Will of the Battlefield

Day came and ended, with a new sun starting to shine over the academy.

Students hurried between lecture halls, instructors barked orders across training grounds, and the steady rhythm of wooden weapons striking one another echoed through the valley.

Yet before the sun had risen, another matter had already begun.

An hour after Garret submitted his report, a messenger hurried through the upper halls of Blue Leaf Academy.

He reached the tallest tower, where the office of Principal Athenok overlooked the entire campus.

The old principal stood beside an open window, his blue robes stirred by the cool mountain wind as he quietly read reports regarding the incoming first-year students.

A knock came. "Principal, may I come in?"

"Enter," Athenok permitted.

The messenger stepped inside and bowed. "The weapon instructors have submitted an unusual request."

Athenok accepted the parchment. His calm eyes slowly traveled down its contents.

At first, there was nothing unusual.

Thane’s rapid progress with dual axes. His absurd physical talent.

Garret’s recommendation that he receive additional training.

Then, one sentence caused his brows to rise.

"Candidate Thane Ironforge wishes to study martial arts under an outsider known as Hawk. He claims Hawk surpasses every instructor present."

"...Hawk?" he quietly repeated the name.

He walked back toward his desk and slowly lowered himself into his chair.

There were few names that reached even the ears of academy principals.

Hawk was one of them. Not because of rank, nor title.

But because of a single battle two weeks ago.

The duel between Hawk and the infamous Vidu had swept across the continent like wildfire.

The reports had spoken of impossible things. A towering Bearman and a Cursed Beast.

A duel that had shattered stone arenas and forced Reginald to intervene.

The victor of that monster duel was Hawk.

Though even the reports could not fully agree on what had truly happened.

Athenok folded his hands. "So... it’s that Hawk."

He looked toward the messenger.

"Bring Thane Ironforge. And..."

He paused. "Send another messenger to Maximilian Goldcaster."

Several minutes later...

Thane entered the office. The giant looked around curiously. "So many books..."

Athenok smiled faintly. "Sit."

Thane obeyed. Almost immediately, another knock echoed.

"Come."

The door opened again.

Maximilian Goldcaster entered wearing his academy uniform, carrying the same composed expression as always.

Only then did Thane realize Max had also been summoned. "...Max? You too?"

Max shrugged. "I suppose."

Athenok allowed silence to settle before speaking. "Both of you... tell me about Hawk."

Thane’s face immediately brightened. "Hawk is awesome! He punches really hard! He is made of diamond, too!"

Max sighed.

Athenok cleared his throat and turned toward Max. "You know this man personally?"

Max nodded. "He serves House Goldcaster."

"Officially?"

"He is my personal guard and also looks after my business as a manager."

Athenok leaned back. "You have your own business at that age, as expected of a Goldcaster. And... he is your guard and manager. Interesting."

A merchant house possessing someone capable of defeating Vidu. That alone said much about the Goldcasters.

He tapped his desk lightly. "I wish to invite him."

Neither boy spoke.

"As an honorary instructor."

Silence befell the room.

Max lowered his eyes. "Hawk has free will. I cannot order him."

"I know," Athenok smiled. "I ask only that you deliver the invitation."

Max read the invitation and learned of the context. He thought for several moments. If Hawk accepted, Thane would benefit; that alone made the decision easier.

Finally, he nodded. "I shall ask him. Whether he comes depends entirely upon him."

Athenok inclined his head. "That is sufficient."

Night settled over the capital. Lanterns glowed throughout the academy.

Students filled dormitories with laughter and arguments.

Letters were written, lessons reviewed, and dreams were dreamed.

Far away, a lone rider traveled beneath the moon.

No escort, no banner, nor any majestic carriage. Only a white horse.

Upon it rode a man with short white hair. His coat fluttered softly behind him. One side of his face bore old scars. His eyes were calm and quiet.

The next morning came. The academy resumed its rhythm.

History. Economics. Military logistics and weapons. Everything proceeded as usual.

Until a guard hurried into the training grounds. "My Lord Principal, he has arrived."

Word spread faster than wildfire. Someone important had entered Blue Leaf Academy.

Everyone looked. The man walked without hurry, without pride or fear.

His expression remained perfectly calm despite hundreds of eyes following him.

Garret folded his arms. "So... that’s Hawk."

Beside him, several martial arts instructors studied the newcomer.

"He doesn’t look extraordinary."

"Neither does our principal," Garret responded.

"Haha, true."

Thane spotted him first; his entire face lit up. "HAWK!"

The shout echoed across the courtyard, and students flinched.

The white-haired man stopped walking. His eyes found Thane for the briefest instant.

A small smile appeared, and he approached.

When he stood before the giant, something happened that nobody expected.

Hawk bowed, not deeply but respectfully. "Master Thane."

The courtyard became utterly silent; even Garret blinked.

Thane laughed loudly. "Haha! I told you he’d come!"

He scratched his head awkwardly. "Hawk, you don’t have to call me Master anymore. You’ll be my master now. You’ve gotta teach me fighting."

Hawk remained bowed for another heartbeat. "It would be my honor."

No hesitation or embarrassment, only sincerity.

Garret exchanged looks with several instructors.

One whispered, "...Did he just call a first-year master?"

Another answered quietly, "There must be a reason."

Max walked over calmly. "Hawk."

The white-haired warrior inclined his head. "Master Maximilian."

"No need. We’re at the academy."

"As you wish."

Garret finally stepped forward. "Hello, I’m Garret. Weapon instructor."

Hawk offered a handshake. "An honor."

Garret accepted it.

The grip was firm, controlled, and powerful.

Neither man attempted to overpower the other.

Yet Garret immediately understood. Hawk was strong, very strong.

Not overly muscular, but dangerous.

Several martial instructors gathered behind Garret.

Most remained curious. However, one was not.

An elderly master with braided grey hair stepped forward.

Master Oren.

The oldest hand-to-hand instructor within Blue Leaf Academy.

He had spent over forty years teaching battlefield grappling and close combat.

His eyes rested upon Hawk. He calmly judged and measured Hawk.

"You are Hawk."

"I am."

"They claim you surpass every instructor here."

Hawk shook his head. "I claimed no such thing."

"They did." His gaze shifted briefly toward Thane.

The giant immediately looked away and pretended to inspect a nearby flower.

Max quietly observed the scene; he believed those words of Thane’s.

Master Oren smiled faintly. "Good. You possess humility."

"But Blue Leaf Academy cannot appoint honorary instructors merely because of reputation."

He stepped into the center of the practice ring.

His old bones cracked softly as he loosened his shoulders. "Allow this old man one request."

Hawk looked toward Max, then toward Thane. Neither spoke, and both simply nodded.

The white-haired manager returned his attention to Oren. "If that is your wish..."

He removed his coat and folded it carefully. Then, he untucked the white shirt from his pants and said, "I accept."

The training grounds fell silent, and students abandoned classes.

Even professors wandered closer.

Garret leaned against a wall with growing interest.

Athenok himself appeared upon the balcony overlooking the courtyard.

No one spoke, and no one laughed. The air itself seemed to tighten.

Blue Leaf Academy was about to witness something none of its people had expected.

Not a lesson or a lecture. But a duel between one of its oldest masters and the man whose name had become a legend after bringing down the Cursed Beast.