I had a dream. The first dream I had since coming to the future.
I was in the air spectating a battle. As I looked down, I saw a man wearing no armor, just a simple black robe. No one was fighting around him for a 100 m radius. His hair was a majestic silver. He was wearing sunglasses; under the sunglasses, blinding silver light shone.
I tried to focus on the battle. I noticed that a large group of soldiers were approaching the man. His head tilted back slightly, looking up at the sun.
I tried to focus on the battle. I noticed archers about to shoot at the man, but just as they were about to release their arrows, as if compelled by some invisible force, they immediately turned away and ran. A group of heavily armed soldiers who saw the man started running toward him with killing intent, but as soon as they passed a certain line, they immediately passed out, foaming at the mouth. The man moved as if emotionless, like an AI that was human. He took off his sunglasses, fully revealing his face, but to me, his face was blurry, distorted even. Everything his gaze fell upon froze, not daring to move. I couldn't fully see his face from my angle above the battlefield. He then uttered one word: "Kneel." It echoed throughout the entire battlefield, even though his volume was low. Every single person I could see for miles suddenly fell to the ground, friend or foe. They all were equally forced to the ground by one man. After the sounds that had once been full of battle were silenced, the godlike being walked up to an old man in large black armor with a gray mustache. With one hand, he forced the old man to stand.
"You killed my friend, General. So here's what will happen if they keep avoiding me: every week, I will mail those three bastards one of your limbs. I heard you were like a father to them, and if I run out of limbs, I will spread the news far and wide that I will parade your limbless corpse around the capital every day."
The fact that he said that without a flicker of emotion on his face was terrifying. Even from my vantage point, I could feel his presence. The old man with the mustache, straining every muscle to ignore his instincts, gasped out, "Your luck will eventually run out, even if you are a primordial."
The silver-haired man stared back at the old man with emotionless, cold indifference. "Luck? I don't rely on such a fleeting thing."
My vision started to fade, and the dream was ending.
I woke up with my head against the window of the carriage. I felt drained of energy and decided to stare out of the window. Dark clouds covered the evening sky; it might even rain. We passed large, expensive-looking concrete buildings as they slowly shifted into rural farms. There was different-colored grass that I wasn't used to. Instead of the basic green and beige, the grass was a light purple color. I could even imagine it glowing in the dark. Was this really the future? I can't even imagine this much change. Was there nuclear fallout with radiation that mutated animals and plants, like in a dystopian sci-fi? Well, I am in the future, so anything's possible.
After a while of feeling the bumps and rocking of the carriage, a steady, quiet humming was heard. Looking over, it seemed to be coming from Kiki. I didn't recognize the tune, but it seemed to be some sort of travel tune. I chose to stay quiet and continue listening.
After an hour, the carriage entered some kind of checkpoint where the driver had to show the guards his ID and entrance documents. Upon seeing the occupants of the carriage, the guards stiffened and over eagerly let us in. As we entered this large sort of compound with large earthen shields that were at least 20 meters in height, with guard stations in towers every 300 meters or so along the earthen wall, I couldn't help but think, with the way this place was being guarded so vigorously, that it was like a prison. In the far-off distance, I could see the academy, it was massive, its white stone walls stretching high into the sky, with sharp towers that seemed to pierce the clouds. Flags with symbols fluttered in the breeze, and a wide canal ran alongside the campus, reflecting the sunlight like a mirror. Surrounding it all was a tall earthen wall, not as tall as the exterior border wall but still huge guarded by watchtowers There were two large rivers that went beside the building and fed into a large canal on the west side was a dark forest that gave me the feeling of an eerie nightmare with the shadows of the trees covering whatever creepy thing lurked within and on the east side of the building was a cobblestone road that seemed to branch into some larger towns and cities. As we continued moving forward, we entered a large roundabout that was full of other carriages. Some of the cheaper-looking ones actually had horses and what looked like large wolves. I believe the correct term is dire wolves, but compared to the dinosaurs—sorry, I mean earth dragons—their size was puny in comparison, like comparing a toddler to an adult, as their eye level could barely even meet above their legs.
As we stopped completely, Caesar finished bookmarking and put down a book that read [Help I'm Too OP]. Dang, and I thought that I was an Otaku. Is it bad that I kinda want to read it? Yeah, shut up. Anyway, excited to be able to move around and stretch, I hurriedly rushed out first and began popping every joint that I knew I had. I felt like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz after being cramped up for too long.
I noticed some stares and ignored them, as I knew it would only get worse as I went inside. Exiting the carriage with Kiki, Caesar, with an exasperated look on his face, said, "So do you always have to act like this?"
"Like what? This is the first time I've been in a dino mobile."
"Dino mobile?"
"Yeah." I pointed to the two earth dragons, who looked like they were pissed off from having to carry us for so long.
"You know, maybe you guys just look grumpy, but on the inside, you are just sweethearts."
I decided to test the waters and move a bit closer to one of the dinos that was glaring at me.
"Kyler, that's not a good idea."
I knew in my logical brain that he was absolutely right. But my instinct told me not to feel any fear. I decided to steal a page out of How to Train Your Dragon's book and stick out my hand, looking away so as not to threaten it.
