The Gates of Aurumblade Academy
The Crowd in the Academy Courtyard
The courtyard of Aurumblade Academy was filled with a sea of people, the air buzzing with the chatter and footsteps of the crowd. Satya stood amidst them, clutching the tie of his tunic, his eyes wide as he took in the hundreds of applicants of various ages—teenagers, adults, even some men and women in their thirties with faces etched with experience. The grand gates of the academy loomed ahead, its emblem of a golden sword gleaming under the sunlight, as if challenging each person to prove themselves.
Satya felt small amidst the crowd, his heart pounding. He thought of Leon, Alicia, and his family, trying to calm himself. I can do this, he murmured inwardly, though doubt still lingered.
Suddenly, someone shoved his shoulder roughly. Satya turned to find a man around 20 years old, his muscular body marked with scars on his arms, looking at him with a disdainful expression. "Hey, kid," the man said, his voice dripping with mockery. "This isn't a place to play around. Go back to your mommy before you get hurt."
Satya looked at the man, his face heating up, but he held back. He remembered Leon's advice not to be provoked. "I'm here for the exam, just like you," he said calmly, then turned away, trying to ignore him.
But the man didn't stop. "A village brat like you won't last a day in the academy!" he said louder, drawing the attention of several nearby applicants. Satya clenched his fists but remained silent, focusing on the academy gates in the distance.
Before the man could continue, a firm voice cut in. "Enough. Be quiet and leave." A boy around 16 years old stepped forward, his posture slim but confident, his brown hair slightly tousled. His eyes were sharp, and there was a calm aura about him that made the muscular man fall silent. Without another word, the man grunted and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
The boy turned to Satya, smiling warmly. "Don't mind people like that. They're all talk." He extended his hand. "I'm Cassian. Who are you?"
Satya looked at him, feeling relieved and impressed. He accepted the handshake, his hand small compared to Cassian's. "I'm Satya," he said, his voice slightly hesitant. "Thanks for earlier."
Cassian nodded, his eyes quickly assessing Satya. "How old are you, Satya? You look... young."
"Twelve," Satya replied, puffing out his chest slightly.
Cassian chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Twelve? You're brave to apply. I'm sixteen—four years older. Hope we can be friends moving forward, that is if you pass." His tone was teasing, but there was warmth in it.
Satya smiled, feeling his spirits lift. "You too, Cassian. Hope you pass," he replied, trying to mimic the teasing tone.
Cassian laughed, patting Satya's shoulder. "I like your spirit. Come on, let's find a spot closer to the stage. Looks like the exam's about to start."
**Opening Speech and Cassian's Explanation**
They walked together toward the center of the courtyard, where a large wooden stage had been set up. Soon, a woman in a golden robe stepped onto the stage, her hair neatly tied, her face exuding authority. The crowd immediately fell silent, all eyes on her.
"Welcome to Aurumblade Academy, future of the Kingdom of Asran!" she said, her voice resonating with a power that gave Satya goosebumps. "This year, we have many applicants, but the academy will only accept the top 300 each year. If you succeed, it will determine your future career—whether you become a knight, a commander, or even a Holy Knight!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd, and Satya felt his heart beat faster. But something puzzled him. He turned to Cassian, whispering, "Doesn't graduating from the academy mean you become a Holy Knight?"
Cassian looked at him with a mix of surprise and amusement. "You applied without knowing anything, huh?" he said, chuckling softly. "Listen, let me explain."
As the woman on stage continued her speech, Cassian explained in a low voice. "In Asran, there's a royal army system. At the bottom are regular soldiers—you don't need the academy to become one, just enlist at the barracks. Then there's the camp commander, who leads about 10 soldiers, usually experienced ones. Above that, battalion commanders, who manage hundreds. They usually have years of experience."
Satya nodded, trying to absorb the information. "Then knights?"
"That's the next level," Cassian continued. "You can become a knight from a regular soldier with extraordinary experience, but academy graduates have an advantage. Aurumblade Academy is considered to train soldiers with more valuable experience and education. But you know what? The academy only graduates about 20 people a year to become knights directly. The rest become commanders or elite soldiers."
Satya frowned, feeling his world expand. "Then... Holy Knights?"
Cassian gave a small smile. "That's the pinnacle. Holy Knights are those with great achievements and extraordinary power. It's not just about graduating from the academy—you have to prove yourself on the battlefield, gain royal recognition, and sometimes have rare magical talent. Oh, and Asran has a star system for soldiers. From one to five stars. If you reach five stars as a knight, you might be considered for Holy Knight."
Satya looked at Cassian, his eyes wide. That information made his dream feel further away, but also more tangible. "So... I have to graduate from the academy first, then become a knight, then a Holy Knight?"
Cassian nodded, patting Satya's shoulder. "Exactly. But don't worry, kid. The first step is passing this exam. If you have the spirit, you can get there."
Satya felt his chest swell, his spirit burning despite a hint of fear. He thought of Leon, who had staked his name, and Alicia, who had threatened to "kill him" if he failed. "I will pass," he whispered to himself, clenching his fist.
The woman on stage concluded her speech with a spirited voice. "Now, let's begin the exam!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, and Satya felt his blood flow faster. He turned to Cassian, who gave him an encouraging nod. Along with hundreds of other applicants, they prepared to face the first exam of Aurumblade Academy, the initial step toward a future as soldiers—and, for Satya, the path to becoming a Holy Knight.