The morning air filled the dorm as the myriad of students outside invested in laughter and gist. It was the same as every other day. The hot sun outside highlighting the green fixtures of the academy, the usual sound of gambling in the corner, the faint smell of alcohol. All totally normal.
"Shane! Get over here!"
I scurried up. My hair was bush and my bed looked like one. Nevertheless, I made my way to Vince. He wasn't the one who called me, but I went over anyway. The feeling of disobeying Josiah felt almost fleeting.
To my surprise, he stood with Vince, chatting about something so urgent he was in a towel, the mist of the hot bath radiating off his skin. I waved to them.
"Why haven't folded our clothes yet? It was your turn this week. Dont forget--you chose this." He said chuckling.
"Its good you only chuckled. If you smiled, your black teeth might have stole the light out of my eyes. "Dont forget" to brush your teeth in the morning, Vince."
"Y-You. Why dont we settle this like men?" he said, clearly fuming. Before he could drag me outside, Josiah came to the rescue.
"You two again. Why were we paired up together, of all of us? Well, whatever. As you know, We're leaving campus today. Get your things. We still haven't had a briefing with everyone yet. So for now, we'll get ready and wait. You got that? I dont want anyone of you running off, doing something stupid. In that case, you know too well. I'll be back out in ten minutes, be ready by then."
And that was that. We soon met as a whole.
For the first time in three months. We could all see some differences in each other. Kainan and Oliver were almost insane from being sober, Muna looked visibly exhausted, his body riddled with, some bruises still healing. Kyle had wore new scars on his fingers, from harsh, strict training.
There was nothing much to say to anyone. Only handshakes and glances were exchanged. We all had one uniting thought a rope that I'm sure every other cadet tread carefully on. "I cant wait to leave this pit"
After a short briefing by Adriana, we all split in our groups. I "day-dreamed" through it, but it couldn't be that important.
I made this very clear.
This is why I contested to being given the "book". Every day, I imagine how incredibly boring my life is. I can imagine that anyone who's reading all this, would rather be reading something else.
There's nothing wrong with anything happening, its just my perspective. My name is Shane. How much more basic could I get? Heck, I cant see the world the way everyone else does, because I'm color blind. I can barely emotions, and I am undoubtedly the weakest in the group. The only thing special about me is that I sometimes get sleep paralysis on Tuesdays. That's why I want people away from me. Because then they feel sorry for me, and that pisses me off.
I told them, but Kyle and Muna insisted I take. Some "variety" rubbish talk was what they used.
We got in arrangement for a quick assembly before dismissal. The man said a few words, and then we were off.
The massive Iron gates opened as cadets basically ran out, embracing freedom. The walls of the academy had been a cage, with outside world the only aperture of light.
We split into groups, into the division of our classes. Vince kept babbling about training for the excursion and Josiah couldn't stop practicing his "breathing technique". Of course, I was the one stuck with these two meatheads.
Apart from that, the scenery was pretty. the winter blossoms shone with beauty in the corners of the road, where vendors and salespeople hailed passersby. The breeze hit gently, just enough to blow the grass ever so softly. Children littered the parks, some swinging, running and-- drinking?
I looked closer. There appeared to be about 4 people in the middle of the park. One of them drunk to stupor, two bottles in hand and four more fastened to his waist. What madman would do something like that? Is he cra--oh. Its Kainan.
"So what are we to do now?" Muna said, with half of his mouth full of fried squid
It seemed like they were really enjoying themselves. Each of them bought something strange. Kyle had bought a yoyo, Kainan bought a boomerang "to go with the booze" and they somehow got Alana to go with them who bought a ton of magic research books. And fried squid. She put them in her bag, hunched over by its weight. I could feel eyes glaring in our direction, their gazes burning holes in my back.
Its common for us now, I dont expect any less. Would you expect to see a group of misfits in uniform? one drunk, two meatheads, one bookworm, two battle-crazies, and only ONE normal, sane human being.
"Guys. Its getting late" Alana said, her head was still buried in pages. We spent the day merrying around, but we knew that was about to change. After all, the excursion was coming up. This was a chance to prove ourselves to everyone, not only as students, but reliable leaders as soon as the war struck.
And to do that, we have to win. At least one of us.
"We can do motels. They're cheap, inns are to expensive for our number." Kyle mentioned, the only other person who wasn't munching on squid.
"Not only are we bound to get robbed, but 'motels' aren't a good look for cadets. Its like your completely ignored why they have so many around here. Its a good business, because there are many, and I mean, many couples this time of the year."
"Kainan is right. Then come next spring, and you'll have brothels littered around the place." Muna added.
"Anyways, we have to get going. I suggest we just use the academy's accommodation. That's what we have our badges for. Or were none of you listening?
Everyone turned their backs, as if looking for something. I as well, was ashamed. The emanating silence that overturned our previous ideas, forced us to think. "What else could that guy have said?"
Because simply speaking, this was only the beginning.
Making our way to the accommodation felt like hell. Eyes were swords, and everyone a huntsman. Their gazes were bows, docked and ready for flight. Walking past anyone in the know of who we are specifically Kyle and Muna, was a pain in the back for me. Its was almost like I was their servant or call-boy, because the people treated me that way.
Not to say that they were treated good as well. They hated them, but didn't care about me. I'd rather hate than indifference.
"What do you mean we cant stay? Look, man. This is a crest of THE Yulo academy."
"What is your name sir?"
"Muna, Muna Lumiel."
"Sir Rayne, we dont have enough room to accommodate you or any of your friends" he replied with a monotone voice.
Just as we were about leaving, I could see in the corner of my eye a chubby looking man, with his arms wrapped around five different women. He wore gold robe and a head ornament in the shape of a crown. Walking Jovially, he completely ignored the guard.
I knew him. A titan of trade from the south and extremely powerful, mingling with him with bring us no good. I turned my eyes, like I had seen nothing. I hoped no one would notice.
As I thought everything was alright, I'd noticed Muna, who was walking beside me, was gone. To my horror, he had held back Aiden whilst yelling something to the guard. No one seemed to notice, Mostly because they didn't know who he was.
I rushed over and tried to stop him.
"Why would you let him but not us? We wear the same badge of the same Academy! This is madness!" Muna said, gripping both of their shoulders.
"Because Why has a long tail and two branches. now get of me, you...I dont know what to call you." the man said.
"I will not. Not until I get an explanation." Muna replied.
"I paid for it to be this way. Will that let you sleep peacefully tonight or should I sing you a lullaby too?" the man responded.
I could hear Muna's heartbeat bang loudly.
"Stop" I calmed him."
"He is Aiden Caelarion."