiled hostility.
Just then, the instructor entered the room. The students quickly settled down on their benches as the instructor surveyed them with a stern expression.
"I am Kiros Goulevard," he began, his voice carrying a commanding presence. "I will be in charge of the Royal Knights class this entire year. This course is not for the faint of heart. It is both auspicious and extremely demanding."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "Many of you will find it difficult to keep up. In fact, a significant number of students drop out within the first month. The examinations are rigorous, divided between theory and practical skills."
Kiros looked around the room, his gaze piercing. "Now, I want each of you to introduce yourselves. Stand up, state your name, and tell us why you are here."
One by one, the students stood up to introduce themselves.
A tall boy with sandy hair and a confident demeanor stood up first. "I'm Marcus Valen. My family has served the kingdom for generations, and I intend to continue that legacy."
Next, a petite girl with sharp eyes stood up. "I'm Lyra Whitestone. I want to prove that strength isn't determined by size."
A muscular boy with a serious expression went next. "I'm Darius Flint. I'm here to become the best knight this kingdom has ever seen."
The introductions continued, with each student revealing their aspirations and motivations. Finally, it was Rael's turn. He stood up, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze on him.
"My name is Rael," he began, his voice steady. "I'm here to protect those who can't protect themselves."
As he sat down, he felt a surge of determination. The path ahead was clear, and he was ready to face whatever challenges came his way.
"Welcome to the Royal Knights. Let your actions speak louder than your words. Dismissed."