***
He didn’t make it to lunch, and he had been so close too. The cafeteria door, just beyond the east stairs had a sign posted in bold black letters:
Sorry latecomers. The Cafeteria is closed. If you took this long to arrive, you probably need to lose some weight anyways. Love, Kyran.
James decided that Kyran was an asshole.
He’s probably just mad because he’s the lunch lady. James laughed internally, envisioning Kyran with a hairnet—his dark clothes masked by a white apron, trying to look cool while serving steamed vegetables and roasted duck.
“What’s so funny?” Kyran asked curiously as James’ throat closed up. He hadn’t heard Kyran sneak up from behind. He unwillingly thought about the sword that probably lay under Kyran’s coat. “You wouldn’t be laughing at my expense, would you?”
James stood motionless.
“What is it? Cat got your tongue?”
James tried his very best not to smirk as he thought about Arimus’s quip yesterday.
“I can see you still don’t grasp the extent of what you’ve gotten yourself into,” Kyran muttered. “How serious…this Academy is.”
James found a bit of courage and turned around.
“None of the other recruits take it seriously,” he said, thinking of last night’s game. “Why should I?”
“Half of the recruits will be dead in a month.”
He said it with such surety and such conviction that James knew Kyran believed his words. And with the way he spoke them, James also knew it would do him well to heed them. James stared at Kyran accusingly, wondering if he would have something to do with the deaths of so many.
“What do you mean by that statement? ‘They’ll be dead.’”
“I see no need to repeat myself. They are naïve. They’re having too much fun while they forget their purpose. Their ignorance will cut their lives short.”
“And what about me? Why do you feel the need to tell me and not all of us?”
“You were late and happened to be here. I was locking up. Don’t think you’re anything special.”
“That’s a horrible thing to say.”
“Why? You’ll probably be the first to die out of all of them. You play too much,” Kyran turned around and strolled off, hands thrust into his pockets as his coat glided with his every footstep. James grabbed the note off the cafeteria door.
“And what’s with the creepy notes?!”
Kyran disappeared into the shadows as he always did and James threw the note down in disgust. Continuing down the hall, he was suddenly aware that Arimus had never told him which room was his.
Maybe it’s labeled, he thought as he heard laughs and excited giggles coming from further down the hall. Apparently, the cafeteria was conveniently placed next to the dorms. It didn’t completely solve his room problem but at least he was on the right track.
James looked at every door he passed by, noticing that they were all blank. He began to get discouraged but fortunately, when he made it to the end of the hall, there was a tiny note attached to the last door with his name on it inscribed in cursive. Grateful it wasn’t from Kyran, James opened the door to what would become his new residence. He was surprised to see how small it was.
Boasting the same grey color as the lobby and having nothing but a bed, a small desk, and a chair, the downgrade from what he was used to was shocking to him. Shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, he plopped down on the bed and closed his eyes, wondering what new tests awaited him the next day. But then he found himself thinking of Kyran’s words. What exactly did he mean when he said that half of the students would die within a month? Was the training really that hard, or would they be journeying outside the Kingdom? It could be fun leaving home and seeing how other people lived for a change. He wasn’t afraid.
Not with the likes of Kyran lurking around, who came off as a complete psycho. It was really the only way to describe him. And then, on top of that, the notes he was leaving around only served to further prove that he really, really, really was a psycho. What could possibly be more intimidating than him?
“I’ll tell you!” a melodious voice screamed into his face. James opened his eyes in horror to see Catherine grinning from ear to ear. James scowled at her presence, wondering how she had gotten in, but then he let it go and sat up to attention. She giggled.
She must really like me, he thought. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. I wonder what it is about me.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I heard you talking to yourself. I was thinking that maybe you had a concussion.”
“My head is a lot harder than that.”
“Oh I’m sure it is,” she giggled.
“So what do you want?”
“I was just seeing if you finally realized who I was yet.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Sometimes I wonder if it’s even worth talking to you. You seem so clueless, but honestly, I think this is just a façade. Am I right? Tell me the truth. You’ve been playing with me all along.”
“I am really confused right now.”
“Okay, I’ll give you a hint. I’m something of a celebrity. Ring a bell? No? Okay, my father was part of the castle. You know, the castle. Where the king and queen were?”
“Was he like a servant or something?”
“C’mon…”
“The court jester?”
“Really?” she asked sweetly. Her voice was so soothing. For some reason, James was beginning to feel a little uneasy. What was it about this girl that made him feel so strange?
