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ARCHIVAL RECORDS OF THE 80TH OF THE IMPERIUM Redocumented By SCHOLAR QUINTA IN THE YEAR 305.
Eager to continue its conquest of the continent, the Imperium felt burdened by the Treaty of Trinitas. Being bound to that agreement made it difficult for the Imperium to build its military as it had done.
The first solution was the creation of the bastions. The bastions were institutions mandated to induct and educate younger noble and plebeian children into the doctrine of the Trinitas through military training.
The second solution was the Arcanii. The Arcanii were military units segregated by their virtue to perform specific roles during warfare. Over time, the Arcanii's role within the military became less pronounced, and in modern times, they are elite units under the Custodes Aeternae.
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Surrounded by books, I felt a sense of warmth, as if in the presence of a hearth. The gentle heat seemed enough to burn away the ignorance brought forth by my decaying memories. After the first round of the written exams, I ran to the library. My mind had deceived me. The first day of the examination reminded me that I was never that smart to begin with, and the lack of memories did not help.
The questions were history-based, and with the Imperium's vast history, it was tough to pinpoint anything to a certain era of the Imperium's existence. Hence, I was knee-deep in the reference and redocumentation books by one Scholar Quinta. I was almost glad I had no memory. I lost in the lore of the Imperium and was deeply interested in The Great Valedara, Solarin's right hand, and eventually the greatest threat to the Imperium.
I noted down all I could in preparation for the following day's last round of history exams, then Philosophy for another two days, and the final three days were devoted to extracurricular activities. My extracurricular activity was blacksmithing, and I was not very good at it.
Even sleepless nights at the library could not save me. The remaining history exams had my mind reeling in confusion and despair. The questions demanded more than I could conjure within the frame of my mind. I was probably going to be last. It was inevitable.
I had no love for philosophy, and it had no love for me. Philosophy demanded a way with words. A slick tongue. Without it and the gaps in memory, my argument in the exams was lackluster and unconvincing. I laughed at some of my answers. Each terrible answer broke and battered my ego till I had had enough. I did not sit for the final philosophy exam. What's the use? I wondered. Turned my efforts to preparing for the smithing exam. I had a sliver of hope, and it would not be enough.
*------*
Within the smithy, I thought I was in a hearth. My body felt like wood tossed into a flame, fanning it to life. Despite the robust and harsh heat in the room, my nervousness did not melt; instead, it boiled and bubbled through my veins. I breathed out in a bid to ease my nerves. It did not help. My eyes drifted, searching for something. I did not know what. But they wandered.
Everyone was at their stations, all ten of us, their attention glued to the tools set before them. I stared at mine. My fingers grazing them gently. Their cold surface bit into my skin, and it was enough to lurch me back to focus.
The items and their uses were firm in my mind, but the necessary fundamentals of the smithing craft were hazy. I prayed for a miracle. My Patron did not answer. So I sought answers from within instead.
The simmering silence phased away as soon as the rhetor came in. Rhetor Aelia watched the class from the front, her eyes darting around. Her mouth turned into a sneer as her eyes rested on one boy. A commoner, I assumed.
Her eyes strayed from the commoner back to the room.
"Today, we will be forging a longsword, but the hilt will have to be inspired by the swept hilt. You are to improvise and make it work. The test will be over the course of 14 days. Use your free time to craft the weapon. The process has to be documented and logged in writing. Any form of cheating will not be forgiven if discovered. All necessary materials will be delivered to your dorm room by the end of the day. That's all. You may leave."
Rhetor Aelia did not spare another thought and left. The room roared into activity. Some students clumped together, marching to the front table, where the best students stood. Like moths to a flame. I watched. Only the commoner remained in his station. That told me all I needed to know.
*-----*
For someone apathetic, Lucius talked alot. His idle chatter laced with politics. Never anything mundane. Despite that, I appreciated his company. Down the empty hallways, silence stuck to the shadows as our presence echoed as we walked.
Lucius led me back to the garden, saying he had a gift. Yearning for a break from his politics, I complained. I slowly found myself ranting about the exams while he chuckled.
"Why did you not cheat?" Lucius asked. He added," Everybody does."
"Cheating is beneath me," I lied.
"That's why you will fail. Who even fails the written exams?" He mocked.
"I do," I said shamefully," You cheated?"
"I had all the papers beforehand,"
"And you never thought to mention that all this time," I said.
"Never came to mind. You would not need it anyway."
I shook my head. My eyes on the hallway.
The hallway spat us into the open. The night air felt chilled and refreshing. Cool winds whistled as we pivoted towards the path to the garden of Leilia.
"When I finish my extracurricular activity, I am leaving the academy," Lucuis said. His voice undertoned with his usual nonchalance. The words struck me. My stomach churned. I looked at him. Yearning for an answer. He saw it in my eyes.
"With everything happening, I would rather start working on the future. There is no need to prolong my stay," he explained.
"That's why you gave me the dossiers?"
"Yes. They have all you need for the final exam. The exam will be broken into the normal dorm wars, and the second part will be a Superatio. Darsius called for one."
"But all the crypts and vaults in the academy have been conquered. That leaves."
" Valedara's crypt," Lucius interrupted, then continued," For some reason, the Senate approved."
"Interesting," I said.
Lucius' departure wallowed in my thoughts. Breaking it down, and despite the decision making sense, it left me hollow.
The cold numbed my mind. I should have brought a jacket, I thought. The rest of the walk was silent. Savouring the company until we meet, and if we meet again.
*----*
I frowned. My home had been invaded. Their presence felt like a stain on my haven. I entered before Lucius, and all eyes bore down on me. Five people stood around the garden. Silence and palpable tension strung them together. Lucius stepped forward.
"My gift to you," He arched his hand towards the group.
"Can they do what you do?" I asked. I did not need liabilities.
"No, but they are exceptional soldiers. Assassins," He corrected himself.
Assets, I thought.
"From the guild?" I followed up.
"Yes, all but the one in black."
I walked to the boy in regelia black. He stood upright so suddenly I thought I heard his back crack.
"What's special about you?" I asked the boy.
"Nothing, Dominus," He responded almost immediately. No hesitation.
"Would you die for me?"
"No, Dominus."
The others gasped but did not whisper any further.
"Wrong answer, but impressive. However, I appoint you leader," I turned back to Lucius," What are they for exactly?"
"The exams. You did not read the other dossiers?"
"I was busy with exams and all."
Lucius shook his head in disappointment," Read them. They will elaborate better than I will."
I turned back to the group," Let's start the introduction. Regelia boy. Start."