Academy

[ Weicheng's POV ]

"You, you need to bring a--"

I woke up and the first thing I saw is my robe hanging in the old closet, my eyes rolled looking for Laohu. Realizing it's past 6 am and the Academy will open at 7 am. I rushed down and wear the robe, I washed my face and went out hurriedly as my shoes are struggling to enter my feet. I forgot to bring my things, I groaned going back and pick up my things.

"I will surely kill you, Laohu"

While running down the road, the streets are filled with people going to the Academy too, as I hear several chit-chats. I am not here to hear rumors, I run again until I reach the gateway.

The line had already started and it's long, we're lined up one by one to be given the identity tassel. The Minister of Education and several officials, put up tents and long tables at the front gate of hill academy.

People around the city are also gathered to welcome the lucky 25 who passed the hardest exam ever invented. I look for Laohu and saw him in the middle of the line. What a nutjob, I will kill him later.

I saw Teacher Pu at the entrance door while we're in the line. Since the academic students are wearing the same color of robes, purely white. It was differentiated with the linings by the year of the students.

The lines have different colors for distinct years. The color of the lining for us, newly passed is green, the 2nd year wore blue, the seniors have purple.

Since I arrived late, I'm at the farthest. The line hasn't started when several horses and carriages stopped aligning on the opposite side of the line.

The three carriages halted and 4 men went down it. 2 of them from the first carriage. I heard one of the students in my front introduced them.

"They are the Yun descendants. Their father is the first state minister."

"The blue-collared is known as Yun Ho Sok, is said to be the best in martial arts. He's one of the kindest of them since they were young and was known to be the heir of Yun Clan. We will not be involved with him too much since he's ahead of us"

"While the next one, our batch, he landed a second place on the Exam is Yun Ji Wok. He can do anything and everything. Except losing to his friend. Master Ji Wok is always aloof to people. I don't think we'll be talking to him, but he is said to be the most patient and calm one."

I listened as "Ji Wok" started walking down until he reached my back. I whispered to the student in front of me.

"why isn't he entering straight ahead? As a Minister Son, he should go ahead" The guy in front of me upon hearing answered the question

"Master Ji wok does not like breaking rules and wants equality. He is always that righteous." I just nod my head, what a sensible person. He slowly and elegantly walks while the other students talk.

He, He was the one who saved me at the market. But I need to be cautious since he's a Yun descendant. He is half the line going here, when another guy jumped from the second carriage and run off to his side and laugh while holding a fan.

My head creased.

This guy is a little more slender than Ji wok and he looks like he enjoys too much fun and is not aloof to people.

He might be a flower boy. "That is Niu Qui Run, the only grandson of General Niu, he is known to be fond of music and dance, his father, General Niu forced him to enter the Academy to help him focus on swordsmanship and battle"

They reached the back and settled behind me. As they are talking, the last carriage, a grand carriage opened, and a more sophisticated and tall guy went out, He emits a strong personality as he made his way to the entrance, people suddenly bowed their heads as a sign of respect, when I look at the back, Ji Wok is confusingly looking at me, that's the moment I bowed my head too.

The announcer shouted "The Second Prince, Nu Lee"

ohh that answer's my question, he's a purple line, so he is a senior. I just nod. I heard the two talking when the carriages went on and the line started to shorten as the front line are slowly entering.

"Where's Tae Hua?"

"He must be taken by force now"

"He never learned his lessons, the Emperor will drag him here by force"

I saw girls giggling at the side road, I grimaced as some of them even threw flowers on the road.

I awkwardly smiled.

When I reached the entrance, Teacher Pu's face is grimaced "How dare you arrived late on the first day?"

come to think of it, I am not the latest, the two at the back arrived later, but he's still at it as the other officially announced my name and gave the tassel.

"Wei Cheng of Dan household"

I was about to take the tassel when a sudden commotion halted us, another guy with the same robe as ours was forcefully dragged by the eunuchs, the officials helped them by taking the arms, and pushing him at the line in front of me, my eyes narrowed. The eunuchs bowed their heads as they gave the bag of the guy to the officials, the officials assigned to the entrance table suddenly panicked as they look for the last tassel.

he was dropped in front of me and given the tassel, things happened so fast. As I pulled his back robe and pushed him away from the entrance

"he's supposed to fall in line at the back"

the guy, looked at me in disbelief as I stared at him blankly. Teacher Pu not liking what I did, I forcefully smiled.

"You said that we're not supposed to arrive late, but here you are making a lenient pass to the latest of us? Isn't that some kind of mistreatment?" I once again forced him at the back as I took my tassel and leave them.

he narrowed his eyes at me "do you know who am I?"

"who cares who you are? falling in line doesn't require status" I said as a matter of fact.

the boy with a fan, Qui Run. Laughed as he stopped him before getting in front of me again, shaking his head.

"Stop it, Tae Hua, academy has rules. Follow it" said Ji wok and let me pass

I shook my head and took my tassel as Teacher Pu said something before I step onto the Academy

"Watch your moves, Wei cheng" I smiled and entered the academy.

