"I haven't seen him do that before.... Guess it was only me who thought we were friends? Love really can make you look stupid.."

  Their teachers escorted them, leaving us alone, Joshua and Wendy were in sleek grey uniforms, meaning they were selected for the vanguard units trained under the Sun Chariot herself, I find their little situation hilarious. "He gave me a stare of pity as if looking down on some peasant? He does realize we're from the same hometown... that idiot can't let Wendy control fact and fiction." Similar to Charlotte—no she goes by Rachel now, her subtle sarcasm is masked as underlying concern. Except Char isn't tameable in completion. "Should we be concerned? Our goal is finding everyone, would this work."

  "Well yeah, it shouldn't matter! To him you're a fly, to her another potential backup." Emma joked. "They might croak if you actually let me dispose' of them." She adjusted her glasses menacingly like the seasoned assassin birthed from numerous exposure to torture. The engineer twirls her dagger with mastery.

  "Maybe I'm a fly or frog? Whatever." I don't know, whatever the case, some things never changed. "A reunion with those two ended poorly in the end hahaha."

  "Hmph.. it's not like I cared for that bitch and pretty boy anyway." Emma sighed. "Pretty boy is fortunate that Yale isn't here to put him in timeout."

  "Pretty boy? Bwahaha! Definitely in the top beauty category for malnourished looking dumbasses. Of course that being said, weren't you considered one of the prettiest girls back at the orphanage?"

  She smirked. "I may be pretty as hell but he's ridiculous."

  I laughed picturing Joshua wearing a tutu, heels singing merry-go-round on a sunny afternoon.

  "Of course, you're very fickle towards others purposely... Though Joshua acts like the main character of an anime, so there's that going for him." I laugh loudly. "The only real gangster we know would be Aquarius..."

  Emma chuckled. "Would that make your fiance part of his growing harem?" She poked fun at him for not caring one bit similar to Aquarius attracting other women into what she thinks' is a harem.

  "Ehh? The girl who used to wet herself, follow me around and get mad when things didn't go her way? Pass! He can have her. But even then, Joshua is too good for her. I don't know wbat changed.. one day I have to snap him free from that harpy."

  Joshua was never that bright among us. Always relying on his luck, believing himself special just because he's some chosen hero like others in our broad circle of 'unique' orphans or whatever. My mind goes back briefly to him being surprised in our swordmanship gap twelve years ago, though Joshua hated losing, he kept trying and challenged us stronger kids, barely winning against William one day.

  "Ahahaha! You're more savage than usual Mister Nice Guy." Emma fell off her chair. "Harpy! Hahaha."

  "Um? Are we the only ones left without any teacher, does anyone know what this black uniform is?" Asked a tall boy. He reminded me of an oak tree back at our countryside village, Emma was still beside herself in laughter, "Bed wetter! Hahaha."

  "Could be signifying our low scores?" The guy next to him answered nervously.

  I shook my head, "Then my friend wouldn't be here. She's like an old universal database." Emma sat up next to me slowly catching her breath. "There's something about us not even the other freshmen know." I point out.

  "Who are you calling an old history book! Where does that analogy fit?" She pinched me. I counter with a flick to the forehead.

  "Like some trial class for specific individuals? How about we introduce ourselves first before delving deeper. I am Song Cassell." The twin swordswoman bowed. The Cassell family is renowned for swords like mine err.. like my birth mother's family, let's say that, right... They're supposedly servants of god? Blade houses are scattered across Starfield.

  "I'm Tyler Cress! Born and raised up by a lovely family of bakers, nice to meet everyone!" The tall muscular smiled brightly, if he wasn't mostly muscle, I would be worried for his safety.

  "Emma Cross. Hi." Emma sighed as she flipped, uh scrolled through some pages of an email or whatever. She usually has her servants print them out until now because, the budding scientist couldn't be bothered, yeah.. I know how you must feel, imagine experiencing this most of your life knowing her! Even during birthday parties. Don't me started on Emma hiring people to simply opening a door for one summer time.

  "Why do I feel like you're insulting me again!" She stared daggers into my soul. "You're being paranoid... How could I dismiss the adorable Emma Cross–ouch!" I rubbed my shoulder.

  "Can you actually pretend to make friends...? You can't push people away forever Emmy." I whispered as she turned her head to ignore me.

  "I'm Julius Redwood of the noble Redwood house serving this country's Starfield family!" The slick back hair boy next to Tyler said with enthusiasm. There are seven more but before anyone said anything else, a black uniformed woman stepped in, she had many medals on her shoulder coat and held an enormous black dragon engraved metallic box without using any forces of internal energy.

  I crossed my arms amazed at her body's sturdiness, from closer expection the box was clearly built using tough metals. "Sky Metal or Dtar Metal?" I pondered.

  "You eleven brats, you're lucky, very fortunate. My name is Rem Alexandrite! Supreme Commander of your new flag, and Lord of academy city itself. From now on, you are my personal students due to your records. Come get your equipment!"

