I continued to stare at the wall for a while, lost in thought. It was like a story was unfolding in my mind but I was in the place of the protagonist. I imagined myself as the hero, bearing the weight of the empires hopes on my shoulders, battling against the foes that threatened the peace of the land.
"Z.."
Fighting against humans, high humans, dwarves alike that threatened the delicate balance. I would stand as as a unstoppable force, fighting on the side that was just, the side that mattered.
"Zer.."
It would be a gruesome battle, many lives lost on both sides…
Just as the weight of those thoughts pressed down on me, a sharp sound cut through the air.
Slap!
"Zerith you dullard"
I jolted out of my thoughts as i rubbed the back of my head, feeling the sting, as I looked up to see Kiran's serious face glaring at me.
"What was that for?" I glared back at him "Also you better not be calling me a dullard when you couldn't even count to 10 bronze coins, 4 years ago, it got that bad you couldn't help but cry to Miss Anna"
Hearing this, Kirans face flushed slightly as he looked around hoping nobody heard that, before grabbing hold of my shirt and pulling me to my feet. "Say something like that again, especially lies like that, I'll drag that smug ugly mug of yours across this wooden floor. Once I'm done doing that, I'll stomp your head into ground, in hopes to improve your disgusting visage for the good of the peoples eyes"
He said as he ragged me back and forth by my shirt, still clutched in his hand, glaring at me. Getting irritated I reached out and clutched his shirt, stabilising myself "You fu…"
"Alright, both of you. That's enough"
We both froze, turning towards the familiar gruff voice.
"You were supposed to be out here 5 minutes ago"
The coachman was standing at the carriage door, his arms crossed, glaring at us. We both gulped, letting go of each other immediately.
"Haha, sorry sir. I'll be out" I mumbled, scratching the back of my head as I quickly stepped out of the carriage.
"Yeah, yeah"
Kiran followed close behind, a scowl on his face.
As we joined the others outside, the coachman stood in front of us, surveying the group. I looked around, and confusion swept over me. We weren't at the acadamy.
Luckily someone in the crowd.
"Coachman, this isn't the acadamy, is it?"
Lyra chimed in, her voice curious.
"Mr coachman, where are we? Aren't we heading to the acadamy"
The old man stroked his beard, taking his time before clearing his throat. His eyes flicked to the trees before he spoke, arms folded.
"Before you enter the acadamy, you'll go through your first exam…the trial of the forest. Those who survive will get into the acadamy, those who don't well… that's up to your luck I guess. The forest is called the forest of elders, at the centre of the forest is the Acadamy" he looked at each student for a moment before shrugging "Well, wish you all luck"
He walked back toward his carriage but stopped just as he was about to hop into his seat "Oops, dearie me almost forgot, I would've been in trouble if I left you all alone without a compass. Just head north"
He reached into his coat pocket and chucked it into the group before getting onto his seat and riding off whilst humming a tune.
One of the people in the group caught the compass fumbling with it for a moment unsure, as the old man rode away in his carriage, we all stood there in stunned silence for moment, all of this was just happening too fast.
Until the one who caught the compass spoke up.
"Guys I've got the compass, let's head north and get to the acadamy before it gets dark"
We all looked at each other in hesitation and doubt before putting on brave bravados and humming in agreement as we circled around him.
"So Lucas do you know how to use this thing!"
Lyra asked with a smile as she looked back and forth between Lucas and the compass curiously.
Lucas puffed out his chest as he answered looking at Lyra "Of course I do! see that pointy line?" he pointed to compass needle on the compass "when it points to the N and N is for north, it means we're going in the right direction"
Some rolled their eyes at his explanation, whilst others shook their head in amusement, 'his prideful nature was known well around the orphanage, he was the only one that got beaten by caretakers slipper because of how stubborn he is, he'd rather play tag than eat dinner'
"Alright every one follow me! The old man chucked me the compass since he knew I was the right one to lead of the group"
Some of us sighed in exasperation at his claim, whilst some just said their agreements, all be it reluctantly.
"Right one to lead the group? I wouldn't let you lead the group even if you were chosen by a go.."
"Shut it, do you want to start a fight" I cut off Kiran, not wanting to start a fight before the trial.
Kiran looked at me and scoffed "Whatever, let's get this over with"
Lyra looked at Lucas with a eager nod "Yes! let's go, I can't wait, maybe they've got some cute griffin baby's I can pet"
Hearing Lyra I turned to her and opened my mouth to warn her against it, before shaking my head and turning away, 'She wouldn't listen anyway'
With that being said we all picked up our belongings and headed into the dense forest, all was heard was the chatter and the occasional rustling of the leaves.