Suddenly, I heard a quick movement followed by a rush of wind. I quickly opened my eyes and turned back, and what I saw gave me quite a jumpscare. The dino, with its large jaws, was about to devour the upper half of my body. Mere inches away, its saliva was dripping onto my face, and the stench of carrion wafted from its jaws.
I quickly stumbled back, tripping over my own feet as I put distance between us. I could see something odd—it was shivering and stuck in place, its red pupils very small and dilated. It suddenly spasmed and fell forward on its face. What happened?
I heard a sharp, furious voice yell at me. It was Caesar. He was right next to me—when did he get that close?
"You idiot!" he punched me hard in the gut.
Gasping for breath, I managed to stammer, "Yeah, I deserved that. Sorry."
"You could have died in your current state."
"But I didn't."
He gave me a look so transparent that I could understand his thoughts: "You little shit." Caesar pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something under his breath. Kiki, who had been standing off to the side, finally spoke up. "Honestly, I don't know how you're still alive, you are so useless." She shook her head but couldn't quite hide the Mocking tone.
"Pure skill and raw charisma," I replied with a grin. Honestly, I was still traumatized from the previous jumpscare, so I was trying to force a brave, unbothered front, which earned an unimpressed glare from Caesar. It's as if this guy can read my thoughts.
The sound of hurried footsteps interrupted our little exchange. A group of uniformed guards approached, their armor glinting faintly in the waning light. One of them, a tall woman with a scar running down her cheek, stepped forward.
"I thought even idiots knew not to mess with transport beasts. You're both second-years, and you're still pulling stunts like this? Move along, and we'll take care of the rest."
"Understood, ma'am." Caesar did a strange salute, making a fist and putting it to his forehead before pulling it sharply down. I didn't know if I was supposed to do that, so I mimicked it when she looked in my direction.
Doing a short nod, she, along with the guards, walked to the back of the carriage and started unpacking the large, Tetris-packed luggage.
I turned to Caesar. "Why are we here again?"
As if hearing a bad joke, he sighed and responded, "It's required. Everyone between the ages of 16 through 21 must attend the academy for basic education, as well as fostering talent for military and government potential."
"Considering the population and resources needed, that doesn't seem realistically possible."
"Unlike other countries, our tax dollars are being put to good use."
"Ha, that's actually a good joke."
He gave me a dry look. "What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing."
If only the previous government was so reliable. Although it isn't 12 years' worth of education, I'm sure the quality is leaps and bounds different from an average public school. Starting so late is a risk since I heard that as people get older, it's harder to learn. But the upside means more mature classmates.
We entered the building after walking past some sort of attendance office. Inside, the academy was just as grand as it looked outside. The floors were polished stone, shining enough to reflect the chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. Tall columns lined the hall, carved with swirling patterns, and the air buzzed with the chatter of 2nd year students adapting to their new facility. I had to give the receptionist at the desk my name and age. Caesar put in my age for me, but for some reason, I couldn't remember my actual birthday. I know that I'm around 17 years old, but when I tried to think of the exact date, I just couldn't seem to recall. Maybe I do actually have amnesia.
We finished that up, and Caesar said he couldn't be my babysitter forever and told me to stay put until my guide showed up.
Ha, guess he got sick of me. Well, I am starting to miss my alone time. Just as I was starting to relax, a girl with pale blue eyes that seemed hazy and grey hair absentmindedly walked up to me. She was almost a full foot and a half shorter than me—about 4 foot 6 inches. Despite that, something about her gave off a mature vibe.
"I heard you need a tour again, Kyler. Follow me."
"Uhh, yeah."
I decided to muster up the courage to start a conversation as she lazily walked around.
"What's your name?"
"Aria."
"Good name."
"Yes."
"So, will you tell me where we are going?"
"Yes."
Just talking to someone so lazy made me feel quite awkward.
"This is where we eat," she said, pointing to a large cafeteria area with many tables and signboards displaying various menu options. Some of the options were so bland and basic that I didn't even feel like trying them: rice with beans, bread with seasoned pork, potato, and lentil stew. Now that I think about it, I haven't eaten since the bedside fruit tray. Hmm, it's strange that I'm not hungry.
The tour continued.
"Over there are the classrooms and bathrooms, we have a large 3 story library over there and over there are the stadiums for special events And those two separate buildings over there are the girls and boys dorms"
She continued pointing around while seemingly walking in circles.
"And that's about it."
"Wait, that can't be it. Outside, this place looked way bigger."
"Well, we are separated into grades and groups, so it's basically the same for every other person—at least based on architecture."
"Hmm, that makes sense considering the scale of a county-wide mandatory academy. Thanks for the tour. Where do I go now?"
"Wherever you want. The academy doesn't start for another two days. I recommend you check into your new dorm and watch some duels in the stadium."
"Duels?"
"Yes, it's one of the easiest ways to resolve arguments. The duel schedule is outlined on the notice board along with exam grades."
"Okay, guess I'll check it out. You're a student here, right?"
"Yes, I am in Class A, along with you. I was already notified of your situation. Before, you were all serious and acting, but now you seem way more genuine."
I paused, trying to think of a decent response, but before I could say anything, she started walking away.
"See ya."
"Bye," I said half-heartedly.