1 point, Wei Cheng. He might not remember brushing his shoulders to me, but I do, Who cares if he owns the world?

Laohu halted me as he started to reach for my arms to calm me, I looked at him in disbelief "How dare you leave me?"

"I did not, I just arrived earlier" I pinched his ears out of frustration. "You are getting into my nerves right now, Laohu"

"I'm sorry ok"

We were aligned in a 5 by 5 form at the main ground. The sun is rising and we have a lot to learn today, Laohu is beside me and the three who arrived late are beside him.

Teacher Pu is the Martial Arts instructor and will be the one handling the affairs as he welcomed us.

"Look at your left and right, they will be your batch mates"

"The five names I'll be calling will be the head of each dorm and you can choose your dorm mates"

"Bai Ku Ji, Dorm 1." Ku Ji if I remembered well, came from a farming village, he is said to be one of the smartest people inside the capital and is bound to perfect things given ahead of time.

"Ok Ra Chun, Dorm 2" came from a family in the east kingdom family, major in trading

"Tsa Wi Yiq, Dorm 3" came from a family in the western kingdom, who is best in literary education

"Yun Ji Wok, Dorm 4." Yun of course came from the most powerful clan of the north.

"Dan Weicheng, Dorm 5" of course came from the family of Dan.

People gathered are their chosen dorm leader, I saw Laohu running in front of me as well as his one companion from the agility exam, also one of them is from the archery which I also befriended too, and then a shy boy who lastly fell in line, I smiled.

Teacher Pu decided to let us go and we went to our own dorms. The first three dorms are on the left side while the two more are on the right.

"Dorms 1 to 3 please occupy the dorm rooms accordingly at the left side, dorm 4 and 5 fo the other way" The dorms are separated by two wings while on the middle is a garden.

I gritted my teeth as we follow the lead of group 4. Yun Ji Wok opened the first dorm and we went straight ahead upon walking down, I saw Wang Tae Hua as he took my arms, and held my right hand tightly that I gritted my teeth in pain, I calmly looked at him and brushed him off. My right hand is prone to injury that I always put a clothe to this,k given that I competed yesterday and it bled, I shiver as it secretly whimpered in pain.

"You're injured? I think you exerted too much effort on your archery yesterday" I just smirked as he is still talking

I passed by him as I saw my team went inside, he pushed me again as I closed my eyes and breathed before I could feel the floor when someone catches me, I opened my eyes to see Ji Wok caught me, as I hurriedly pushed him away.

"Nice try, Wang Tae hua" I just smirked as I passed by him, not even thanking Ji wok.

"Are you alright?" Laohu asked mad and looked at dorm 4.

"Am I?" I shouted which made them panic and scram inside. They chose their beds and leave me with the single bed at the far back of the room. I started my house rules and ground rules. I also brought some tea along the way as I made them tea, we sat together getting acquainted.

"I am Wei cheng of Dan nice to meet you" I stated as Laohu stood and introduce himself, he runs to the four corners of the room, he can pass as a ninja and as a head of secret agents.

"Nice to meet you, I am Weicheng's cousin, Dan Laohu"

"I am Pei Hang, I'm also an agility top performer, I am from a market owner clan" I can see that he is from a normal family, but he is bulky and strong maybe from his labor

"I am Cha Eun Jo, son of Prime Minister, Cha" I shook my head in disbelief, he's one of the minister's son? yet he is so humble. I heard that his Father is one of the loyal ministers of the emperor. Minister Cha had always been righteous since the emperor took the seat of power.

"I-I never thought you are--"

he just chuckled and nod his head "you were one of a great archer, I must say" he complimented me as I bowed my head in shyness

we all looked at the timidest kid in the room "Hi, what's your name?" I asked him smiling, he kept his flute inside his robe and lowered his head

"I am Han Chou xi, from Han kingdom of the south"

"You are the Prince of South Kingdom?" I asked him surprised. Actually, we were all surprised except Cha Eun jo

Eun Jo chuckled as he pats Chou Xi's head "He's really timid and shy, his grandmother is the queen regent of the south, when his parents died years ago, the queen regent of South brought up Chou Xi as the next king and owner of the South."

"Oh, ok." I bowed in front of him as he shies away.

I guess my team really stood out of all, we have an heir to the throne, a minister's son, an ordinary citizen, and of course from a family of educators. I must say I am thankful for them.

Chou Xi suddenly asked me what's the issue of me and the third prince, I just said what happened yesterday at the admission and how he skipped the line earlier which made me mad.

"I suggest let's not get involved with influential people here in the academy" I looked at Pei Hang and agreed

"Alright, as long as they never bother each one of you and me, I will not fight with them, especially the dorm 4"

I put my hand in the middle and they put theirs, I lowered it down and threw our hands in the air "Dorm 5!!" I shouted which made them laughed.

"The lunch will be served at the open banquet, let's go there," said Cha Eun Jo

among all of us, I can say Eun Jo is the most strategic, laohu is the fastest, Pei hang is the strongest, and chou xi is talented, all I have to do is to set an example and let them shine on their own capabilities.

