Awkwardly staring at each other, Clint and Will exchanged uneasy smiles before turning their attention back to the school staff. The staff member, noticing their hesitation, asked, "Wait, you can't write or read?" Clint and Will nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. The staff quickly reassured them, "Oh, don't worry about it. Please go to the table on the left, and someone will fill out the form and scan your IDs for you."
Clint and Will exchanged a glance of relief, their tension easing. "Thank you!" they replied in unison, grateful for the assistance. With a quick nod of appreciation, they made their way to the designated table, feeling much more at ease.
With the clock ticking, the sound growing louder with each passing minute, the brothers finally reached the table after what felt like an hour of waiting. As they approached, a beautiful woman with an overwhelming, joyful expression greeted them warmly.
"Hello, are you partners? Or perhaps siblings?" she asked, her smile radiant.
Will, caught off guard by the woman's striking beauty, felt his heart skip a beat. His voice trembled as he stammered, "U-uum -a ~~ hi, y-yes, please." The woman chuckled at Will's flustered reaction, her laughter light and friendly.
Before Will could say more, Clint stepped in with a calm smile, "Sorry about that. Yes, we are siblings, and I'm his brother."
The woman smiled at the clarification, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "No worries," she said, extending her hand. "I'll just need your IDs and a few answers to some questions." The brothers handed over their IDs, the tension easing as they realized they were in good hands.
With the interview done, the brothers can officially take the Academy Exams provided with a weapon of their choice (A temporary weapon for examiners needing a new weapon) Will picked a dual Knife and Clint with a double edged sword..
The academy stands as a fortress of combat and knowledge, divided into three key regions: the Dormitory, the Lecture Hall, and the Academy Hall, with the legendary Arena at its center. Housing up to four thousand students, the academy boasts a mix of noble heirs and determined commoners, totaling 2,873 students—thirty percent nobles, seventy percent commoners.
Over four challenging years, these students are trained to become elite licensed fighters, destined for roles as knights, adventurers, personal guards, or mercenaries. Here, only the strongest will rise to claim their place among legends.
The academy's renown stems from its notorious difficulty, making it one of the most challenging institutions in the land. Only the most skilled and determined individuals manage to pass through its rigorous training and grueling examinations. As a result, those who emerge as licensed fighters from the academy are held in high regard, often considered a class above commoners. Their status is a testament to their strength, discipline, and mastery of combat, earning them respect and privileges in society.
Furthermore, those who achieve the prestigious titles of professional knights or adventurers through the academy are elevated to near-noble status. These individuals are not only recognized for their exceptional combat abilities but also for their leadership, strategy, and unwavering courage in the face of danger. They are often sought after by kingdoms and noble houses alike, valued for their prowess on the battlefield and their ability to protect and serve at the highest levels.
Every year, the academy attracts thousands of hopefuls who aspire to join the ranks of these elite warriors. The grueling selection process, led by seasoned Examiners, is designed to weed out all but the most capable, ensuring that only the best of the best make it through. This relentless pursuit of excellence has solidified the academy's reputation as the pinnacle of martial training, a place where legends are forged and the strong rise above the rest.
Finding an inn to stay they met a lone guy who was also looking for a place to stay. The fellow approached them with a timid look then asked "are you guys also new here? Can I come with you? I'm quite lost."
Will stared at the fellow with doubt, knowing the city is unknown and everyone is a stranger. But with no hesitation Clint accepted the guy to their party "YES! we're still new around here but we can help each other!"
Though a total stranger, Shin, a noble from the Cross family, quickly became a cheerful and friendly companion to both Will and Clint, who was particularly curious about noble abilities. "Hey, Shin! Tell me, what's your family's power? Enhancements? Magic? Or maybe even SORCERY!" Clint's excitement was palpable, his eyes wide with wonder.
Shin, slightly taken aback by Clint's enthusiasm, hesitated before responding, "Uh, well, the Cross family specializes in Magic—specifically, telekinesis." Clint's eyes lit up like stars, his joy unmistakable, as if a spotlight had suddenly shone on him.
