"A month shelving shit like a peasant, like nobody.", Poke muttered to himself as he glared at stables.
The sun was high in the sky beaming down on Poke's body. Sweat poured down his face while walking towards a tree. Finally getting some shade from the evil light from above.
Slumped against the tree Poke has never felt as humiliated as he does now. Angel even got off from taking care of the horse, opting to do more kitchen tasks. Unfair to Poke who's been either shoveling horse shit, or taking care of outside tasks.
Tasks such as helping replant the village that was destroyed during the recent attacks. Helping the farmers at other villages with their animals. The worst of the task having to clean up the courtyard after students are done training in the evening.
Poke has gained a better appreciation and also understanding of the staff. The unsung heroes that help to keep the school running.
Maybe it's just Poke being paranoid, but he has a gut feeling that Mercer is getting back at him for something. Poke believes he has covered his tracks well with killing Gin. It's been months there wouldn't be a reason for them to keep checking.
"You're too paranoid child relax", the voice in his head chided.
Poke just shook his head in defense. "I still think the higher ups in this school knows something, or at least have some suspicions", replied Poke.
The voice let out a tired sigh. "You ever think maybe, just maybe they're trying to humble a cocky student after he broke Academy rules? Just a thought."
"Whatever", Poke scoffed, brushing the grass off of his pants after standing.
He quickly began to make his way back to the horse stables to wash down any horse that needed to be cleaned. Poke also had to check over some of the horse shoes after noticing one of them was limping earlier.
Poke let out a weary sigh before approaching the stables. The other workers greeted him nicely, even waving at them. Poke made sure to greet all of them, even keeping up a small smile.
He never cared to learn their names,like the majority of the people in the school. If they weren't important or a threat to him he chose to be polite but keep it moving. He pretended to be kind and humble just to keep up the act of an honest student.
A student who's diligent in his studies. A student who is willing to go the distance and help the little man. A hero always with a huge smile on his face.
It gets so tiring though, the pretending care. All the fakes smiled and acted as if he wanted to truly help others. Poke as an orphan all wants is a title, money, anything other than a life of poverty.
"What about learning who killed your parents.", the voice in his head mocked.
"They're dead now, so who the hell cares. I know I don't give about them anyways they left me with nothing.", Poke sneered a frown appearing momentarily on his face before being replaced by his usual small smile.
"Tsk tsk tsk child they left you with everything. One day when you're at your weakest you'll call my name and I'll tell you all the answers you want. In exchange for control of your body.", the voice swore.
"Yeah, yeah like fuck all the way off", Poke spat.
Poke just heard a deep chuckle as the small pain in his head receded. Sigh it was a mistake giving into that voice to kill Gin by summoning that monster. A moment of weakness that won't happen again.
Poke was back in the horse washing station, at this point his home away from home. Absent-mindedly scarbing the dirt of the first horse he saw. These horses were bred for battle.
Enhanced by magic over generations has made them stronger and faster than the average horses housed by regular folks. Sadly the academy housed around 200 with the rest being at the capital.
Meaning Poke had a lot of work to always do. Brightside only one more day left until he's off punishment then he'll have time to prepare for the open ceremony.
Being the best of his class he gets to showcase the talents of the school to the nobles and other people that take interest in the school. This year though instead of hosting a tournament or something of the like Poke wants to challenge someone.
It's been in Poke's hurt for months and since he'll be an official student. Poke can challenge him without getting in any trouble.
Bridgid walked with a quickness, a determined look on her face as she made her way to Mercer's office. For the past month it has been hell for her. Having to make sure Anna didn't sneak away.
That young lady still gets up to mischief that's not even logical. Brigid asked her to oversee the knights building golems. That somehow turned into a bunch of mutated rabbits hunting down the group.
Where did the rabbits even come from? Who knows, Brigid doesn't. Neither does Anna but somehow the leader wanted to kill her.
Brigid rubbed her head, an overwhelming headache that has been present since the month started. Finally she reached Mercer's office, her binder full paperwork in her hands.
"Sir I think you might be going a little overboard with changes.", Brigid confessed to Mercer. Pulling out multiple different papers out of the binder she brought.
Mercer glanced up from his desk looking at Brigid busting through the door. The wood hitting the wall hard. Brigid's face was flustered almost matching the color her hair once was.
"Well well good morning to you Brigid. You're looking rather lovely today.", Mercer stated with a small smile on his face.
"Cut the crap Mercer,look at the shit you have me doing.", Brigid fumed, slamming the binder full of papers on his desk.
"Langunage Miss.O'Connell this is a school for children", Mercer joked.
Brigid glared at Mercer, her eyes looking like they were on fire. "Shut up you idiot and read!"
"Fine, fine", Mercer replied. Picking through the binder full papers. One of the constant names is Anna because of course it is.
Mercer began to go over each one, making little notes on some of the pages. He's pretty much going over the budgets along with some extra things he asked for the ceremony this year.
Earlier Mercer had called Brigid to his office for a meeting about the preparations for the entrance ceremony. Most of the Nobels have a very big investment so a lot of them show up to see how those investments pay off.
Wanting to see if the knights were improving with each graduation. They also check on the magic and technology is evolving.
Not only in money but with heirs that brought her, and along with missions. Sometimes even finding members in the city with potential and paying for their years here. In return most Nobels get first dibs on certain recruits with a three month contract.
This Brigid is beside her means with trying to get everything running. With the influx of new recruits, making sure they're registered. Overseeing the various knights that go on missions.
Having to prepare even more defenses such as golems that Mercer requested has been very trying. Honestly forcing Anna to help with some of the tasks took a big amount of work off her.
"Don't worry about any expenses, I'll take care of it myself.", Mercer stated. Taking a glance at the documents before giving them back.
Brigid let out an annoyed sigh as she grabbed her nose in frustration. "It's not the cost that is the point.", She argued. "We have staff around the clock making sure the school is cleaned and all the food is cooked. Along with upgrading the defenses. You even brought back the majority of the knights posted all around the kingdom."
Mercer stroked his beard before replying, "The next few days I fear are going to be the darkest of the school. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I'd rather be prepared for the worst case scenario."
"Preparing for what?", Brigid asked curiosity in her words as she
"For what's to come", Mercer said cryptically
"What the fuck is that suppose to mean", Bridgid argued slamming her hand on the table.
Mercer didn't jump at the noise no"It means just do your job and continue to trust me."
"I'll double up the patrols and have anyone watching for anything suspicious.", Brigid decided. Jotting it down on a sheet of paper before putting in her binder.
"Appericated.", Mercer replied.
Brigid just nodded her head, quickly gathering up her paperwork. Quietly leaving the office to watch over more preparations. Also contacting the leader of groups about the assigning extra patrols, and adding in more overlaps.
So at any one point there is more than one person watching the hallways and around the grounds at all times.