Through the enormous gates of the school, he entered inside.
There were flowers lined on either side of the road, blooming and beautiful.
There were a hustle and bustle of people inside, both boys and girls.
All of them were around the age of eighteen or higher. Because that was the minimum age for enrolling in the academy.
The boys were clad in a steel-colored panzer jacket and shirt and trousers of the same color whereas the girls were wearing the academy's Prussian blue and white female dress uniform.
Taking in the surroundings, he was walking towards the building entrance.
He was attracting the attention of people all around, for two different reasons.
A group of them, strictly speaking, the girls were head over heels for him.
And why wouldn't they, when such a fine young man was walking in front of them.
He had a pair of blood-red eyes and jet black hair. His pale features and slender physique evoked a sense of nobility from him.
He was clad in a black-colored panzer jacket, with an open collar for wear with a collared shirt and tie. He had a badge shaped after the national emblem of the two-headed eagle and the rank insignia of a Captain. He had a black sword attached to his belt around his hip.
His beauty possessed a certain serenity to it. No wonder the image of him would make the girls topsy-turvy.
They certainly liked him but if you asked the girls whether they would like to marry and settle with him, they would most probably say no.
Why?
Because, despite being a Captain, who was considered the second most powerful officer after the Commander in the Valscian Military, was insulted and looked down upon by all others, including those ranked lower than him.
Because he was 'magicless'.
In the military where magical aptitude was mandatory even to enroll in the academy, someone who was 'magicless' shouldn't have been able to enroll here, much less become a Captain.
It was a wonder why and how he managed to get in here.
And that was not all.
In the Vlascian Military Academy, there were seven individuals who were bestowed the title of a Captain by the King. They were talented individuals who far surpassed the capabilities of a normal military soldier.
The new students enrolled here were allowed to choose one of these seven Captains as their personal trainer. They were to practice more and heighten their capabilities as a soldier under the direct leadership of one of the seven Captains, apart from regular classes.
The students always chose the Captain who they thought were the best and served under them for the three years here.
It had been three years, since the 'magicless' Aescwine, had become a Captain, but no one has ever chosen him to be their personal trainer.
And why would they?
People sensed no magic at all and they hadn't heard about something marvelous he has ever done befitting his title as a Captain. No wonder no one would ever be willing to be under such an incapable Captain.
There were rumors that the Commander had appointed him as a Captain because she wanted to be in regular touch with him for her 'personal' works. And why wouldn't people say so when the Supreme Commander was always trying to defend him, no matter what. It clearly seemed that the Supreme Commander had feelings for him.
People were gossiping about him.
But he was already used to it, so paying no heed to their talks he made his way inside the building.
The building was huge. Four buildings were attached together making a circle and there was a big garden in the middle.
In the middle of the garden was a tall pillar, even higher than the building itself. And at the top was a stone-carved sculpture of the national emblem of Valscia, the two-headed eagle.
A passage connected the four buildings.
Walking through the passage he exited the building and headed for the big hall in front of him.
Many others were going in there because a big event was happening in that hall.
Today was the day of enrollment for the new batch of military students, aiming to become a military officer in the future.
Valscian Military Academy was a renowned and the most prestigious academy in the whole country.
The academy was said to be built by the then King of Valscia, Charles XII, for producing capable and talented military individuals to fight against their powerful neighboring country, Auruncia.
Valscia and Auruncia had been in war since period unknown.
Auruncia, from the very beginning, was a powerful nation because of its abundance of talented mages and military personnel. Because of that, Valscia had lost many of its territories, which, to this date, they haven't been able to reclaim.
So, to prevent Valscia from losing any more of its territories King Charles XII had decided to establish this school for producing capable individuals to help fight against their neighboring country.
It certainly proved useful and after a certain time, talented military individuals were produced, which helped The Kingdom of Valscia from losing any more of its territories.
But even after the establishment of the academy, they hadn't been able to deal much damage to their arch-nemesis.
"Yo, Captain Aescwine, you showed up again. Persistent, aren't you?"
When he reached the back entrance of the hall a condescending voice welcomed him.
He had blond hair and was wearing a flashy black overcoat adorned with different designs and jewels. It clearly gave away that he, without a doubt, was one of those well-off nobles.
Not even sparing a glance at him, Aescwine went ahead and sat down at an empty seat.
His attitude made the blonde-haired noble feel like he was belittling him.
That made him angry.
"You little!"
Howling that he shot up from his seat.
He slightly raised his right hand and immediately a ball of fire materialized atop his palm.
He was about to hurl it towards him when a beautiful voice interrupted him.
"Stop it, Captain Raidan."
The blonde-haired noble, apparently whose name was Raidan, stopped and turned to look towards the source of the voice.
Before turning he made the ball of fire disappear completely.
"Princess Evana!"
Saying that he bowed, almost too elegantly, to the beautiful girl before him.
The one who had stopped him was none other than the Princess of the Kingdom of Valscia, Evana Charles, herself.
She was also one of the seven Captains.
"You should learn to behave yourself a little, Captain Raiden. You shouldn't involve yourself in such unnecessary things."
Her voice was sweet, but it was condescending nonetheless.
She had long black hair reaching down to her waist and black eyes which gave off an ominous aura to anyone who looked at those eyes.
She was wearing a white gown, an attire befitting for a princess, which was frilly and suited her rather well.
Slowly lifting her gown a bit to make it easier for her to walk, she approached Aescwine.
"A good day to you, Captain Aescwine. You had better not come today because I don't want one of my comrades to disgrace himself for three years in a row, for being disciple less."
Saying that a witch-like smile played over the princess's face and it suited her better than her usual smile.
The air around them was getting a bit heavier.
"Oh! You all are already here?"
A loud and cheerful voice rang which broke the tension that was building up.
The owner of the voice was one of the seven Captains, Captain Kiya.
She had chestnut brown hair which was tied behind in a ponytail. Whenever she walked, her ponytail swayed left and right.
She was wearing the dark blue uniform for the higher-ranked female officers.
She was accompanied by three other Captains.
"Hello there. Captain Kiya. And hello to you three as well, Captain Ferdinand, Captain Richt, and Captain Tessy."
The princess greeted all of them turn by turn with her usual princess-like smile.
"Good day to you, Princess Evana."
Captain Ferdinand slightly bowed. He had black hair and a pair of black eyes as well.
Captain Richt pushed his glasses up and nodded in reply to the princess's greeting.
He had long white hair that reached up to his shoulders.
Both of them were wearing similar uniforms to that of Aescwine.
"You seem as beautiful as always, Princess."
Captain Tessy replied.
She had black hair cut short to her shoulders and a pair of green eyes.
"Oh. Captain Aescwine. Hello there. Don't worry you'll definitely get a disciple this year!"
Kiya patted his shoulders and said that to him.
Her voice was honest and friendly unlike the princess and Captain Raidan.
Upon hearing that the princess chuckled while Captain Raidan scowled and turned around.
"Looks like all of you are here. It's about time you make your appearances, Captains."
A young female clad in the academy's military uniform for the teaching staff appeared before them and bowed.
Upon hearing that, Aescwine got up from his seat and Raidan adjusted his hair and dress a bit.
"Let's see what this year's newbies have in store for us."
Saying that the princess headed inside the door that led to the stage of the hall.