74 Uniforms And Badges

The end of the Combat School trials signified the end of all trials in Royal Dream Higher Academy. In all, a total of 1200 new students were admitted into the academy. Of these students, the majority of them were admitted into the School of Beast Studies and School of Weapon Studies. Ironically, though the Combat School and Soul Recovery School usually had the highest number of applicants applying every year, they always had the least number of applicants qualifying to become students.

And this year was no different. Though about three thousand students applied for the Combat School, only twenty-four of them remained. Three hours after the second phase of their trials was over, the twenty-four applicants met back at the Combat School where a petite young woman wearing a violet and gold uniform was waiting. Many of them already knew this woman as the Captain of the Combat School although she had not officially introduced herself to them. The captain wordlessly led them into a room full of chairs.

Savyrran quietly observed the captain as soon as she sat down. Though the captain did not look it, Savyrran could tell that the young woman was rather strong. She had been told by Captain Jarjaha that all eleven captains of the academy were incredibly gifted in their various fields of study so it was safe to say the Captain Kakami was a very skilled fighter. She hoped to see the captain fight someday, or better still, she would love to fight the captain.

Savyrran was suddenly whisked out of her deep thoughts when the captain began addressing them.

"Congratulations on passing your trials. For the next five years, you will be going through rigorous training to unleash your highest potential. But first things first," she paused and then slowly gazed at the expectant faces of the younger people in the room. Four years ago, she had been in their shoes too, thus, she knew exactly how they were feeling. "Some of you may already know who I am. My name is Kakami Rendo, and I am the Captain of the Combat School.

"I am not going to say much right now since you shall be introduced to everything you need to know about the Combat School during your orientation tomorrow. For now, you will be given your uniforms and badges. A word of advice, have your badge on you at all times, especially when you go out of the academy. Now when I mention your name, come forward for your uniform and badge."

A slight look of surprise appeared on Savyrran's face. They had only finished the trials a few hours ago, and yet their uniforms and badges were ready.

Captain Kakami rubbed a black ring on her finger and then two boxes suddenly appeared right in front of her. The first box was a lot larger than the second. Kakami opened the smaller box and then took out a flat palm-sized rectangular plate with a purplish gleam.

The plate looked exactly like the purple badge on the captain's left chest and thus, Savyrran knew that this were the badges. As she had seen Captain Jarjaha's badge and now Captain Kakami's, Savyrran knew that a badge held the identity of a student.

Captain Kakami carefully read the inscription of the first badge and then called the name of one of the student. When the first student came forward, Kakami took out a neatly folded uniform sealed in a transparent rubber. Then she placed the badge on top of the uniform and then handed it to the student. The student carefully took his uniform like he had just being handed the most sacred of objects.

Thereafter, each student came forward one after the other to receive their uniforms and badges. In a short period of time, all twenty-four students had their uniforms and badges.

"Your badges have your names, school and halls written on them." Kakami explained. "Go to your new halls and look for the captains there. When you show them your badge, they will assign you a room number. Now for those of you who are in Haniki Hall, wait behind for me. The rest of you can go."

Savyrran read the writings on her badge. It had her name, her school and her hall of residence. Wait… Her hall of residence was Haniki Hall. The captain had asked those in Haniki Hall to wait behind. As Savyrran looked around her while the other students left the room one after the other, she wondered how many of them had been assigned to the same hall. She had hoped to be in the to be in the same hall as Ovandarrak, but it seemed that was not going to be the case. Well, it didn't matter anyway. She could always go to Yugaki Hall if she wanted to see her brother.

By the time everyone else was gone, only Savyrran and Captain Kakami were left behind in the room. Savyrran looked around her quickly wondering where the rest of the students in the same hall as her where. But there was no one else around. Did that mean that she was the only student in the Combat School assigned to Haniki Hall? That was surprising.

"You are the only one left, Savyrran Thark." Captain Kakami said as if reading Savyrran���s mind.

For a moment, Savyrran wondered how the captain knew her name, but then she remembered that the captain had seen her badge. Getting over her surprise, she quickly stored her uniforms and badge in her space ring.

Savyrran smiled and yet the seriousness on Captain Kakami's face remained unchanged. She could not help but notice how very different Captain Jarjaha was from Captain Kakami. While the former was jovial and always cheerful, the latter hadn't even cracked a single smile. Everything she said, she said with purpose, like she did not have the luxury of wasting words.

But no matter how much it seemed like the captain was glaring at Savyrran, Savyrran remained unperturbed, and she smiled even wider than before.

What is with her? Kakami thought. The way the girl was smiling like a damn fool, she wondered if her face did not hurt. "Follow me." She said to Savyrran and without any further words, they left the room together.

So this was the Savyrran she had heard so much about. If not for her strong looking arms which was proof that the girl was no stranger to harsh training, Kakami would not have believed that such an innocent and gentle looking person was that strong. The first time she heard about Savyrran, it was during the registration. At that time, one of the students registering the applicants reported to her that someone was claiming they had no essence or soul armos.

When she first heard this, she could not believe it, and thus, she reported it to Master Minchii. Eventually, Master Minchii confirmed that indeed Savyrran had no essence. When she heard that, Kakami was absolutely certain that there was no way the girl could pass the trials. And yet, it seemed she had been absolutely wrong. After all, the girl was right here with her. Moreover, Lady Ashesi had specifically chosen Savyrran to become a member of her hall.

"So where are we going?" Savyrran asked, breaking the silence. She had a feeling that if she did not ask, the captain would say nothing.

"To see your hall captain."

"Oh… I see. But you know I could have gone to see them myself like everyone else."

Kakami did not reply. She knew Savyrran was right. However, she knew the girl would not find Lady Ashesi without her help since the lady was nowhere near Haniki Hall. Besides, Lady Ashesi had asked her to do her this favour; bringing Savyrran to her.

Seeing that the captain was done talking, Savyrran smiled and then followed her quietly. Perhaps, the captain had her own reason for whatever she was doing. Thus, she decided to just do what had been asked of her. If she was being honest with herself, she was exhausted with how long the registration and trials had dragged on. She could not wait for actual classes to begin. Once she saw her hall captain and once her own room was assigned, she would feel a lot more at home in the academy.