Spring Day 8, Year 728.
"Great job, everyone, completing the summary of our continent's history within a week."
Mr. Richard, the class adviser, provided satisfactory remarks on batch F-1. At first, he didn't believe that a bottom class would be optimistic about learning history. To his surprise, not only did everyone finish, they even completed the lecture within a world-breaking week.
Everyone was quiet and attentive. The adviser was unaware that the main reason was being wary of offending Ryu, who was bold enough even to humiliate Shin, the Crown Prince.
"Now, we'll incorporate actual training and other curriculums that the first-year students will need. Then we will hold the team recruitment event week in a month."
Richard explained further that different activities such as training, examinations, and missions exist outside of having those periodical expeditions in the academy, making the students mandatory to join a team.
"A team will consist of eight members. Four first-year students, two second-year students as officers, one third-year student as vice-captain, and one fourth-year student as captain."
The education style was a little different than on earth. The teachers were mainly responsible for the student's academics, while the instructors helped with basic training. In addition, one senior student would get appointed to lead a team throughout the year.
The team leader was accountable for making decisions. Should the captain be weak, then the whole group would struggle. So a person should learn to choose who they need, rather than who they want. This arrangement was to teach the students how the hierarchy of society works.
Talent is not enough—They need to build connections.
"Remember, those who cannot join a team will immediately get expelled."
Shocked by Mr. Richard's announcement, most students went pale. Even though the school rules didn't prejudice commoners, the resources of rich people would play a big part in the student's development. And the bitter truth was that wealthy individuals from reputable noble lineage already planned and teamed up, leaving those with lesser grace to fend for themselves.
Mr. Richard continued in a more serious tone.
"I suggest everyone practice and prepare hard this whole month. So those upperclassmen might take notice of your talents.
Next, we will change schedules. Lectures will be on the first and second day of the week, while the remaining days will be for your team meetings and training—"
Ding-Dong-Ding... Dong!
"—oh, the bell rang. I hope everyone does their best. Good luck."
The class ended as the class adviser exited the room. Most students were preparing to leave, but a few remained to discuss with themselves.
Ryu was also readying when Roy, Gavin, and Blake approached hurriedly.
"Ryu, what is your plan for the group? Do you like to team up with us?"
Pondering for a bit, he looked at the three and tried to evaluate.
"Hmm... I want to join you guys, but having four fighters in a team wouldn't be good. A team should have a variety to balance things out."
"That's... reasonable."
Roy voiced dejectedly. He looked at the two with no choice but to separate.
"Then we three should also split up."
"Do we really have to... split team?"
Gavin, who was a little introvert, mumbled with a discouraged expression.
Seeing a sad puppy in his image, Ryu thought of something to help and suggest.
"Not necessary, but the seniors would not want to recruit you. Instead, you can join me in training, and I can help you guys improve before the recruitment."
"Really? We would like to!"
"Don't be sad, Gavin. We would still be friends even if we had to be temporarily separated."
Seeing Gavin relaxed a little, Ryu added.
"And, knowing more people would be beneficial before and after you graduate."
Gavin weighed the pros and cons of our suggestions. He then concluded.
"...Alright."
Rustle... Rustle... Rustle...
The discussion ended as Ryu prepared his stuff when Roy asked another question.
"Are you going home now?"
"Yes, but I will need to visit the city first."
"Anything you need there?"
"I'm going to look for a sword."
"Now that you mention it, we haven't seen you carry any weapon."
"That's because I haven't found a suitable one to carry."
Ryu has the Gravity Rune Sword, stored and hidden using the runic magic he learned while studying the sword. But it was too big that he didn't want to use and carry it around unless there was an emergency.
Having enough trouble adding the gigantic sword at his rear would result in more prying eyes. The reason why Ryu wanted to look for a normal-sized sword. He could probably ask one of his servants to buy one. But he doesn't have much to do besides training, so why not buy it himself?
"What a coincidence, didn't you know that Gavin's grandfather is the best blacksmith in Central Town, a city near the academy?"
"My grandpa is a great weapon smith, but the blacksmith guild competition is challenging, so we can't say he is the best."
Ryu's ears twitched at the thought of meeting a prominent blacksmith. Even though the Xan Kingdom has a smithy that could provide for him, they still lack a legacy skill in forging. Most of those weapons break after a great deal of usage.
"Really? Please introduce me to your grandfather."
"Good timing. Since I'm going today for a visit, why don't we go together?"
"Alright."
"We're coming too!"
Roy and Blake, who felt left out, insisted.
***
Royal Academy's Snowdrift team room.
Clink.
Kyla, a female third-year student, a two-star magician, and newly appointed vice-captain, entered the room. She was Yume's closest friend in the academy.
There she saw Yume, the team's newly appointed captain sitting at the table while reading some documents.
"Captain."
"Hmm? Oh, here you are, Kyla. Did you get the report I asked?"
"Here, Captain."
