Chapter 141: Calls to War
The metallic scent of burnt runes still tickled his nose when William entered his room. Checking his collar, he saw a message from Lia that read: "Don’t be late, it’s almost time. Don’t forget to bring the provisions we prepared; who knows, maybe it’ll be a nice picnic."
"Two days...?" William murmured, smiling as he realized his advancement had devoured the entire weekend, but happy as always to have someone who cared about him.
Without wasting a second, he stepped into the shower, let the icy water clear his mind, and, with distrust already gnawing at his chest, threw almost all his belongings into his storage bag: two changes of uniform, silk bandages, coagulating powder, mana reserve amulets, and the dry rations he had been accumulating for months. As he closed the bag, he felt that something was very wrong; no matter how much he tried not to think about it, his heart screamed at him to run.
In the central plaza, everything buzzed like a beehive. Upon arriving, William spotted Lia—isolated as always, sitting on the marble railing with her legs dangling. The murmuring ceased as he walked through the crowd: the apprentices parted, forming a silent path that led directly to his side. Many avoided looking at him; others did so with a mix of fear and admiration. The nickname "Demon of Black Rock" hovered over their heads like an omen. You could hate him, but you couldn’t say he was a weakling. Those who weren’t of noble birth, both older and younger years, looked at him like a hero; he was the only one who hadn’t bent to the nobles and still remained undefeated. Despite this, no one dared approach him, as neither they nor their families could bear the repercussions from those damned nobles.
As he walked towards Lia, he caught sight of the veteran students: the third-years (his new echelon) and, among them, the fifth-years—the final year. Nere was there, her gray hair pulled back in a tight braid; to her right, Dixon and the rest of his old companions from the lost continent who arrived on the Legacy: all of them had broader shoulders, arms full of scars, even their faces showed more scars than healthy skin, and those eyes that had already seen death. Dixon raised his chin in a calm gesture: "We’re fine, don’t do anything stupid."
William responded with a half-smile, though tension still ran down his neck.
A few minutes later, Agis climbed onto the black stone platform that dominated the plaza. His voice, amplified by a sonic seal, boomed among the columns.
"Welcome, students. Today is a unique day for the Academy and for the entire Bloody Claw Alliance. As the governing power of the eastern seas, we have protected this area from all outsiders who have tried to invade us and take our things by force.
Unfortunately, a few months ago, we were attacked by the neighboring Spear of Light Coalition, white mages who consider us heretics. Our border posts are under constant siege, as their large numerical majority allows them to maintain the attack despite their casualties.