Faneel's day was getting worse. He did not expect things to turn out as they were now. One moment, he was admiring the nobility of the school, the next, he was feeling a searing pain in his back. He turned around and saw a long-nosed woman with a strong gaze standing behind him, holding a bloodied knife.
Faneel was too stunned to utter a word. Just a few moments ago, he was lounging in the excitement of his new life. He had met a kind, dreamy elf girl named Arva, and his hopes were optimistic for the future. He imagined honing his skills in magic and following in his father's footsteps to lead a respectable life. But now, as the adrenaline was wearing out, he was feeling the pain in his body. For him, those dreams felt distant and daint.
The old woman quickly applied a strange ointment to his wound, stopping the bleeding almost instantly and reliving his pain. "Well? Line up, boy! What are you gawking at?" she voiced her command with a strong sense of purpose.
Faneel gathered himself to line up, his mind pacing. Why was I attacked? Who would do this? Is this normal here? His thoughts ceased when a human boy with messy blond hair and a mischievous smile spoke.
"Don't you know about the Ten Commandments of Sinki?" the boy asked, his attitude half-amused and half-empathetic.
Faneel was shocked and still dazed. "What Commandments? I just got here."
The boy smirked. "Well, you're a fish, aren't you?"
"A...fish?" Faneel questioned, confused
"Yeah, a newbie. A fish in a pool of sharks. You might have been strong in the latter half of your life but this is a big world," the boy clarified. "Name's Mitta Bach, and you?"
Faneel hesitated. "I'm Faneel. I am a militant's son but he is retired now."
Mitta's smirk intensified. "Ah, so you're a civilian now. No power, no protection. The Ghosters will have a field day with you."
Faneel calmly interrupted, "Wait a sec, what is all this, What are Ghosters? Commandments, and why was I attacked? It has not been more than a couple of hours since I arrived at school, what is going on?"
Mitta laughed. "Relax, I'll explain everything first let's get past this assembly. I will be your guide from now on- consider me your new best mate."
Faneel raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "Best mate? We just met, and I just got stabbed. How can I trust you."
Mitta shrugged. "Call it fate. You stood next to me in line, I went through something similar in the past. My gut tells me I can trust you and we will achieve big things together."
Faneel dazed was surrounded by his own thoughts. A loud sound rang again. Mrs. Dahlia, the housemaster, stood at the front of the assembly, her golden eyes looking into the crowd. "Silence!" she addressed, her voice echoing throughout the lineup."
"Let us welcome the new entrants of Sinki Embarque School," she began, her tone both majestic and intimidating. "This institution carries the proud legacy of the Palia nation, built by Emperor Rox to nurture the talents of all beings, regardless of caste, creed, or origin throughout the continent. For 23 years, we have produced the finest mages, warriors, and knights on the continent. You are now part of the prideful legacy. Stand up to it."
She paused, her sharp glare looking into the lineup. "Tomorrow, you will be sorted into your respective departments based on your affinities. Until then, remember this: We are Sinki, and Sinki is one."
The crowd echoed her words, but Faneel felt anything but united. As the assembly dispersed, he caught Mitta. "Now spill the tea, what are commandments and Ghosters, what were talking about?"
Mitta continues, "Okay! listen carefully. The Ten Commandments are the unspoken rules of Sinki. They're not official, but breaking them can cost you.
Commandments are a way to get stronger or thinning out the competition. It makes or breaks the person that ultimately leads you to become a top contender in this school.
1st commandment- Fight only during daylight: As a newbie, you have to fight and make a name for yourself. So the fight takes place during the daylight.
2nd commandment- Attack new students until initiation: New enrolls are reminded that this is not the soft place. The same thing happened to you, so new students are attacked.
3rd commandment- Develop a vestige skill before ranking: Rankings are the official classification of strong and weak. Before participating in those ranking games, you should have your own vestige skill otherwise, you will get killed.
4th Commandment- Climb ranks by dominating your class: If you want to climb rank and make a name for yourself then you have to beat the top contenders of your class.
5th Commandment- Prove your worth by catching a bounty: Catching a bounty either criminal or militant bounty will bring prestige for you to catch up to the rest of the commandments.
The remaining commandments will make sense once you've accomplished those five. For now, you should focus on surviving the initiation.
Faneel was perplexed. "This is insane. I didn't sign up for this."
Mitta dashed his shoulder. "Welcome to Sinki, mate. It's not a school- It's a combat zone, a person with a half-heart won't survive.
Faneel in a serious tone." How can I trust you in a place like this?"
Mitta speaks with determination." Once I am committed, I stay committed, I will be by your side until you betray me because betrayal won't come from my end. And if you betray me then I will be your worst enemy."
Faneel understands the gravity of the situation. He knows that he needs an ally in this place. And Mitta has not given him any reason to doubt.
Mitta cleans the blood from the knife, he looks at the insignia carefully.
"You were attacked by the Minsk clan, it seems that they are targeting you to be in their faction.
Remember, the commandments, you will be attacked until the initiation. If you don't have the backing of your clan. Then you have to become a vassal of others. Being a vassal means serving others. The ghosters are the lowest of the vassals that recently attacked you.
Being your mate, I will help you out; you can join my clan."
Faneel still doesn't get why Mitta is being warm, in such an untrustful place.
He asks, "Why are you helping me out."
Mitta says, "Once in a while, I like to roll a die, and I thought to myself, I decided that I will help the person that stands by my side in the lineup."
"If you can't take my words then think of it as, One good deed a day."