Chapter 20 – Torment of the Tartars
Silence fell over the arena, heavy and almost palpable. Professor Bastien lay on the ground, his pride trampled as much as his ego. The defeat was humiliating. He had been surpassed by his student, Roy, who stood tall, calm, breathing as if nothing had happened. The students present barely dared to look, still in shock. Who could have imagined that a first-year could defeat an experienced professor with such ease?
Gradually, the students left the arena, their footsteps echoing on the stone floor, their murmurs revealing a mixture of astonishment, fear, and admiration.
In the corridors leading to the exit, away from prying eyes, stood a young man with black hair and piercing eyes: Sharai Vrandmild. He was waiting for Roy, observing him with measured curiosity. When Roy passed by, he stepped forward calmly.
— Roy… he said, it would be wise for you to come by later for the Class A council.
Roy paused for a moment, his icy eyes fixed on Sharai. With quiet disdain, he stared at him and turned on his heels without a word. Sharai remained there, a faint smile on his lips. The newcomer's arrogance impressed him, and despite himself, he felt a certain admiration for this unwavering insolence.
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Meanwhile, Seth, Damian, Kael, Tara, and Teddy walked down the corridors, returning from the arena.
— Is… is it normal for a student to challenge a professor here at Etheria? asked Seth, still in shock.
Damian shook his head, an ironic smile on his lips.
— Yes… it's normal. Many students do it, either to take someone's place or to settle a dispute. Here, everyone tests their limits, especially those who want to stand out.
Teddy, true to his sarcastic tone, intervened:
— And you don't even know the student ranking system. Etheria only recruits 100 to 150 students per Promotion. Some are state-sponsored scholars, others are children of nobles paying for their education. But the rest… the rest fail, disappearing into the shadows of the Academy.
He paused, letting his words hang in the air. Then he continued:
— There are about 500 students in Class D, 300 in Class C, 200 in Class B, and only a small minority reach Class A. Many leave Etheria before they get there. That's why Roy is exceptional. The chances that a first-year directly enters Class A are slim… less than 1%. Currently, that class only has 50 students.
Kael furrowed his brows, intrigued.
— But… Teddy, what do you mean by the ranking system?
Teddy pulled out his badge and clicked on it. A thin light emanated from it, projecting holographic information in front of them.
— Look… he said, almost amused by their curiosity.
On the screen appeared his information:
Name: Elios Teddynis de Boréal
Height: 1m74
Age: 15
Date of Birth: March 5, X430
Class: C
Rank: 171st
Points: 55
— Each student has a rank assigned during the cape ceremony, Teddy explained. But this ranking is provisional. It can change by completing missions, winning battles, or excelling in class.
Alma showed her badge: 56th in Class B.
— Not bad, huh? she said with a modest smile.
Seth checked his badge: 181st in Class B.
— 181st?! I'm almost last…
Damian looked at his own badge: 182nd. He was surprised to find himself behind Seth.
Tara, in Class C, displayed her rank: 238th.
— Far from easy… she murmured.
Kael, the last to check his badge, froze: 0 points. 500th in Class D. Last. A mixture of shame and determination shone in his eyes.
Seth, thoughtful, noticed something troubling. He, Kael, and Tara all shared the same last name as Arthur. Had he mentioned their origins to the Rector? He kept his thoughts to himself, observing their reactions: Kael focused, Tara confused but thoughtful, Damian amused.
Teddy continued:
— Badges aren't just tools to show off your stats. They track your missions, battles, points, and interactions. Your rank will determine your future here. The weak disappear. The strong survive. And Roy? Well… he's an anomaly. First-year, Class A, a prodigy in his own right.
After this lengthy explanation, the group continued on their way. The day moved forward, and it was time to head to the baths. The students spent a moment washing, relaxing after the tension of the arena. The hot water and the gentle murmur of the jets soothed their sore muscles. Conversations remained lively, mixing comments on the battle, reflections on the point system, and lighthearted teasing.
Next, they proceeded to the great dining hall, where a feast awaited them. The hall shimmered under the candlelight and the crystals hanging from the vaulted ceilings. The dishes were abundant and refined: roasted meats, colorful vegetables, exotic fruits, and sweet desserts. The students sat down, chatting, laughing at small incidents, and sharing their impressions of the morning.
Night approached, and after the meal, everyone returned to their rooms to sleep. The Academy regained its calm, only disturbed by the whisper of the open windows and the wind slipping through the stone walls.
That night, Tara fell asleep, but her sleep was heavy.
The room was silent, the candles extinguished, but in her mind, another world came alive. Suddenly, she found herself in the middle of a dense forest, where the trees rose like specters, twisted and black, their branches seeming to reach for her. The ground was littered with dead leaves and animal bones, cracking under her steps. Each breath was heavy, filled with the smell of sulfur and burnt dust..
Ahead, a reddish glow illuminated a point: an explosion had just erupted, sending shards of wood and stone flying in all directions. Tara screamed, but no sound escaped her mouth. Fear paralyzed her, yet her legs kept running, as if guided by an invisible force. Behind her, moving shadows whispered her name in low, threatening tones.
In the distance, the sky darkened. Black and violet clouds swirled, forming ominous shapes. Lightning streaked the air, briefly revealing slender creature-like silhouettes that vanished instantly. Tara tripped over a massive root, rolled on the ground, feeling the burn of the earth on her hands. She tried to scream, but it turned into a muffled gasp, as if fear itself was crushing her voice.
Then she saw a chasm. The ground crumbled as she approached. A searing heat rose from it, and inside, a black, cracked portal floated, radiating a chilling energy despite the flames. Tara felt it watching her, drawing her in. She stepped back, but the ground cracked beneath her, hurling her toward the abyss.
Just before falling, she saw a figure emerge from the shadows, indistinct but human. The figure gently but firmly pushed her into the portal. The fall was long, suffocating, as if time itself had stretched. She felt burning across her body and a biting cold engulfing her simultaneously. Then the world spun, spun again, and everything vanished into deep blackness.
Tara awoke with a start, gasping, her heart pounding, soaked in sweat. She had screamed, cried, and her hands were still trembling. Her neighbor, Katia, having heard her, shot her a reproachful glance:
— Hey! This isn't a zoo! You sound like a herd of a hundred horses!
Tara, breathless and confused, murmured:
— S… sorry… it was… a terrible… dream…
Her eyes still teary, she fell back onto her pillow, trying to calm her breathing. Sleep did not return easily; every shadow in her room seemed to twist and breathe with pain.
A dream… terrible…
The rest of the night passed in oppressive silence. In the other rooms, Seth, Kael, Damian, and the others slept deeply, unaware of their comrade's disturbing visions.
To be continued…