Chapter 8: Node Assignment

Kael

The hover transport glided smoothly to a halt in front of the imposing gates of the Silvercrest Knight Academy. Kael stepped out, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The grand structure loomed before him, its stone façade a testament to centuries of tradition and honor. He could see other students arriving, some stepping out of sleek personal transports that signaled their wealth, while the majority disembarked from public hover buses, their expressions a blend of eagerness and trepidation.

As Kael adjusted the strap of his bag over his shoulder, he spotted Mira across the courtyard, her auburn hair catching the sunlight. She was surrounded by a group of students, but her eyes lit up when she saw him. He felt a rush of warmth at the sight of her familiar face, and he made his way through the throng of new arrivals.

"Mira!" he called, waving as he approached.

"Kael!" she exclaimed, breaking away from the group to meet him halfway. They embraced briefly, and Kael felt a sense of comfort in her presence. "It's good to see you again! How was your time at home?"

Kael hesitated, the weight of his father's departure pressing down on him. He didn't want to burden Mira with his worries; after all, she had her own challenges to face. "It was... fine," he replied, forcing a smile. "Just the usual stuff."

Mira studied him for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly. "You sure? You seem a bit off."

"I'm fine," he insisted, brushing off her concern. "What about you? How was your time at the mansion?"

Mira's expression shifted, a hint of nostalgia creeping into her eyes. "It was bittersweet. I'm really going to miss it. Bertran has been like a father to me, and leaving him behind is hard."

Kael nodded, understanding the sentiment. "Yeah, I get that. It's a big change for both of us."

As they spoke, more students arrived, and Kael noticed Leo stepping out of a sleek, private transport. The boy's confident demeanor and the luxury of his arrival sparked curiosity in Kael and Mira. "Was he always like that?" Kael asked, nodding toward Leo before waving at his new friend. Leo energetically waved back.

"I don't know," Mira replied, her eyes narrowing as she observed Leo. "He seems different than before. before he seemed so goofy now, I wonder if he's from one of the noble families."

"Or maybe he's just a really lucky commoner," Kael mused, a hint of envy creeping into his voice.

Before they could speculate further, a sharp voice cut through the chatter. "Attention!"

Instructor Johiem stood before them, his presence commanding immediate respect. He was a tall man with a stern expression, his dark hair slicked back and his uniform crisp. "Welcome back, cadets. I expect you to organize yourselves into four rows of ten."

Kael quickly fell into line with Mira, and as they arranged themselves, he noticed that only forty of the applicants had passed. The realization sent a shiver down his spine; this was a small group, and the competition would be fierce.

As they stood at attention, Johiem was joined by three other instructors. Two women, one with auburn hair and the other with blonde, stood beside a burly man with fiery red hair. They wore black and gold advanced plate armor, similar to what Kael's father had worn, but with red mantles that flowed behind them like banners.

"Cadets, this is only the beginning," Johiem continued, his voice steady but laced with authority. "You will be undergoing your node assignment surgery today. Questions will not be accepted until after the procedure."

Kael felt a knot form in his stomach at the mention of surgery, but he pushed the fear aside. Johiem explained that they would be taken to meet forty doctors and medical bots waiting for them. "The surgery is painless, and you will be put to sleep for less than an hour," he assured them.

A murmur of conversation rippled through the students, excitement and anxiety mingling in the air. But Johiem's voice cut through the chatter like a knife. "Silence! I am disappointed to see you ignoring my instructions. You are now part of the military, and insubordination will not be tolerated. You will be punished harshly for disobeying orders."

The courtyard fell silent, the weight of his words settling over them like a heavy fog. Kael felt a chill run down his spine as Johiem's expression shifted to a cruel smile. "If you thought this school would be easy or pleasant, you should have never applied. Say goodbye to your old lives. From this moment on, you are the property of the Federation. Your lives will be filled with blood, death, and hardship. But for a select few, there will be glory."

Kael's heart raced, a mix of fear and determination coursing through him. He glanced at Mira, who met his gaze with wide eyes, and he could see the uncertainty reflected in her expression. But he didn't dare speak; he knew better than to question the instructor.

"Now, I will introduce your instructors," Johiem said, stepping aside. The burly man with red hair stepped forward, his demeanor stern but not unkind. "I am Instructor Malgus, your swordfighting instructor. I expect discipline and dedication from each of you."

The two women stepped forward next. The auburn-haired instructor smiled brightly, her charisma evident. "I'm Carie, your Elemental Theory instructor. I look forward to teaching you about the wonders of elemental magic."

