Weeks had flown by like they were nothing.
Gale and I sat down in a large open chamber which was split off into different sections.
Today was one of the biggest moments in my academic life, since it was the day I'd be selecting my main weapon.
Each section of the chamber held a large sign over it, signifying the weapon for that specific area.
Swords.
Bows.
Spears.
Shields.
Martial Arts.
Flails.
Daggers.
Hammers.
Staves.
The selection was vast and wide, not even mentioning the options within one category.
I stared at my options.
The sword was an obvious choice since it seemed beginner-friendly and fit the image I had been trying to make over the past few weeks as the youngest prince.
On the other hand, the staff meant you were delving into magic and not physical combat, which also tugged on my heartstrings since the old Caelum specialized in magic as well.
As I rubbed my chin, Gale dashed frantically over toward the shields section.
After talking with the man that ran the stand and signing a few papers, he came back to me with a giant grin on his face as he showed off his metal great shield.
It towered over me as it practically covered his entire body.
A burning desire to beat this man to a blond pulp slightly overwhelmed me as it had reminded me how short I had become.
"What do you plan to select, Cal?"
"I don't know yet. I was thinking either the sword or the staff. Thoughts?"
"Hmmm. Well, you did use to mainly use a staff, but since your family's blood practically irradiates swordsmanship, you were also extremely talented in that as well."
I nod.
Thanks to Gale's help with his information about the old Caelum, I had managed to piece together a small chunk of who he used to be.
The real kicker was if I wanted to lean into that personality or head a completely different route.
I shake away the thought for a later date and begin to walk toward the sword section.
"Mr. Caelum! Would you be registering for a blade?" the counter clerk asked with a smile.
I nod as he slides me a paper.
Signing the confirmation of my main weapon, I was swiftly handed a broadsword.
Although it held some weight, it also brimmed with familiarity as I half-heartedly swung it around.
"A sword, huh? I guess you can't break away from habits engraved into you, huh?"
"I guess not."
My eyes lathered over the blade with curiosity as I once again swung it around, this time adding some force behind it.
Each swing felt like I was performing a melody to a song I had heard before, yet didn't know by heart.
My heart pounded like a war drum, and my feet slid from stance to stance as my grip tightened, not wanting to let go.
"Cal! You okay? You were swinging your sword for a minute there."
"Huh? Y-yeah, I'm fine. Sorry about that."
I gave a faint chuckle, trying to play off the weird feeling.
My movements just then felt so natural, even though I had never swung a sword in my life.
After a few more minutes, Mr. Seyor entered the chamber, his large muscles and dark brown hair seeming greasier than usual. He rose onto a podium that sat in the center of the room, clearing his throat and giving his usual "serious teacher face."
"Good afternoon, students. I hope your weapons are to your liking," he said. "I just want to clarify a few things first. Number one, you shall not draw your weapon on school grounds unless permitted by a teacher, during a duel, on training grounds, or in self-defense. Secondly, the Wilderness Test. In one week, you will be placed into a forest inhabited by low-ranking beasts. This test will show your aptitude with your weapon, along with your survivability in hostile environments. Are there any questions?"
One student raised their hand.
"Mr. Seyor, what will happen if an emergency occurs during the test?"
"A good question. Each one of y'all will be given a magical device provided by Ms. Hellena that will give us y'all's exact location. If anything were to happen to you, or if you'd wish to drop out, there will be a button on the device signaling one of the faculty to evacuate you. Does that answer your question?"
The student nods as a few more students raise their hands.
"How will grades be determined?"
"Another good question. Grades will be determined by two merits: how long you manage to last and the number of beasts you manage to eliminate. The test will be taking place over three days, so if you manage to last all three, you'd receive fifty points to your grade. The second depends on how many beasts you can kill and the rarity of them. The higher the rarity of a beast, the more points you receive. Understand?"
As Mr. Seyor continued to answer the students' questions about the test, Gale's eyes sparkled, his breathing growing heavier as air blew from his nostrils. Turning his attention toward me, his face practically screamed, "Let's team up!"
After Mr. Seyor finished answering the bombardment of questions, the class was dismissed, allowing me to head back to my dorm room to study.
My biggest problem was the lack of knowledge I possessed since I was a commoner.
