Shame [1]

Cadet 1111 was in a chair. He was copiously restrained. A fetter was firmly fastened around his neck, and from its rear, a chain extended and connected to the manacles that secured his hands against the back of the chair. Separate constraints shackled his legs together. The boy's head had drooped down in his unconscious state.

"My god, what kind of drug did you use on him?" asked a disgruntled man whose eyebrow twitched in irritation.

"I'll wake him immediately!" Worriedly replied Instructor Huffman, in hopes of satisfying the man he proceeded to create fires underneath the prisoner's feet causing a visceral and audible reaction. Cadet 1111 had awoken, his head shot up and shrieked in a primal fit. For his feet were being licked and scorched by the vile fire.

"STOP! You, you imbecile do you wish to impair the goods even more." Berated the regal man. "Get out! Now." He commanded, obediently Instructor Huffman exited the small room.

While the man had been rebuking Huffman, Cadet 1111 regained himself. The fire may have halted its assault but the pangs of it were resilient. Cadet 1111 lowered his head to meet the gaze of this unknown man. His appearance screamed that he was an outsider. He was dressed in an elegant suit and he wore his long blond hair in a ponytail. 'He is probably a higher-up.' The two were in a small room with no furniture besides the chair he was bound to. "I apologise for my disgruntled appearance and for how inhospitable the situation is." He spoke feeling incredibly embarrassed.

"To think the brat would be more well-mannered than the adults." The man snickered to himself. "I'll speak bluntly, do you know why you're in this state?" He inquired.

The question struck deeply into Cadet 1111, he had suspicions as to why but he determined it best not to raise them. He shook his head and the chains echoed his confusion. "I am not aware of the reason." He replied.

"How cruel you must this be, punished for something you're not aware of. Let me enlighten you, yesterday it seems that your fellow trainee stole something from you. Since that event, it appears that his magical ability has dwindled. Huffman deems it to be your fault, in order to save his own skin I presume. He fully knew that he should have intervened but he didn't, the sick and deplorable bastard. That however matters not. For your ability isn't potent." He finished

Anger writhed within him but he tried to stifle it. 'My chances of survival will only decrease if I choose to voice my complaints.' He took and breath and asked frankly, "…so what will become of me?"

The man rubbed his chin in thought as if considering it himself. "You will first meet with Cadet 556 and assure him that you enjoyed the bout. Make him fully believe the lie and if you manage that we'll speak on your fate." He directed

'…I'm to thank him for that. I have to convince him that it was enjoyable…what a load of bullshit!.' Cadet 1111's rage threatened to implode but he couldn't allow that. He forced himself to retain civility. "…As you wish but will I have to do that in these restraints?"

"Of course not, it'll hardly be believable if you were after all." His voice turned cold "However, you are not to leave this room, I will have your little friend come here with your breakfast." He said before leaving Cadet 1111 alone, still chained.

'…I'd rather be tortured than have breakfast with that oaf.' He thought to himself.

After what felt like hours the compound servants entered the room accompanied by Huffman. They brought a white table and a chair which they placed in front of him. After which they undid his restraints, which revealed the harsh red that was now his skin. Cadet 1111 turned to Huffman "Is he supposed to see me with these?" He asked. To which all he got was an annoyed stare.

Once again they left him alone in the room. He paced the room in an attempt to get rid of the stiffness, it stung immensely due to his burnt feet but he continued anyway. He then sat down and thought of a plan of action. 'My life may just end up depending on the execution of this plan.'

Even after which he had to wait an hour or so before his guest walked in with his morning meal. He seemed meeker than the day before, even greeting Cadet 1111 when he walked in. He placed the food down on the table and only sat on his seat once Cadet 1111 told him to do so. However, he did attempt to play it off. "I only brought this up because the Instructors told me to. He had said.

There was an awkwardness about the room and the silence was unnerving so rather than focusing on breakfast Cadet 1111 decided to take charge. "Let's address the elephant in the room, yesterday-"

"-I did what I wanted and that's that, if you're trying to get an apology forget it. I don't regret it." Cadet 556 cut in but his voice betrayed him. 'Maybe you don't regret it but you do feel guilty about it. Even still I will forever hate you for it.'

"Who said I wanted your forgiveness rather," Cadet 1111 pulled him closer by the collar and kissed him while taking care to conceal the red blisters. 'Gah, It's for your life, so you have to bear it' He internally told himself. Cadet 556 pushed him back and looked perplexed. "Rather, I quite enjoyed it. So don't feel bad about it." He finished his act feeling repulsed.

"You sicko!" He yelled as he knocked the bowl of porridge off the table. 'I couldn't have eaten anyway, I feel like throwing up.' Cadet 556 then ran out the door flustered.

'I should have killed him, I could have. His control over magic was weakened. I had the upper hand.' Cadet 1111 turned to the most northern wall of the room and beat his fist against it, till it turned bloody. Leaving fist shaped bloody marks on the neat white wall. After he felt fatigued he rested his back against the wall and slid down into a sitting posture.

The facility staff returned and they removed all the furniture leaving the room looking barren. They also constrained Cadet 1111 once again, They left his legs alone but the hand and neck fetters had returned.

After which the fancily dressed man, entered the room applauding. "Wonderful, you were simply marvellous. I hadn't expected the kiss but it was genius." He seemed to be beaming with satisfaction.

His happiness irked Cadet 1111 but he hid the fact, "I just dealt with it like I would an assignment that required deceit. My ability may be lacklustre but I am well trained. Now can you please tell me what will become of me?" He inquired without meeting his eyes or getting up.

"You were originally going to be sold a slave at the gauche and grimy underground market…however, your obedience and tact impressed me. So I've convinced them to hand your ownership over to me." He declared proudly.

'I was going to be sold a slave…they did sell me a slave, to this man.' He tried to swallow the bitter taste of the thought and spoke "Thank you, Master, you're generosity will be forever remembered." He tried to think positively 'Perhaps he'll allow me to serve the empire if I demonstrate my usefulness.'

"Very well, follow me, boy." The fanciful master said walking towards the exit. Outside Cadet 1111's cell was a hallway that he had never seen before. It was narrow with a low ceiling. The hall lead them to a room filled with security.

"Reverend Zafeer, will you care to accompany me home? Perhaps you could repair my new servant as well." Asked the fanciful master. A scrawny man in strange but simple clothing nodded. "Also get him ready for departure, Valena." He commanded.

A strong and well built woman wrapped a cloth around Cadet 1111's eyes after another guard stuffed his ears with plugs. He heard a voice "The Ra Regiment would rather you remain oblivious as to where they reside. I hope you unders-" The process had finished before the speaker had finished and Cadet 1111 couldn't hear.

From that point on Cadet 1111 was dependent on whoever guided him by his chains. After walking for a good while he experienced something alien. His feet which were still bare touched a strange grainy surface that had little soft strands sprouting from it. It was a bizarre feeling, sometimes the ground would surprise him with an unexpected little rod that was made errantly. Some of the rods had pieces jutting out while others were of higher quality. Along with this anomalous experience came a scent, one that insinuated dampness. There was also a current of air that passed by him. This textured ground continued until he felt something even more strange. They had stopped on a surface that was comprised of multiple sharp and jagged pieces. It was painful. However luckily, Cadet 1111 didn't have to stand on it long for he was lifted up and placed in a tiny room with seats. 'This must be an automobile' he concluded.