Jayce, Ekko, and Poppy reached the majestic entrance of the Fyre Academy, their hearts racing with a blend of thrill and anxiety as many diverse people in pairs or groups chatted animatedly. "Behold, the best Knight to ever study here!" Ekko blurted out, attracting unwanted attention from the eager knights.
Jayce clamped his mouth with a strong right hand as Poppy pulled him away from public sight. They went through the academy's gates and were led by the staff to the admissions office.
After completing a bunch of boring forms, they got their new uniforms that consisted of a red jacket with black details and buttons, a Fyre academy badge of a golden phoenix on the left chest, white shirts, red ties, black pants and leather boots. They followed the directions to a big hall where hundreds of new students were gathered. The hall was full of excitement. Jayce, Ekko, and Poppy made their way through the crowd and grabbed three seats near the front, their eyes fixed on the stage.
"Look at this crowd," Poppy said softly. "Do you think we have a chance to become Knights or only the best ones can?"
"We definitely do," Ekko said. "We're amazing, right?"
Jayce grinned and gave her a gentle squeeze on her arm. Poppy returned his smile, feeling a bit more confident and Ekko scowled. "I helped too," he said under his breath.
The chatter died down as a man walked up to the podium, radiating confidence and authority. He cleared his throat and spoke into the microphone.
"Welcome, students, to the Royal Fyre Academy of Knights. I am Lucian, the Headmaster of this prestigious institution, and I am honored to be your mentor and guide for the next four years."
Ekko gasped. He recognized the name as one of the most famous knights in history, the man who had trained the king himself, as well as his father and siblings before him. He had read countless books and articles about his exploits and achievements. He couldn't believe he was standing right in front of him.
Lucian scanned the room with a stern gaze, making eye contact with each student. The hall was silent, hanging on his every word.
He said, "We don't have high standards for admission, but if you lack the talent, you won't last long here. So I urge you to give it your best effort."
Poppy slouched further in her seat.
"For those of you with enough talent you will be instructed in one or more of the three disciplines that form the foundation of knighthood: swordsmanship, magic, and alchemy. These are the paths that you will follow during your time here, honing your skills and knowledge under the guidance of our expert instructors."
He gestured to his left, where three figures were seated on a raised platform.
"Allow me to introduce them to you. First, we have Master Yi, the Blademaster, who is in charge of the swordsmanship department. He is a master of all forms of combat, from dueling to warfare. He will teach you how to wield a sword with grace and power, how to strike with precision and speed, and how to defend yourself from any attack."
As Lucian said his name, Master Yi stood up and bowed slightly. He was a muscular man with a stern face and a long ponytail. He wore a simple white robe and carried a gleaming sword on his back. The students clapped politely, some more enthusiastically than others.
"Next, we have Elise, the Chief Magus, who is in charge of the magic department. She is a master of all forms of magic, from elemental to arcane. She will teach you how to harness your innate talent for magic, how to cast spells with finesse and flair, and how to use magic for various purposes, from healing to destruction."
Elise rose to her feet and grinned maliciously as Lucian called her name. She had a slim figure and pale skin dark hair and eerie red glowing eyes. She was dressed in a black gown and a spider-shaped necklace around her neck. Her eyes shone red with arcane energy. The students applauded hesitantly, some more scared than others.
"Finally, we have Shen, the Grand Alchemist, who is in charge of the alchemy department. He is a master of all forms of alchemy, from transmutation to creation. He will teach you how to manipulate matter and energy with alchemical formulas and symbols, how to create potions and elixirs with various effects, and how to use alchemy for various ends, from enhancement to innovation."
As Lucian said his name, Shen stood up and nodded curtly. He was a tall man with a lean physique and a masked face. He wore a white coat buttoned up to his collar and thick gloves on his hands. He carried a leather satchel full of vials and flasks on his side. The students clapped curiously,
some more intrigued than others.
Lucian continued his speech.
"These are your teachers for the next four years. They are also your role models and your inspirations."
However, he also explained that there were specialties within each path that allowed students to focus on one or two disciplines instead of all three.
"For example," he said. "If you choose to study swordsmanship in addition to magic, you will become a battlemage—a knight who can fight with both blade and spell. If you choose to study magic and alchemy, you will become a sorcerer—a knight who can manipulate the elements and create magical substances. If you choose to study swordsmanship and alchemy, you will become a paladin—a knight who can imbue their sword with holy or unholy power and use alchemy for healing or harming."
He paused for a moment, letting the students digest this information.
He said, "But there is another option. One that is only for the most driven and brave of you. One that is the greatest challenge and the greatest reward. One that will make you the glory of the Academy and the admiration of the kingdom."
He spoke louder, making sure everyone listened to him.
"You can choose to learn all three disciplines: swordsmanship, magic, and alchemy. You can choose to become a Candidate for Knight of the Crown."
The students gasped again, more loudly this time.
Lucian smiled, revealing his white teeth.
"Yes, my friends. It is achievable. It is hard, but it is achievable. I know, because I have done it myself."
He reached for his neck and took out a silver amulet that hung from a chain. He showed it to everyone. It was a disc carved with a majestic phoenix—the symbol of the Knight of the Crown.
He explained that finishing any of the three paths made one a Knight but finishing all three paths made one a Knight of the Realm—a noble title that gave many benefits and duties within the kingdom.
But not many people rise from being a commoner to becoming a noble of the Kingdom of Fire. There are only one in every graduating class and in some classes, there are none.
The students looked in awe with increasing hopes that they can be the rare person who made that jump.
"I earned this amulet after completing my studies in all three disciplines and fulfilling a number of S-rank and A-rank missions for the king. It is a sign of my loyalty, my service, and my excellence. It is also a sign of my potential, for one day, I may be chosen by the king to become his champion—the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a knight by the king himself."
He put the amulet back under his shirt and looked at the students with a serious expression.
"But do not be fooled by its allure. This path is not for everyone. It is not for the faint of heart, nor for the weak of mind. It requires dedication, discipline, and determination. It requires sacrifice, hardship, and risk. It requires courage, honor, and glory."
He paused again, letting his words sink in.
"So I ask you, students. Are you ready to embark on this journey? Are you ready to face the challenges that await you? Are you ready to become Knights of the Realm?"
He raised his fist in the air and shouted.
"Are you ready to become Candidates for Knight of the Crown?"
The hall erupted in cheers, a wave of enthusiasm and aspiration sweeping through the crowd.
Jayce felt a surge of adrenaline in his veins. He clenched his fist and shouted along with Lucian.
"Yes!"
He knew what he wanted. He wanted to follow Lucian's footsteps. He wanted to master all three disciplines. He wanted to earn that amulet. He wanted to become a Knight of the Crown.
He wanted to bring honor to his clan and his parents.
Lucian smiled as he heard the students' response.
"Very well then," he said. "Congratulations on your enrollment in the Royal Fyre Academy for Knights. You have made a wise choice, and I am proud of you all."
He told them to find their dormitories and get some rest, as their first class would start next week.
He wished them good luck and dismissed them.
The hall exploded in applause, a chorus of clapping and cheering filling the air.
Jayce, Ekko, and Poppy got up from their seats and joined the throng of students heading towards the exit.
They were eager to start their new adventure.
They were eager to become knights.