Following the blow of the whistling horn, they were ushered into the next step of their journey as students and heroes at breakneck speeds.
Professors flew down like birds of prey and led them in a silent march back to the University. The whole way, the islands shifted and merged into a solid plane of land that spun like a wheel, increasing the speed and traveling distance they made with every step.
The University was miles away. Probably ten.
They stood at its entrance in three minutes.
The grounds solidified and came to a stop. For now, it was one massive island of multiple terrains and biomes all built around a giant black castle.
The Phoenix statue atop its spires shimmered like steel-fire under the rising sun.
Claude's mind still reeled when the doors into the University opened. Like two stone slabs, they slid across the walkway loudly before coming to a groaning halt— speaking clearly to its age and weight.
From the shadows a man emerged. He was short. Barely five and half feet tall with a wild spiky mane of hair going all the way down to his butt. It gave him the silhouette of an upright walking hedgehog. Like the doors, he had an exaggerated essence of age and weight to himself.
"Headmaster Alaric." Ursula whispered from beside him with a yawn. She was still recovering from the healing magics.
"The one who wrote the invitation letter." Claude realized.
He wore a university uniform— like the ones everyone else was issued but his was gilded with gold accents and achievement medals over his left breast. Everything else was pure black and orange instead of navy blue.
His scarred knuckles remained flexed at his side as he walked to the top of the black staircase leading down to where they stood. The closer he got, the more everyone cringed. He felt dangerous to say the least.
Behind him, nine heroes followed. Some wore heavy armor and wielded massive swords while others held bows of ice and lightning and scepters of darkness. They looked powerful to say the least.
Once he came to a stop, they all dropped and took a knee behind him.
"Good morning, students. My name is Headmaster Alaric. I individually studied you all and wrote your invitations into this University upon your Rebirth. I'm glad to see so many have made it. Im disheartened to know some didn't. May we honor them by growing from this point. Continuing to do so, as so many of you have."
The students listened on.
"This Island-Gauntlet— as you all know, was designed to teach you how to work what you already have. How to make the best of your newly gained powers. How to get comfortable and make it your own before the real challenges begin. You all have. Some of you have gone beyond. Three of you in particular have succeeded. This years leading participants. Nasreen Chione, Isaac Aslan and Samuel Leon. Step forward."
The three moved through the crowd.
Naz glided past him smelling like flowers and ocean water. Her hand brushed against his as she whispered, "See you up there, Liberator."
Then, he was watching her hips sway as she cut through the crowd of students in her baggy leather bottoms and belly shirt of leather wraps.
"Was that a joke?" Claude thought before stumbling as Samuel bumped past him.
He moved like an undead spirit of flame driven on by the smoldering remains of rage. His scorched husk of a uniform cracked and shattered with every step he made, giving him a dark smoky aura that smelled like desolation.
Claude shivered at the sight of him. Under the morning sun, he truly looked terrible. He refused any healing, leaving his wounds open and gushing bloody puss. He had zero fat on him. For the first time, he looked frail. Meek. There was still a strength to him as he steamed under the sun, slowly burning his wounds closed to hang onto consciousness.
The pale skinned bald knight came to a stop at the first stair leading up to the headmaster and his heroes.
He stood between Naz and Isaac.
Headmaster Alaric eyed them all. The heroes behind him eyed Samuel.
"At third place we've got Isaac Aslan— son of The Lion. Sunlandian Royalty in our midst. It's an honor. You've proven your potential to us all. Well done."
"Thank you, Headmaster." Isaac gave a bow.
"At second place we've got the Princess from The Levant. Nasreen Chione. You traveled far. You made it all worth it. Your combative prowess and ability to inspire will make you a natural leader. Something this world needs. Thank you for choosing this University to call home." Headmaster Alaric said.
Naz gave a bow with a hand on her waist-bag. It trembled at her hip as if something alive was inside.
"And for our first place holder, Samuel Leon. Son of Ronin. You were a thing of terror on the islands. But most importantly, you were a lesson to the uninitiated about how cruel and unforgiving our world can be. The best Dark-Knights are cruel for a reason. You are no different. But, you will be better. Be proud, Samuel. Be glorious. You won."
Samuel said nothing and bowed. Blood fell from his mouth and sizzled on the stone grounds like lava.
Headmaster Alaric looked back up at the rest of the students. "Now—"
He stopped as Naz raised a hand.
Claude turned to Ursula.
She looked at him and shrugged.
Everyone was just as confused. Students weren't supposed to be asking questions in the middle of a graduation ceremony.
"Yes?"
Naz hopped up the steps and whispered to the Headmaster.
The heroes kneeling behind him looked at one another.
Claude strained his ears, transforming as he activated (Beast Trait).
"Well, you do have a point, don't you?"
"I do."
Headmaster Alaric dismissed Naz back to where she stood beside Samuel and her cousin.
Then, he looked back at the students.
"Claude Grey, step forward."
Claude hesitated long enough for Ursula to slap his backside and make him stumble forward until he was walking through the crowd of students.
