It didn't take long for the group to reach the training grounds.
The place was vast and could host around a hundred Acolytes without any issue.
It was early in the morning, so barely a dozen Acolytes were in the hall, drilling their saber forms against training droids.
'Those are probably the only Acolytes with a chance to become something more than cannon fodder.' That was the first thought Saryn had when he saw those Acolytes train so intensely early in the morning.
Saryn had always loathed weakness, but what he hated even more was weak people who couldn't even work hard.
If the weak were willing to die to better themselves, Saryn would at least not feel disgust looking at them.
Acolyte Canara didn't look at the other Acolytes and went directly to fetch two training sabers from the metal racks located on the left side of the training halls.
She threw one of them to Saryn and entered the training ring.
Saryn looked at the blonde woman standing in the ring, her cold eyes locked on his, unflinching.
He didn't have any plans to make her wait, so he also entered the training ring and went to stand on the opposite side of the blonde.
"I will be the referee of this duel."
"The rules of the Academy dictate that killing another Acolyte within its walls is forbidden."
"If you break this rule, you will be executed."
"Also, for this duel, you will only use the training saber."
"If you use the Force for anything beyond strengthening yourself, you will be considered to have forfeited the fight." Overseer Rance also followed them in and informed them of the rules of the duel.
"Fair enough, it wouldn't even be a fight otherwise." Saryn was the first to reply with his usual smirk as he looked mockingly at the blonde in front of him.
"Let's see if you're still this cocky when I'm finished with you, Seake." The blonde human's words were full of hatred as she let the dark side of the Force empower her, as she assumed the opening stance of Form I: Shii-Cho.
"See? That's why you people from the outer rim of the Empire are looked down upon in Kaas City, not the slightest bit of decorum or honor. Even when taking part in something as ancient and sacred as a Duel." Saryn smiled with disdain.
"Let me show you how it is done."
Saryn quickly assumed the salute stance of his favored dueling form, Form II: Makashi.
Holding the blade up vertically in front of the face, blade in line with his nose, he demonstrated the proper dueling etiquette he had learned since he was a child.
"Through Passion, I gain Strength. Through Strength, I gain Power. Through Power, I gain Victory." Saryn fell into an intensely focused state the further he went along on the Sith Code.
Under the wide-eyed stares of the Acolytes in the training hall who had gathered to witness the duel, the Dark Side seemed to come alive.
The air surrounding the young pureblood prodigy trembled under the weight of his power as his yellow eyes stared unblinkingly at the human in front of him.
If the young Acolytes could feel it despite being outside the ring, the one who felt the most pressure was definitely the now heavily breathing Acolyte Canara.
Overseer Rance's lips also curled into a toothy, manic grin.
Watching Saryn sink into that deadly state and the dark side of the Force bend to his will, he knew he had chosen correctly.
The same Overseer raised his hand and gave one last glance at both Acolytes present in the ring. Then he let his hand drop.
"Begin!"
The moment the word was uttered, Acolyte Canara lunged at Saryn, her swings fueled by anger.
Each strike tore through the air under the hum of her training saber.
Saryn's bright yellow eyes fixed on her form, unmoving under her assault.
Each swing, he merely shifted aside with effortless precision honed through his years of intense training.
The Acolytes present in the room couldn't believe the intensity of the fight they were witnessing.
They didn't know if they could attack as fiercely as Acolyte Canara, but they were sure that they would be unable even to deflect half of her strikes.
It showed them the terror of the individual known as Saryn Seake, who deflected each strike with barely any effort.
Canara felt it. The Acolyte in front of her was letting her attack.
She poured all her fury into faster, sharper swings, the clash of blades cracking the air. Saryn's lips twitched in a faint smirk.
In a single, fluid motion, his practice saber hit her finger, disarming the blonde instantly. The training saber clattered to the floor under Canara's incredulous gaze.
Canara's chest heaved as she stared down at her weapon, on the ground.
"As I thought," Saryn said, voice calm, almost bored. "In the end, this is all you amount to. I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up."
With a swift motion, he assumed the closing stance of Makashi and awaited the referee's judgment.
Despite her bruised pride, Acolyte Canara grabbed her training saber from the cold floor and assumed the closing stance of Shii-Cho.
"The winner of this duel is Saryn Seake."
"We will thus go along with the agreement previously made. Now the rest of you disperse!" Overseer Rance gave his judgment of the fight and barked orders at the gathered Acolytes to send them away.
The moment the judgment was over, Saryn directly exited the room and threw his training saber to the Acolyte closest to him.
He then walked silently in the direction of the training grounds' exit.
Just as he was about to exit, his instinct flared up for an instant, and he felt a pair of eyes looking at him.
Turning around, he looked at where he felt the gaze come from and saw the person the Force had warned him about.
She was located on the second floor of the training grounds, leaning on the observation platform's iron railing.
The first thing Saryn noticed about the woman was her icy blue eyes.
