Outside Luke's carriage, Eldoria's countryside sprawls, beautiful yet strained.
Villages and towns, once bustling, seem weary.
Market stalls are sparse, and townspeople's faces bear a mix of anxiety and frustration.
Luke notes this as they pass, absorbing every detail.
His mission, after all, isn't only for himself but for Eldoria, especially Oakendale, and for the people whose lives depend on the decisions made by the kingdom's leaders.
As they approach the capital, the familiar spires of Eldoria's grand city rise into view, the academy's impressive architecture crowning the hill just ahead.
The sight fills Luke with awe and renewed purpose—until he notices something unusual.
A crowd has gathered near the academy's gates, and their shouts are anything but welcoming.
The carriage halts at the academy gates, where Luke sees a group of people protesting.
Their voices are raised, and their faces display anger, not just at the famine or taxes, but at the academy itself.
"We're starving, and the queen builds a palace for the nobles' children!" shouts one man, his face reddened with fury.
Nearby, a woman adds, "Magic lessons? After everything we've suffered, she withholds the knowledge of magic until now? How dare she!"
Luke's attention shifts to a few other young nobles who have just arrived.
Among them are Edward of House Fairfax and Sarah of House Maplewood, both dressed in the academy's dark-blue uniform, with insignias showing the academy's crest.
The trio exchanges uneasy glances, feeling the weight of the crowd's ire.
"They think the academy's magic lessons are an insult," Edward mutters, eyes narrowing at the protestors.
"It doesn't matter," Sarah replies, her voice soft but resolute.
"They believe the crown's favoring us over them. And they think we're all complicit."
Luke takes a step forward, his gaze sweeping over the angry faces.
"We should try to calm them," he says quietly to his companions. "If we don't, things might escalate."
Edward and Sarah hesitate, but after seeing the determination in Luke's face, they nod and follow his lead.
Luke steps forward, addressing the crowd with a calm yet steady voice.
"Please, listen to us," he begins, his voice carrying despite the noise.
"We're here to learn, yes, but also to understand and help. We want to make Eldoria better for everyone."
A few people at the edges pause, their eyes flickering with uncertainty.
But others are less receptive, their faces hardened with resentment.
"What would you know about our lives?" scoffs a tall man, his voice laced with bitterness.
"You're all children of privilege. This academy was built with our taxes while our children starve."
Sarah raises her hands in a conciliatory gesture.
"We don't deny there are issues. But please, trust that the academy is meant to benefit all of Eldoria. We're training to serve, not to stand above."
Despite her attempt, a woman from the crowd steps forward, anger flashing in her eyes.
"Words mean nothing," she spits.
"The queen has given us nothing but false promises. And now we're expected to trust you?"
The crowd grows more agitated, shuffling closer to Luke and his companions, their faces twisted with frustration.
The anger is palpable, hanging thick in the air.
Tensions rise, and several people shout accusations, some even cursing the academy and its students.
Luke steps forward, his voice steady and commanding.
"Listen, please! You're angry, and I understand why. But this academy isn't meant to harm or take anything from you—it's meant to help you all."
A burly man in the front sneered, crossing his arms.
"While our children starve, you and your friends get a palace to play in and learn magic? What good will that do us?"
Luke felt a pang at the man's words but tried to keep his frustration in check.
"I know you're hurting. But this isn't some game; we're here to learn how to help you better! When we graduate, we'll be equipped to serve the kingdom and protect it. This academy—it's an investment in Eldoria's future."
A woman with hollow cheeks glared at him, her voice filled with bitterness.
"An investment? For whom? Not for us. We've watched our crops fail, our children grow thin, and you expect us to trust in more promises from the crown?"
Luke's gaze moved from face to angry face, feeling the rising frustration in the air.
"You have every right to feel betrayed. But this isn't the fault of the academy. The queen's intention has always been to create a strong, unified Eldoria, and the academy is part of that plan. Magic studies are meant to benefit the entire kingdom, not just the nobility."
A ripple of laughter and derisive murmurs spread through the crowd.
A sharp-eyed man near the back called out, "Easy words, noble boy. But when was the last time you went without food? Or lost someone to the cold because there was no firewood?"
Luke clenched his jaw, his hands tightening at his sides.
"I may not have faced what you have, but that doesn't mean I don't care. I'm here to make a difference, for all of us. We're not blind to the suffering around us."
Another man, face shadowed and gaze hard, stepped forward with a sneer.
"Words don't feed us, lad. Your promises are as empty as the queen's. We need real change, and we need it now."
Luke's voice rose, more insistent now.
"And that's exactly why I'm here! You want change? That's what I'm training for. We're all working toward the same goal—Eldoria's strength and peace!"
The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, frustration rippling through them like a storm about to break.
Some looked uncertain, others angrier still.
