Will of the Battlefield

Afternoon came, like a breeze. Time passed along with the wind.

Everyone enjoyed the food, thus, it was erased from the blanket rapidly.

The friendly atmosphere, laughter... Such occasions were rare for the older principals to enjoy a moment without formalities.

Thomas didn’t hold back either. He took out a generous amount of century-aged wine for the old folks. Sendor Ironforge gave them company as one of the same generation.

The old Ironforge didn’t disappoint. He happened to be exceptionally tolerant to alcohol.

The tension that had nearly shattered the hall until only recently suddenly seemed to be an old bad joke.

Sky and Rimon still looked dazed. Every few moments, the pair would exchange glances as though to confirm they had not fallen asleep and wandered into some impossible dream.

Accepted into Blue Leaf Academy. One of the ten greatest academies in Bentram.

Neither had expected it. They had not even dared dream of it.

Rimon especially looked as though he might burst into tears at any moment.

Thane noticed. "Why do you keep looking like someone stole your horse?"

Rimon blinked. "I didn’t get to have my own horse yet."

Thane leaned closer. "Then why do you look sad?"

"I’m not sad."

"You look sad. There are tears."

"I am happy!"

"But you don’t look happy. You are ruining our good mood."

Sky sighed. "He means he’s overwhelmed, you giant ox." She stretched out both hands. "Ever heard of the thing called tears of joy?"

"Oh." Thane’s eyes flashed at the sudden realization. He nodded before his gaze went back to Rimon. "Then say that."

Rimon opened his mouth. A chuckle slipped out.

A real laugh, the kind born from relief. "Thank you, Thane."

The giant looked confused. "For what?"

"For being stubborn," Rimon replied.

Thane scratched his cheek. "When did I become stubborn?"

Everyone around the blanket...

Silence stretched for a little longer than it should.

Bfft~

Suddenly everyone burst into laughter, including the stern Athenok.

"Gods preserve this boy," Zoases muttered into his wine.

As the laughter died down, another figure slowly approached from the edge of the courtyard.

He was thin and very nervous. He was poorly dressed.

His steps faltered every few moments. Several times he almost turned back.

Conor noticed him first. "Who’s that?" he asked, attracting the attention of everyone to the approaching person.

The group turned. The young man immediately froze.

He looked as though he’d just been spotted by a dragon.

His hands trembled. His throat bobbed.

Thane narrowed his eyes. Then his face brightened. "Weak boy!"

The giant shot to his feet so suddenly that the youth nearly fled.

"Weak boy! Is that you?"

The young man swallowed. "Y-yes."

"Come here!" he hurriedly called.

He approached as though walking toward his execution.

His eyes occasionally drifted toward Count Thomas.

Then toward Athenok and then toward Zoases.

Then immediately toward the ground. "I... I came to congratulate you."

Thane grinned. "Sit." He palm-smashed the ground next to him twice.

Simon looked horrified. "I-I cannot sit there."

"Huh, why is that?"

Simon looked around frantically. "Because..."

Because sitting beside counts and academy principals felt absurd, though he still didn’t speak out his thought.

Thane did not understand the problem. "Just sit."

Simon reluctantly obeyed. Athenok studied him, his gray brows furrowed.

"Weak boy..."

He looked toward Thane. "The same weak boy you mentioned?"

Thane nodded enthusiastically. "The one who told me about aspirant tests."

Recognition flashed through Athenok’s eyes.

"The weak boy named Simon, you mentioned at the Yearly Aspirant Finals?"

Thane nodded again.

"Yes, Simon. That was his name."

Simon looked mortified. "You called me weak?"

"Well..." Thane shrugged. "You are."

Max hid a smile.

Conor looked away.

Sky pinched the bridge of her nose. For the hundredth time now, her skin felt like it was cracking.

Simon looked ready to die.

Thomas laughed thunderously. "At least the boy is honest."

Max recognized Simon as well. "You participated in the strategic examinations."

Simon looked surprised. "You remember?"

"You ranked highly," Max replied.

Simon blinked. "You know my rank?"

Max nodded. "You finished within the top hundred."

Simon looked genuinely touched. Nobody had ever remembered his accomplishments before. He was a lowborn.

Athenok leaned forward. "I do not currently possess the files. What was your final ranking?"

Simon straightened slightly. "Seventy-sixth overall, Principal."

Zoases raised an eyebrow. "Impressive."

Simon lowered his head. "I merely did my best."

Athenok nodded approvingly. Then he asked casually, "And are you Thane’s friend?"