As hours passed and the sky darkened into dusk, the trio wandered around the academy's surroundings, searching for a place to stay. Inn after inn, they were met with no vacancies, until finally, they stumbled upon a very old house.
They knocked on the door, hesitant and unsure, expecting nothing more than a simple request for directions. To their surprise, the door swung open, revealing the dimly lit interior of an old inn, its atmosphere thick with the scent of aged wood and a faint trace of smoke. The innkeeper, an elderly woman with a kind but weary face, greeted them with a nod, her eyes reflecting years of stories untold.
Surprised by the unexpected hospitality, the brothers exchanged uneasy glances. Their journey had been long and arduous, and this inn, though seemingly ordinary, felt like a place out of time. Still, they were weary and had little choice.
"We'd like two rooms, please,"
one of them requested, his voice betraying his exhaustion.
"A single and a double bed."
The innkeeper nodded again and gestured for them to follow. The hallway they entered was narrow, with walls lined with faded portraits and antique lamps that flickered gently, casting eerie shadows. The floorboards creaked under their feet, adding to the unsettling ambiance. As they walked, the brothers noticed how the inn seemed to stretch on, far larger on the inside than it appeared from the outside. The air was cool, with a slight draft that made them pull their coats tighter around themselves.
Finally, the innkeeper stopped before a door at the end of the hall. She pushed it open with a low groan of the hinges, revealing a modest room. It was sparsely furnished, with a single wooden bed, a small dresser, and a chair by the window. The walls were bare except for a single, cracked mirror hanging above the dresser. The brothers gave a collective sigh, their tense shoulders relaxing as they realized there was no hidden threat, only the simplicity of an old inn. They set their belongings down, noting the faint smell of lavender that seemed to cling to the linens.
But their relief was short-lived. As they ventured further into the room, they noticed an adjoining door, slightly ajar. Curiosity piqued, they pushed it open to reveal a second, larger room. This one had a double bed, draped with a quilt that looked hand-stitched, its colors faded with time. A small bathroom was attached, with a rustic wooden tub that looked as though it hadn't been used in years. Everything in the room seemed to belong to another era, from the brass fixtures to the dusty curtains that barely let in the moonlight.
The brothers exchanged another glance, this one tinged with unease. The inn was quaint, yes, but something about it felt off. It was as though the rooms had been waiting for them, untouched for years until their arrival. Still, their exhaustion outweighed their apprehension. They placed their belongings on the old wooden desk by the window, the wood groaning under the weight of their travel bags. With practiced efficiency, they began to prepare the room—laying out their clothes for the next day, setting aside their boots to dry by the door, and carefully placing their valuables within reach.
Finally, they settled into their beds–the single bed in the first room for one, the double bed in the adjoining room for the other. As they lay there, staring up at the ceiling, the silence of the inn pressed in around them. The faint sound of the wind outside was the only noise that broke the stillness. It wasn't long before sleep began to claim them, pulling them into a restless slumber.
But as they drifted off, the younger brother couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't alone in the inn. He glanced toward the door that connected their rooms, half-expecting to see it open on its own. The shadows seemed to dance across the walls, and he could have sworn he heard faint whispers carried by the wind. He squeezed his eyes shut, telling himself it was just his imagination, before finally succumbing to sleep.
As they slept, the inn settled into the night, its walls holding secrets long forgotten, waiting for the dawn to reveal what the darkness had kept hidden.
**LOUD GUST OF WIND**
A faint, distant voice struggled through the roaring wind, barely reaching Clint's ears. "Clint, Clint! You…n-n…you're…don't—"
**COMPLETE SILENCE**
Suddenly, everything was quiet, eerily so. Clint found himself in a barren wasteland, the ground beneath him nothing but endless stretches of rock and sand. A dark mist crept across the landscape, swallowing the fading light of the sun, turning the sky into a sinister shade of red. The air was thick, heavy with a sense of impending doom. Clint stood alone, the weight of isolation pressing down on him as that distant, desperate voice continued to call out his name, growing weaker and more desperate.
"CLINT!!!"
The world shattered around him as Clint jolted awake, his heart racing. His brother Will loomed over him, his face drawn and pale, eyes shadowed with exhaustion. Sweat clung to Clint's skin, his breath ragged, as he struggled to shake off the lingering terror of the dream.
