Sagiri was training with N'varu in the combat arena when the gong went off. Just like Principal Senraki had said, the fourth-year cadets did not have any classes. Everyone was busy polishing their skills and bookwork because they did not know what they were going to be tested on. The tests would not add to the final score at the end of the year, but still lose to Konate Wild Academy.
Galka War Academy was not just named one. it only lets the best of the best join in and shapes them to be the best. Being the number one academy, however, they were always under pressure to excel even in friendly competitions. Failing even such a competition could greatly wound their reputation. Even the instructors across the divisions were tense. That's why when the gong went off, they moved first, assembling all the cadets in the assembly. They were dressed even more neatly if that was possible, with their coats flowing behind them whenever they moved. Every sash was tied in order, not even Lotaga looked unkempt. His braids were tied at the top of his head, and his zipper was zipped properly.
"Cadets move!" The voice of instructors echoed across the pentagon from different wings and arenas. It only meant that those from Konate had finally arrived, and it was time for the first showdown to begin.
Team 25 had seamlessly fitted into Kiuga's plan without facing suspicion. It had included walking through the gates, showing at most hostility. kaka was the major piece, being the one who had the most outbursts. He was being held back by Kiuga from killing Sagiri, and Sagiri was sure that half of it was not an act. N'varu was hiding Sagiri behind his back, appearing to be his only ally, while Ulekai seemed to want everyone not to fight. When the other cadets got curious, Maita had snickered and said team 25 was being punished for insubordination and failing to protect a teammate. Zazarie added the ice to the cake by adding that Sagiri was just an aged student who did not deserve to be at Galka War Academy, and he deserved what he got because he was weak.
Even now, as they ran to the assembly ground, he was just with N'varu with Ulekai at the far back, while the others were ignoring him. Kiuga had said that he was on his own with N'varu and Ulekai until he set his plan B in motion, which he had said to share with everyone at a later time. Everyone seemed to trust Kiuga's Eye and strategy, so they agreed without question. It also served them since they did not have to babysit him so soon and could concentrate on their training as they waited for the arrival of the Konate Wild Academy comrades. they even had a name for it. They called him Kiuga of the eagle eye.
When everyone got on one side of the assembly, they finally saluted in unison before they stood in a relaxed stance with legs apart and both hands behind their backs. All eyes were kept forward as they waited for the new arrival.
Konate Academy arrived without noise. They fell seamlessly to one side of the arena, ushered by junior instructors of Galka War Academy. Their combat suits were dark brown, the color of dried earth after heat has pulled all mercy from it. The fabric clung close to the torso and loosened at the limbs, made for long movement under the sun and sand. The cloth looked rough at first glance, but it folded cleanly, silent when they walked. Its material was made so that dust did not cling to it. Light did not reflect from it. Everything about the suit was meant to disappear into the desert ground. Konate was situated far south and closest to the desert, and they were mostly trained in respect to hunting and war strategies in the desert.
Even their weapons were customized to fit their fighting conditions. Each cadet carried curved daggers at the hips and smaller knives strapped along the forearms and calves. The blades bent forward slightly, shaped for tearing, not thrusting. They also had a tripping rope tied to the left hand. It was the Konate special weapon and was mostly used by the tribes south of the west and part of the south of the central plains to hunt for desert beasts that moved close to human civilization.
Their logo was stamped in muted black on the upper back and shoulder. a desert scorpion, tail raised, claws spread wide. The design was simple and sharp, its lines angular and tight, like something carved into stone. Beneath it ran their motto in narrow script: "We wait. We strike. We endure."
Konate cadets moved as hunters more than warriors. but they were a perfect mix of both.
They did not cluster even as they formed in tight, neat lines. They spaced themselves without speaking, eyes always tracking distance, terrain, and exits. Their steps were soft, measured, conserving energy. Even standing still, they looked ready to move, bodies angled, weight balanced, hands tightly to their sides. Their mannerism is the same as the desert scorpion on their logo.
The desert scorpion is patient in the sense that it can remain motionless for long periods, waiting for the precise moment to strike. It attacks only when success is certain, conserving energy and avoiding waste. A desert scorpion is resilient, enabling it to survive extreme heat, cold nights, and scarce resources. In movement, it is stealth. It moves silently across sand and stone, difficult to detect until too late. In size, it is small yet lethal, capable of incapacitating larger enemies with a single strike. In awareness, a desert scorpion has high territorial awareness, knowing its ground intimately, and uses terrain to its advantage. It adapts quickly and adjusts tactics based on threat, environment, and opportunity. It may be small, but it is feared and commands respect through reputation rather than size or noise. Its aggression power is, however, its best perk. Its aggression is controlled, it strikes fast, then withdraws, avoiding prolonged exposure, and as if it was not already lethal, it could also endure under pressure and functions efficiently even when exhausted or wounded. All of these qualities were drilled and embodied in the students of the Konate Wild Academy.
They were trained for war where cover was scarce, and patience was everything. In the desert, speed wasted life. Konate taught restraint, timing, and the kill that came only after certainty. Friendly competition or not, Galka could feel it. These were not performers. They were predators shaped by sand and sun. Those of Galka War Academy squared their shoulders, not allowing for intimidation.
Finally, the captains of both schools entered the grounds, followed by the principal Zazami Senraki. His clothes were even whiter than usual, if that was even possible, and he stood out in the arena. He looked even happier than usual, as opposed to the two captains beside him, who were totally tired of him. He took to the podium being the highest-ranking host to welcome the guests.
"The long-awaited moment we of Galka War Academy have been waiting for is finally here. I will first of all invite Captain Mari Maragi of the Konate Wild Academy to take to the podium and officially start this friendly union.
"We come from the desert," he started his voice deeper than any sagiri had ever heard.
"Where mistakes are paid for with blood or thirst. Where movement must be chosen, and waiting is a skill. Today is not about proving who is stronger. It is about learning who survives longer when the ground turns hostile. We don't take any test for granted, and we bring the best of ourselves." His eyes moved across the gathered cadets before landing on those from Konate Wild Academy. "We hunt with discipline. We fight with restraint. And we respect worthy ground. Galka is such a ground."
He inclined his head once.
"Let the friendlies begin," he finished, and the cadets of both schools saluted him. Senraki took to the stage yet again, his smile getting even wider if that was even possible.
"Galka welcomes Konate," he said. "Not as rivals. Not as guests to be entertained. But as warriors shaped by a different war. It will be an honour to watch you, young cadets, polish your skills against each other. I will not, as the host, allow any foul play from both schools as the marshal." His gaze hardened.
"These competitions are not just games. They are mirrors. They will show you your weaknesses, your habits, your fears. One can not know their weakness and strength unless they are tested against a worthy opponent. I want all of you cadets from Konate and Galka to polish your skills against each other so that when you meet next time in the semi-final trials and final trials, you will have polished your weaknesses into strengths."
He let the silence stretch.
"Now then, cadets welcome each other!" he announced, and in a swift turn the boys turned around and in unison faced the others' direction. A heartbeat of silence passed between them before, in unison, they thumped a hand to the heart and in salute of the other.
"It will be an honor to fight against you!" they said in chorus before turning back around to face the front.
"I am proud to see your spirits burning with anticipation. But we have to let our guests rest. As our guests rest, so do you from Galka War Academy. Right after lunch, you retire to your dormitory wing, and our guests to the guest dormitory wing. We will meet here again after supper. Show our guest to the dining wing for now," he finished his announcement. Tension filled the air.
"Yes, Marshal!" both schools announced. Senraki left with the captains and division commanders, leaving only the instructor across the ranks to oversee the next step.