[Chapter 24 - Ordo Ab Chao : Out of Chaos Comes Order Pt.1]

Sitting on the edge of the bed I looked at the room around me. The off white walls were smoothed with a concrete like plaster and along the edges were wooden beams. Aside from that there was a bed, desk, bookshelf and other basics. The drawers and closest had already been filled with my clothes. I guess Louse had already been taken care of everything.

There were still a couple or so hours of daylight left, Lady Cere's tour wasn't really that per se. Rather we walked around as she told me about every species of plant in the manors garden. Afterwards she apologized for her exhaustion and excused her self, having a maid show me my room.

I feel as though I should probably talk to Louse but to be honest the last thing I want more of today is heavy moments. I think I've been tapped.

Thinking that I fell back into the bed and stared at the ceiling. 'Patron'

<"Hello"> a familiar voice spoke inside my head <"Is there anything I can assist with?">

'Yes.' I thought back 'I'm going to academy tomorrow but I'm not really sure what that entails or has to do with nobles like Louse said. I wasn't even aware of Fort Balor.'

<"Understood. I believe I can provide a general comprehension you will find adequate. After the unification of The Elven Kingdom and Tribes into The FSE, Fort Balor was constructed as the first point of unification and served as the FSE Capitol until Lindors construction.">

'I guess I just assumed Lindor was the High Elves' castle'

<"While Lindor was largely constructed in part for them, a majority of the original High Elf kingdom was lost, as were many of the Elven tribes. What remains in the Silver Continent today is approximately only ¼ of the original. tribes">

'What happened to the rest?'

<"Some fled the continent in hopes of new lives, others were lost as drows or annihilated entirely.">

'I see'

<"After Lindor's completion the more mundane rushed to the shining new city, leaving Balor left with a remainder of soldiers and Freelancers. Over time it grew to embody that, eventually constructing and opening the academy as its heart piece. Now Fort Balor operates as its own state-like entity. Serving as a base of operations and life for High level FSE officials, militia, and freelancers with a handful of mundane people operating shops ; they are usually retirees from the formers, their family, or craftsmen.">

'If their family can choose to live more normal lives how does the militia and Fort Balor grow?'

<"Many enlist into the FSE militia electively, in fact as you too saw there is a basic evaluation that must be passed in order to enlist, though during heavy times of combat it is often waved. The exception is nobility who are required to enlist. Should you have failed to show the use of skills you still would have been assigned an office like position. Because you are a noble you can automatically enroll to the academy, however high potential and/or proficiency also permits enrollment to non nobility. Other enlisters are automatically pushed to active duty.">

'Okay okay. That makes sense. What are these freelancers you mentioned?'

<"Following the construction of Balor and around the completion of Lindor contact was reestablished with some of the escaped tribes who sent envoys back to help others, though it was now unnecessary. They informed about nearby continents and kingdoms, other races, and the new settlements they established. Since The FSE was still a newer nation, it was difficult for them to be able to assign resources and focus to anything outside the Silver Continent between managing internal affairs and the mana zones . Thus freelancers were born. Warriors and Mages who either left militia or wanted another option. They would perform self led expeditions, escorts, and other similar tasks, often outside the continent, in hopes of gaining power, wealth and fame. The practice still continues with almost every nation and kingdom having their own variation.">

'So they are like adventurers?'

<"Correct">

'If that can still be such a large thing how much of this world is unexplored?!'

<"Estimated World exploration within current collective is 57%">

'Current collective?'

<"The immediate collection of kingdoms and nations including the FSE. Allow me to elaborate. This world is around 2.5 times bigger than your previous. However 30%-50% of the world can be a mana zone at any one time, meaning it is often not possible for mortal races to establish settlements. This also makes exploring uncharted areas very dangerous endeavors thus when new map is created the possibility of new civilizations is also quite high.">

I lay in silence after that thinking about what we just discussed. Eventually I noticed the sun had set and decided to turn in for the day.

I sat quietly in a larger office-like room. I had arrived at the academy and was instantly directed here. Across from me was a large man sorting through papers. He has introduced himself as Commander Kian, one of the current academy heads. After a few moments he tosses the pile of papers he was holding and began to speak in a sighed matter of fact tone after shaking his head slightly

"I meannn, technically I can't stop you from enrolling, but, let me level with you here. The term started 4 months ago, you grew up in mana country bum fuck nowhere so I'm guessing you don't even really know what's going on here"

Rude, but true I thought to myself as he continued on

"So you're already at a basic academic advantage. If you ask me you're better off declining academia and just directly entering into the militia as an officer since you're a noble."

"You can do that?"

"Guess I was right when I assumed you didn't know what was happening huh? Look, the choice is yours but unless you have some mega special memory or something to catch up on and memorize all the material you've missed thus far, I'd capitalize on that battle power you've got going there."

I didn't really know what to say. I didn't even know I had a choice before this and he's not exactly wrong. Plus if I've already managed this much with combat on my own… But On the other hand while I might not have some amazing memory, I do have Patron. He should be able to fill me in on things I don't know as I encounter them

<"Correct">

Still don't like that, but I guess it's decided.

"Thank you for the advice however I think I will move forward with my enrollment"

He leaned back into his chair and shrugged beginning a semi scripted monologue

"So be it. Fort Balor Academy is the military treasure of the Federation. From bows and arrows to magic skills that can wipe out a city, we cover all that shit and more and I assure you we can do it in ways you've never even heard of. A full Alumni completes 2 years of hybrid academia and combat classes with an additional 2 years of specialized training and 1 year of active combat while enrolled making up for the best 5 years of your damn life. After that you can do whatever, continue enrollment in the militia, go back to your nobility, become a freelancer, what have you. This academy only boasts the best so now that you've decided you better be taking it seriously."

He reached into his drawer ,pulled something out, then tossed it to me. It was a thin rectangular plate of silver, displaying an image of a sword with the crescent moon as its hilt.

"That's the seal of Balor. It shows your legitimacy as a student and grants you access to all the perks that come with that. Make sure not to lose it. Classes are 3 days a week standard Monday Wednesday Friday and will be a mix of practical and academic. Expect frequent additional days and nights, during which use of your assigned on premises housing. Pick up your materials on your way out and see you Monday." He waved his hand in a flicking motion signaling for me to leave.

I stood up and bowed "Thank you very much". He chuckled and I began to make my way out. I'm still not entirely sure what to expect but I'm beginning to feel excited about finding out. With the exception of a few bumps here and there things haven't been all too bad since leaving home.