We saw students, not just us but also from different years, they were gathered at their own tables when a group of seniors arrived.

"That's the ruthless, second prince of Arghon, Nu Lee." I nodded as I saw him sitting at the farthest table. He's also with his clique laughing as his eyes averted to me. I changed where I was looking when he walked down and approached one of the students with the same year as him and threw their food.

My eyes widen as to what I saw, they're really a family of bullies, does the emperor did not take care of his children, aside from the firstborn son, the two are just trash.

I saw the third prince went to stop his brother "stop making a scene" he said

the older brother just brushed him off "what? are you claiming this territory too?"

"I am not claiming anything," he said slowly

I looked at Eun Jo to ask what is happening, he whispered "The second Prince like his cousin, the princess of the North, but she doesn't want him because of the third prince"

"what? they're fighting for a girl?"

"no, they're fighting for the throne," said Chou Xi, I thought he's timid but he's really this nosy.

"What do you mean, the throne?" Pei Hang as if watching a drama says "The Princess of the North is the only heir to the North Throne, and marrying her will guarantee the favor of the emperor."

"Trophy wife?" I blurted out which made them confused. I just shook my hands "so, they are fighting for the princess not asking what she wants?"

"Actually, the princess already said that he will only marry the crown prince, and there's a huge possibility that Tae Hua will inherit the crown because he's a legitimate child of the empress"

"But, they're both from Yun Clan, The Princess, and the Third Prince, that's absurd." Laohu stated

"Exactly!' Eun Jo said "Royal families are bound to marry under the same clan to continue their legacy"

Laohu and I looked at each other and acted as if we're vomiting "gross" we said in unison

"Prince Nu Lee even as a kid wanted to marry the princess, so she was betrothed to him since 5 years old. But, the princess wanted to call off the engagement lately"

I whispered "the Yun clan has always been so greedy, I doubt it was the Princess' idea to call off the engagement knowing that the throne could be passed down to some"

I saw Ji Wok entered the scene and pulled Tae Hua away. Relatives are killing each other for power. I stood up and left the scene, not really enjoying the lunch prepared. What a heavy flow of events is happening.

====

After lunch, we were asked to go to the open hall for the introduction. We will also be given the chance to choose our desired armors.

I was seated at the front since we are the dorm leaders. Bai Ku Ji, looking at me was the first one to take his armor, he chose a chain whip. He really looked at me as if I am his biggest enemy. I realized he's also a far fighter.

The next two leaders follow suit and took a spear and the other one a spade, I saw Ji Wok took a white jade sword and sat down

"Dan Weicheng" I stood up and find a bow, I saw a black bow and golden arrow. This bow and arrow are called the cursed bow. Based on its difficulty to handle and stability, people who use this are often scratched by its strings. Since I am already here, I should practice the highest level of difficulty. I've been so familiar with lightweight bows and arrows, I needed to upgrade.

"The cursed bow is said to have the fastest and longest arrows, it can penetrate 3 persons in a single shot while aiming to its vital parts it can kill in less than a minute, but the level of difficulty is to its highest due to its strike, the moment you sit down, there is no going back"

I left all the armors and sat on my chair. Everyone looked at me in disbelief.

"There's a rumor that only one person can master the cursed bow" I shut my eyes as I heard people talking.

"He badly wants to get ahead by using the cursed bow when he can't even handle the easy bows without getting scratched." I heard Tae hua said which I just ignored.

"Cursed bow was used by a single person throughout the history," said the other agreeing to Tae Hua.

He's getting into my bad side. Tae Hua really is getting into my nerves. I need to calm down and think that he is the third prince no matter what.

"I hope the original user will not be offended by Weicheng taking the cursed bow"

I just sighed hearing another voice as Laohu wanted to stand I pulled his hands and pushed him to sit again.

I remember that Master Cui was the one who taught that person how to use the Cursed bow, he always said that the first student who made him the happiest upon seeing the cursed bow being used is his student. I often sneaked out the cursed bow at his site and use them to practice. The reason that my right hand is always clothed is because of my calluses and my hand bleeding from the bow. For years, I have been practicing cursed bow.

The secret is not the strings of the bow as the legend states, it can scratch and kill, but the arrows themselves are the primary way to die. It is not a cursed bow, but cursed arrows.

I held the arrows, and again, I bled myself by just touching this. I rubbed it off my inner sleeves. My mind wanders again while listening.

Laohu took a double-headed sword, his swift movements can be easily used by this double-edged sword.

Eun jo gave up the bows and arrows and chose daggers, since he's a far fighter too he can slay the daggers.

Chou Xi chose an iron flute that can be transformed into a sword

and Pei Hang Chose a double axe.

I felt content with my team. When we were dismissed, they went right away to me, asking me why I chose the cursed bow.

I shrugged

"Nobody would choose it, that's one of the advantages. Second, the level of difficulty will enhance my archery, if I conform to my comfort zone, I will always be that Weicheng, no improvements."

they both agreed, we planned on going to the range to practice today, since tomorrow will be the official classes, we want to tire ourselves and practice.