"Geez! Finally, you're awake! I've been calling your name for ages. Did you have a nightmare?"
Clint blinked, trying to ground himself in reality. "Yes, just a nightmare… I must've been more tired than I thought."
Will's brow furrowed with concern, his voice softening as he sat on the edge of the bed. "You were really out of it. I've never seen you like that before. Are you sure you're okay?"
Clint forced a reassuring smile, though the unease from the dream still clung to him like a dark cloud. "I'm fine, Will. Really. Just a bad dream."
But Will wasn't convinced. His eyes lingered on Clint's, searching for any sign of the truth. "Alright… if you say so. But if something's bothering you, don't keep it to yourself."
"I won't," Clint lied, swallowing the dread that had taken root in his chest. "Go ahead and meet Shin. I'll get ready and join you guys at the training grounds."
Will hesitated, his hand briefly resting on Clint's shoulder before he nodded and left the room.
Alone again, Clint sat up, his body still trembling from the remnants of the nightmare. The image of that dark, twisted landscape flashed through his mind, and the echo of the voice—his own, or someone else's?—still rang in his ears. It was just a dream, he told himself, trying to push the fear aside. Just a meaningless nightmare.
But deep down, something gnawed at him. He couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't just a nightmare—that it was a warning, or perhaps a glimpse of something yet to come.
Clint stood, steadying himself as he prepared to face the day. The fear still lingered, but he shoved it down, locking it away where it couldn't reach him. He had no time for irrational fears. There were bigger things to worry about—things that demanded his strength and focus.
Yet, as he dressed and prepared to step outside, he couldn't help but wonder if the nightmare was trying to tell him something. Something he wasn't ready to hear…
......…. " y_u ___ _i_ in _ y_ar"....
The three revealed their weapons as they entered the training grounds, but the brothers were puzzled. Shin held no weapon, standing motionless. His clothes began to ripple, revealing several daggers levitating in the air, moving independently. The brothers were stunned, witnessing their first encounter with Magic. The daggers, still hovering, spiraled around Shin's hand.
"How is this even possible!"
Will never believed in Magic or Sorcery now witnessed real magic in front of him.
"Although impressive, we can only carry about five to twenty kilograms depending on the user's age. My grandfather currently can carry 20kg while I can only hold 5kg, and have a 2 meter distance." Shin explained proudly to the brothers but embarrassed to be heard by other nobles.
Impressed by the Cross family's magic, Clint couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety tighten in his chest. The sheer power of Dawn's Enhancements weighed heavily on his mind. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword as he began to swing it repeatedly, each strike sharper than the last. The force of his swings seemed to suppress the air around him as he focused intently on his breathing, shutting out everything but the rhythmic flow of his movements.
The world around him faded into darkness, the only sound being the soft thud of his sword slicing through the air. The complete silence wrapped around him like a shroud until, suddenly, a violent gust of wind shattered the stillness.
"CLINT!!"
A loud, yet distant call from a woman's voice echoed through the void, pulling him out of his trance. He blinked, disoriented, to find himself face-to-face with Will once more. "You're knocked up again! You've been swinging your sword for hours!" Will's voice was laced with concern, his eyes searching Clint's for any sign of recognition.
The realization hit Clint like a wave. The day had slipped away without him noticing. The once bustling training grounds were now dark and deserted, shadows creeping in as the evening settled into night. Clint glanced down at his trembling hands, still clutching his sword. He had been training all afternoon, eyes closed, lost in his own world, not even moving a single step.
As they left the training grounds, Clint could barely muster the strength to walk. His body was exhausted, each step heavy as Will and Shin supported him on either side. The air was thick with an unsettling stillness, the darkness pressing in around them as they made their way out.
Just as they reached the exit, a child stood in the shadows, watching them with a curious gaze. His innocent smile seemed out of place, too pure for the eerie atmosphere. As the three passed by, the child's expression twisted, a maniacal smirk creeping across his face, eyes glinting with a sinister gleam.
The word hanging in the air like a curse. As he whispered…
"GOTCHA"