The blonde instructor, Almira, stood beside her, her cold demeanor sending shivers down Kael's spine. "I am Almira, your Elemental Control instructor. I expect nothing less than excellence from each of you."

Kael couldn't help but admire their beauty, but he quickly reminded himself that they were knights capable of great power. He forced his focus back to the task at hand, knowing that he needed to stay sharp.

"Follow your assigned instructor," Johiem commanded, and each row fell in line behind one of the instructors. Kael found himself following Malgus, who led them toward a large, advanced-looking building that stood in stark contrast to the stonework surrounding it.

As they entered, a young nurse greeted them, her youthful face a stark contrast to the seriousness of the situation. She led them down several hallways lined with operation rooms. Kael's heart raced as he passed each room, catching glimpses of doctors preparing for the surgeries.

"Once you are released, you will meet back in the courtyard," the nurse instructed, her voice calm and reassuring.

Kael's anxiety mounted as they approached the operating room. An older man with a solemn face awaited him inside, accompanied by a tall, sleek robot that followed him closely. The doctor greeted Kael and began asking questions about his height, weight, and medical history. Kael answered to the best of his knowledge, but he felt a wave of uncertainty wash over him.

"Now, please strip down," the doctor instructed, gesturing toward the metal operating table.

Kael's heart raced as he stepped into the room. The cold metal of the table sent a shiver through him, and he felt a moment of panic. "Is this really necessary?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

The old doctor noticed his fear and offered a reassuring smile. "Everything will be alright. We just need to keep you still while you're under the sleep medicine. Please, lie down."

Kael hesitated but complied, feeling the chill of the metal against his skin as he laid down. The robots moved swiftly, placing straps over him and tightening them. Panic surged within him, and he struggled against the restraints.

"They're only to keep you from thrashing," the doctor explained, his tone calm. "You'll be asleep before you know it."

Kael took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The doctor wasted no time, and Kael felt a sharp prick behind his ear. Before he could ask what it was, darkness enveloped him.

When Kael slowly regained consciousness, he felt groggy and disoriented. The world around him was hazy, and it took a moment for him to remember where he was. The doctor's voice broke through the fog. "It's okay to sit up now."

Kael blinked, his vision clearing as he sat up. He instinctively reached for his head, searching for any signs of the surgery. "Is everything alright?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"Check your temple," the doctor instructed, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Kael's fingers brushed against a slight bump beneath his skin, and he felt a rush of relief. "What's this?" he asked, curiosity piqued.

"That's your node," the doctor explained, performing some final checks. "You'll be able to use it to access information and communicate with others."

Kael's excitement bubbled to the surface. "How do I use it?"

"Focus on a point in the air and mentally say the command 'Open Menu,'" the doctor instructed.

Kael concentrated on a spot just past the doctor's head and thought, Open Menu. To his surprise, a blue screen filled his vision, displaying a welcome message with his name and rank—Fifth Class Squire. Another screen appeared, showing options to view his stats, call, text, surf the internet, access the Academy database, and use GPS.

"Open the stats menu," the doctor prompted.

Kael focused on the option, and a new screen popped up, revealing his stats: Strength 10, Agility 8, Vitality 6, Sul 50. He stared at the numbers, a mix of pride and apprehension washing over him.

"Your stats are tied to your body's Sul levels and evaluations from your instructors," the doctor explained. "It's a way to track your progress efficiently. But remember, never share your stats with anyone. They are private and important. If one of your stats is too high, it could make you a target."

Kael wanted to argue that he would be a target regardless, but he held his tongue. Instead, he nodded, absorbing the information. "What now?"

"Get dressed in the new uniform," the doctor said, gesturing to a folded set of clothes on a chair by the door. "Then rejoin the others in the courtyard. If you can't find your way, you can pull up a map using the GPS function."

Kael quickly dressed, feeling a bit unsteady as he shook off the remnants of sleep. The black slacks were surprisingly comfortable, and he slipped on the gray undershirt and black combat boots. Finally, he buttoned up the dark gray overshirt, adorned with silver buttons and a single silver star on each shoulder. He adjusted his belt, ensuring he looked presentable.

Before he could leave, the doctor handed him a second set of clothes—close-fitting and all black, made from a soft, stretchy fabric. "These are for under your armor," he explained.

Kael's excitement surged at the prospect of getting armor. He couldn't wait to see what else the day had in store. As he took the clothes from the doctor, he remembered the sword his father had given him and the promise he made. This was the beginning of his path, and he felt a renewed sense of purpose.

He stepped out of the operating room, anticipation bubbling within him. The academy awaited, and with it, the challenges and adventures that would shape his future.