Chapter 3 — Academy of Knights
The Knight Academy towered over the capital like a monument to glory.
High marble walls. Gleaming stone statues. Banners fluttering in the morning breeze.
Synoh stood before the massive gates, heart hammering in his chest.
This was it.
The first step to keeping his promise.
---
Inside, dozens of young men and women gathered in a grand courtyard. Some wore fine cloaks stitched with gold; others had swords so polished they seemed to glow.
Synoh's simple clothes and worn blade earned more than a few snickers.
"Another farm rat," someone muttered.
"Probably can't even swing a sword straight," another sneered.
Synoh ignored them.
He had faced real danger before. These spoiled brats didn't scare him.
---
A hush fell over the crowd as two figures approached.
The first was a tall boy with short, golden hair and calm blue eyes.
His presence felt... commanding, almost like the sun itself bowed around him.
Lux.
The prodigy of the noble Licht family.
Master of swordplay, gifted with dazzling light magic.
Beside him slithered another boy —
Edward.
Dark hair slicked back, eyes full of smug cruelty.
He pointed at Synoh, laughing loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"What's this? A lost little sheep? You must be confused, boy — the servant's quarters are that way."
A ripple of laughter spread among the nobles.
Synoh said nothing, just rested his hand lightly on his sword.
Lux glanced at Edward, frowning slightly.
He didn't laugh.
"Leave him," Lux said. His voice was quiet, but it carried weight.
Edward huffed but obeyed — for now.
---
The First Test: Sparring
An old instructor with a scarred face barked orders.
"Pair up! Show us your skills! No magic — swords only!"
Synoh ended up across from Edward.
Perfect.
Edward sneered as he drew his ornate rapier, twirling it dramatically.
"I'll make this quick, peasant."
Synoh simply lowered into a stance — the stance Synix had drilled into his bones.
Shadow Dance Sword Style.
The bell rang.
Edward lunged.
Synoh stepped aside with ghostly smoothness.
A flick of the wrist — Edward's sword went flying.
Another step — Edward was on his back, blinking up at the sky.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then, whispers.
"Did you see that?"
"He's fast... way too fast."
Edward scrambled up, red-faced and furious.
"You got lucky!" he spat, summoning a blast of wind magic — forbidden during sparring.
The instructor's mouth opened to shout, but Synoh was already moving.
The blackened sword gleamed —
one slash of pure shadow —
and Edward's spell shattered harmlessly in the air.
Synoh didn't even touch him after that.
He just stood there, calm, sword lowered.
Edward paled, dropped his rapier, and ran.
---
Lux stepped forward, his blue eyes sharp with interest.
"You," he said, pointing at Synoh.
"What's your name?"
"Synoh," he said simply.
Lux smiled — not mocking, but challenging.
"I hope we meet in the finals."
Synoh nodded, feeling a strange excitement stir inside him.
A real rival.
A real fight.
For the first time since Synix left him, Synoh felt truly alive.
---
Meanwhile, Hidden Among the Watching Crowds...
A cloaked figure watched the scene from a balcony, a smirk playing on his lips.
"So, the wolf cub grows sharper," Synix murmured.
His eyes glinted beneath the hood.
"But the real test is still to come."
---
(End of Chapter 3)