Squad Initiation

The sun’s rays shine on my eyes through the refraction of light.

Snow-white doves soar into the sky, and the divine bell rings loudly.

It is another time for school, but that would be easy if my exhausted body listens.

I force my eyes open, staring into the sunlight until my brain is convinced to be awakened.

Life as a noble is tiring.

Now that I gather the strength to stand up, I stroll through the classroom.

For unknown reasons, my eyes are glued onto the peasants.

Their rivalry amongst each other has sparked a fighting spirit in me.

But a hint of frustration fuels me.

How can they, as peasants, reach the same level of knowledge as the nobles.

The last few peasants that applied to this university have been exiled from the kingdom, so how did these three survive?

One of them is very talented too.

A natural in magick, to be exact!

It angers me, like they are spitting in my face.

To be a noble is a privilege.

And these peasants have nothing to earn that.

Simply, no matter how much work is put through their efforts, they cannot run from their birthrights.

That alone is enough to signify their place and title as peasants.

“Tired?”

I turned to the left.

Juliana Corlis, I’ve been seeing her become acquainted with the princess lately.

The princess seems so busy all the time, so it’s hard to ever get in contact with her.

She must be lucky.

“A little,” I reply.

“The noble stuff, huh?”

I nod.

She rolls her eyes and sighs.

“So tiring!”

The both of us suddenly chuckle.

She knows that feeling as a noble.

“I don’t think we ever spoke,”

“Yeah, we have each other in class, but we never spoke!”

“I am Eunice Winters,”

Before I knew it, we were lost in our conversation.

We laugh and smile, slowly opening up to each other.

It’s been a long time since I had my voice heard by someone else.

Unfortunately, those spare moments are temporary.

Our conversation is cut loose when the boisterous peasant announces his arrival.

He glares at the talented peasants with daggers in his eyes, and I can easily sense the annoyance in Juliana.

Her aura feels unsettling.

“Something the matter?”

“It’s nothing…”

Does she perhaps feel the same as I do?

Except her stored hatred is slowly leaking, seething from the constant bickering between the two.

“Alright, class, please take a seat!”

As soon as the professor arrives, everyone immediately obeys his orders.

Everyone is seated quietly, awaiting his next instructions.

“Good morning, class. I have an important announcement to make.”

The professor straightens his slouching posture.

“Rank-Up Selections are coming up soon. Due to that, the king has requested to begin the Squad Initiation. The Rank-Up Selections will contain events involving teamwork where trust is required amongst your allies. That is how morale is boosted on the battlefield. Thus, the Squad Initiation is here to help you understand yourself and your allies.”

Our classmates begin whispering amongst each other.

The thought of being in a squad has piqued their interest.

I feel the same as them.

My eyes turn to Juliana, whose eyes have been set on someone else.

The princess?

I envy her, but I can understand why Juliana would choose her over me.

It will be advantageous with the princess in your squad.

Then, an unfamiliar visitor knocks on the door.

Everyone diverts from the topic and focuses on him.

His azure eyes are so enticing.

I feel as though I have been put into a trance.

“I hope I’m not interrupting, professor!”

The professor reverts to his slouching posture while retaining his gloomy face.

“Oh yes, I’ve just announced about all of it.”

“Great! So let’s get to announcing the teams!”

Who is this man?

Though his red-and-black outfit indicates his nobility, his mannerism and body language says the opposite.

He looks akin to those peasants, especially that lousy one always looking for a fight.

“Class, this is one of the Royal Squad Leaders. Akimitsu Yakumo,”

He waves at us with a smile.

“Hello, everyone!”

That surname…isn't the same as that talented peasant?

“Unfortunately, we’ve already decided who you’ll be with!”

What a convenience…

It seems my plan with Juliana has backfired.

I can only wonder who will be in my squad.

“When I call your names, please stand up.”

The tension grows, and the side conversations die quickly.

Students seated in front of me show signs of trembling.

I can feel it too.

This man’s magick presence is immense.

Not even the professor would dare to protest with Akimitsu.

His childlike character makes the environment unsettling.

“Juliana Corlis, Jericho Skadi, and Sergey Kozlov.”

Juliana stands up, including the aforementioned individuals (one of them happens to be a minotaur).

“You three will be under Rosaria’s teachings.”

He snaps his fingers.

Within a blink of an eye, the three disappear from their spots.

The class slowly starts to panic.

“Don’t worry, I just sent them to their leader’s quarters. It’s not like I wiped them out of existence!”

He harrumphs loudly for everyone’s attention.

“Now, onto the next! Eunice Winters…”

It looks like I’m up.

Standing up, I await for my next teammates.

My next two allies pique my curiosity.

Who will be compatible with my affinity?

“Kaito Yakumo.”

The talented peasant?

As much as it bothers me that he’s paired with me, he has the skills to express my augment.

I heard he has three affinities.

His wind affinity compliments my element whereas mine enhances his lightning strikes.

This will be interesting.

“And lastly, Tsubasa Kazetani. You three will be under my training!”

All excitement from me reduces to zero.

Even my teammate sighs in disbelief.

“Hey, Mister Akimitsu! Why do I get paired with him of all people!”

He angrily points at Kaito.

I roll my eyes.

Is this punishment from above?

Why am I paired with someone who has no affinity?

There is no synergy in this team.

Nonetheless, I will conclude this is a testament to prove my ability as a noble.

These peasants shall know what it means to be a noble, and the fate of responsibility that we nobles must shoulder.