Chapter 022. Trouble from the start

Rhodeia.

It was the name of the street sign that they were standing under.

Just as expected, everything embodies the land’s sunny and warm climate. People wore light colors and carry umbrellas everywhere, walking out of expensive stores with sherbet or crepes.

Keren isn’t called the summer capital for nothing.

However, it seem like Ayla was only feeling the sun’s stifling heat the most.

“How’d you get used to this heat? I want to go back.” Ayla cried, leaning her whole weight on the pole with a sullen expression.

Miroh looked at Ayla in pity. Of course, nobody can totally prepare themselves to endure these intense heat after living in the colder climate for a long. He also went through this culture shock before.

“The carriage will be here soon. I specifically choose the one with air conditioning. The carriage will be colder than outside.”

Ayla stood up straighter at the news, wiping her forehead with her handkerchief for the thousandth time. She didn’t know that she could sweat this crazily just standing under the sun.

“I feel like the sun was directly on top of my head. Bet you 50 shekels, my head can fry an egg.” She groaned, cracking a joke drily. Not only was the heat making her head want to explode, but the sun felt like a giant vacuum that’s sucking all her energy.

As someone who rejects any body movements as much as possible, she feel like she just ran a marathon because of this blasted climate. If only it was possible to fly back to Jemima…she would do it in a heart beat.

Miroh couldn’t do anything but look at Ayla’s red and sweaty face in pity. Unfortunately, they had to go to the academy by themselves. Hamal and Caelum separated from them even before entering the capital. That is to avoid any close by surveillance from any of the tri-military branch.

For the Summer tide knights at the inspection booth, they were simply aspiring knights from Jemima that is taking the examination to the academy.

“Oh! It’s here!” Miroh exclaimed, waving the approaching carriage over to their position. It actually has the word ‘AIR CONDITIONED’ pasted on top of the driver.

“Please scan your ticket over here.” The driver kindly informed, gesturing to the scanner in his hand.

Miroh put the ticket under the scanner to authenticate their identity before boarding the carriage.

Furnitures had already progressed this much thanks to ores that humans amassed from the leviaths. Harnessing the property inside every ore to operate things like scanner, communicators, and most importantly, air conditioner for this climate was just some of the things that makes humans amazing creatures.

They both collapsed on their own side of the carriage, facing each other. They didn’t have a lot of things with them since basic necessities will be provided for them for two years. It was said to be the imperial family’s initiative to make everything accessible in the military academy regardless of status.

“How come you aren’t sweating?” Ayla huffed. She leaned back her head to feel the cold air cooling her entire body back to normal temperature.

Miroh shrugged, observing the people outside the window go about their day without any visible discomfort under the sun. “I got used to it. You’ll also get used to the heat sooner.”

“That’s good. I don’t want to feel like passing out everyday when we start training.” She closed her eyes to help her heart rate relax.

They travelled in silence until the buildings disappeared and green landscapes soon entered the view outside the window once again. At this time, Ayla had already recovered the color of her face and was observing the repetitive scenery impassively.

The academy seem to be situated at a protected site since they already passed by the last town half an hour ago. Ayla bit on a shekel cookie before saying something that’s bugging on her mind. “There’s a lot of trees here.”

Miroh nodded. “The academy is actually built inside the forest protected under the imperial family. People were afraid time will come when trees will be gone ever since Keziah had fallen so they are protecting this piece of land for the future.”

“Oh.” Ayla muttered. In any case, this actually is a good environment for knights to train because of the abundant greenery that helps keep the whole area cool and less humid.

It didn’t take long until they reached the main building. The main building looks nothing like the extravagant architecture in the capital. It seemed they purposely maintained the building as is to withstood the passage of time.

Still, it didn’t fail to stir a lot of reaction from everyone with its somber and imposing with its gray cobblestone walls and creeping vines in its eroded crevices.

Some wore terrible looks as if they were death row inmates on the day of their execution. Of course, there are people who entered here on a personal mission whether it was to seek vengeance or retribution.

And…there are also those who didn’t particularly show any emotion. Those people were usually the unpredictable ones.

The carriage immediately sped away as soon as Ayla closed the door. The driver didn’t even wait for Ayla to thank them.

“…”

“…civilians didn’t really want to mingle around any business with the knights.” Miroh sighed beside her.

Ayla glanced at the stationed knights, who were obviously there for everyone’s safety throughout the period where they’ll have to let random people inside the area. Their swords strapped on their hips was especially conspicuous.

She couldn’t blame anyone if they didn’t want to linger here any longer. These people were eyeing everyone as if one of them is about to commit arson.

There are also other carriages dropping off people, while some looks to have walked the entire way over here.

Miroh and Ayla naturally followed the flow of people to the entrance, passing by an old man talking to a younger boy with blond hair.

“You bet’r keep ye’r head on ye’r should’r, boy. Ye’r a smart kiddo so you’ll definitely survive here.” The old man stated. His heavy accent tinging with kindness and concern.

The blond kid nodded, hugging the small sack on his arms closer to his chest. “Don’t worry, grandpa. I will survive here and earn enough money so you won’t till any land anymore!”