“I honestly don’t know who you are,” he said truthfully. “Why don’t you just tell me?”
“That’s no fun…” she remarked. Catherine looked up to the ceiling and thought of her next words. “Well, I guess I’ll enjoy your ignorance while it lasts, because when you finally learn who I am, you won’t want to hang out with me anymore.”
“What, you got cooties or something?”
Catherine laughed and shook her head.
“People act like I do, but I can understand why…when I look at it from their perspective.”
“Last night everyone was having a great time being chased by you.”
“They didn’t know who I was last night. You probably noticed the mountain of make-up I had on…but word travels fast. Of course, you were in solitude so you didn’t catch it at breakfast.”
“Catherine, I don’t know what’s going on, but I do know one thing. I’m not just going to stop talking to you because your dad’s a dungeon keeper or something. My dad’s a farmer and he gets a lot of flak for it because he can’t grow anything to save his life. People are always saying he should just quit, but he likes his farm. He says it helps him build character. I can’t deny someone just because of who they or their family members choose to be.”
“It sounds like you admire your father.”
“No,” James laughed. “But, I am re-considering a lot of things I once believed in. After all, I can’t become a Sage being the way I was. That much I know for sure.”
“It’s only been a day since you’ve gotten here.”
“Who said I can’t decide to change? Why does it have to take years?”
“Well, I will say this. You’re saying that you won’t change our friendship, but I won’t hold you to it. People like making promises they can’t seem to keep.”
“I am a man who keeps his word,” James declared, feeling proud. It was a complete lie, but she didn’t need to know that. It sounded awesome. “When I say something, I mean it.”
“Is that you talking, or the Sage you want to be?”
“Both,” James grinned as he heard a knocking at the door. “Come in.”
A boy with hair like a dirty mop opened the door and looked in.
“Hey new guy, I just wanted to let you know that Dominic is telling some of his Academy stories eight doors down, okay?” His v
oice trailed off immediately once he saw Catherine. Catherine pursed her lips, wanting to speak, but she waited for him to say something first. The boy simply nodded his head in her direction and closed the door. James raised an eyebrow at Catherine suspiciously.
“That was strange,” James said.
“You would think I was a monster.”
James laughed and punched her lightly in the arm.
“The way you hit, I think he’s safe.”
“Such a gentleman,” she laughed, as she started for the door. “I’ll see you later. I’m supposed to take my next test now. But it was nice talking with you.”
“Hey, I have to know something. How did you find out my name?”
“Arimus told me.”
“So you actually liked me enough to ask, huh?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she chuckled sweetly. “I just needed to know what to tell the medic next time you fall like a sack of potatoes after being hit by a girl.”
“Ouch,” James chuckled.
“Why don’t you go to Dominic’s room?” she asked, holding the door. “I’m sure you’ll be very interested to hear what he has to say. He hasn’t graduated yet, but he is of the 1st Class.” That got his attention. James sat up on the bed and waited to hear more. “He’s a little zealous about his standing though, so don’t start any trouble. He’s a lot more experienced than you are. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“I’m not afraid of him.”
“You don’t even know him.”
“Doesn’t matter. I can take him down.”
She snickered and walked out the door, wishing James luck. She knew that before the end of the night, he might be complaining about a new bruise.
James left the room too. As he did so, he noticed Catherine strolling to the left of his door and somehow around the corner.
I thought there was no more to this hall, he thought. That’s strange.
But then his attention turned elsewhere…back to the strange girl that had broken into his room. He couldn’t understand for the life of him why people avoided her. It wasn’t like she was hideous or anything. She did talk pretty vague though, like she was being secretive for no reason. That was getting annoying for sure…but it wasn’t enough to outright avoid her like she had been describing. Was she just making up stuff to keep his interest?
James hardly realized he had been walking away from his room, and before he knew it, he had reached Dominic’s door. Immediately, he was forced to become aware of his surroundings. He stood in awe at the massive number of recruits standing in front of the upperclassman’s door and he had to admit this much: Dominic was definitely popular.
All the more reason to let myself shine now, he thought. In order to become a Sage, I’ll have to defeat him someday too.
James tried glancing over some of his classmates’ heads, but to no avail. People were clamoring over each other, pushing and shoving to get a glimpse of the senior class-man. Finally disgusted and frustrated with not being able to see, James turned to leave when Dominic suddenly spoke out from the inside.
