New Neighbors.
The Fourth-Year dormitory was a marvel of architectural symbolism, consisting of three grand towers. Each was dedicated to a legendary beast: the first was the Tower of Fenrir, the second the Tower of the Dragon, and the third the Tower of the Kraken.
As Rune navigated the stone hallways toward his quarters, a firm tap landed on his shoulder. He turned to find a boy around fourteen years old, looking at him with genuine curiosity.
"Yo, I haven't seen you around before. My name's Albert,"
the boy said.
"You look... a bit young for this floor, don't you think?"
Rune smiled, appreciative of the friendly approach.
"Nice to meet you, Albert. I'm Rune. I was supposed to be a First-Year, but my level was high enough that they bumped me up to the Fourth-Year Special Class."
Albert's eyebrows shot up.
"Special admission? Impressive. Well, my room is right next to yours. If you need a hand finding the mess hall or the sparring pits, just holler, alright?"
"I will. Thanks!"
The Testing Grounds.
Rune had barely finished unpacking when a sharp knock echoed through his room. Albert stood in the doorway, already wearing his light training leathers.
"Rune, want to check out the training area? I heard they upgraded the facilities over the break."
Rune didn't need to be asked twice. He grabbed his practice sword and followed Albert to a sprawling arena.
It was unlike anything in Norgke County. Machines hummed with ether; there were mechanical strength testers, high-velocity ball launchers for reaction training, and six elevated sparring platforms designed to withstand high-impact combat.
"I'll show you how the machines work later,"
Albert said, his eyes gleaming with competitive spirit.
"Let's spar first. I want to see exactly what kind of monster the Academy just recruited."
Rune didn't waste words. He stepped onto the platform and dropped into a low, centered stance.
Albert initiated a lightning-fast spear throw aimed directly at Rune's head. Rune simply tilted his skull an inch to the left, letting the wood whistle past. He surged forward for a counter, but Albert vanished. In a blur of speed, Albert reappeared behind the flying spear, caught it mid-air, and used the momentum to transition into a vicious sweeping strike.
Rune brought his blade down just in time. The impact sent a jar through his arms, pushing him back several feet.
"Nice parry!"
Albert laughed, his face alight with excitement.
"I thought I had you there."
"Interesting moves,"
Rune replied, his prismatic eyes flaring behind his shadow shroud.
"But it's my turn now."
Rune unleashed the Blade of Ten Directions. He moved in a relentless storm, stacking seven consecutive slashes. With each strike, Albert was forced further back, his defense fraying under the sheer weight of Rune's superimposed ether. By the seventh strike, Albert was knocked clean off the boundary of the field.
"I give up!" Albert panted, rubbing a sore shoulder.
"That was incredible. I haven't lost that badly in a year. I guess that special enrollment wasn't a mistake after all."
He climbed back onto the platform and offered a hand.
"Friends?"
Rune gripped it firmly.
"Friends."
The Circle of Six.
After testing their limits on the reaction machines, hunger eventually drove the boys to the mess hall. Albert led the way to a large table where a diverse group was already eating.
"Guys, this is Rune. He's the new prodigy in our class,"
Albert announced. He began pointing out the others.
"These are my friends from back in our first year,"
Albert said, gesturing to the group with a grin.
The lady with the fierce face is Lagertha. Next to her is Volund. Those two identical faces are the twins, Axel and Thud, and finally, our cold beauty, Madelene."
He leaned in closer to Rune.
"Don't be shy, they're mostly harmless. Just—OW! Aww, stop!"
Albert let out a yelp as Lagertha's hand clamped onto his ear, twisting it with practiced precision.
"And who exactly has a 'fierce face,' Albert?"
Lagertha asked, her voice dangerously calm.
"See, Rune?"
Albert gasped, trying to pry her fingers off.
"All of them are nice except for this witch! Let go!"
Lagertha ignored him, turning to Rune with a radiant, genuine smile.
"Rune, don't believe a word this idiot says. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Don't mind them,"
Madelene added, her tone cool and soothing.
"They're always like this. Albert makes a hobby of annoying Lagertha, usually right before she beats him senseless in the sparring pits."
Axel nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, don't let the chaos fool you. Madelene, my sister, and I are from the outer counties. Lagertha, Volund, and Albert are all Capital-born; they've been a trio since long before we entered the Academy."
Rune laughed, the tension of being the "new kid" finally beginning to fade. Between the playful bickering and the warm introductions, he realized that despite being miles from Norgke County, he had found a place where he belonged.
"The first day is always a bore,"
Albert groaned as they stood to leave.
"Maybe we should just skip the afternoon lecture and head back to the pits?"
SMACK…
Lagertha's hand connected with the back of Albert's head.
"Don't teach the kid your idiotic habits. Shut your mouth and get to class."
"Kidding! I was kidding!"
Albert squeaked, ducking behind Volund.
Rune followed them down the hall, a wide smile on his face. The lessons were about to begin, and for the first time, he wasn't facing them alone.