Training or School

Garmond gazed at the imposing fortified walls of the Heather Kingdom, his heart pounding in his chest. The massive gate loomed ahead, steadfast and unyielding—one of the few things left unchanged in a world that had turned upside down.

As they approached the gates, the guards—eyes sharp and vigilant—parted to let them through, recognizing the weight of the figures in their midst. Darius led the group into the kingdom, where the streets buzzed with life. Vendors hawked their wares, and children darted through the throngs, their laughter mingling with the clatter of everyday life.

Yet as they moved deeper into the heart of the kingdom, the once-vibrant scene turned somber. Residents' expressions shifted from curiosity to pity, and Garmond felt the weight of their stares bearing down on him, as if they could sense the darkness that clung to his party.

"What the hell is with that look?" Nathan, the blonde among them, erupted, breaking the thick tension. His voice sliced through the air, full of frustration. "Why are they looking at us like we're some dead newborn chicks?"

The others fell silent, weariness palpable. They trudged forward, lost in their thoughts—some haunted by visions of loved ones left behind, others dreading the arduous training that awaited them.

Garmond fell into his own troubled reverie, replaying Ariana's words in his mind. The weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on his shoulders. 'How was he supposed to navigate this new journey?'

Devine's gentle voice broke through his thoughts. "Don't worry, Garmond. Trevor and I are with you. We wouldn't abandon you, okay?" She offered a warm smile, a flicker of hope amidst the looming shadows.

He turned to her, feeling the warmth of her presence. Her confidence brought him small comfort, but deep down, a gnawing fear persisted. He had always carried his burdens alone, convinced he had to tackle everything by himself. 'I don't need anyone's help. I'll fix this problem myself,' he thought resolutely.

With determination burning in his eyes, he straightened as their wagon came to an abrupt halt. Darius, riding with the poise of a seasoned warrior, approached with a serious expression. "It was your kill, Garmond, so I believe this belongs to you." He extended his hand, revealing a brightly glowing green crystal that pulsed with an energy resonating with Garmond's very soul.

Garmond stared at the crystal, bewildered. "What is this?" he murmured, not fully understanding Darius's intent.

"Idiot, what you hold is the magic core of the beast you killed," the familiar feminine voice rang in his mind again.

"Oh, you can still talk? I thought you went mute," Garmond replied with a teasing smirk, appreciating her presence despite the weight of the moment.

"I'm afraid I won't be escorting you beyond this point," Ariana's voice softened yet remained firm. "I've done my part. I believe you new recruits will prove resilient. I hope to see you on the front lines one day." Darius shot a glance at the girl he saved earlier, a smirk playing at his lips.

"Get them inside. I'll inform the lord that everything turned out well." With that, he rode past them, disappearing into the crowd.

As the heavy black iron gates swung open, they stepped into a sprawling complex filled with imposing buildings, each exuding a sense of purpose.

"Are these the new recruits?" a sharp, feminine voice inquired, cutting through the air as a figure glided toward them.

"Yes, they are all from Kingdom Orion," the Karta in charge replied, his gaze not even flickering toward them.

Garmond bristled at their dismissive treatment. They had been treated like pawns since their arrival, and irritation bubbled beneath the surface.

"Why do they all look so unruly and unkempt? Especially that one over there," the woman said, pointing a slender finger at Garmond, still clad in bloodied clothes. It wasn't his fault; he had nothing else to wear.

"An unprecedented event occurred on our way here. Commander Darius handled it," the Karta replied flatly, his tone dismissive.

"Bring them along. It's time for their enrollment. They can't be wearing those rags within the confines of this school," she ordered, her disdain evident as she regarded them like refuse.

"School? No one told us we were coming to a school! I thought it was just training!" Nathan blurted out, irritation coloring his tone. He quickly clamped his mouth shut, realizing the gravity of his mistake.

"Talkative," Devine muttered, her patience fraying. She had reached her limit with his incessant chatter.

The woman's gaze flicked toward Nathan, her expression unfazed. "Well, there's more to being a soldier than just strength. We need tactical thinkers who can assess situations and know how to react." Her voice was steady, carrying the weight of authority.

"With that, it's more appropriate to call this a school rather than just a training center. In fact, you will be attending classes, and you shouldn't miss any," she added, her icy stare brooking no argument.

Nathan gulped audibly, the gravity of her words sinking in, fear creeping into his expression.

"Alright, you should all follow her. She'll handle your enrollment," the Karta commanded, his brow furrowed with seriousness.

With Trevor leading the way, the group stepped down from the wagon, forming a narrow line behind the woman as they followed her to the building designated for student enrollment.

"Before the enrollment, you will all go through a test, after which you'll be assigned different rankings that will determine your classes," she explained, her voice brisk.

"What's this test going to be about?" Garmond asked, surprising the others, who hadn't expected him to speak up.

"You'll see for yourself," she replied enigmatically, a smile dancing on her lips.

They stopped at the entrance of a vast building. The woman pushed the large door open, anticipation crackling in the air as they awaited the revelation within.

To their astonishment, the space was mostly empty, lined with various training equipment—tools designed to assess their physical capabilities.

"You'll all go in one by one. This is only the first part of the test. Here, we'll evaluate your speed, stamina, and strength," she declared, her tone authoritative.

"And here I was thinking this was going to be a whole lot of boring events," Nathan quipped, but his comment earned him a chorus of irritated glares from the others.

Feeling the tension around him, he quickly realized it was best to silence his tongue.

"But before that, I need to know all your names. Let's get familiar with each other," she said, her smile bright and warm, a stark contrast to the chill that radiated from her presence.

If Garmond didn't know better, he might have mistaken her for a kind and charming figure. 'What a faker,' the voice echoed in his mind again.

"Thought I was the only one who didn't like fakers," he mused, a smile creeping onto his face at the thought of this unexpected camaraderie.

"Since you seem the most enthusiastic about this, why don't I start with you?" She turned her gaze toward Nathan, her curiosity feigned but directed at the group nonetheless.

His chest puffed up, a burst of pride swelling within him. "My name is Nathan Hendrix," he declared, his voice bold.

"You're not starring in a movie; come back to reality," Devine snapped, frustration finally boiling over. She couldn't hold back any longer.

The instructor burst into laughter, genuine amusement lighting up her eyes. "I must say, this is indeed an interesting crew. I can't wait to see how well you'll do."

As her laughter echoed through the training hall, Garmond felt a mix of anxiety and excitement ripple through him. This was just the beginning, and with it came the promise of challenges that would test the very limits of their resolve.