The steady hum of mana crystals powering up the array conduits filled the workshop. Caius stood over his workbench, sweat beading on his forehead as he carefully etched another rune into the Death Knight's armor plating. The glow of the runes flickered as he pressed his mana into them, checking the flow of energy through the intricate array system. Every piece had to be perfect.
It had been months since the Academy had given him the opportunity to build his own Knight Power Armor. For most cadets, it was an option they left to the KPA designers or their family's engineers. But not Caius. The Death Knight was his project—his obsession.
He straightened up and stepped back, wiping his brow with the back of his hand as he surveyed the nearly completed KPA that loomed before him. Standing at six meters, it dwarfed him, its black armor a stark contrast to the cluttered, dimly lit workshop. The Death Knight wasn't just a machine—it was a statement, one that he hoped would finally silence the whispers behind his back and the disappointment in his father's eyes.
"Isn't it a bit… much?" a voice interrupted.
Caius glanced toward the entrance of the workshop. His close friend and fellow cadet, Victor Sevrin, leaned against the doorway, arms crossed and a smirk on his face. Victor was tall and lanky, with the casual confidence that came from being naturally gifted in magic. He was also one for style, and his KPA reflected that—the Sun Chaser, a flamboyant medium-class KPA, painted in brilliant gold and outfitted with sleek, elegant weaponry.
"It's going to stand out, that's for sure," Victor continued, pushing off the wall and walking toward the towering Death Knight. "Most of the other cadets are going for efficiency, not overcompensation."
Caius shot him a sideways glance. "Says who?" he replied dryly, his gaze flicking to the Sun Chaser. Its golden armor gleamed, completely impractical for the battlefield, but that was Victor—style over subtlety.
Victor chuckled, running a hand along the Death Knight's leg armor. "Fair enough. But seriously, Caius, this thing is a beast. You're taking it out for the first field test tomorrow, right?"
Caius nodded, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. The field test was the final step before they graduated. If the Death Knight performed as he intended, it would cement his reputation as one of the most capable cadets in the academy, not just a nobleman relying on his name.
The next morning, the Death Knight stood ready on the academy's testing grounds, its jet-black armor gleaming in the early light. Caius, now fully suited up in his KPA gear, went over his pre-launch checks meticulously. Every rune, every joint, every system had to be flawless.
From the cockpit, he looked out at the rows of cadets, instructors, and evaluators who had gathered to witness the tests. His father wasn't there—he never showed up for things like this. But Caius didn't need him here. He needed this for himself.
"All systems are ready," he muttered to himself, his voice echoing slightly within the enclosed cockpit.
"Lieutenant Rest," came a familiar voice over the comms. It was Victor, already suited up in the Sun Chaser. "Try not to blow up the field with that thing."
"Try not to blind everyone with that golden paint job," Caius shot back, though there was a slight edge to his voice.
The test began. The ground rumbled beneath the heavy footsteps of the KPAs as they powered up and moved across the field. Caius's focus was razor-sharp, his mind entirely on the Death Knight's systems. The test was straightforward—combat maneuvers, endurance trials, and target practice. Caius pushed the Death Knight harder than anyone had pushed their KPA before.
He weaved through the obstacles, his massive KPA responding smoothly, the array magic humming as it redirected mana efficiently through the system. The bolt-rifle—a powerful rifle designed to fire massive, sharpened, and enchanted steel rods—obliterated targets in explosive bursts of power. Each rod glowed faintly with magical energy, designed to pierce heavy armor and withstand the chaos of battle. The longsword, Soul Crusher, the KPA carried felt light in its hand, a testament to the balance he had perfected in its design.
But the real test came when they reached the endurance trial. The KPAs had to run extended combat maneuvers for hours, testing how long they could last before running out of mana. Most standard KPAs were designed for short, high-intensity engagements, but the Death Knight had been built with extended warfare in mind.
"Looks like you're slowing down, Victor," Caius commented over the comms as his friend's Sun Chaser started to lose power. Its golden armor caught the sun's rays, making it look more like a showpiece than a combat unit.
"Yeah, yeah," Victor replied, out of breath. "Looks like your beast might actually make it through the entire trial."
"Of course it will," Caius muttered to himself.
And it did. The Death Knight powered through every trial, every test, and by the end, it still had mana reserves left. When it finally came to a stop at the finish line, the evaluators were already talking amongst themselves. Caius could hear the murmurs. He had done it. The Death Knight wasn't just a show of force—it was a masterpiece of KPA design, his masterpiece.
As he climbed out of the cockpit, the tension in his muscles finally released. For the first time, he allowed himself to smile. The test had been a success. The Death Knight had performed better than he could have hoped, and now there was no doubt in anyone's mind—Caius Rest had earned his place.
The field test had gone perfectly, but the real challenge lay ahead. Caius stood in the academy's hangar, the Death Knight once again before him. Only this time, it was being loaded onto a transport bound for the Basilisk.
"Lieutenant Rest," Sergeant Linik's gruff voice broke into his thoughts. "The KPAs are secured. We'll be ready to move out shortly."
"Good," Caius replied, his gaze still on the Death Knight. He had made sure the KPAs were strapped down tightly this time—he wasn't going to make the mistake his friend had during that training trip when his KPA had toppled off the transport. Caius had learned the hard way that securing everything properly was as important as the battle itself.
As the last of the preparations were made, Caius took a moment to reflect. The academy was behind him. The Death Knight was ready. And now, he was no longer just a cadet, no longer just a nobleman—he was a commander. The war was about to begin, and he would meet it head-on.