Among them, he recognized members he saw die. He made graves for them. He was deeply affected by their loss— and there they stood. Bathed and well rested. Just like Ursula and Samuel discussed. He even specifically remembered the boy he currently walked past. Dark hair, high cheekbones. Skinny-fat in that way someone is when they're thin but also don't exercise much. It was almost hidden well beneath his spotless high quality knights armor.
Claude remembered his voice in the silence.
"I'm Alan Mercier! My family has crafted and sold weapons to The Nine for a decade. You can't do th--" Then he was hit by a blast of lightning from Riley Roan-- Champion of House Skinner. She said he was expelled as they dragged his body out of the portal room. Now, it was obvious that was a lie to scare them. Riley sold it well, as anyone looking to walk in Skinner's footsteps would.
Now that Claude stood beside Naz, Samuel and Isaac, he could see her kneeling behind H.M Alaric. She wore a half mask of cloth and electrified jewels and her blonde hair was tied up in a tight braid. It was then that another thought-- another realization, hit him. "The heroes behind the headmaster aren't heroes. They're students..... House Champions."
Headmaster Alaric nodded with satisfaction as he looked Claude over. Quickly, he adjusted to look over everyone else.
Claude tried to adjust his shark-skin and vine armor as his Island-Dogs and Ren sat around him calmly-- yet defensively.
"I didn't get to say it earlier, but you all look a bit... feral."
The students studied themselves for once. The End's-Islander's didn't even wear their uniforms anymore. Some students wore facepaint. Burp was naked. Tai was dragging a bag of confiscated armor. Others were just so beaten they looked grizzled to a point. Now that Claude was back in civilized society-- among talented and sophisticated upperclassmen, he almost felt embarrassed. Even so, he stood tall.
H.M Alaric held his gaze. "For your looks-- even your actions, I think you all have someone to blame for that."
"The Dark-Tamer. In the flesh." H.M Alaric announced and said to Claude. The Champions behind him looked up to study Claude as they once did for Samuel. Someone scoffed with disappointment.
Claude cringed internally while outwardly shaking his head.
H.M Alaric flexed his jaw with irritation, forcing his thick brown beard to ruffle, "Speak in defiance, don't cower."
"I'm not a Dark-Tamer." Claude replied. "....Headmaster." He added after Samuel side eyed him plainly.
H.M Alaric shrugged his hulking armored shoulders. His achievement medals danced on his chest, "One of my most accomplished Hexblades would beg to differ. He'll need therapy because of what you did today. And the days before? They'll need studying. You held a trial. You conducted investigations and cross referenced witness testimonies with details specific to your class expertise. Expertise only expected of a Second Year Tamer. You took on your fellow classmates. You refused to kill your sworn enemy-- became one with your element. You lived among the fishes and ventured into Tangents illegally, riding boats crafted irrationally. You were a rallying force behind the unconventional and arguably immoral. If you're not a Dark-Tamer, Claude Grey, then you are a Rebel-Leader."
The students listening in whispered among one another.
H.M Alaric continued, as if he needed to, "Either way, you will upset the legacies and champions behind me. You may have the least amount of points among your graduating class, but unlike all the others above you, that was by choice. There's immense power in that. In choice..... You stood by your morals-- even if they were laughably foolish. You accomplished more than most. You've won. Maybe not in this game, but you've won... many eyes."
"That doesn't sound like a win." Claude could feel his world crumbling. Or maybe he was just becoming aware of what remained of his reality and future. More politics, scorn and violence from people he was supposed to aspire to be like. The strongest urge to go home filled him. Then he remembered what awaited him there....
"Dammit..."
H.M Alaric leaned forward and smiled, "Fucking finally. These stiffs have needed somebody to stir the pot. How else can you get better if not with a little friendly enemy metal? Iron sharpens iron, does it not?"
Claude blinked once. Naz held his hand, bringing him back to reality with the voice she always effortlessly gave him, "It.... it does."
"Yes! Hell yes! And there are many like you. In fact, our new entrants are all unlike the past. Everything I said about you-- for the most part, can be applied to many of you. That's good. Variety is how we save this world. You don't send a team of Archers into a Tangent. You send an Archer, a Knight, a Swordsman, and a Tank. That's for a reason. You'll find it as you go through your first year here. As you meet your seniors and learn from your professors you will learn that there is value to be sapped from everything and allegiances to be made everywhere. Understood?"
"Yes, Headmaster!" The students yelled-- uplifted for the first time in hours.
"Now, thanks to a students thoughtful consideration, alterations will be made." H.M Alaric started, "Students, Professors, Champions, I give you your top three performers of The Island Gauntlet." The armored upperclassmen behind the headmaster stood in unison.
Naz, Isaac and Samuel turned and faced the crowd. The students, Champions and professors clapped as fireworks shot out of the University windows.
"Among them, Samuel Leon..." H.M Alaric paused and looked back at the University before shrugging and continuing, "...finishing at first place, will get his choice of House and seat beside it's Champion. Along with this, he will get a choice of one A Ranked Weapon, Spell or piece of Armor."