She was looking at him straight in the eyes, with an expression of intense appreciation.
Saryn observed what that woman looked like.
She was a human, one with ashen skin and black hair. She could have been considered beautiful if not for the scars running from her mouth to her ears on both sides of her face.
With a slight probe, Saryn could feel that her powers were vastly superior to those of Overseer Rance.
As the other Acolytes had gone back to their own training, Overseer Rance looked at Saryn and followed his gaze till his eyes found the point they were focused on.
His eyes widened, and he quickly walked in the direction of the woman.
"My Lord, I didn't know you had arrived." Saryn looked at the Overseer, who approached the woman with extreme respect.
"You don't need to concern yourself about what I do and where I go. Know your place, Rance."
"Now, introduce me to this young one." The woman didn't even bother looking at the Overseer. Instead, she kept her eyes on Saryn with a smile all along.
"Of course, my Lord."
"Acolyte Seake, come and meet Lord Zhorrid." Rance quickly turned around and called Saryn over.
"Your batch was brought to Korriban because she needed an Apprentice."
"Pay your respect." The Overseer introduced.
"It is an honor, my Lord." Saryn greeted with the etiquette he had been taught since he was a child.
He didn't need to respect someone as lowly as an Overseer because they were not members of the core structure of the Empire. Sith Lord, however, couldn't be disrespected.
They were the true core of the Empire. In fact, nobility couldn't be kept if a family didn't produce a Sith Lord.
So the title was a guarantee of authority, at least to a certain level.
"Well met, Acolyte."
"I saw your fight. It is rare to see one so gifted for the dark side inside the academy." Lord Zhorrid's eyes were still full of curiosity and some of what Saryn interpreted as greed while she looked at him.
"Rance, you'd better take good care of my future Apprentice."
"It would be a shame for such talent to perish early, and if it did happen, I would be most displeased. Do not disappoint me." Lord Zhorrid continued before straightening her posture and leaving through the automatic door located behind her.
Rance remained bowing until the door closed on its own behind the Sith Lord.
"Acolytes!"
"Listen well, you have two hours of free time."
"Spend it training if you want a chance of surviving your trials," Rance instructed his Acolytes and turned back to Saryn.
"Acolyte Seake, you follow me to my office. We have things to discuss."
The two of them left the training ground and soon arrived in Rance's office.
"Acolyte, you exceeded even my wildest expectations."
"You managed to gain Lord Zhorrid's interest on your first day here, and she has already decided that you would be her next Apprentice."
"It is very rare and has probably never happened in this academy before." Overseer Rance's eyes were full of praise but also a bit of disappointment.
The less Saryn needed him, the less benefits he would get once the young Sith in front of him rose to prominence.
"I told you before, Rance."
"I can rise with or without your help."
"I was born to be Sith, and nothing can stop it from happening." Saryn wasn't surprised at all that she wanted him as her Apprentice.
His father had also tried to take him as an Apprentice, but the moment he mentioned the idea to Saryn, Saryn laughed and left home, departing for Korriban.
"Now, is that woman worthy of becoming my Master?"
"What do you know of her, Rance?" Saryn wouldn't disrespect any Sith Lord, but he certainly wouldn't agree to become the Apprentice of a weak one.
"That is the most impressive part about her, Acolyte."
"That woman is the daughter and only Apprentice of a member of the Dark Council." Overseer Rance was informed with deep envy.
"What?! Whose daughter is she?" Saryn stared incredulously at the Overseer in front of him.
If that was true, it was the perfect opportunity for him to rise through the ranks faster than anyone before him.
If all went well, he could become a Lord in a few years.
"Lord Zhorrid is the one and only daughter and Apprentice of the Dark Councilor, Darth Jadus, in charge of the Sphere of Imperial Intelligence."
"Darth Jadus is said to be second only to the emperor in terms of power." Fear flashed through Overseer Rance's eyes when he mentioned Darth Jadus, but he quickly went back to normal when he saw the large smile that appeared on Saryn's face.
"Ahahahah!"
"We can't keep my future Master waiting for too long, then Rance."
"Which course do I need to complete to undergo my trials?" Saryn was instantly much more enthusiastic when he spoke about his future master now that he knew her backing.
A smile also appeared on the Overseer's face when he saw how confident Saryn was.
"There are a few courses you need to take, Acolyte."
"Two subjects require the completion of an exam for you to be allowed to undergo your trials."
"Those courses are as follows: Sith Diplomacy, Conceptual Tactics, and Imperial Military Strategies."
"Once you have completed those courses, I will have you start your trials." Overseer Rance instructed.
"Perfect then, I'll do just that."
"I'll come to see you once I have completed those." Saryn nodded and prepared to depart.
"Wait a minute, Acolyte."
"I will send my Assistant to instruct you directly on those subjects."
"Her name is Loun. I trust you will find her company most pleasant." The Overseer informed Saryn before he had the chance to leave the room.
"I'll trust you on that then!" With a small laugh, Saryn exited the office.