The second semester at the Imperial Academy began with a shift in the air—new subjects, new instructors, and new alliances. For Claudius, Lucian, Felix, and the rest of Class C, the Academy's world was expanding in more ways than one.
The most intriguing addition to the curriculum was Stellar Geography, a course that introduced cadets to the full expanse of the Empire's territory. Claudius sat in the lecture hall, surrounded by his peers, as a holo-projection of the Empire's borders shimmered in the air above them. The instructor, a wiry man named Professor Corven, had once been a cartographer for the Imperial Navy, and his knowledge of distant star systems was vast.
"Pay close attention," Corven said, pacing in front of the glowing map. "The Empire may stretch across hundreds of systems, but beyond our borders, the galaxy is vast and unpredictable. You'll learn not just where our power extends, but also where our influence fades. Beyond those points, there are countless alien species—some peaceful, others hostile. Knowing where they are and what they want could be the difference between life and death for any of you."
Claudius absorbed every word, fascinated by the complexity of the galactic landscape. The vast expanse of space was far larger and more perilous than he'd ever imagined. Alien groups like the Zhodani Confederation and the Kaltir Dominion, both skirting the Empire's borders, presented potential threats or opportunities, depending on how well the Empire handled its diplomacy. It was clear that understanding the political and territorial tensions between the Empire and its alien neighbors was just as important as learning about combat strategy.
In Alien Biology, the class was taught to identify the physiological traits of various alien species, including how their bodies adapted to different gravitational fields and atmospheres. The course was as practical as it was academic; cadets needed to know the biology of potential allies and enemies alike, especially in the event of diplomatic or military encounters.
"An enemy you don't understand is an enemy you cannot defeat," their professor, Dr. Erya, reminded them sternly during each lesson. Her lectures were punctuated by vivid images of alien anatomy—some grotesque, others astonishingly beautiful.
But with these new subjects came a new set of challenges. The Academy brought in new instructors, many of whom came from the upper echelons of the noble class. They didn't hide their bias toward Class A and, to a lesser extent, Class B. The divide between the elite cadets and those from lower-ranked classes had become more pronounced.
One of the most vocal of the new instructors was Commander Nestor, a stern and aloof officer from an ancient noble family. He taught Naval Engineering, and from the very first day, it was clear he had little respect for anyone outside of Class A.
"As you're aware," Commander Nestor began one lecture, "ship design and function are the backbone of the Empire's power. A good ship can make or break a fleet. However, only the best minds—those with the proper training and background—are suited for true leadership in this field."
His gaze lingered on the students from Class C and D, barely concealing his disdain. The tension was thick, and many cadets from the lower-ranked classes struggled under the weight of these prejudices.
But amidst all of this, a surprise emerged that no one in Class C had expected—Vera transferred into their ranks.
The news spread quickly, and Claudius was stunned when he saw her step into their dormitory, her face as unreadable as ever. Her move was unprecedented, as she had held a high rank in Class B and was expected to rise even further. Yet here she was, standing before him and the others, her belongings in tow.
"Vera?" Claudius blurted out in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
She set her things down with a cool expression. "Class B no longer serves my purpose."
Felix, leaning against the doorframe, smirked. "Purpose? Or is it because of the little delivery you made to your father?"
Vera's eyes flicked to Felix, a hint of acknowledgment in her gaze. "Both."
It didn't take long for word to spread through the Academy that Vera had delivered evidence that implicated several noble factions in corruption and conspiracy. The evidence, smuggled through a trusted messenger, had reached her father, who was now using it to unravel a web of deceit that stretched from Phobos Station to the Empire's core worlds.
Claudius was impressed but not entirely surprised. Vera had always played her own game, and it seemed that even in the Academy, her mission extended far beyond personal glory.
"You're staying with us now?" Lucian asked, still processing the shift.
Vera nodded. "Class C suits my needs better. I need to observe things here, where the real struggles are happening." She glanced toward Claudius. "And there are some things we need to figure out together."
Her words left Claudius intrigued but also wary. He had grown to trust Vera as an ally, but she always kept her cards close. Still, having her in Class C could be an advantage. If anyone could help them navigate the complexities of the Academy—and the political world beyond—it was Vera.
Despite the new dynamic, the divisions between the classes grew more bitter. The cadets in Class A, led by Adrian Valerius, continued to flaunt their superiority, often clashing with the cadets from lower-ranked classes.
It wasn't long before a confrontation broke out.
One evening, as Claudius and Lucian returned from the library, they stumbled upon a heated argument in the training grounds. A group of Class A cadets—Adrian at the center—had cornered some cadets from Class C, mocking their performance in the previous battle simulations.
"You Class C grunts think you're so clever, don't you?" Adrian sneered, his arms crossed as he towered over the smaller cadet in front of him. "One lucky victory in a simulation doesn't change the fact that you're all destined to serve us. Know your place."
The cadet, a younger recruit, stammered but stood his ground. "We earned that win fair and square. Just because you're from a noble family doesn't make you better than us."
Adrian's smirk turned cold. "It's not about being better. It's about knowing you'll never be as good."
Before things could escalate further, Felix stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tension. "Adrian, leave him alone."
Adrian turned, his expression hardening as he saw Felix. "Ah, the Imperial Prince's pet project. I see you've decided to grace us with your presence, Felix. Tell me, how does it feel to slum it with the commoners?"
Felix smiled calmly. "Better than being stuck in a class full of cowards who hide behind their families' wealth."
The tension between the two was palpable, and for a moment, Claudius thought Adrian might lash out. But instead, Adrian simply chuckled, his smirk returning. "Enjoy your time with the peasants, Felix. When you tire of it, you know where to find us."
With that, Adrian and his entourage walked away, their laughter echoing through the training grounds.
Felix exhaled and turned back to the others. "He's not going to stop, you know. Adrian won't rest until he's broken everyone in Class C."
Claudius clenched his fists. "Then we'll have to show him we're not so easily broken."
The second semester had only just begun, but Claudius knew the real battle was only starting. With new subjects, new alliances, and new enemies, the Academy was proving to be far more dangerous than he'd ever imagined. But with allies like Felix and Vera by his side, he was ready for whatever came next.