There were only 6 humans including me who had witnessed demon knight’s arguments regarding the pact and coming age of the dragon. It was a prophetic situation where we were the messengers. Halim took over the control of the situation by ordering us not to talk to anybody what happened there. Everybody had seen and spectated my fight with Karan but nobody was close enough to hear the arguments coming and going between general Halim and demon knight. Halim was going to take advantage of this situation and use it to its maximum potential to his convenience. He had the right connections and he was the Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Kali.

Kingdom going into war with demons was not a rational choice. I knew that because the demons who we had problems protecting our borders were less powerful than foot soldiers in the real demon army. No demon of Karan’s level had ever attacked forts on any of the three bridges. Going against them would be like signing the bill that would end the kingdom in one go.

Another fact which made me think that way was that the demon knight ordered Karan to destroy the wall but didn’t attacked us even though he could. Taking our intrusion to their land as a cause to invade our territories would be a good reason though you do not need reasons to invade, they didn’t. Which meant there was a pact and demons were not who we imagined them to be. Halim had the copy of the pact but he was not planning to share it with anybody else. I kept my silence while staying in a distance from what was happening.

Aram had honored me by ordering a tattoo to be drawn on my left shoulder which declared that I’m to be given command of the any bridge’s defense in case the commander was absent. He told me that the bravery which I showed was exceptional due to my age and it reminded him of his youth when old people were talking about the tales of the brave ones.

First week of the Mut we arrived in Mehn. I left the party and went to academy. I was tired of travelling and wanted to have a good sleep. I was just laying down on bed that Eliar crashed my peace.

[Eliar]: What’s up hero?

[Me]: You should knock first.

[Eliar]: Listen, when you get big in the future, I want you to appoint me as the amir of the province which I come from.

[Me]: If that’s all, then get out of my room. I want to sleep.

[Eliar]: Hero’s do not get tired or sleep. Now change your clothes, we are going to hall. All of the students are arriving there as we talk.

[Me]: What’s happening?

[Eliar]: Get up! Haven’t seen a hero who is as lazy as you are!

I changed back to school uniform and we went to academy hall. It was packed. I think they never imagined to have these much of students in one place though hall was a massive place to held ceremonies.

50 of us, who were sent to general Halim’s “Southlands Exploration” were teamed so that everyone could see us clearly. Headmaster stepped up and silence fell.

[Headmaster]: I’m honored to inform you all that band formed of Mehn Academy students have returned safe and sound. These brave students that represented our academy have faced dangers of none known to us and gracefully have come out of it. As the Headmaster of academy, I’m releasing them of whatever left of this year’s studies. Senior year students who participated will be given early certificate of the completion of studies. Junior year students would be sent to their homes for early vacations.

For a moment his eyes turned to me and he smiled.

[Headmaster]: Moreover, sophomore year student Aslan has shown extraordinary performance during the expedition. He has fought a general level demon on same grounds and spared its life. Minister of Defense His Excellency General Halim son of King Dar of the tribe of Kali has requested Aslan’s presence in Ministry. He will be released of all academy duties including schooling and dormitory and will be sent to ministry as an intern. He will be given his certificate of completion of studies after two years by the order of Minister.

Applauses, hoorays, claps, whistling covered the entire hall. Headmaster turned at me and by moving fingers of his right hand signed to come over. I came to stall a bit away from his right side. Headmaster moved his left hand up and silence fell again.

[Headmaster]: Students like them (showing us by his right hand) and you (talking to audition) are our pride and glory.

We had a handshake and I left back to initial place where I was standing. I saw Mariette looking at me and I nodded at her. She began to smile.

I meet Mariette, Roia and Elise after headmaster’s never ending speech finished. We went to a café and had tea and coffee with cookie. They had so many question and I was too tired. I smiled at me and explain my situation and left to my room. Had a good sleep. In the morning I went to Ministry of Defense.

Though warriors and mages didn’t have any kind of uniforms, the bureaucrats of each ministry had their own uniforms. Even the foot soldiers who were protecting the entrance of the ministry had a different feeling about them. They were standing like stone statues. I didn’t mind them a lot, went inside and was told at reception that Minister of Defense His Excellence General Halim will be meeting me shortly. I entered his office. The room was bigger than our house back in the village. The guy had a big ego.

I went inside and saw Halim looking out of the massive windows. He had a uniform on him, not of a warrior but of a bureaucrat. His clothing was first grade though. He turned back to me…

[Halim]: You have proven yourself.

I nodded.

[Halim]: You will be working under my direct command. Soon I will be sending you and few others in King Dar’s name to meet the Demon Lord…

Next: Chapter 26 - In Castle