The Triven Kingdom nestled between the Palia and the Asthana, is one of the most powerful countries among the five kingdoms in the continent. Its economy is majorly dependent on natural resources such as gold, coal, iron, and aluminum. It is a landlocked continent surrounded by powerful nations. The country has earned significant riches by trading its materials. However, those riches only went into the pockets of nobles while citizens were plagued with diseases, poverty, and inflation. Most of the citizens worked as a mercenary, those who were not able to make it as a soldier or mercenaries, had developed disdain towards the regime of the Triven Kingdom. Likewise, multiple innocent citizens had joined the Revolutionary Army. These revolutionaries waged a solemn war against the kingdom's forces, attacking for weapons and supplies, their cause stoked by desperation and distrust towards royals.
Inside an opulent throne room of Triven Palace, golden chairs are placed below the throne. Large pillars supporting the throne room look intimidating. A big crystal chandelier makes the room bright and beautiful. King along with his minister is sitting in the room.
King Bayezid says with a heavy voice, "What is today's agenda?"
Minister Tafawa hastily answers, "My Highness, vital information from our espionage of Palia Kingdom has been stolen."
King, "If the contents are important then send a team to procure the traitor."
Minister, "Sir, If I am not overstepping my boundaries, I would like to request Baron Jareth to track the traitor and recover the information."
King Bayezid looks towards Tafawa, "Are you sure, if you require of him, then he shall pursue the traitor."
Tafawa while bowing, "Thank you, your highness, I will take my leave now."
King intently looked at the map in melancholy. He had become the puppet of power from ministers and courtesans. The ministers and courtesans mostly held the power in the kingdom due to them amassing wealth by mining.
Despite King's intention to do good things for citizens, he was not able to act because of the greed of ministers. Therefore, the King was secretly supporting the revolutionaries to throw out the corrupt nobility in order to achieve full power.
In a dimly lit tavern surrounded by soldiers, an individual is throwing a knife at a terrified man. The man has two apples in his hand and one in his head. He is littered with wounds from a short knife. The person throwing the knife is Jareth. He is an agent of chaos, he likes to show fear and terror in the eyes of helpless people. One of the soldiers of Jareth scuffled with the man. Jareth took the opportunity to amuse himself.
While he is entertaining himself, a knight enters the tavern and approaches Jareth.
Knight who is witnessing the trouble of the man conceals his hate "Baron Jareth, a letter for you."
Jareth puts down his knife and reads a letter, "So, they sent me to chase the traitor. How pleasing "
Witnessing the disdain in the face of Knight Jareth smirks, "You don't approve of my entertainment, do you? Let me give you a taste, pick up the knife, and practice the target."
Knight who shows hesitance is unable to disobey the order of Baron. He throws the knife which directly hits the apple that was in the man's head.
"Chu! Chu! Chu! you missed the point, I am not aiming for the apples, I was testing his ability to hold the apples while I threw knives at him."
Knight had heard that Jareth was a sadist, pillager, and criminal royal but he did not know that he would openly forsake his reputation and show his cruelty.
After seeing the knight dazed and frozen.
Jareth thought of moving to another conquest "Chik! you ruined the fun for everybody, boys let's prepare for a trip. We will be on the hunt for the traitor."
Jareth then throws a dragger aiming at the man's heart.
*********************
Faneel and Mitta are at the dining mess for breakfast. They are conversing in the clatter of utensils and chatter of boys.
"You will- be ah initiated next by Thrall clan, it will be good for you, they will have your back if other clans attack you."
Faneel questions, "I don't know anything about the clans, what do I have to do for them."
"You don't have to do anything, the clans are similar to the Kingdom model of military power, Palia kingdom has different factions and it would be easier for you to join the faction after graduating.
Of course, joining the factions is your choice, but you will have the opportunity to grow faster and achieve better resources if you stick with the clan that you graduated with."
Faneel who is still unclear about the politics of the clans, puts down his spoon and asks, "Why do I have to join the clan or pursue my career in the Palia military, don't I have the freedom to work with other nations' military."
Mitta who is still eating stops, "It would be easier for you to build a career with a base provided by Thrall clan if you are not royalty. It helps to climb ranks faster."
Faneel, "But, won't I always be under someone's thumb."
Mitta, "What choice will you have, you will be always someone's thumb if you pursue a career in the military."
Faneel went into a deep thought, he seemed to understand that Sinki was like a farm for militants but there was an opportunity to covet a higher position if he remained in the Thrall clan.
However, he was still unsettled by the things, putting those thoughts in the back of his mind. Faneel focused on the toast and milk in front of him.
***************
In a dark room, it was a council of the Thrall clan, where various leaders of Thrall clans were present, representing each grade from IV to X standard.
A voice speaks in the dark,
"I thought all the newbies were already inducted."
Another voice answers, "No, there is intake of new fish that have joined Sinki three days earlier."
A face comes to light, and a bear with a large sword wound from forehead to eye speaks "Who do we have then?"
A man in brown hair answers, "We have a wolf from Belliege tribe. Faneel Khast, recently initiated in the school of mage."
Bear with scar, "I thought all the wolves from the Belliege tribe were killed, and how come a warrior tribe has a mage."
The man with brown hair adds, "Alder sama, he is a rare blood, who defeated fourth grade's number 10th enforcer with only martial arts."
Alder after taking a pause, "Then let's hold the initiation ceremony two days from now."
*****************
Arva who had just finished her breakfast was returning to the dressing room to change for class and was blocked by a bunch of girls.
Among them was a cat girl with white fur; putting a hand in front of Arva she said, "Heard, you have an air of superiority around you, be careful you don't have nine lives."
Arva pushing the hand of the cat girl says, "I don't need nine lives to take care of the lot of you."
Cat girl while growling, "Come into the courtyard now, we will decide then and there."
Arva was sure, that she had to tackle someone, as she was refusing the proposal to join the clans. But, the cat girl was not alone, she had an entourage around her.
After coming to the courtyard Arva comments, "Will I be fighting you alone, or your feline family will attack me as well."
She adds sarcasm, as she was to be attacked by 4-5 feline interbeings. However, they were warriors, so she could fend them off if she did not run out of mana. It was a matter of endurance.
Before Arva could react, the cat girl came in front of her, "I heard mages are slow; you will die girl if you cannot react."
As the cat girl says those words, she kicks Arva. She is pushed into the wall by the force of a kick.
Blood is dripping from her head. Arva laughs as other rushes to attack her. She immediately casts fire magic and fends off the attack.
Arva starts to prepare, she casts a huge ray of fire that shoots as fast as a bullet. She targets the warrior's channels but they block the attack with their weapon.
Arva seems to be pushed into a corner, but a huge explosion takes place rendering the cat girl unconscious. Arva smirks while others are distracted, she throws a flurry of bullet fire rays, that attack the rest of the warriors.
Arva's power had neutralized the threat. She recalls before the cat girl was calling out to her to the courtyard, she had already placed a spell of delayed explosion.
Arva was a magician and she recently unlocked her 2nd channel. So, the 1st channel girls were no match for her.
************
Pikey who was training in the courtyard, is approached by a warrior, "Heard you lost to a fish, I don't think you are capable of carrying the title of vice-captain for our section."
Pikey puts down his axe and channels his aura.
He smiles, "Ye' read me mind, Y' know I'm always gearing for a fight, let me prove you wrong."