The students gave a round of applause.
"Samuel, will you choose weapon, armor or spell?" H.M Alaric asked.
"Spell." Samuel said.
"Very well. Your reward will be waiting for you once you're settled in your House. Speaking of, behind me are the Champions of the Nine Houses. Take your pick."
Samuel didn't even hesitate, "House Ronin."
"No surprise there." Claude thought.
From the back of the formation of Champions, a student stepped forward. He was over seven feet tall with two great-swords sheathed at his back-- along with a warhammer, and three katanas at his hip. A full set of dark blue glass-like Patriarch Nightmare Beetle armor encased him like a shell everywhere except his hooded head. He pulled his hood down, revealing that one of his eyes was missing and replaced with a rune-written marble and his lower jaw was all bone, jagged teeth and fused flesh like some wicked burn wound that almost made him look like an undead giant. He was also bald with a head covered in tattoos that moved.
He gave a bow. He moved horrifyingly fast for his size and bulk, "It is an honor to meet you, Samuel Leon. My name is Salazar Grimm. I'm the current Champion of House Ronin. As such, I have a direct line of contact with your father, and it is through that line that I've been told to deny your access into this House."
"What?!" Samuel looked apalled.
H.M Alaric turned back to Salazar.
He simply nodded.
"Very well. It seems fate has another in store for you, Samuel. Which House has chosen Samuel before he took winning score?"
"Mine, Headmaster."
A woman stepped up beside Salazar. She was short and thin with a long braid of black hair with red highlights. Make-up hooded her eyes and piercings hung from her ears and through her nose. She wore nothing but a skintight leather bodysuit and heels.
"Introduce yourself then."
She looked at H.M Alaric as if he irritated her, then she turned to Samuel, "Hey, blondie. I'm Victoria Vermilla. Call me V. I'm Champion of The House of Domination, and you're my sub."
"Subordinate. Say subordinate for gods sake." H.M Alaric squirmed.
"Of course. She would be the Champion of the house overseen by The Dominator. I should've known that. She's not militaristic and all for law and order like the member of The Nine, but she's forward-- offensive, cruel even in her introduction. She's already demeaning Samuel. Whipping him verbally. Damn..... I do not want to trade places with him." Claude thought.
"This can't be right." Samuel said casually.
"Wanna call daddy?" V asked.
"No, I want to break your teeth." Samuel said.
"Oh we'll have plenty of time for that." V winked at Samuel.
Samuel sighed. "I'll uphold my father's legacy no matter where I am."
"That you will." H.M Alaric looked up to the rest of the class, "Now, with winner's earnings out of the way, second, third and honorary fourth place will get there choice of weapon, armor or spell."
"WHAT?! Fourth place? Those weren't the terms!" Tai yelled.
"Terms are hardly set in stone. Especially for a children's entrance game. It's simple. This class was different, so the rules have changed. We have our top three performers, and our honorary asundering warrior." H.M Alaric looked to Claude.
The Professors cringed so hard, it made Claude turn.
"That word isn't very popular anymore among students, but it felt fitting." H.M Alaric said to Claude. "Now, all of you take your pick."
"Armor." Isaac said.
"Spell." Naz said- to Claude's surprise.
Then he found the headmaster's hard eyes back on him, "What will it be?"
"I understand why Samuel chose a spell. All through the Island Gauntlet he was telling us how strong weapons and relying on armor would make us weak-- dependent. There's truth to that. But with a spell at my intelligence level-- I'm basically saying I want nothing-"
"Three... two.." Headmaster Alaric started a countdown.
"Weapon." Claude said as he thought, "If I train my body, everything else will follow. Not to mention, I'm an offensive Beast-tamer."
"Alright, you may return to your formation."
The four of them turned and headed back to their fellow students.
"Now, we will begin the House Selection Process! Stand quietly and wait to be called to your House. Once that's all over, you will join your Champion and be taken to your next portion of the day."
For the next twenty minutes, House Champions stepped forward and announced which students were chosen to join their ranks. A couple notables were as follows...
"Marion Jones, Nasreen Chione, Emma Wood... House Ronin."
"Enzo Avalon, Sapien Witherings, House of The Game-Master."
"Tai Leon, Carmen Prosperings..... House Skinner."
"Isaac Aslan, House of The Red Knights."
"Darius Darkwood, Brink and Xander Lux, House RedVine."
"Trey Easton, Goren Guardsmen, House Seraph."
Claude listened with growing anxiety as his name remained uncalled. He'd thought it over as nearby students cheered and cursed angrily.
"I'm a beast-tamer. So no Game-Master choosing. He hates animals. He's a hunter. During this event, I used the water to my advantage repeatedly. Like the surfers, I should be with House OceanLord. Or maybe they'll take my Nature element into consideration and choose me for House RedVine."
Another batch of students were chosen. Then, someone he hadn't seen before stepped forward. He wore a cloak and had a simple broad-sword at his hip. He was covered in scars and smiled-- unlike the other Champions who looked like hell given style.
"Claude Grey, House of Broken Kings."
"WHAT?!"