Week after week flew by at the Dominion Elite Academy, yet for Rael and his fellow students, time seemed to move to its rhythm, one strictly governed by training schedules, rigid rules, and the ever-watchful gaze of the Holy Council. Life at the Academy taught Rael that physical strength or intelligence alone wasn't a guarantee of survival, let alone honour, within Dominion. Life at the Elite Academy displayed the stark reality of hierarchy embedded in every aspect of their existence, bringing the deep-rooted injustices to the surface in the form of caste, status, and ingrained privileges.
As time went on, Rael became acutely aware of the caste divisions, which didn't just reflect one house's dominance over another but also served as a carefully orchestrated symbol of power by the Holy Council. Each house served its specific function within Dominion, and these functions were strictly enforced through rules introduced from the very start of their training. Here, Rael and his fellow students were forced to accept the distinctions between the strong and the weak, the clever and the easily swayed. Privileges and special rights, like shadows trailing them each day, reminded them that their worth was measured not just by achievement but by the caste lines that shackled their lives.
House Auctoritas, known for its physical strength and leadership spirit, was filled with students trained to be Dominion's front-line commanders. Students from this house exuded pride and arrogance, carrying an aura that seemed to demand respect. Mira Kasari was one of the most prominent figures within Auctoritas. With her sturdy frame and sharp gaze, Mira was both intelligent and highly ambitious. As an Inferus student, Mira aimed to become the "Iron Hand" of Auctoritas—the highest rank in her house, an honour only achievable through exceptional skill and unparalleled bravery. Mira often spent her free time practising in the expansive grounds, swinging her sword and axe with unwavering determination. Her every movement radiated pride, and to other students, especially those from Ingenium and Umbra, Mira represented the power and resolve of Auctoritas, a force not easily rivalled.
On the other hand, House Ingenium was home to students of high intellect and technological prowess. Asher Montreux, a Medius student from this house, was the epitome of intelligence in every aspect of his studies. Asher possessed a sharp and quick mind, with a natural talent for analysing complex strategies. He spent most of his time in Ingenium's underground workshop, devising strategies to help Dominion counter threats that lay beyond ordinary understanding. For Asher, the path to the rank of "Strategic Architect" was more than just a dream; it was a necessity, for with that rank, he would gain access to advanced technologies and resources rarely granted to anyone outside the Holy Council. However, his obsession with detail often pushed others away, and those who knew him realised that Asher was more focused on Dominion's mission than on social connections.
Bellator, the house focused on precision and long-range tactics, was where Adric Thorne stood out. As a determined marksman, Adric drew attention during every long-range weapons drill. He aspired to the title of "Spear of Distance," the highest rank within Bellator, awarded only to the finest marksmen who demonstrated exceptional accuracy in battle. With his Ambush Rifle always at the ready, Adric was serious and rarely spoke. Yet within his silence lay an unshakeable focus that earned him respect among his peers. Although his distant demeanour was often mistaken for arrogance, those who knew him understood that Adric was a loyal figure with firm principles.
Then there was Rael, placed in House Umbra, hidden within the shadows and moving silently. Umbra might not possess the raw power of Auctoritas or the technical precision of Ingenium, but within the quiet of this house, Rael and his fellow students delved into the art of infiltration and stealth techniques, which required calmness and meticulous attention to detail. Eira Lorrain, one of his classmates, displayed an extraordinary talent for manipulation and subtle strategy, a skill she was honing further under the guidance of their mentor, Master Elyon Nacht. Together, they learned to move without leaving a trace, studying every detail of infiltration techniques and analysing their surroundings with impressive accuracy. Eira, with her keen eyes and light movements, could deceive and evade detection in every stealth mission. For Rael, Eira was a mirror—a fellow traveller in the shadows, understanding that Umbra's strength didn't lie in recognition but in the impact they left unseen.
The Academy organised its students into three tiers: Inferus, Medius, and Primoris, with every student starting as an Inferus. Rael knew that each level brought new challenges, but he was determined to ascend to the next rank. Only those who achieved Primoris would be deemed worthy of joining Dominion's elite force, a rare honour and the aspiration of every student. Yet behind this desire, Rael began to grasp the price required to reach this highest tier. Each promotion came not only with greater access and strength but also with increased scrutiny and control from the Holy Council.
Life at the Academy was filled with relentless competition. The points system introduced by the Holy Council fuelled the rivalry between houses. Each house competed to amass House Performance Points to prove their superiority. The leaderboard in the main hall was updated weekly, reflecting each house's achievements. The house with the highest points would receive special recognition from the Holy Council, an incentive that drove the students to push themselves tirelessly. Meanwhile, the house with the lowest points faced a far more terrifying consequence—punishment. Medius or Primoris students from that house would be assigned to dangerous missions around or even beyond the Aegis Wall as a penalty. For them, this was not only a punishment but also a test of bravery that put their lives at risk.
Rael, as an Inferus student, was also bound by this points system. Each student had Personal Performance Points, determining their chance to advance to the Medius or even Primoris rank. These points were earned not only through regular training but also through mental and physical endurance tests that measured their true strength. Those who advanced gained access to advanced technology and specialised training suited to their house. For Rael, this was a temptation hard to resist, yet he was aware that every privilege came with sacrifice.
Amid the intense rivalry, Rael began to see the profound influence of the Holy Council, not only in students' lives but also in their thoughts and actions. The Holy Council had created a competition that bound each student to an unchangeable caste system, making them loyal tools of Dominion. However, for Rael, beneath the rigidity displayed by the Holy Council, there was something larger and mysterious that began to tantalise his mind.
Rael sat in a corner of the library, his fingers tracing the worn leather of an ancient book before him. The tranquillity of the library enveloped him, giving him a space to reflect deeply on Jasper's words from weeks before. That middle-aged man, with a gaze that seemed to see beyond the obvious, had planted a seed in Rael's mind. His words whispered in silence—a voice from someone who knew more about Dominion than he was permitted to reveal.
Rael exhaled, glancing at the rows of old books on the shelves. The faces of students from other houses occasionally passing between the shelves barely registered in his mind. His eyes were fixed on the book in front of him, but his thoughts wandered far, contemplating secrets he felt were increasingly urgent to uncover.
"Why does the Holy Council cling so tightly to these rules?" Rael muttered to himself, his voice lost among the library's quiet shadows. "Is it really necessary, or just a way to maintain their hold on power?"
His feelings began to rebel, his desire for answers building inside him. However, in this academy, with all its rigorous training and strict rules, opportunities to seek the truth were extremely limited. Every moment was dedicated to honing skills and adhering to the regulations imposed by the Holy Council. Sometimes Rael felt trapped in an impenetrable maze, like a layered labyrinth where every open door led only to a dead end.