SIXTEEN YEARS AFTER THE INCIDENT

The Empire of Nigrosia got everything under its control. They assumed control of the lands of Alabusia through a puppet Alabusian governor.

The cruel leaders of Nigrosia oppressed the poor and innocent people of Alabusia, so that they could not rise in power again, but there was someone who prepared to enter The Holy Academy of Nigrosian Arts, the most prestigious academy in Nigrosia.

Argus stood outside the academy and stared at the huge arched gate. They had carved the name 'Holy Academy of Nigrosian Arts' at the top. He took a read and frowned as it was the most unholy place in the entire world. They brainwashed the innocent children in this place.

Argus had assumed the identity of a sixteen-year-old kid from the first province now. The Alabusian land was called ‘the first province’ after Nigrosia took control over it.

Argus had short brown hair, fair skin, big black eagle-like eyes, and a fit body. He wore a woven dark-blue full-sleeved shirt with its edges tied together with the knotting threads near his chest, and dark-gray pants. He also wore maroon leather armbands, a dark-brown waistband with the ends hanging down his waist, and black leather boots.

The academy had six buildings scattered around. They had different purposes but a common goal. The principal building of the academy was really huge, and it spanned a large area. It seemed like it was of the most important places in Nigrosia. It looked like some ancient tibetian temple.

"Hm… So, this is where they are sending me to sell my soul to the devil," He muttered before he heard someone's voice behind his back.

"Hey, are you new?"

He turned and saw a boy about his age. He had his hair tied back in a ponytail. He wore a kind of green-ish shirt, brown leather pants, and brown boots.

"Uhm… Yes, it is my first day here," He replied. The boy's face made him remind of a certain someone he knew.

"Oh, then nice to meet you. I am new here too," The boy said with a smile. His sweet gesture towards him impressed Argus. "By the way, I am Gunther." Gunther introduced himself and presented his hand for a handshake.

Argus shook hands with him. "Alan". It was his assumed new identity.

They entered the gate and peered around. The academy was vast in area and they could see many people meditating and training on different spots.

Argus could not risk his cover to get blown up by showing off his insane combat abilities. So, he was the worst student with no talent and weakest spiritual energy.

He just had to play with it until he accomplished his objective and undo the spirit seal that was placed on his body by the emperor. He could not use his spiritual energy at its fullest extent because of the seal, so he had to train and gather enough spiritual energy to break it.

"Where are you from?" Gunther asked him as they wandered together.

"I am from The First Province," Argus responded, "Where are you from?"

“I am from The Sixth Province.”

 Argus shook his head consciously as he remembered the sixth castle came under the authority of someone he soon planned to meet.

They suddenly saw a pretty girl who looked like a fairy from outside but her facial expression seemed cold as a frozen vampire. She passed by them taking a one-shot side-glance at Argus. She wore silver clothes that looked expensive just from the looks of it, and carried a sword on her waist. She had silver hair, big blue eyes, a fair complexion, and a small mouth. She was a kill lady.

Gunther smiled when he noticed Argus staring at the girl. "She is pretty, right?"

Argus twirled his head away hastily when he understood what he meant. "Umm… Yes, she is. But…" He tried his best to act like a sixteen-year-old.

"But?"

"But who is she?" He asked, scratching his cheek awkwardly.

Gunther smirked and gave him a side glance. "Are you interested in her?"

"What? No!" Argus rushed his voice.

“You better not,” Gunther warned him. “She is Marya Thornus, the younger daughter of the headmaster of this academy. I have heard that many want to approach her but they are not gutsy enough to do it.” He signaled from his index finger towards the direction where she went. "Look."

Argus turned his head and saw that many boys flocked around her but she did not react to them. She just walked away without even noticing them.

"That's how cold she is," Gunther said. "I have heard that a student once proposed her elder sister out of nowhere. They later threw him out of the academy and the disciples of the headmaster beat him up. No one dared to propose her or her sister after then."

Argus found it quite interesting. A boy got beaten up by several people and got thrown out of the academy just because he proposed to the headmaster's daughter. He wondered if he would have a great time among these crackheads.

“You sure know a lot about here,” He said to Gunther.

“Yeah, I have visited the academy with my father a few times, that is why I know what goes around here.”

Nevertheless, these matters were none of his interest. What actually got his attention was her sword. She owned it at such a young age which meant she was a prodigy. They usually gave a personal weapon to the person who at least mastered the three grand stages of the Nigrosian arts. It was nearly impossible for a person of her age to master them.

"Hey, mixed breed! How are you doing?" Suddenly, they heard an annoying voice behind their backs. They turned and found an overweight boy with a few lean boys as his punks approaching them.

Argus noticed Gunther did not seem happy after seeing those punks. He guessed they must know each other.

“What did you say?” Gunther reacted with a frown.

There are always bully children in academies who try to assert dominance over others as a sign of their superiority. This well-rounded boy was one among them.

The boy wore a creamy woven t-shirt, leather pants, and brown boots. His overgrown belly like a pregnant lady in her ninth month tightened and lifted the shirt around the bottom part of his belly.

"Are you Gunther de Nigros?" He asked Gunther as soon as he arrived. Argus understood they did not know each other.

“So what if I am?”

The guy wrapped his arm around Gunther's shoulders and tried to mock him. "How is your dirty-blooded father?"

‘Dirty-blooded father?’ Argus wondered when he heard it.

Gunther got riled up and pushed the guy away. "Do not talk about my father. He is an honorary Nigrosian!"

"Of course, he is, but he still belongs to those dirty-blood called Alabusians," The guy mocked him again, and suddenly his sight fell on Argus who frowned after hearing him badmouthing Alabusians.

He scanned him up to down. "Who might you be? Should I teach you some rules about this place?" He eyed Argus as if he had found a prey.

"Try it. Maybe you will learn some new stuff in return,” Argus responded.

"Oh, fiery blood. Uhh, I am scared," He tried to mock him. His punks laughed at his rotten behaviour. He suddenly grabbed Argus’ shirt. "Listen, you little trash, if you want to stay here happily, follow me and my rules. Don't you dare try to act smart in front of me or you will pay for it.” He warned him.

Argus was about to show him his place, but he heard someone shouting at them.

"Hey, stop doing quarrels on your first day and reach the gathering point!" It was the voice of a man who worked as the caretaker of the academy. He called the children as the headmaster’s speech was about to begin.

"You were lucky this time, you hot blood," The guy told Argus and walked away with his punks. “I will see you later.”

"Don't take him seriously. Let's go," Gunther told Argus when those guys went away. Argus nodded and walked towards the gathering area.

“Whoa, there are so many students,” Gunther said, looking around with his mouth open when they reached there.

Hundreds of students had gathered around waiting for the headmaster to arrive. Gunther spotted Marya there too. “Hey, look. She is here too.” Argus glanced at her standing alone separate from the crowd. He guessed maybe she did not like mingling with people.

The students chattered with each other until the headmaster arrived. They went silent when someone announced his arrival.

“Everybody, please pay attention. The headmaster of The Holy Academy of Nigrosian arts, Sir Geus ray Thornus is here!”

Argus frowned when he looked at him. “There you are… Geus…” He muttered.

Gunther thought he heard Argus saying something. “Did you say something?”

“Nah.”

“Okay.”

The headmaster was an old man with long white hair, and a long white beard. He wore a long white silky robe that swept the floor when he walked, similar to those elite people.

He climbed the wooden stage and eyed at the crowd of students gathered in front of him. He looked at his daughter Marya standing away from the crowd before spotting Argus in the crowd. He inhaled to address the students.