Knightstar was flooded with various news and gossip regarding the sudden invasion of the witch, the academy was yet again announced for the second time this year. Many civilians including the media are trying to get to the bottom of what happened but the department of the scouting legions including the academy's faculty members refused to give some enriched insight on the issue. Pressing them didn't do anything either.
The reason is simple. If the news of some kind were to reach the other nation, the kingdom of Ruth would be considered as legible for any kind of terrorist activities. Knowing that it happens the second time means that it is not inevitable to experience these kinds of attacks, particularly on the central capital. They are now prone.
The power of the kingdom will reduce to an incredible amount and may receive some distinct and inconceivable criticism from the other kings as well.
It is received that the department will handle the public affairs though it may seem like the evidence is not subtle this time. With this many factions discussing whether it is decent to actually induce the public with such information will only bring demise and panic on the whole central capital. Despite that, numerous precautions, as well as security, are deployed on various locations in order to tighten the possibility of another attack. With this idea, the capital might get safe for the rest of the year.
"Considering all of the events that unfolded, it didn't even take like a couple of months before we received another attack. Could this peculiar obstination be a pattern that we must look at?" One of the general leaders of the knights inferred.
Inside the central capital's hall, a board meeting of all various captains, as well as commanders that foresees all cities from the kingdom was being held. They were rounded in a circular table that is quite large enough to fit all of the papers that they needed to outline and discuss. Commander Bill and Henry were present in the manner. Other than that, the leaders of the north and the south have come to visit as well.
"The west took the attack, if we utilize that information and analyze the possibility, it may seem like they need more help than us. Why don't we just install more securities and barracks on your department?" One of the captains suggested.
Everyone's mood sulked into the consideration of deploying more knights and guards for the west area of the kingdom. However, due to many complications in the proceedings, it may seem like they are giving more power to the west and the other cities will have to suffer for the rest of the year. It is likely that the other cities might take the attack next for some reason.
"While that may be an effective strategy for reducing the catastrophic event, I am not particularly encouraging everyone to continue helping the west and the central capital. I don't want to ruin the balance of power between the other cities for our sake. We should establish a more suitable plan that will not empower deploying more men for the sacrifices." Countered by Commander Henry.
"But sir! If we don't do that, the capital might get destroyed off the map. Considering the past events, it is likely that you will need more backup for future precautions." Some knight decided to consider the thrown idea.
"I agree with that, we shouldn't be self-centered on this matter, Commander Henry. You know for the fact that central capital almost got erased with that enormous power. Don't you think it is time for you to have some backup from now on?" Another one pressed the assumed idea. Commander Henry, without any rebuttal to the matter, looked away for a second to think about the idea.
"I know, but asking too much is also bad. I am responsible for the security of the west and yet I failed." He replied with an apologetic tone. Everyone looked at each other.
"Don't worry, Commander Henry, you've saved us from the past back when you were still on the frontline. Besides, you are still under heavy influence from your commanding leadership. We will do what we can to help the west since we are in one kingdom. I want you to please reconsider all of the various possibilities and give us some answer." Commander Bill stood up from his seat and began his own insight.
"I understand, it looks like I won't be able to get away from this. Well then, I shall give my provident answer for the next few weeks. Thank you all to everyone who attended this meeting." And with that, they wrapped up the open forum discussion.
The leaders and the other commanders went outside and left the hall with their carriage. Commander Henry fixed the table as well as the papers he outlined and decided to think things over the massive window on his office.
"Help from the others, huh? It looks like I have gotten rusty with my leadership... Nash Sterling, when are you going to come back?" He muttered to himself while gazing through the beautiful sky.
Nash Sterling and the rest of the elite vanguard knights went on for a deep exploration at the southeast border outside the kingdom. Their destination is quite dangerous, considering that they are entering the world of the monsters outside. The goal was to find clues about other species that live through the other sector of the world. And with that, they went on a long journey after the first day of the academy passed by.
***
It was a beautiful day and the sun was raining its rays on the ground. Even though the atmosphere is pretty hot, the temperature doesn't seem high at all. It is probably because the winter season is coming.
Huck, Lisa, Mahrisse, Eunice, and Nikki were all waiting outside the gate for the time being. The class sessions for the other teachers were abruptly canceled because of the attack yesterday. Most candidates were given some free time to train on their own or stay in their dorms while getting mixed up on the versatility of some activities. Section A went on the route of training one more time, while Section B considered resting on their room.
Meanwhile, Section C as well as the study group that Aran formulated didn't decide on what they are going to do.
