The Academy's library was smaller than Kayden had imagined. A narrow room, high windows letting in pale light, rows of low shelves that smelled of dust. Most students didn't even bother coming in, and the silence was so heavy it felt like it clung to his skin.
Kayden flipped through Logan's notebook slowly. Every page was written with irritating precision—clean handwriting, neatly drawn diagrams.
'This bastard doesn't even mess up his penmanship. How can he live like a slob at home and still keep his notebook spotless?'
But what mattered wasn't the calligraphy. It was the information. And there it was—laid out like a war manual.
Reconnaissance Expedition: the first step. Advance into newly-claimed Djinn territory, map the terrain, study the land, and identify threats. Dirty, dangerous, thankless work.
Exploration Expedition: the second stage. Once paths were mapped, the explorers moved in. They dug up hidden treasures, searched for artifacts, broke barriers, and made first contact with stronger Djinns.
Kayden twirled his pen between his fingers, bored—until something made him freeze.
Reclamation Expedition.
His eyes locked on the title as if it had been branded into the page with fire. It wasn't just a name. It was a promise.
Reclamation begins only when the Academy decides to retake a lost city, establishing a permanent stronghold in Djinn territory. Only the highest-ranking expeditioners can join. It marks the end of a war.
Kayden's heart pounded harder, each word striking against his mind like a hammer.
Reclamation.
Just thinking the word conjured the image, Ashen Falls, swallowed whole. The place he'd lived his entire life, folded up and abandoned like an old cardboard box. He shut his eyes and clenched his fists until they hurt. He'd left Ashen Falls too quickly, refused to think about it. But the resentment lingered, throbbing like an infected wound.
'I'll reclaim Ashen Falls.'
In that instant, everything crystallized. It wasn't just a desire anymore. It was a commandment. For the first time since the cathedral, he felt like he had a clear goal.
"Interesting choice of reading."
The voice cut through the silence like a blade. Kayden looked up, meeting the gaze of the Technical Reports professor standing by his desk. The man studied the open notebook with an unreadable expression.
"Reclamation expeditions…" The professor adjusted his glasses, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Ambitious."
Kayden's blood boiled. "So what?"
"So," the professor said evenly, tapping the notebook, "big dreams need solid foundations. To join a Reclamation, you'd have to be among the top twenty in the Capital Academy. To even get to the Capital, you'd need to place in the top five here. And to reach the top five…"
He left the sentence hanging, his smile widening.
"…you need to know how to write a decent report."
Kayden's fists tightened. The professor walked away, his footsteps echoing in the suffocating quiet, leaving only the poisoned echo of his words behind.
Son of a bitch…
But beneath the anger, a seed of determination sprouted. If reports were the hurdle, then he'd damn well learn how to write them.
***
By the next class, the hall buzzed with voices. Kayden entered, still lost in thought, the professor's words replaying in his head. He only noticed Logan when the boy waved from the second row.
"Hey! Come here, you've gotta see this."
Kayden walked over, spotting a small crowd gathered around a sheet of paper pinned to the wall.
"Provisional rankings list," Logan explained, pointing at the column of names. "Updated monthly based on grades and performance in practicals."
Kayden's eyes scanned down the list. Logan sat firmly in first place. Kayden had to scroll down—a lot—before finding his own name.
67th.
'Shit.'
"See?" Logan gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "I'm the best."
Kayden studied the five names at the top. Faces he barely recognized, people who passed unnoticed in the hallways. And there it was, the wall between him and Ashen Falls.
"How long until transfers?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
"Oh, so you heard. End of the school year. About six months." Logan frowned. "Why the rush?"
Kayden didn't answer. Six months to climb sixty-two ranks. He'd need to outscore the fifth-ranked student in half the time.
'It will be tough,'
"Let's sit," Logan said, pulling him along. "Class is starting."
The professor entered carrying a stack of papers and a shadowy grin.
"Group tactics exercise today," he announced, handing out sheets. "You'll have one hour to plan a reconnaissance strategy for this region."
Kayden studied the printed map. Mountainous terrain, multiple access routes, red-marked points of interest. His mind started working automatically—plotting paths, spotting ambush sites, calculating risks.
"Kayden?" Logan nudged him. "You joining in, or just daydreaming?"
"I…" Kayden blinked, realizing the group was already deep in discussion. "Yeah, of course."
For the next hour, he forced himself to participate. He pointed out flaws in their strategies, suggested alternate routes, and flagged blind spots the others had overlooked. Slowly, he realized the group was actually starting to listen.
When they turned in the plan, the professor gave it a quick look and nodded.
"Logan's group—good terrain analysis. Especially the notes on natural camouflage." His eyes met Kayden's. "Keep it up."
It wasn't much. But it was a start.
After class, Logan was buzzing with excitement as they walked the hall.
"Dude, you were incredible back there! Where'd all that tactical knowledge come from?"
Kayden shrugged. "Experience."
"Experience? What kind of—"
"Logan." Kayden stopped and turned to him. "Help me with something."
"Sure, what is it?"
"I want to be top five by the end of the year."
Logan blinked, then let out a short laugh. "You serious? Six months to climb over sixty ranks? That's basically—"
"Impossible. I know." Kayden folded his arms. "So, are you in or not?"
The smile faded from Logan's face when he realized Kayden meant it. He studied his friend, noticing something different in his eyes—a determination bordering on obsession.
"…Alright. Here's the deal. I've already got a group, but if you make Top 20 in this next expedition, I'll join yours for the final one of the year."
Perfect. That's already a reinforcement.
"But let me warn you—you're not climbing that high without learning how to write reports."
"Fine. I'll learn in time."
"No, you don't get it. You need real practice with someone who knows their stuff. Professor Marcus is the best."
"Professor Marcus?" Kayden frowned. "The Technical Reports professor?"
"That's him." Logan shrugged, oblivious to the storm brewing inside his friend. "Who else would be the best at it?"
Kayden ran a hand through his hair, frustration building like thunder.
The goal he had set for himself was already infuriating enough. On top of asking Logan for help, now he'd have to crawl to the last person he wanted to face in the Academy. Swallow his pride, admit his weakness, and beg that arrogant bastard for guidance.