Two hours after his fight with Lux ended, all the applicants had finally been filtered out, and all those who would be students had been selected. During those two hours, he asked for rematch after rematch, all ending in the same way. His face in the dirt and not another scratch on Lux. Once everyone had been selected, they were ushered into a group so they could listen to a speech before a banquet would happen. All 323 new students stayed silent from start to finish.

They were all in front of a small wooden platform, elevated just enough so that whoever was standing on it would be seen by everyone. A scrawny old man, who could disappear with a strong gust of wind, made his way onto it, albeit slowly. He was bald but had a well kept beard, making him look like a wise old sage that could give advice on anything and everything. After coughing a few times, or clearing his throat, he began his speech.

“Dear new students, I am pleased to once again greet you as the director of the Academy. By getting this far you’ve done well. However for the next three years I can only describe your time here as torture, for most of you anyway. The weak will be culled, and the strong will be polished. Your limits will be tested as you’re put through a regiment of learning battle tactics, magic, and competition.

By this time next year, I believe only 60% of you will be coming back. By the time two years have come and gone, only 20% of you will be left. Those who graduate will only number in the teens. Of course there are merits even if you fail to graduate. Those who survive the first year will be able to apply to be an officer, Those who survive two will be able to directly become an officer. For those who graduate, you will be promoted directly to Major. I hope that you will take your studies seriously, and outlast the statistics. The kingdom is always in need of talent. Those who serve the crown well, will be rewarded just as well. The banquet that celebrates you coming this far, will be held in 15 minutes, feel free to socialize among yourselves until then.”

The chatter had begun almost immediately. Noctis looked around for any familiar faces but found none. Lux was nowhere to be seen, but she was the last person he wanted to see right now. He was afraid he might die of embarrassment if he were to face her after getting stomped somewhere between 15-20 times in a row. Whatever, it’s not like the princess of the kingdom would be interested in hanging out with a stubborn street rat anyway.

The banquet was filled with delicacies from all over. The commoner students were stuffing their faces, while the nobility didn’t see it as anything special. Groups had already begun to form, leaving him as an outcast. He got placed in Area 1, which made him an outsider in the eyes of the commoners, and even if he could find a place among the nobility, he’d rather be alone.

Nothing eventful, outside of eating his fill of the best food he’s ever had the pleasure of tasting, happened. The rest of the day consisted of them being broken down into groups of 30, and being shown around the campus. They learned where all the classrooms, training areas, cafeteria, and dorms were located by the time the evening had rolled around.

Once the tours ended, they all headed to the cafeteria for dinner. Noctis hadn’t spoken a word to anyone, and decided he was better off eating dinner alone. At least I’m able to eat properly now. Small steps Noc, small steps. Friends will come in due time. After eating, he headed to his room.

It was a simple set up that resembled the one had at the church. A single twin sized bed, with a desk and chair. The only addition was a dresser that came with his uniform and sleepwear. After changing he fell to his bed before calling out to Tyrant through mental connection; “I’m exhausted, I don’t really want to practice tonight.”

“I suppose one day won’t do any harm. Not any more than getting tossed around by a girl half your size.” Tyrant chuckled as he remembered the countless times Noctis got his ass handed to him. “You really should work on improving your combat prowess. What I watched earlier wasn’t a fight, it was an idiot flailing around while destroying everything but his opponent.”

“Yeah, yeah. If I’m lucky the Lieutenant general will personally see to it that I don’t end up doing that again.”

They continued to chat about his day until he fell asleep. Noctis opened his eyes to an unfamiliar, yet familiar environment. Everything around him was red. The walls, the floor and-

“...Avenge… me…” A man covered in blood, with hollow eyes reached out to his son. Another hand reached out to him, trying to comfort him in his final moments, but just as they met, Noctis woke up.

He was covered in sweat even though the room was dark and cold. That dream again. Tears were forming in his eyes. When will I let go? No matter how many times he reached for his father’s hand, he was never able to reach, never able to comfort his last family member. No matter how far forward he walked in his life, his dreams would always pull him back to a time where he was powerless to do nothing as his father slowly died in front of him.

His self pity was interrupted by knocking on the door. “Noctis?” A feminine voice that was full of energy sounded through the room. He scrambled to put on his uniform before hurrying to the door. Once it opened he saw the one person he never thought he’d talk to again. “Princess?”