  *THUMP*

  She dropped the box. It shook the entire room briefly. "Okay definitely neither," I say glancing at everyone's reactionary eyes glued down on Rem, not surprising at all.

  Rem as frightening of her reputation is often sought after for marriage—people love her looks, even enemies are said to admire and fear the black dragoness soaring through their ranks.

  "Rem?!" Some said in unison while others got up in shock.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  "The Black Dog?! Here? With us all!?" Song gushed her eyes valiantly wanting a challenge against what can be said is our generation's strongest woman.

  I only whistle howver knowing the 'black dog' is feared by all corrupted felons who get off easy in this era of imaginium.

  Still, the headmaster of academy city shouldn't be a teacher unless this class is somewhat special; the black dog's shadow dragoons are frightening soldiers, training under her is said to be high in death.

  I smirked.

  "Interesting woman.. she's at a level higher than Ethan Cassell, probably even the Phantom Striker himself. You might need ten years to stand a chance, though it doesn't matter since she's also somewhat young." Selene, my sword spirit whispered mentally from the blade under my military capelet, yawned lazily. "Or not. We can just avoid danger all together."

  "So are we part of the shadow dragoons now?" Song bravely spoke up as I was also the only one aside a daek armored woman who dared to pull our own army issued equipment from the crate. She smiled us three, seemingly amused by us before giving a cold expression.

  "Indeed. Your.. how you say, curriculum? Won't be in the safe compounds of the academy city. You are all going to the battlefield. Any who aren't courageous enough could be transferred to the lowest class, those who want strength.. follow me. You will see the other recruits soon enough." She commanded like lightning.

  A mix of fear and nervousness filled the air as the eleven of us followed Rem out of the gym and into the training grounds.

  As we walked, Rem explained the nature of our training. "In order to become true warriors, you must experience real combat. You will be deployed to various conflict zones, where you will face countless enemy types and learn the true meaning of battle year one. As for the following years..." Rem trailed off.

  Her words hung heavy in the air, but none of us wavered. We had come to this academy to become strong, to protect and serve our country. And now we have been given the opportunity to do just that earlier than expected.

  Rem led us to an armory maintained by shadow dragoon soldiers, where rows of weapons and armor were displayed. "Choose your weapons wisely," she said. "These will be your tools on the battlefield. There's no limit."

  I gazed at the array of swords, axes, and spears, unsure of what to pick. I had trained extensively with my own lightning casted short sword, but the thought of trying something new intrigued me. In the end, I reached for a cold, crystalized halberd resonating with me in a corner.

  "This is...? Zephyr take it! I will explain later." Selene said happily.

  As I held it in my hand, I felt a surge of energy, almost as if the halberd itself was acknowledging me. A voice whispered in my mind, "That's my lost fragment."

  "How so?" I asked carefully and examineditt as the light show faded.

  "Your affinity with moon energy is more powerful than star and sun energies. This old short sword accompanying you contains some ancient knowledge amongst us sacred weapons."

  I feel it's smooth and slick blade across my finger tips, appraising the intricate designs written in some lost language.

  "Selene's Wrath?" I could barely read for some reason while the mysterious voice blabbed on and on about the good ol' days of sacred weapons physically walking amongst humans. Closing my eyes as to take in it's resonance, I opened them quickly. "Mu?" Shivering from fear.

  Rem watched me with interest before moving on to the others. Each of them selected their own weapons, ranging from guns to staffs to gauntlets. It was clear that we all had our own preferred style of combat.

  "You seem disoriented." I almost stumbled. "Don't worry Selene.. I suddenly feel drained, there's an uneasy inkling in this halberd's origins." I stared at the weapon one more time sighing, knowing it may be yet another test for me.

  More homework if you willed.

  The only real challenge is tying it inti a knot..

  Once we had chosen our weapons, Rem led us to the training grounds. "Today, you will learn the basics of battle formation and strategy. These skills will be crucial in keeping yourselves and your comrades safe on the battlefield."

  She demonstrated various formations and tactics, explaining the importance of communication and teamwork. We practiced for hours, drilling the movements until they became second nature. Rem used the Alexandrite family's jet and dropped us off at an abandoned army base away from our country.

  "You will live and train here from now on, you are to wake up early every day! Here's the task! Survive kiddos."

  "Kiddos? But she's barely six years older than us!" Emma yelled.

  "And six years in experience on the battlefield." Song retorted.

  Prisoners are released from an unlicensed van, it dawned on me who spun Selenia instead of the halberd, "How brutal." I catch and point it at the prisoners. "You probably have some ridiculous sentences huh? Don't worry about that anymore, today is your last."

  Song chuckled, "Indeed! Filth should be eliminated." She unsheathes her long blades and stands by me, "Wanna see who can kill the most?"

  The armored woman moved ahead up cleaving crooks in cropped pieces from her large axe.

  I laugh, having not felt this much drive since my bounty and monster hunting days at home. "You're on!"