Simon hesitated. His eyes shifted toward Thane.

Truthfully, they were barely acquaintances. Previously, Thane said he was not a friend.

Thane and he met when they both were travelling toward the capital.

He spoke with him and told him a few things about the capital and his reason for coming. Unlike Thane, he was here for the Aspirant Test. Nothing more.

Before Simon could answer, Thane affirmed, "Yes."

Thane answered immediately. "He’s my friend."

Simon stared. Athenok gave a smile. "Excellent." His eyes flashed.

The principal raised his hand. "Then Blue Leaf Academy shall also accept Simon."

Simon blinked in disbelief before he stuttered. "Wh-what?"

"You are accepted," Athenok spoke as though discussing the weather. "You possess talent. Your scores justify admission."

The old principal smiled. "And any friend of Thane’s is welcome."

Simon’s lips moved, but no words emerged. His face turned pale, then slowly became red.

Then white again, and with astonishing grace, he collapsed sideways onto the grass. Unconscious.

Thomas burst into roaring laughter. Zoases flinched from the loud laughter and nearly spat out his drink.

Thane looked deeply concerned and asked with a frown. "Did he die?"

"No," Max sighed. "He fainted."

"Oh."

Thane poked Simon. "Wake up."

Max stopped him. "He needs a moment."

"Why?"

"Because his entire life changed."

Thane looked down. He pondered for a time before he spoke. "That happened to me too."

Nobody bothered responding.

Time passed for everyone; for some it was slow.

For others it was agony.

As days passed swiftly for Thane and everyone in his group, selection ceremonies ended.

New students prepared for departure. Families arrived, and goodbyes were spoken. And with those goodbyes, some promises were made.

Before anyone realized it, the week had nearly vanished.

Thane spent much of it with his companions: Maximilian Goldcaster, Conor Fury, Sky Ressler, Rimon Gill, and Simon.

The six rarely left one another’s side.

Even Eudora occasionally joined them. Mostly to insult Thane.

On the morning of departure, the academy gates bustled with activity.

Carriages lined the roads, servants hurried about, students embraced their families.

Many cried while others boasted loudly to hide their fear.

Near the northern gate stood the Ironforge carriage.

Thomas embraced his son. The count’s powerful arms nearly crushed him. "You’ve grown."

"You said that already," Thane said through squeezed breath.

"I know." Thomas released him.

Then his expression softened. A common sight. "Visit home soon. Your mum misses you."

Thane smiled. "I’ll come after studies."

"Good." Thomas nodded. "Or she’ll send your sister."

Thane visibly paled. Eudora smiled sweetly. "I volunteer."

Thane shook his head. "No, I’ll come."

"Wise answer." Thomas laughed.

The count then placed one massive hand upon Thane’s shoulder. "You carry our name."

His voice had lost all humor. "Do whatever you want. Take this chance to experience life."

Thane nodded. "I will."

"Good." Thomas smiled. "Live your life to the fullest."

The count embraced him once more, then he departed.

Only Sendor remained behind for a moment. The old butler placed a small pouch in Thane’s hand. "Your mother insisted."

"What is it?"

"Emergency food money."

Thane’s eyes widened. "Really?"

"Do not spend it all immediately."

"I won’t. Oh wait... I didn’t tell Father about the money I won. I am rich now."

Sendor laughed. "We all know about that. Who do you think your father is?"

Max quietly noticed that Sendor looked convinced.

The old giant smiled. "Take care, Thanny."

"You too, Gramps."

Then Sendor left.

And just like that, home disappeared down the road.

The journey to Blue Leaf Academy took several hours. It was right outside the capital; all Top Ten Academies surrounded the capital.

The students laughed and talked about their dreams.

None truly understood that these roads would separate them forever from childhood.

Nor did they understand that innocence, once lost, never returned.

Blue Leaf Academy awaited. Friendships, rivalries, love, glory, and power lay ahead.

So too did betrayal, blood, death, and horrors beyond mortal understanding.

Years later, when Thane Ironforge stood amidst a sea of corpses beneath a blackened sky, he would remember this journey.

He would remember laughter. Max complaining about the food. Conor speaking endlessly of swordsmanship. Sky scolding everyone. Rimon laughing at her teases. Simon nervously taking notes.

He would remember sunshine, peace, hope, and he would wonder when exactly had it all begun to die.

For now, however, none of them knew. They were merely youths, laughing and dreaming.

Riding toward the beginning of a story that would one day shake an entire continent.

The gates of Blue Leaf Academy slowly appeared upon the horizon.

And a new life began.