Chapter 33: The War of a Thousand Kings
One week after the rankings were finalized, the academy has declared the format of the second phase of the Trial: The War of a Thousand Kings.
This phase takes place on a war-torn continent, where every cadet who survived the first phase was now thrown into something far worse. The top 1,000 were assigned as kings, each commanding their own army of cadets. And for the next thirty days, it would be total war.
The objective was simple: capture at least one enemy castle or be eliminated. Those who lost their own strongholds are eliminated.
The massive continent divided into 1,000 regions, with each king was locked into battle with three other kingdoms, ensuring a constant state of war.
Each kingdom had its own unique terrain. Some were built into mountains, nearly impossible to siege. Others controlled sprawling grasslands, perfect for open-field warfare. Some were deep within forests, forcing invaders into tight, ambush-heavy pathways.
The armies weren't chosen—they were assigned.
Every cadet who survived Phase One but didn't make the top 1,000 was now randomly distributed among the kings. Some kings were lucky, getting elite warriors. Others were stuck with reckless brutes or terrified recruits.
Orion's army was a mixed bag. He skimmed through their files as names and ranks appeared on his holo-display. Some had raw talent but lacked experience. Others had grit but no discipline. He even recognized a few names from the top 1,000 he had memorized who had barely missed the cutoff.
"Randomized, huh?" Orion murmured, tapping through the list. "That would be full of surprises."
Each Kingdom was pitted against three specific enemies, their matchups pre-determined by the academy. This ensured that the war remained a brutal, ongoing struggle where every cadet had to fight, adapt, or collapse under pressure.
The academy had enforced territorial locks—alliances beyond the assigned enemies were impossible. This meant no vast coalitions, no kingdoms banding together. Every faction had to stand on its own.