The Royal Academy

The Royal Academy in Velmoria is the training ground for the kingdom's elite. The academy was a place for the sons and daughters of nobility, and Enver's admission was an unforeseen event.

The academy was a world away from the quiet hills of the Olapa Territory. It was a place of discipline and rigor, where trainees were pushed to their limits and beyond. The Academy is a microcosm of Velmoria's rigid class structure. The sons and daughters of nobility carry themselves with an air of superiority, their confidence bolstered by generations of wealth and power. Enver, hailing from the modest Olapa Territory, is an outsider in this world. His calloused hands and unpolished demeanor mark him as different, and the absence of House Olapa's flag in the grand hall serves as a constant reminder of his family's diminished standing.

Enver's journey at the Knight's Academy is one of grit, determination, and the harsh realities of a world where lineage and resources often dictate one's potential. His admission to the academy was an accident at best, a place reserved for the elite, but it also highlights the stark contrast between his humble origins and the privileged lives of his peers. As he navigates this new world, Enver must confront not only the physical and intellectual challenges of his training but also the societal barriers that seek to define his place.

The first day at the Knight's Academy dawned crisp and clear, the early morning light casting long shadows across the sprawling estate. Enver rose before the sun, his nerves taut as a drawn bowstring. He dressed quickly in the academy's uniform—a deep blue tunic emblazoned with the crest of Velmoria, paired with black trousers and polished boots. The fabric felt strange against his skin, too delicate for someone accustomed to rough-spun wool.

To say the academy was grand would be like saying the sky was blue. Enver had never seen such wealth in one place just the amount of gold spent to build the academy would be enough to raise a ten thousand-man-strong army and if you add the price of these materials the amount would be mind-numbing.

The trainees assembled in the central courtyard, a vast expanse of flagstones surrounded by towering stone arches. Enver stood among them, acutely aware of the curious glances and whispered remarks. The sons and daughters of nobility carried themselves with an air of entitlement, their postures straight and their expressions haughty. Enver, with his calloused hands and unpolished demeanor, stuck out like a weed in a garden of roses.

The day began with an opening ceremony in the grand hall, a cavernous room adorned with banners, trophies, and the portraits of legendary knights. There were the flays of every significant house in Velmoria in the hall with the royal flag hung in the wall above the seats of the teachers as if showing how they are below the crown and the allegiance they pledge. While admiring the grandeur of the hall enver could not help but notice the lack of the flag of house Olapa and why would they put it here all they had was a fort and a few villages in their name.

As he was thinking of his house's current situation. The headmaster, a stern man with a voice that echoed like thunder, addressed the new recruits. 

"Good morning, trainees,

It is an honor to stand before you today as you begin this important journey. You have chosen a path of duty—one that requires not only skill and knowledge but also a deep sense of responsibility. Whether you are training to lead, teach, or serve, remember that your role is not just about personal success; it is about contributing to something greater than yourselves.

Honor lies in how you carry out your duties. Be disciplined, be principled, and always strive to do what is right, even when it is difficult. The trust placed in you is a privilege, and it is your duty to uphold it with integrity and dedication.

As you move forward, remember that your actions will reflect not only on you but also on those you serve. Lead with humility, work with purpose, and never forget the weight of the responsibility you carry.

I have every confidence that you will rise to the occasion. Embrace this journey with pride, and let honor and duty guide you every step of the way.

Thank you, and I wish you the very best. "

Enver listened intently, his heart pounding as the headmaster's words washed over him. This was no longer the quiet hills of Olapa—this was a world of expectations and consequences.

After the ceremony, the trainees were divided into groups for their first lessons. Enver's group was led to the training grounds, where rows of wooden dummies and practice weapons awaited. The instructor, a grizzled veteran with a scar running down his cheek, wasted no time in putting them through their paces.

"Form a line!" he barked, his voice cutting through the morning air. "Today, you'll learn the basics of footwork and stance. Without these, you're nothing but a target."

Every twenty students are admitted to the royal academy or so it is said but actually, it is 20 students per department meaning 20 knight trainees, 20 apprentice mages, 20 alchemist apprentices, and so on. In truth around 100-150 students are admitted every year which is really small so most students are of notable node background unlike him and if a commoner is admitted more often than not it means that they are absolute geniuses in a particular field.

After the speeches from all the teachers who enver had already forgotten. They had a opening ceremony party for all new students. Enver for the first time start to realize just how insignificant he was to the other novel houses a stood alone in a corner of tha ballroom. But he did not mind them he did not come here to make friends he came to become strong stronger than anyone here so that no one could ignore him.