The old man sighed, putting a fatherly hand on the boy’s head. “I’m not worried about that. Make sure to eat a lot of food so you can have energy all day. And share those rice cakes to your classmates so they’ll help you sometimes.”

They exchanged a few sentences more until the old man finally bid his grandson goodbye and tugged his horse-drawn cart to the way they came from.

The blond guy watched the cart go further away with an enthusiastic wave until it was too far away to see clearly. His face fell as he finally gazed at the imposing brick building, looking around wildly unsure of what to do.

He saw a group that looks like his age and was about to approach them. “E-excuse me—!” The blond guy yelped as his body suddenly collided with somebody’s hard shoulder.

“I’m sorry!” He immediately bowed.

“It’s fine.” A smooth voice answered above him and simply passed him by to continue walking.

“Wait!” He stared the person’s back in bewilderment when they didn’t stop after he called him back.

‘What a strange guy,’ he thought warily. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to see the person’s appearance except that the person was carrying a luggage on one hand.

‘Let’s set that aside for now…’

He gulped before taking a deep breath as he squared his shoulders to gather confidence. “I will survive this!” He chanted then began walking to the building like everyone else with his hands clenching his sack for dear life.

Nobody could’ve expect the future that arises in these fleeting moments of the present. But for now, the fates seem to have already rolled the dice.

The path to retribution will correct the wrongs and fulfill the rights.

…

“There are a lot of people.” That was Ayla’s observation, gazing at the bustling people blankly. It’s a bit difficult to squeeze in with the crowd of enrollees around the admissions table as of the moment.

“You’re right. I didn’t expect this number of recruits to sign up this year.” Miroh rubbed his face tiredly.

They were already standing for a good solid ten minutes since stepping inside the building because of the people. They hadn’t been able to register their names yet so they couldn’t get to their rooms to rest up.

Even people with the power of aurora can feel tiredness at times.

Ayla transferred her whole weight to her other leg, stomping her numb leg to relieve its tension. Traveling for four days and sitting for 6 hours at the longest during the entire journey will tire out even the strongest knights.

They couldn’t exactly just shamelessly cut in front of all the people without everyone getting pissed off.

Ayla sighed. Their estimation were incorrect. They should’ve arrived days earlier to avoid the height of people arriving.

“Let’s just wait it out. There’s nothing we can do.” She remarked then made herself comfortable on the floor. At least the lobby’s floor looks like it was routinely cleaned.

Miroh also followed suit, stretching his legs which made a crisp cracking sound.

“Keep an ear out in case somebody calls our numbers.” Ayla reminded, waving their priority stub.

She then rested her elbow on her thigh, placing her chin on her hands as she observed the people around mildly interested. Keid did said to look out for good seedlings to poach.

“Hmmm…there’s no one interesting.” Ayla muttered.

“HEY! Do you know who I am?” A loud berating voice resounded amidst the bustling activity inside the lobby. It was such a provoking insert that everyone near turned to the source of the ruckus in interest.

‘Fate really want to make me eat my words.’

A guy wearing a low ponytail and obvious arrogant air in him appeared in Ayla’s line of sight. The low ponytail guy and his two goons looks to be ganging up on that weak looking blond.

She languidly shifted her sight down to the blond’s hands clutching a piece of paper similar to the one in her hands. Based on the way they were using the crowd to pressure the blond guy indirectly…

“Sounds like a noble to me.” Miroh remarked with a dissatisfied frown. Most nobles do think that everyone beneath their rank is obligated to serve their whims. It’s these kind of people that further divide both social classes with displaced animosity.

“People like them are better off as leviath fodders.” Ayla eyes held a bit of mockery in them, but has no sign of moving any time soon.

“Aren’t you gonna help him?” Miroh observed Ayla’s expression anxiously. However, Ayla merely rummaged to her satchel for the melon seed pouch she prepared for this exact moment.

Ayla’s eyebrows furrowed as if ridiculing Miroh for asking that question. She cracked open a melon seed from her fistful of seeds, showing how she was very satisfied to be passerby A. “That would mean taking the center of attention. This is just like what happened from that romance novel. The protagonist will defend a person being bullied, then bothersome events starts following them. Do you want to be the protagonist?”

‘What kind of dog blood drama is that?’

Miroh thought exasperatedly.

Ayla sighed at Miroh’s obviously agitated body language. Looks like he also have something to say about bad aristocrats. “Relax. The people running the place wouldn’t let this scene escalate further. Control your expression. Ha…seriously, you act like a mad dog at times.”

She offered him the bag of melon seeds to coax him to stay put, which he reluctantly accepted and watching the already boiling scene apprehensively.

Despite Ayla’s assurance, not one knight appeared to break the fight. And so, a noticeable ring of crowd created by other spectators with the main casts at the middle plays in front of them just waiting to erupt.

“I-i don’t…” The blond guy initially want to speak up, but his voice would completely falter afterward that he can only grasp his priority number as if his life depends on it.

Low ponytail guy finally lost patience and messed his hair up in annoyance. His clearly expensive suit can’t tone down the ugly scowl on his face. “Ugh, are people outside the barrier too illiterate to understand basic words? Fucking dirty rat, you ought to know that nobles like me run the world. Without us, you won’t be protected from the barrier to protect your poor a—ACK!”