Even if I could squeeze out some miracle talent from myself, it wouldn't do much for my academic record if I was all brawn and no brain.
My eyes widened in surprise as the student council president sat outside my dorm room.
Taking notice of me, he walked over with a smile, along with some papers in hand.
"It's been a while, Prince Caelum. I hope the school's been treating you well."
"It has, thanks to your efforts. I'm grateful for the study material you provided."
"Haha, it's no problem. But if you'd like to repay me, I have a favor I'd like to ask you."
My face grew grim, yet I still managed to maintain a friendly smile as I looked at him with worried eyes.
Nothing ever good came from asking someone a favor, since the reason you'd ask was so you wouldn't have to do it yourself!
"Would you be willing to train with me?" he asked. "I usually train with the others during times like these, but unfortunately almost every section of the student council has been bombarded with paperwork and is too busy."
I looked at him puzzlingly.
Why on earth was he asking me, of all people, to train him?
He already knew my predicament from the headmaster, yet he still came to me.
"Uhm. I'm really sorry, but I'm not very… proficient with training," I explained.
"Nonsense. I've been watching you and your friend train vigorously for the past week now. You seemed to be having a great time, so I thought I'd ask to join y'all."
You call that having a great time?!
My precious school days have been tainted by that cruel madman and his torture he calls training!
I hold back the tears forming under my eyes as I turn his way once more.
"Council President. I think you should seriously—" I tried to explain, yet was interrupted.
"Call me Evan, and I beg of you! Please allow me to accompany you in your training!"
His body performed a perfect 90-degree bow as he then looked up at me with eyes that would land on a cute dog.
I couldn't allow him to join me on the hellish training sessions, I mustn't, yet the more I looked at him, the more cracks formed within my defense.
I wont beak! You can't say anything to destroy my will!
"I can assist you with your studies if need be!" Evan exclaimed, catching the gaze of passersby who came to enter the dorms on this floor as well.
"…Fine. You can join us," I utter as he hammered in the last nail in his coffin.
"Thank you, Caelum! You won't regret it! I'll work my butt off, just you see!"
"I'll let Gale know we're adding a plus one to our training for a while. Here's the schedule of when we usually meet up. The marked days in red are when I'll show, and the rest are optional when he usually trains by himself."
"Thanks for the info. I'll see you later then!" Evan said as he began to run off before stopping. "Oh yeah, Veyra also wanted to see if you were available tomorrow."
As Evan's body ran down the stairs, my heart began to beat rapidly like a rabbit's thumping as my face burned a bright red.
She wants to see if I'm free tomorrow?!
That's on a weekend!
Is she trying to ask me out on a D-d-d-date?!
This is too soon!
I know my current face is devilishly handsome, and I am the son of the king, but we haven't talked since my first day here!
As my mind ran wild, I noticed the odd looks I was receiving from my pacing back and forth in front of my door and hurried inside.
Veyra was indeed cute, and a part of the student council, meaning she's dependable.
I wasn't against the idea, but I couldn't ignore the deep lingering feeling in my chest at the thought of dating someone.
I stuffed my face into my pillow and screamed as loudly as I could, trying my hardest to calm myself, to no avail.
"…I should get an outfit ready," I mumbled to myself.
The day had come.
I stood in front of the Dark Magic Division's headquarters, dressed in one of my fanciest button-ups and shoes.
My blond hair was slicked back, and my green eyes shone like never before.
I shoved open the doors, being greeted by a loud scream.
A large boy wielding an entire desk chased around Mirelle like a cat as she laughed at the situation.
It seemed like everything was going well in here, at the very least.
Managing to get past the two, I greeted those who sat at their desks doing work and entered Veyra's office.
Inside, she sat in her usual uniform that held the Dark Magic Division's crest on its shoulders.
Noticing me, she shot a smile so warm it felt as if my flesh were being melted off by an incinerator.
"S-so! You wanted to see me?" I said.
"Yes, I did."
A long silence filled the room as she moved a lock of hair over her ear, then stared into my eyes. An involuntary gulp overtook me as I tried my hardest to stay calm.
"You see, I've been needing you for some time now." she said "You're the only one I need now."
I'm going to die here!