“Is that the new kid I see back there?” Dominic called in excitement. “Let him on through.”
The recruits reluctantly obeyed, letting James pass through to their idol and giving him a front row seat. James let a smile slip, thinking that someday people would let him pass not because of his ignorance, but his power.
Dominic was in the corner of the room, sitting on the bed with his legs crossed and looking like he had just finished telling an epic story. Several young men and women sat at his feet like children, waiting hungrily for the next tale. Dominic beamed in delight at the sight of James and offered him the coveted seat by his side. James sat down obediently, not looking to cause any riffs in the room. He was ready to see what made the senior so impressive.
“So what’s your name, kid?” the upperclassman asked coolly.
“James,” he replied, fully aware that Dominic was no more than a year or two older than himself.
“James, I’m Dominic, and let me tell you, you are in for a treat. It’s not every day you get to meet a walking legend.”
“What makes you a legend?”
People began whispering in anticipation. The story of Dominic was coming. James was already sure it was anti-climactic and over-exaggerated.
“It all starts in ‘88. Surely you know what happened in that year.”
“The siege of our castle,” James said, remembering Arimus’s words.
“Well, I’ll have you know that I was there.”
“What were you, a drummer boy? You’re barely three years older than me.”
Gasps went throughout the room.
“You wish. The fact of the matter is that I was a recruit like all of you. Scared, nervous, unsure of what difference I could make in the world. Still, I had a mind to—no—I knew that I would become a great and powerful warrior someday—a Sage of great power.”
James scoffed and Dominic frowned at his reaction.
“You’re a Sage?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
“How could you possibly be a Sage?”
“Would you shut up and let me finish my story?”
“I’m sorry. I just can’t see how that’s possible.”
Dominic glared at James and quickly grabbed his shoulder. James barely saw him move. Instinctively he noticed the sheathed sword lying on the bed by Dominic’s side.
“We can settle this right now if you want. It’s a little unconventional, but at least you’ll be humbled.” Dominic spoke so confidently that James didn’t know what to think. All he could do was follow the upperclassman as he grabbed his sword from the bed and made his way out of the dorm. The sea of students parted instinctively, letting him pass through like he was their savior, but James followed more out of curiosity than obedience. There was no way he could be a Sage. How could someone so vain, so pompous and arrogant—be a legend? How could he have achieved the rank of Sage?
“I thought you were just 1st Class,” James spat at Dominic as they walked. “Not even an infantryman.”
“I’m skipping all that now,” Dominic replied calmly.
James shuddered at the thought. Staring at Dominic’s cool composure, he suddenly realized that if this fool was a Sage, Arimus would’ve mentioned it to him. Wouldn’t he?
Dominic walked slowly in stride as if he were a king, leading James to where the west wing gymnasium lay. James couldn’t deny that he was beginning to get nervous.
“So I’m going to get a demonstration?”
“You could say that,” Dominic said slyly, throwing the sword he held at his side to James. “Here, take this. I won’t need it.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“I’m going to prove—”
“—what, exactly?” Arimus boomed as he stepped from beyond the crowd. Everyone stopped talking as he stared down at Dominic with his steel blue eyes. Dominic’s resolve wavered but he still made no motion to answer the teacher.
“I asked you a question.”
“I was only going to show James here what it means to be a Sage.”
Arimus laughed heartily, the echo bouncing off the farthest walls. Somehow it only made James more nervous.
“Dominic, this is why I advised you to keep your ego subdued. Your delusions never cease to amaze me.”
Dominic’s smile faded as Arimus motioned for the mob of recruits to leave. They left sorrowfully, taking each step slowly so that they could catch as much entertainment as possible on their way out. But Arimus eventually grew weary of them and growled; then they dispersed quickly. The mentor turned around and shook his head in amazement.
“I dismissed your fans so that I can speak without restraint. I don’t want to embarrass you in front of them, but if you continue to lie that way in the Academy, there will be disciplinary action, understood?”
Dominic nodded shamefully as Arimus turned to J
ames.
“James, you will keep this a secret. But Dominic is, in fact, not a Sage.”
“HA!” James retorted. Dominic shoved his face away with an open palm. James almost managed to punch him, but Arimus caught his arm at the last second. Dominic barely noticed the retaliation.
“Why did you have to tell the new guy, Arimus?”
“And why do I have to keep this a secret?” James cried, backing away. “Don’t the students have the right to know?”