‘Look at that kid acting like your neighborhood thug.’

Ayla thought in dismay. Her eyes remained impassive as she watched ponytail guy flipped his head angrily while holding the back of his head.

“Who threw that? Show yourself! My family will not let this slide. Injuring a noble is equivalent to exile outside the kingdom!” His tone harden as his eyes widen in rage while looking out for the assailant’s identity.

“Young master, I found a melon seed!” Goon number one exclaimed, jumping up while holding the seed that he found from the ground.

“Hey, that guy has a bag of melon seeds!” Goon number two sneered, pointing at Miroh who was holding the bag of melon seeds innocently.

“So it was you?!” Low ponytail guy fumed, stomping toward Miroh arrogantly.

Miroh looked at the bag of melon seeds and to the guy’s red face alternately, dumbfounded. Everything happened too quickly that he don’t know hot to react after getting accused like this. He was a passerby!

“What are you talking about? Did you see me throwing the melon seeds at you? Don’t accuse anyone without evidence.”

Low ponytail guy laughed angrily. This guy has courage to play stupid in front of him! “You think I’m stupid? Who has melon seeds except you in this room? You dare play me, a noble, for a fool? Commoners like you needs to be weeded out this world to appease the gods!”

Everyone within the vicinity flinched at the noble guy’s poisonous words. This was a common attitude of any noble supremacist in the kingdom especially when they ultimately drag the church in their tirade.

Miroh mentally scowled at the arrogant words, but reigned in his annoyance with a look of composure. “Huh? It’s strange. I keep hearing you say you’re a noble this, you’re a noble that. But isn’t it strange for your family to throw you in this dead pit? You are probably too sheltered to see it yet, but this isn’t some kind of camp your rich ass can handle.”

Miroh watched one’s arrogance completely withered upon facing the blatant truth. He sighed sympathetically. “Nobody cares if you’re a noble here, young master. We’re gonna be facing the same hardship for two years. So if it’s too much for you to wait like everyone else, then you’re free to go!”

Low ponytail guy moved backward clumsily after Miroh savagely tear apart his ego.

Family wouldn’t just let their son in the military without any reason. This is also the case for most noble families, who have their own pride and cowardice to stay away from concerns about the outside.

It’s either he willingly wants to enter in this hell hole for some fucked up noblesse oblige or he lost his family’s support and got washed up here. Both situations aren’t exactly better than the other in Ayla’s opinion.

‘That should kick him off his high horse though,’ Ayla thought, munching on her melon seeds in satisfaction. Miroh also got a lot of balls to be able to snap back like that.

“Y-you…!” Low ponytail guy stammered before ultimately backing out in shame and high tailed out of there followed by his goons.

“I’ll remember this!”

Knowing that the farce was over, the people around them immediately lost interest and focused their attention somewhere else.

“Son of a bitch.” Ayla stated with an amused grin, cracking open a melon seed. That snobbish guy will probably stay put with his tail between his legs from now on.

Miroh glanced down at Ayla’s hands wearily. It seems like they both know who really throw that melon seed earlier.

“You really show that piece of shit what’s good, Miroh. Nice job!” Ayla showed him a thumbs up cheekily. That grin bears an underlying meaning to which he’s too tired to understand.

“Umm…excuse me…”

A soft sheepish voice uttered behind them. It was the soft blondie. “Thank you for helping me back there. I’m sorry for dragging you in my problem.”

Miroh smiled in reassurance. Look at him act so chivalrous. “It’s okay. I personally can’t stand people like them anyway.”

Ayla popped out behind Miroh with disapproving look. “You should learn how to speak for yourself, dude. Not everyone here is as good as our Miroh here.” She then patted Miroh on the shoulder as if showing him off.

Miroh turned to Ayla with an exasperated sigh. What will they do if the guy got his heart broken because of Ayla’s unwarranted advices, hah?

“Hey—!” And let’s discuss the shameless ‘our Miroh’ that she used. Miroh somehow felt a sense of foreboding like something ominous is about to fall on him in the future.

“Yes. Thank you for your advice!”

They both paused awkwardly, watching the guy’s determined gaze in front of them. Now, how can they continue to argue when the guy looked this enthusiastic?

“I promise I will do my best to not bother you again. I’m really sorry.” He bowed lowly then gazed back at them as if they were the beholder of knowledge in this crazy place.

“Ah...you don’t have to apologize that low. We’re all students here. You know that attitude is what every knight exactly need to survive.” Ayla ran her mouth smoothly with an awkward laugh.

Can she still feel bad for spouting such nonsense? The poor boy looked like he wanted to punish himself!

“Right! My grandpa said to share this rice cakes with others. My grandpa makes tasty rice cakes inspired by our hometowns’ recipe. Please have some as thank you.” He shoved them one box each happily that they were unable to reject his goodwill.

Miroh and Ayla gave each other side glances that seem to convey to the other their unspoken words.

‘Look what you did.’

‘Huhu I didn’t expect him to react that way!‘