"Hey, why are we still here?" Huck asked. He was wearing different clothing this time. Considering that it's hot and cold at the same time, his fashion was perfect for the season.
"Well, we are waiting for a few students..." Eunice answered.
"What do you mean few students? Aren't we supposed to go with just us?" He asked as he folded his arms in complete boringness.
"Yeah, well, that's the plan. However, Aran's newfound friends decided that they will come to visit him as well. They should be here at any minute now..." She replied, still keeping the cold gaze from the environment.
While they were waiting for the other candidates, Lisa and Mahrisse returned to their meeting place, they have some string of bags. The smell permeated the area, it looks delicious and sweet judging from the smell.
"Hello, we bought Aran's favorite from the bakery shop. I hope he will like it." Lisa said as she stared at the bag with a cute expression. She was more than excited to see Aran.
"Come to think of it, Aran is not actually good with crowds. If we start barging in on his room at this point of time he might go berserk." Mahrisse recoiled the conversation to a certain topic.
"Ah yeah, you're right about that..." Eunice agreed as she dropped her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Aran doesn't feel like that if he is close with the individuals or groups. And since he is popular, I am pretty sure he is getting the hang of it by now." Lisa answered with a smug on her face.
"You really do know him, huh?" Mahrisse replied.
"Of course, we've been together since kids. And I am like, one level ahead of you guys!" She exclaimed. Everyone's reaction took a detour after knowing that Lisa is actually far more superior than them when it comes to closeness. It almost looks like steam was about to blow off their heads.
"Hey, Lisa..." Though the teasing continued, Nikki joined the conversation but her concern is more than different from what they are going through.
"Hmm?"
"Does Aran have a trauma?" She asked with a serious tone. Everyone's mood suddenly dropped in an instant including Lisa's joyful expression. Huck rubbed his head since he knows the truth about him as well.
"I am not really sure if I should be the one to discuss that with all of you guys. It is pretty hard for me to tell the story, and I think Aran wouldn't like it very much if I started saying it without his permission." She countered, her eyes were gazing downwards.
While Mahrisse was able to get the gist of what she meant in her words, she stepped in because she knows the truth about Aran as well when he talked to him personally during their trip to her Duchy. Suddenly, a group of section C candidates appeared on their right side and they were talking lively. Mahrisse stopped their discussion at once.
"I think we should keep this conversation for ourselves, for now, I don't want the others to hear about it as well." She whispered to the other four and they nodded.
"Hello, guys! We are here as well!" A loud calling from Nikki's group.
"Huh? P-Penny?!" Nikki was startled in her place, slowly panning her gaze throughout the whole group.
"Yep! We are here as well!" The other members of Eunice's group also came aside from the study group that Aran formulated.
"Woah, it looks like everyone in the class is planning to visit Aran," Lisa remarked as she folded her arms to count everyone.
"Yeah, we decided that we should visit our hero. He literally saved us again from that Witch. Like, he took that woman head-on." Eita shouted.
"I know right? And for the first time in my life, we've discovered his Spiritual Form power!" Followed by Riggord.
"I didn't know that Aran was that strong, Lisa, you're close with him right? How did he get so strong?" Aine from Nikki's group asked.
"Oh, Uhm..." She was lost for her words since she doesn't know either. Though when it comes to combat, Eunice is far stronger than Aran. However, seeing that Aran has some immense capabilities of his instincts and that much precise intuition, it may seem like Aran is far stronger than the rest of the whole class. He might even surpass those who are situated in the Section A class.
"Well, since we're here together, why don't we just ask him directly?!" Everyone clapped their hands with that suggestion.
"Yeah! Come on, guys!" Shouted by Rishin.
Everyone left the gate of the academy and took the shortest route far on the intersection. Since the sanatorium is pretty far from the academy, they need to avoid the crowded place as much as possible without causing any violation.
The intersection is composed of many different paths that connect all roads from the central capital. It is okay to think that this central road is the wisest option to take if you are taking a detour or showing around someone the place.
After passing the second road, they found themselves in the restaurant. Next to that were the marketplace and the other subdivisions that are considerably peaceful.
"The day is busy, I wonder why?" Aldi picked up the question just by noticing the crowds.
"Don't tell me you already forgot?" Lia replied.
"Huh?"
"The winter season is coming, of course, they are preparing for that. Winter Celebration and the new year is coming you know?" Everyone's reaction was pretty timid but they already get the idea.
"New year, huh? I haven't really thought about it," He replied as he sighed.
"Ugh, you should definitely expect greater things from now on." Scolded Lia.