“The students look up to Dominic,” Arimus stated. “And believe it or not, he has inspired many of them to overcome obstacles that they previously struggled with. Nevertheless, the primary reason for my intrusion is because he will be the proctor of your second test, and I didn’t want you to get a head start.”
“Second test?”
“Which will begin immediately as a matter of fact. The sword in your right hand will suffice. We were supposed to wait until tomorrow, but considering the situation before us, we can begin. Prior preparation is unnecessary.”
“I never heard anything about having to give a test,” Dominic protested. “But if I am, then he fails—right now. Whatever it is I am proctoring, he’s not passing it.”
“That’s awfully mature of you,” Arimus stated.
“Thank you,” Dominic said, not smiling one bit.
“Regardless of your prejudices, however, the test will be given. I know what you are thinking. Why is James given special treatment? Well, let me tell you…he is not. This test, also known as the Sage preliminary test, is always the second to be given. It is just that students receive it by different proctors so there is little discussion on the matter. You were given this kind of test by someone else, were you not?”
Dominic nodded, his spirits rising again.
“Then James will receive the same. Though the tests are all handled differently, the desired outcome must be achieved in order to pass. This test will be no easier or harder than the one you took.”
“Fine,” Dominic muttered, partly satisfied with the explanation.
“I thought you said he wasn’t a Sage,” James retorted. Arimus nodded.
“He’s not. The Sage preliminary test examines a person’s ability to become a Sage, nothing more. If you do not pass this, you are still able to go on to the third exam, which will evaluate your eligibility to stay in this Academy, but it would be better for you personally if that doesn’t happen. Should you make it through the second exam, you will go immediately on to Sage training, accomplishing the goal you have set for yourself. But if you fail, you will have no hope whatsoever.”
“So Dominic passed?” James asked humbly.
“Dominic is the only recruit I have seen pass this test since I became a proctor. Everyone else has failed, and that is why we do not discuss it openly. It is too shameful to reveal that they will never reach their dreams…”
“So Dominic is taking Sage tests right now?”
“Yes, and he is doing adequately.”
“Who is his teacher?”
“That’s irrelevant right now. But should you pass the test, I will reveal it to you. This is not a light matter, I’m afraid. There are not many Sages at this Academy. So little, in fact, that most students are given the Sage preliminary tests by those who are not Sages themselves. It is an unfortunate circumstance but necessary. Even Dominic’s original proctor was killed in battle a few months back. Make no mistake, James. Even Sages have a long road to traverse.”
“Then why am I given this privilege? To face someone who’s passed the tests?”
“Circumstance. Believe me, you are not the only one. There are fifteen others that Dominic will proctor after you are done. Do not think you’re special.”
Why was everyone saying that?
“You never told me that!” Dominic exclaimed, pointing a finger in Arimus’s face. “I never agreed to become a teacher.”
“Yet you will if you desire to continue your training,” Arimus said firmly. Dominic sucked his teeth but otherwise remained silent.
“So…” James continued. “Does that mean Dominic is stronger than you?”
“Enough with the questions, James. The test will now begin.”
Dominic smirked and jumped back into an offensive stance, placing his right fist on top of his left shoulder, as if he had a blade concealed there.
“So what am I supposed to do, just hit him with this sword?” James mused, turning the blade over and over in his hand. “That hardly seems fair.”
“Trust me, I’m more than prepared for you, rookie.”
“Here is the exam,” Arimus announced. “All you have to do is cut Dominic. Even if it’s the slightest nick. If you manage this within three days, you are eligible to begin Sage training. If not, your dreams will sadly end here.”
“That shouldn’t be too hard considering he’s unarmed. He’s gotta tire out sooner or later. Then I’ll slice him up.”
“You’re so confident, James,” Dominic mused. “But I think that’s the fear talking. You can’t imagine not being a Sage. No one can. Especially once Arimus tells you the legend. And you’re no different. So we’re going to see if you’ve got what it takes. Despite what your eyes tell you, I’m a lot more armed than you are.”
“What are you talking about, gabby?” James mocked, his hand snapping open and close as if it were talking.
“Dominic,” Arimus bellowed. “Reveal your eidolon edge.”
“His what?” James began, but Dominic cut him off.
“—gladly,” Dominic said, and in an instant, a flash of blinding light erupted from Dominic’s body, filling the entire room, and knocking James unconscious.
The Last of the Sages (Sage Saga, Book 1) Page 5