Kyla handed a pile of papers that currently holds the information of all prospective excellent first-year students.
"Captain may notice that some individuals are crossed out with red marks, which meant that other teams already scouted those people."
"You did great, Vice-captain, thank you."
"Please don't thank me, Captain, since I have something urgent to tell you."
When Kyla spoke solemnly, Yume stopped whatever she was doing. Though, she already has an inkling of what Kyla, the team's vice-captain, would want to convey.
Same as what happened to their previous teammates.
Glancing with overflowing guilt in her eyes, Kyla forcibly opened her mouth, trembling.
"I... There... Um... T-There is a team who wanted to recruit me as their vice-captain, and the leader promised me full financial support."
When the previous team captain graduated from the academy, the members received offers from other teams and left one after the other. Only Kyla had delayed her decision. But now, she's telling Yume that she was also quitting due to a better offer.
Yume already knew that even though she was a daughter of a dukedom, her financial support was limited and not enough to compete with other families. Due to their parsimonious family tradition—A person should learn how to use money wisely. Her family strictly calculated her budget for just enough to live in the Royal Academy.
"No problem, Kyla. It's a good opportunity. I knew you already made up your mind, so I won't stop you from leaving."
"T-Thank you for the three years we had been together in the team, Captain."
Kyla abruptly lowered her head. It was a little lower than the usual greeting of aristocrats so that her trembling eyes wouldn't meet with Yume's.
"Yes, likewise, and please take care of yourself, Kyla."
The reason Kyla stayed on the team was because of the previous captain. Now that he had graduated, there was no other reason for her to stay.
'Who would want a penniless and evil lady like me to be their leader?'
Clink.
Kyla, the last team member, finally departed.
Tick-tock-tick-tock.
Yume wanted to shift her thoughts and focus on the problem at hand. With no more members left, Yume was required to find seven people in the team.
Failing to gather members implies disqualification from participating in school events. It would result in a family's honor going down the gutter.
The royal family would consider them inferior, making other aristocratic families withdraw their support.
'If not for my family, I wouldn't even want to strive for the position of the crown princess. But I need to persevere for the uplifting of the Valenz household.'
Silence quickly covered the room.
Flip.
Yume forced herself to skim through the list of students' information so she wouldn't notice the large amount of liquid that began to swell up in the corner of her eyes.
***
Central Town City, Zen Kingdom.
With the sun setting down and the city's bustling streets, people who had just finished their day jobs began to gather in the night market.
With Roy, Gavin, and Blake, Ryu walked toward a small-sized building.
'Before we enjoy the food and have fun, our main agenda is to visit the shop of Gavin's grandfather and buy a sword.'
Clink.
"Grandpa! I'm here with my friends!"
Gavin jumped and cheered as we entered the shop named Old Smith.
Inside, they saw a big muscular bearded man wearing a leather apron, cleaning a sword by wiping it with a cotton cloth in a repetition of straight one-directional strokes.
"Gavin, ma dear grandson!"
The big man gently laid the sword before the two of them awkwardly hugged each other, so passionate that most people who saw it would get embarrassed.
"Ya came with your friends? Isn't this Roy, Blake, and..."
"Yes, grandpa. My new friend, Ryu. He also wants to buy a sword."
Gavin's grandfather meticulously scanned Ryu from top to bottom.
"Ya friend has a good physique."
"Of course, grandpa, he even defeated the Crown Prince in a duel."
"Really?! Isn't the Crown Prince inherited the Zen Royal Sword Art? Then for ma grandson's friend, only the best sword would suit ya! Hahahaha!"
Gavin's grandfather hurriedly opened the door at the back.
"Come, I'll show ya my best collections."
Without hesitation, they followed him without further question.
The front shop contained swords, daggers, spears, and shields. Better weapons were hung on a wall while the others were stuffed together in barrels.
When Ryu went inside the backdoor, his eyes widened, and his lips curled up as he saw glimmering weapons—beaming even without sunlight. The room was filled with racks, shelves, and stands made for equipment.
"Awesome!"
"Hahaha! What kind of weapon do ya use, lad?"
"I use a regular sword, Sir."
Gavin's grandfather walked forward and stopped in one of the rows.
"From here to there are all swords. Ya can take yar time in choosing, lad."
He gave Ryu some space by going back to the shop. Ryu took his time browsing.
Here, Ryu found that the weapons were unique, not the typical weapons used by foot soldiers. Weapons that even nobles would pay a high price to acquire.
At first, seeing these treasures made Ryu wonder why the owner hid them at the back. But knowing how humans were rotten with greed, he nodded that one should not easily show things to the public.
Having almost seen all the swords available, Ryu hasn't found one suitable for him. Some were too light, some had good quality but would still easily break with a swing in his full strength, and some wouldn't fit right in his hand. Thinking he couldn't find a weapon, he sighed.
'Maybe I'll try to look at another shop.'
However, without notice, something forcefully entered Ryu's consciousness on his way back.