The courtyard of Academy Prolo' buzzed with energy. Students, teachers, and trainers had gathered under the fading light of the day, the low murmur of anticipation spreading through the crowd like wildfire. They had all heard the rumors—about sabotage, about nobles trying to undermine their efforts—but tonight, they expected answers.
At the center of it all stood Lumumba, flanked by Koffi and Mamadou. The two recruits, each representing different sides of the same coin, had become instrumental in helping Lumumba shape the academy into more than just a school. Koffi, calm and poised, surveyed the crowd with an air of quiet authority, while Mamadou had a smirk on his face, as though he were already strategizing their next move beyond this meeting.
Lumumba stepped forward, raising a hand to quiet the crowd. His posture was confident, but there was an undercurrent of intensity in his eyes. He could feel the weight of this moment, the future of the academy—and perhaps the kingdom itself—resting on what he said next.
"I'm not one for speeches," Lumumba began, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "So I'll keep this short. You've all heard the whispers. You know what's been happening behind the scenes. The nobles are scared. They see what we're building here, and they don't like it."
A ripple of agreement spread through the crowd, some of the students murmuring to each other, nodding in understanding.
"They're trying to tear us apart," Lumumba continued. "Supplies are missing, teachers are leaving, and some of you have been approached with offers to abandon the academy. But I'm here to tell you that none of that matters. Because what we're building here is bigger than any one of us. It's bigger than the nobles, and it's bigger than their money."
The crowd was silent now, hanging on his every word. Even those who had been skeptical of Lumumba's leadership felt the pull of his conviction.
"We are more than just soldiers in training," Lumumba said, his voice rising with each word. "We are the future of this kingdom. And that terrifies them. They know that if we succeed, they will no longer hold the power they've hoarded for centuries. They know that if we stand together, nothing can stop us."
Koffi stepped forward, his calm demeanor adding weight to Lumumba's words. "You've all come here for different reasons. Some of you want to fight. Some of you want to learn. Some of you simply want to be free. Whatever brought you here, know that this academy is your chance to change the world. But we can't do it if we're divided."
Mamadou, his eyes gleaming with ambition, nodded in agreement. "This isn't just about the Western Kingdom. It's about reshaping everything. If we stay united, we can expand beyond this place, create alliances with others who've been cast aside. The nobles want to keep you down, but they don't realize we've already begun to rise."
A sense of purpose filled the air, the students now visibly more confident, more resolute. Lumumba knew that these words alone wouldn't be enough. There would be battles ahead—both literal and figurative. But for now, the fire had been lit.
"Tomorrow," Lumumba announced, "we begin training with a new focus. We're not just here to become fighters. We're here to become leaders. Warriors. Strategists. And when the time comes, we will show the nobles that we are not afraid of their power."
The crowd erupted in cheers, a thunderous roar that reverberated through the academy grounds. Lumumba stepped back, a rare smile touching his lips. For the first time in a while, he felt like they were ready for what was coming.
Later that night, as the academy quieted down, Lumumba sat in his office, reviewing the day's events. The revolution was in motion now. The academy was growing stronger, and their message was spreading. But the threat of sabotage still loomed over them, and Lumumba couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, even from within.
There was a knock at the door, and Koffi entered, as composed as ever.
"Good speech today," Koffi said, sitting across from Lumumba. "You inspired them. But you know that words aren't enough. The nobles won't stop with whispers and sabotage. Eventually, they'll come for us directly."
Lumumba nodded, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. "I know. That's why I need your help, Koffi. We need to root out the spies. The students need to know who they can trust."
Koffi's eyes gleamed with a knowing look. "Leave that to me. I've already started narrowing down the list. There are a few who have been acting… suspicious. But I'll handle it."
Lumumba trusted Koffi's judgment, though he knew that Koffi had his own reasons for being here. He had never fully explained why he had joined the academy, but his loyalty had never wavered, and that was enough for now.
Before Koffi could leave, Mamadou entered the room, his usual confident stride slightly more restrained. Lumumba could tell he had something serious on his mind.
"We need to talk," Mamadou said, shutting the door behind him. "I've made contact with some people outside the kingdom. They're interested in what we're doing here. Rebels, dissidents—people who've been oppressed in other regions. They want to meet, to discuss an alliance."
Lumumba raised an eyebrow. "And what's the catch?"
Mamadou grinned. "There's always a catch, Lumumba. But the way I see it, we need numbers. These people have skills, experience, and most importantly, they hate the nobles as much as we do. We bring them into the fold, and we're no longer just an academy—we're a movement."
Koffi frowned slightly. "Are we sure we can trust them? This isn't just about numbers. We need to be careful who we align ourselves with."
Mamadou shrugged. "We don't have the luxury of being picky. The nobles are already making their moves, and if we don't start expanding, we'll be crushed."
Lumumba leaned back in his chair, weighing the options. Mamadou was right—they needed more allies if they were going to survive. But Koffi was also right—bringing in outsiders came with risks. If they weren't careful, they could end up with more enemies than friends.
"Set up the meeting," Lumumba said finally. "But we're going to be cautious. I want to know everything about these people before we commit to anything."
Mamadou nodded, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. "Trust me, Lumumba. This is the beginning of something bigger than either of us could have imagined."
As Mamadou left the room, Koffi remained seated, his eyes fixed on Lumumba.
"You know this is just the start, right?" Koffi said quietly. "Once we expand, once we start bringing in outside forces, the nobles won't just stand by and watch. They'll fight back harder than ever."
Lumumba nodded, his gaze steady. "Let them come. We'll be ready."