The academy's curriculum is demanding, and designed to push trainees to their limits. Enver's classes cover a wide range of subjects, from swordsmanship and aura manipulation to history and tactics. Each discipline is essential for a knight, who must not only excel in combat but also possess the knowledge and strategic acumen to lead on the battlefield.

Swordsmanship: The foundation of a knight's training, focusing on footwork, stance, and the mastery of various weapons. Enver's instructor, a grizzled veteran, emphasizes discipline and precision, qualities that Enver must cultivate to overcome his lack of formal training.

Basic Magic Principles: While knights are not expected to wield magic, understanding its principles is crucial for countering mages on the battlefield. Enver's lack of a mana core means he cannot practice magic, but he must still learn to identify and neutralize magical threats.

History and Tactics: These classes delve into the strategies and battles that have shaped Velmoria's history. For Enver, they offer a chance to understand the broader context of his role as a knight and the responsibilities that come with it.

Aura Manipulation: A key aspect of a knight's power, aura manipulation involves channeling mana through the body to enhance physical abilities. Enver's progress in this area will determine his potential as a knight, but without access to expensive elixirs and potions, he faces an uphill battle.

Mostly basic but necessary courses as knight not only fight but also have the responsibility of commending the battlefield as most of army are commonly made up of commoners and mercenaries. Basic knowledge for magic as to be able identify then as well as how to counter them.

Mages are very different from knights while most 1-2 rank knights are evenly matched but the difference is clear since the 3rd rank as knight have a steady growth the difference between a 2nd rank mage and a 3rd rank mage is the same as a child and an adult. Starting from the 3rd rank mages are able to borrow the mana from their surrounding not just store a small amount. It is only after reaching the 7th rank does a knight truly stand in the same league as mages again. After reaching the 7th rank knights awaken their knight spirit giving them an immense boost in strength. So, mages are the most valued people in the kingdom as not just anyone can reach the 7th rank. The highest rank knight in Velmoria is Duke Aknar a rank 6th knight.

The academy's curriculum also highlights the stark divide between knights and mages. While knights rely on physical strength and aura manipulation, mages draw their power from a mana core, allowing them to manipulate the natural world. The difference becomes especially pronounced at higher ranks, where mages can tap into external sources of mana, making them formidable opponents. Knights, on the other hand, must rely on their own reserves of mana, which are limited by their physical endurance.

In order for one to be a 1st rank knight they have to be able feel and stored mana in the body while it seems as a simple concept mana itself would disagree so in order to store mana one needs a body to be able to withstand the flow of mana before storing mana and it is in this step where 70-80% of people fail.

There have been people who trained and were able to do both and were able to pursue the way of the mage and a knight more popularly known as mage-knights

Enver's ancestor, Lady Lysara Olapa, was a rare exception—a mage-knight who excelled in both disciplines. Her legacy serves as both an inspiration and a reminder of the challenges Enver faces. Without a mana core, he cannot follow in her footsteps, but he is determined to carve out his path, even if it means relying solely on his physical abilities and sheer willpower.

While a mage-knight is strong becoming one is not exactly simple. If it were so then every mage would strive to be a mage-knight. For one to become a mage knight they must have extremely strong mana core and just as strong a body. A mage-knight has twice the amount of mana compared to any normal mage or knight and they should also be able to use two different flow of mana at the same time.

One of the most significant obstacles Enver faces is the lack of resources available to him. The noble trainees have access to elixirs, potions, and specialized training regimens that accelerate their progress. Enver, with his limited means, must rely on raw effort and determination. This disparity is a constant source of frustration, but it also fuels his resolve to prove that hard work and perseverance can overcome even the most entrenched advantages.

Despite the challenges, Enver remains steadfast in his commitment to becoming a knight. He knows that success at the academy is his only chance to elevate his family's standing and earn the respect of his peers. His journey is not just about personal ambition; it is about proving that worth is not determined by birthright but by one's actions and character.

The Knight's Academy is only the beginning of Enver's journey. The challenges he faces—both within its walls and in the broader world of Velmoria—will test his strength, his resolve, and his sense of self. But as he stands in the training grounds, sword in hand and heart full of determination, Enver knows that he is fighting not just for himself but for the legacy of House Olapa and the belief that anyone, regardless of their origins, can rise to greatness.

He needed to form tentative alliances with a few trainees who, like him, were outsiders in this world of privilege so that at least he could have some support. Together, they navigate the rigors of the academy, supporting each other in their shared struggle.

So, with newfound resolve, Enver looked forward to the days to come and a hopeful future.