  "Oho! Good intuition kids, you got my attention, though the rest could use said courage.. nevermind. That's why we're here, no?" She says as me, Song and four others fight. The other half was scared of killing another person, for me, that wasn't an issue..."I used to hunt criminals after all!" Selenia's glow increased my attack speed, which was more than some gutter rat criminals could handle. They prey on those weaker, rape women and children, rob others of their future and expect this would a chance for freedom? "Don't make me laugh!" Thunderous energy explode from a singularly dash followed by Song's twin vorpal slashes, Emma using the enemy's shadows as stepping stones dragging her scythe across their jugular cleanly.

  "What the perfect day for grinding trash," A red haired girl used spellblades deploying an enriching control of mana.

  "Aim for this woman's head!" I moved swiftly and precisely, aiming for the armored prisoner that Selene had marked. "I like this dagger," moving behind the woman slicing her head clean off. "How sharp is this thing now?"

  Selene hums, "Seems like this old thing accepted you as master, all that's left is awakening it. Good luck! Sacred weapons aren't like flowers y'know."

  "Are you calling divine weapons flowers?" I changed sword stance for handling nine charging enemies. "Seriously?" Parrying and maneuvering into their weak spots. "But you act like God's don't work like wage slaves too!" She quoted from a niche lesser known movie. "Selene I swear to god..."

  The fight was intense, with punches, gunshots, kicks, and slashes coming from both sides. It was clear that these prisoners were seasoned fighters for normal humans.. I held my ground against many alone. I dodged and eluded their desperate attempts of attacks, countering with quick strikes of my own. The last prisoner before me had nerve wrecking reflexes. "Found it!" I saw an opening. With a swift motion, I lunged forward feeling that speed buff again, driving the blade into the heart of the next marked prisoner. As his body fell to the ground, a surge of energy rushed through me, and I felt myself growing stronger.

  [Level Up!]

  "Huh?" I touched the floating bar. "This is? I actually leveled up after ten years, what the hell man." It only made me mad the prompt took forever even after killing a great wolf with my father last month, but no no no, a criminal.

  "You've obtained an epiphany! What did you just comprehend?" Selene was being pushy as I was nearly lost in finding out that Selenia's unique skill doubles the user's speed, but in exchange they'll lose their stamina completely after one minute.

  "What a dumb tradeoff" I ignored the prompt sentences.

  "What! Don't call me dumb!" She protests.

  My heart was steady. Too steady thinking back on everything, it was all very clear like a cascading moon, serenading an essence of stability and freedom.

  The other prisoners looked on in shock and fear, realizing that their comrades had been killed. But instead of faltering, they became more determined to take us down. Honestly me and Song took the most down between us, though that lady in the dark armor killed about the same as us combined.

  "Who is she?" Emma whispered. "I don't know dude. She reminds me of Lynn." I whispered back.

  I missed that rule abiding fool.

  "Careful!" Song protected the others through deflecting machine gun rounds from a heavy looking half cyborg. "Is that all?" She stop a single step, a simple slash; time felt still as the prisoner was dice clean into two pieces. "Don't falter! They're lowlifes who stand no chance if we work as one!"

  The Cassel style is scary fast.

  "H-hey could you two see that?" Asked the red haired girl. Me and Emma looked at each other nodding. "Yeah we're sorta used to a speed crazier than that uh.. our master would train us like beasts....."

  The other members of our group began to find their own rhythm only after we practically made the enemies tired or injured, funny isn't it? People who could barely contribute their own weight in completion, acted now.

  Song's twin swords sliced through the air, creating a deadly dance of singing steel. Tyler launched powerful blows with his fists, his strength and agility unmatched. Julius commanded powerful elemental magic, engulfing the iron air in charing flames and hollowed ice.

  Emma used her agility and eagle eyes' to swiftly evade attacks and strike back with precision. Together, we fought as a team although barely, utilizing our individual strengths to overpower the prisoners last minute. I'll give us a B for team work at least.

  Rem watched us with a mix of disappointment and grudging approval, "Only few can keep up." Her eyes gleaming with excitement at me, Song, a purple winged male, Emma and the Dark Knight. She knew that we were all different, that we possessed courage and determination that set us apart from the rest.

  After what felt like hours of battling, the last prisoner fell to the ground. We stood in the midst of the bloodshed panting and covered in sweat and blood, but victorious nonetheless.

  Rem clapped her hands, a devious smile playing on her lips. "Well done, my students. You have shown immense skill and bravery today. But remember, this is only the beginning of basics. The path to becoming true warriors is long and challenging. Now.. you will run 40 miles!"

  "What?! That's impossible! You can't expect...! Huh," Julius turned to me, Song and the others Rem seemed to like, all started stretching. "What are you guys doing?" Julius frowned.

  "Preparing to run you silly man! Since we tied before Zephyr, how about we see who can actually finish first?" She smirks.

  "Only if you don't complain about me being faster from the start!" I ran in place.

  She yelled. "Cheater!"

  Thus began a series of nonsensical adventures towards my unfulfilled years as a dragoon... right?