"With a winter celebration and new year in our hands, I think we should also look out for the final exam in December." Suddenly, Eunice jumped in.
"What? Final examination?" Everyone asked.
"Yeah, I think this one has not been discussed yet due to some problems but, in the month of December we will be having our Winter Selection Trials. That means they are now starting to prepare the rosters and lists of who will be battling each other." She explained.
"What do you mean? Are we going to have another competition again?" Lisa asked.
"Well, that is similar to that, but I heard that if you pass the winter selection, you will be able to shortcut your way out of the academy. That means, if your group wins, you are going to graduate immediately and you will be assigned to a division after you get out." Mahrissed explained the rules further.
"Wait, WHAT!?" Everyone dropped their jaw.
The Winter Selection Trials is the final examination event where all subsidiaries of the Fosier Academy will battle each other. It is a competition that remarks their skills and abilities and if they are proven to be more than the average and won the battle, all students from that branch will receive a provisionary license to leave the academy and join the divisions as a special Slayer.
The current generation of candidates is far stronger than the old ones and the seniors. A certain survey and test have been processed for the last three years and it was concluded that the new generation's skills are proven to be extraordinary. Because of this, the Fosier Academy reinstate the event that will give them a provisional experience to get on the frontline.
Three official candidates are chosen for each branch of the academy. Those three will work together and if they win, the branch will be given their license and they can leave the academy to join unofficially or temporarily in the division that they are settled with.
Of course, the three warriors are not exactly the basis for each and everyone's license. Even if they won the Winter Selection Trials, some candidates are not exactly ready for this provisional license. They might be still weak but there is no problem with that. Even if they are given a license to experience being a Slayer outside, they could still continue their years on the academy as long as they keep enrolling every year.
Training or learning more before entering the division is a good practice. The Winter Selection Trials are only held in order to gather those who are exceptional. Those who are still not ready and not skilled enough can return back the temporary license and continue their years in the academy to further enhance their abilities.
"Just like what Mahrisse said, the Winter Selection Trials give chances for those who want to graduate early from the academy. They will treat you as someone who is capable of being a slayer if you managed to win the title on that grand match. Our opponent is still unclear but I am pretty sure that they will include professionals as well as the master who would be the enemy for us." Eunice followed.
"In other words, we will be deemed worthy to become a slayer at an early stage. Those who will fail on the selection trials will still have to continue studying inside the academy for another year or so depending on your situation."
"Man that's a good opportunity but I can't help but think it is rough because of the hardship that we may tackle." Cried by Riggord.
"That's why it is called the final examination, you doofus," Penny replied.
"Oh..."
"Well, it seems like we need to train harder from now. We still have like two months or so before the actual selection match. I wonder what will be our next step after this?" Lisa asked aloud and everyone managed to think as well.
"I am not really confident with my skills as of now so I am probably going to pass out the selection trials. Like, we in the study group are still off with our magic."
"Same here, for those of you who might win the selection trials, please don't forget about us, surely we will meet again, but we're not going to forget about you. You guys are definitely the most awesome team."
Even though the other candidates were fully supported by the lowest group, they are still holding some kind of a feeling that is hard to distinguish. Those who have the power to move forward will leave those who don't have. Despite the hard work that they are trying to exert, losing the other members will deeply affect their confidence to keep moving forward as well. This is by chance the most difficult task to do in terms of a class upgrade.
"Don't worry you guys! I am pretty confident that all of us might win and graduate!" Huck enlightened the mood once again. Everyone cheered with this alleviation but it is clear on their face that a reflection of sadness and despair is given even with the tough front they are trying to hold.
After reaching the end of the road, they finally arrived at the Sanatorium. They reached for the receptionist and headed straight through Aran's room. There was no limit on how many people can enter. And since each room in the sanatorium is large, everyone will have no problem going in.
After a few moments, Lisa knocked on Aran's door.
"Huh?"
"No one is saying anything..."
Lisa opened the door and it was unlocked. There, they found Aran lying in bed sleeping soundly.
"He is asleep, SHHH!!" A warning from Mahrisse.
Nikki didn't hesitate at all, she was the first one to head inside and sat near Aran's bed. She looked straight to them at the end of the door.
"I'll call you guys when he is awake, can you give us some spare time alone?" She asked with a smile on her face.
Everyone knew what she meant, they nodded as they slowly closed the door in order to avoid some creaking sound. Aran was sleeping soundly and it looks like the pain is getting better. Nikki looked through him, she was considerably soft. She grabbed Aran's left hand and saw all of the scars he took.
"Aran..."