Academy Politics

After Caxon asked Alfyr why the academy, that seemed so against the commoners they were supposed to be teaching, would give them real rewards his face suddenly got gloomy.

"There are a lot of politics behind this academy. It started over 200 years ago as a pet project of the main headmaster Xarhan, but since he is also the kings official archmage the academy eventually became influenced by the kingdom. The king wanted to leave the academy completely in the hands of Xarhan while sending as many promising students as the kingdom could find to the academy so they could better themselves for the future.

However, using the excuse that they would be sending their own children to the academy as well the nobles soon started sending money to the academy to keep it running but this allowed them to start gaining more and more influence about its policies.

Eventually they pressured the king into making two sides of the academy, the Royal and the National side that we know today. Xarhan and the few nobles that felt the academy should be run based off of talent and not birthright tried to fight against the many injustices that they knew were happening but they couldn't affect much.

The nobles had done a good job of controlling things, in an ironic twist they made sure that almost every teacher that supported having one school would only be in the royal academy so they could ensure that no child of common birth would ever match their own children in skill since they thought that would be a disgrace.

Xarhan fought hard to be the headmaster of the National academy but he could not argue that he was the most talented mage in the academy so he was regulated to being the headmaster and personal teacher to the royal families' students of the Royal side.

Luckily the nobles that support fair treatment still have some pull and were able to create this tournament and its rewards. Unfortunately for you no one is allowed to say what it is since they want everyone to try their best no matter what. So, you will just have to trust me when I say that it will benefit you greatly.

Now enough talk, class is dismissed as I told you all before you come here twice a week so I will see you the day after tomorrow."

With this Caxon went back to his room while thinking about what he should do about the tournament.

As soon as he walked in William started assaulting him with questions.

"What did he say? Are you in trouble? Is it about you forfeiting? Did he give you special treatment? What was it come on?"

"Would you be quite please; it was about the tournament he just said that I should try harder so I can get a good ranking when the time comes."

As he said this William's eyes lit up.

"REALLY, what are the prizes come on you have to tell me pleaaase."

"He couldn't say all he said was that they would be worth it so make sure to try hard when the time comes. He should have told that to you too. Why is it that you never tried to hit the student you were sparring with back?"

After he said this William lost the excitement that was previously written on his face as it went from happy to dark and he stared at the floor.

"Oh.. Well, I just didn't want to hurt him. I didn't want another person to hate me. I just wanted to come here to make friends like in the stories my mom used to tell me about her life. Bu.. But now I don't know, I mean even my own roommate hates me." *Sniff

As William started crying Caxon tried hard not to sigh in his face as he just decided to roll his eyes instead.

"I don't hate you William I just don't know why you act like such a baby when you should be the most pompous student here."

As William heard this, he wiped his eyes as he smiled after hearing that Caxon didn't hate him.

"What do you mean, why would I be pompous?"

Caxon narrowed his eyes as he began to study every one of William's smallest reactions as he even focused on how fast his heart beat trying hard to find any sense of a lie.

"Do you really not know?"

William seemed surprised by Caxon's question but in a truly ignorant way.

"No of course not I have never been called pompous and I thought it was bad why would I want to be like Brom and his goons?"

'Amon never drop your guard against this boy if I ever seem too confrontable it will be up to you to stop him. Above all else never underestimate him, no matter what he does assume he will still have more surprises and power left hidden.'

'Of course, young master.'

Caxon could not pick up on any strange reaction from William. At the end of the day maybe it was better to watch him closely and wait to see if he ever slipped up on his act of showed something unbelievable that could prove he is a participant.

Like they said keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

"William, I think you have the skills to be the most powerful student in this academy and if you would actually try during your sparring matches you would easily be able to place 1st in the upcoming tournament."

William once again started tearing up since it had been a very long time since someone complimented him genuinely like this.

"Ok, if you say so I will definitely try my best. Also, umm, you can call me Will, if you know... you want to"

Caxon simply shock his head at the antisocial childish prodigy.

"I am going to bed."

"Ok thank you I will talk to you in the morning."

William's mood did not drop since he was too excited to make his first friend, but he also laid down and tried to sleep.

As Caxon laid in bed he could tell that Will was too excited to sleep, he had to spend most of the time he would have been training waiting for him to finally go to sleep. Using what little time, he had left he made sure to define the good parts of the sword technique he had received while not bothering with the less useful parts.

The next morning Caxon woke up to the same sight he had seen yesterday. It seemed as though today William wasn't going to say anything as he simply waited for Caxon to get ready.

"Alright let's go Will."

As he left the room Caxon made sure to acknowledge Will since he didn't want to be rude to him for no reason.

"RIGHT!"

Becoming noticeable excited again after Caxon used his shortened name Will also left as they made their way to the classroom.