[AUTHOR'S NOTE:]
[This chapter is a time leap and the author deliberately did this. The events from the past will play a huge role in the future and can even act as a spoiler.]
***
TWELVE YEARS LATER
The Empire of Nigrosia had everything under its control. They ruled over the lands of Alabusia through a puppet Alabusian governor and even befriended the neighboring nations. The seven castles that were scattered around the lands of Alabusia and Nigrosia were all under the control of Nigrosia.
On one side, the cruel leaders of Nigrosia oppressed the poor and innocent people, there was someone who prepared to enter The Holy Academy of Nigrosian Arts, the most prestigious and toxic academy in Nigrosia, on another side.
Argus stood outside the huge arched gate. They carved the name 'Holy Academy of Nigrosian Arts' on top of it. He took a read and frowned as it was the most unholy place in the entire world. They brainwashed the innocent children here.
Argus had the identity of a twelve-year-old kid from the first province now. The Alabusian land was under The First Province after Nigrosia took control over it.
Argus had short brown hair, fair skin, big black eagle-like eyes, and a small but fit body.
He wore a woven dark-blue full-sleeved shirt with its edges tied together with the knotting threads near his chest, and dark-gray pants. He also wore black leather armbands, a dark-brown waistband with the ends hanging down his waist, and black leather boots.
They scattered the six buildings around. They had different purposes but a common goal. The principal building of the academy was really huge, and it spanned a large area. It seemed like it was of the most important places in Nigrosia.
"Hm… So, this is where they are sending me to sell my soul to the devil," He thought before he heard someone's voice.
"Hey, are you new?"
He turned after hearing the voice and saw a boy about his age with his hair tied back in a ponytail. He wore a kind of green-ish shirt, brown leather pants, and brown boots.
"Uhm… Yes, it is my first day here," He replied. The boy's face made him remind of a certain someone whom he hated.
"Oh, then welcome. Come with me, I will show you around," The boy said with a smile. His sweet gesture towards him impressed Argus. "By the way, I am Gunther. Nice to meet you," Gunther introduced himself and presented his hand for a handshake.
Argus shook hands with him and replied, "Alan". They entered the gate.
The academy was vast in area and they could see many people meditating on different spots. Argus or Alan could not risk his cover to get blown up by showing off his prowess in Alabusian Arts. He could not sign a pact with the devil either to get proficient in Nigrosian Arts.
So, he was the worst student with no spiritual energy. He just had to play with it until he learned everything about Nigrosia and undoes the spirit seal that was placed on his body by the emperor to not let him use spiritual energy.
He and Gunther walked beside each other. "Where are you from?" Gunther asked.
"I am from The First Province," Alan answered and asked, "Where are you from?"
"I am from The Sixth Province," Gunther replied. Alan shook his head consciously as he remembered the seventh castle was under the authority of a person who was among his prime targets.
As they walked, they both took a glance at a pretty girl who looked like a fairy from outside but her facial expression was as cold as a frozen vampire. She passed by them taking a one-shot side-glance at Alan. She wore silver metal armor and carried a sword that was tied at her waist. She had grey hair, big blue eyes, a fair complexion, and a small mouth. She was a kill lady.
Gunther noticed Alan staring at the girl. He smiled and mentioned, "She is pretty, right?"
Alan twirled his face after hearing it as he knew what he meant. "Umm… Yes, she is. But…" He tried his best to act like a twelve-year-old kid.
"But?"
"But who is she?" He asked, scratching his cheek.
Gunther smirked at him with a side glance. "Are you interested in her?"
"What? No!" Alan replied in a rushed voice.
"You better not. She is the younger daughter of the headmaster of this academy. Many want to approach her but they are not gutsy enough to do it," Gunther mentioned and signaled from his index finger towards the direction where the girl went. "Look."
Alan turned his head and saw that many boys flocked around her but she did not react to them. She just went away without even looking at them.
"That's how cold she is," Gunther said. "Once, a student proposed her elder sister out of nowhere. They later threw him out of the academy and the disciples of the headmaster beat him up. No one dared to propose her or her sister after then."
Alan found it quite interesting. A boy got beaten up by several people and got thrown out of the academy just because he proposed to the headmaster's daughter.
However, these matters were none of his interest. What actually got his attention was her armor and sword. She owned them at such a young age which meant that she was a prodigy. They usually gave armor and a personal weapon to those who at least mastered the three grand stages of the Nigrosian arts. It was nearly impossible for a person of her age to do it.
"Hey, mixed breed! How are you doing?" Suddenly, they heard an annoying voice which came from behind. They turned and saw that an overweight boy with a few lean boys as his punks approached them. Alan noticed Gunther was not happy after seeing those punks.
There are always bully children in academies who try to assert dominance over others as a sign of their superiority. This well-rounded boy was one among them.
The fat boy wore a creamy woven t-shirt, leather pants, and brown boots. His overgrown belly like a pregnant lady in her ninth month lifted the shirt around the bottom part of his belly.
"How are you, mixed breed?" The fatso said in a mocking tone to Gunther. The surrounding punks laughed a little. He wrapped his arm around Gunther's shoulders and tried to mock him. "How is your dirty-blooded father?"
"Dirty-blooded father?" Alan wondered after hearing it. "What are they talking about?"
Gunther got riled up and pushed the fatso away. "I have told you so many times to not talk about my father. He is an honorary Nigrosian!"
"Of course, he is. But he still belongs to those dirty-blood called Alabusians," The fatso mocked him again, and suddenly his eyes fell on Alan who frowned after hearing him badmouthing Alabusians.
"Is he a fresh blood?" The fatso asked Gunther. "Should I teach him some rules about this place?" He eyed Alan as if he found new prey.
"Talk to me directly if you are going to talk," Alan mentioned with a frown.
"Oh, fiery blood. Uhh, I am scared," The fatso tried to mock him by acting as if he got scared. His punks laughed at this. "Listen, you little trash, if you want to stay here longer and happily, follow me and my rules. Don't you dare try to act smart in front of me or you will pay for it," He warned Alan?
Just at the moment, Alan was about to answer him, a voice fell into his ears.
"Hey, stop doing quarrels and come inside!" It was the voice of a man who worked as the caretaker of the academy, basically. He called the children to come inside the building as the lectures were about to begin.
"You were lucky this time, you fresh blood," The fatso said and walked ahead with his punks.
"Don't take him seriously. Let's go," Gunther said to Alan. Alan nodded and walked towards the building.