Before Luke could say more, a figure pushed through the crowd—a man with fierce eyes, clutching a dagger.
"Enough!" he snarled, advancing toward Luke.
"We're done listening to empty promises. You nobles think you're invincible? Let's see you talk your way out of this!"
The man advances on Selene, dagger raised.
The crowd gasps, some taking a step back, others watching with a mix of horror and anticipation.
Luke felt his pulse quicken and his instincts takes over as Luke moves swiftly, stepping between the man and Selene.
He pulls her behind him, his eyes fixed on the attacker, his stance steady and unyielding.
"Stop this madness!" Luke commands, his voice clear and firm.
He holds his ground, determined not to back down despite the threat.
"Think you're so high and mighty?" the man sneered, his dagger glinting as he took a threatening step forward.
"Just another pampered noble, thinking you're better than us."
Luke's gaze didn't waver.
"I'm not above you—I'm here because I want to help. But hurting each other won't fix anything."
The man laughed, a harsh sound, tightening his grip on the dagger.
"Then try and stop me!"
In an instant, the man lunged, his dagger slicing through the air.
Luke sidestepped just in time, the blade narrowly missing him as he pivoted smoothly out of reach.
The man stumbled, recovering quickly, his frustration evident.
"Missed," Luke said evenly, a calmness in his voice that only fueled the man's anger further.
With a snarl, the man charged again, his arm swinging wildly.
Luke dodged once more, moving with a precision that left the man stumbling forward in frustration.
The crowd grew louder, some watching with awe, others cheering for the man to strike Luke.
The man whipped around, his eyes blazing.
"Stop dodging and fight, you coward!"
"If you insist," Luke replied coolly.
As the man lunged once more, Luke stood firm, his focus sharp.
At the last possible moment, he sidestepped and drove his fist forward with all his strength, landing a devastating blow square on the man's jaw.
The impact echoed through the crowd, and the man reeled back, his head snapping to the side.
He staggered, almost dropping his dagger, his jaw red and swelling.
The crowd gasped, the silence punctuated by murmurs of shock and admiration.
But the man's rage seemed to give him strength as he straightened, his eyes blazing with renewed fury.
He spat blood on the ground, clutching his dagger tighter.
"You'll pay for that, boy," he snarled, his voice low and dangerous.
A few others in the crowd, emboldened by the man's defiance, began to close in, their faces twisted in anger and resentment.
Luke saw their hands clenching into fists, their eyes filled with the bitterness of their hardships.
Realizing the situation was rapidly spiraling out of control, Luke held his ground, his heart pounding but his resolve unshaken.
More voices rose from the crowd, the discontent swelling as they inched closer.
But before the wrath of the crowd could be fully unleashed, the metallic clank of armored footsteps sounded from behind.
The crowd's angered shouts were cut short as several royal knights, clad in gleaming armor bearing the queen's insignia, pushed their way through, positioning themselves between Luke and the angry mob.
"That's enough!" barked the captain of the knights, his voice stern and commanding.
He raised his hand, and the other knights spread out, shields and swords at the ready, their presence a formidable force.
"Stand down, all of you! This is neither the time nor place for violence."
The crowd hesitated, some grumbling in frustration, others glancing nervously at the knights.
Luke felt a sense of relief, though he kept his stance firm, his gaze still on the man who had attacked him.
"All of you return to your homes and duties now! If you choose to continue this, then we will use force!"
Some of the crowd begin to disperse, mumbling their discontent with the knights.
The man with dagger growls but continues to stand his ground.
"I said DISPERSE," the knight captain barked at the man.
He takes a step forward and then another.
The knight captain holds up his hand to have his men hold and then he starts stepping towards the man.
The knight reaches for his sword.
Cool steel is heard as he unseathes it and readies it in his hand.
The man finally attacks, slicing his dagger through the air at the knight captain.
Almost effortlessly, the knight captain sidesteps the wild swing, and slices the man's arm that's holding the dagger.
The dagger drops to the ground and blood follows.
"Ah! My arm!"
The man cries out as he clutches his arm.
The knight captain sheathes his swords and walks away from the man.
"Seize him," he barks, "Take the stupid fool to the jailhouse. Make sure his arm his taken care off."
A couple of royal knights grab the man and begin to drag him away.
The knight captain turned, gesturing for Luke and his fellow students to retreat to safety.
"You're done here. Inside, all of you—now."
Luke gave a small nod, glancing back as the man is dragged away, his heart still racing.
As he and the other academy students were ushered through the gates, he couldn't shake the image of their resentful faces, the seething anger that simmered in their eyes.
Inside the academy grounds, Luke finally allowed himself a deep breath.
But the encounter left a mark on him, a vivid reminder of the kingdom's unrest—and the difficult path that lay ahead.