POV: Headmaster Belric Blackwood – The Royal Institute of Blackwood Excellence
The towering marble walls of the institute reflected the dawn light with a golden shimmer. From his elevated office window, Headmaster Belric Blackwood stood with hands clasped behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the academy grounds.
Below, thousands of students marched in perfect lines — black uniforms, boots polished to mirrors, backs straight, eyes forward. Discipline was everything. It was not just taught; it was lived, breathed, enforced.
A knock tapped twice on the reinforced door.
"Enter," Belric said, not turning around.
His deputy entered briskly and stood with a clenched fist over his chest. "Morning attendance complete, Headmaster. All 10,672 students accounted for. Zero infractions."
"Good," Belric replied. "Any reports of emotional instability?"
"A few in Class 3B and 7G. We've referred them to the Loyalty Counselors."
"Keep them isolated for observation," Belric ordered. "And ensure their family units are made aware. Weakness starts in the home."
He finally turned around, his stern gray eyes scanning the daily report on his desk. The report was color-coded — green for loyal, yellow for pending evaluation, red for expulsion.
"Three red marks in the Royal Engineering Pathway?" he asked, raising a brow.
"Yes sir. They failed to recite the Blackwood Oath with full intensity. One mumbled. One paused. One forgot the founding year of the Empire."
Belric scoffed. "Unacceptable. Send them to the Black Axe Youth Rehabilitation Center immediately. Inform their parents their land rights are suspended pending review."
"Yes, Headmaster."
The intercom buzzed. Belric pressed the rune-inlaid button. "Headmaster," a voice crackled, "Group Alpha of the Blackwood Leadership Cadets is ready for their daily pledge."
He tapped the transmission crystal beside it and spoke firmly:
"Cadets. Loyalty is breath. Authority is life. Repeat the Oath now."
A chorus of synchronized voices echoed through the halls:
"I am Blackwood.
My name is loyalty.
My purpose is obedience.
My soul belongs to the Empire."
Belric allowed himself a rare nod. The future of the Blackwood Empire was secure — molded and forged behind these school walls.
Because here, education wasn't freedom. It was a contract — one sealed in uniformity, loyalty, and unwavering fear.
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