CHAPTER 141: CHAPTER 141: CALLS TO WAR

The metallic scent of burnt runes still tickled his nose when William entered his room. Checking his collar, he saw a message from Lia that read: "Don’t be late, it’s almost time. Don’t forget to bring the provisions we prepared; who knows, maybe it’ll be a nice picnic."

"Two days...?" William murmured, smiling as he realized his advancement had devoured the entire weekend, but happy as always to have someone who cared about him.

Without wasting a second, he stepped into the shower, let the icy water clear his mind, and, with distrust already gnawing at his chest, threw almost all his belongings into his storage bag: two changes of uniform, silk bandages, coagulating powder, mana reserve amulets, and the dry rations he had been accumulating for months. As he closed the bag, he felt that something was very wrong; no matter how much he tried not to think about it, his heart screamed at him to run.

In the central plaza, everything buzzed like a beehive. Upon arriving, William spotted Lia—isolated as always, sitting on the marble railing with her legs dangling. The murmuring ceased as he walked through the crowd: the apprentices parted, forming a silent path that led directly to his side. Many avoided looking at him; others did so with a mix of fear and admiration. The nickname "Demon of Black Rock" hovered over their heads like an omen. You could hate him, but you couldn’t say he was a weakling. Those who weren’t of noble birth, both older and younger years, looked at him like a hero; he was the only one who hadn’t bent to the nobles and still remained undefeated. Despite this, no one dared approach him, as neither they nor their families could bear the repercussions from those damned nobles.

As he walked towards Lia, he caught sight of the veteran students: the third-years (his new echelon) and, among them, the fifth-years—the final year. Nere was there, her gray hair pulled back in a tight braid; to her right, Dixon and the rest of his old companions from the lost continent who arrived on the Legacy: all of them had broader shoulders, arms full of scars, even their faces showed more scars than healthy skin, and those eyes that had already seen death. Dixon raised his chin in a calm gesture: "We’re fine, don’t do anything stupid."

William responded with a half-smile, though tension still ran down his neck.

A few minutes later, Agis climbed onto the black stone platform that dominated the plaza. His voice, amplified by a sonic seal, boomed among the columns.

"Welcome, students. Today is a unique day for the Academy and for the entire Bloody Claw Alliance. As the governing power of the eastern seas, we have protected this area from all outsiders who have tried to invade us and take our things by force.

Unfortunately, a few months ago, we were attacked by the neighboring Spear of Light Coalition, white mages who consider us heretics. Our border posts are under constant siege, as their large numerical majority allows them to maintain the attack despite their casualties.

This has led the Alliance to decide to mobilize all students. All of you will depart right now. You will be assigned to companies commanded by titled mages. From this moment, the law of total war for Black Rock Academy is activated, so any deserter will be killed on sight."

A thunder of whispers erupted across the plaza: disbelief, morbid excitement, pure panic. Some children of Great Houses smiled: for them, it was an opportunity for glory. Others—the artisans and those who lacked great combat skills—paler.

Almost immediately, dozens of masked instructors appeared, shouting surnames and raising colored banners. The students dispersed, searching for their assigned symbol.

William reached Lia amid the clamor.

"Let’s stay calm, okay?" he whispered. She nodded, blue eyes fixed on his.

But when the rosters were revealed, they weren’t together. Lia was sent to the Celestial Whale Company; William, to the Crimson Dragon Company. Two opposite ends of the battle order.

He forced himself to breathe. He took a step towards the officer holding the tablet.

"I request a company change. I need—"

"Silence and to the line," the mage cut him off, without even raising his gaze from the parchment. A red seal shimmered on his collar, a warning of insubordination.

William felt his blood burn, ready to summon his sword. But Lia, a few meters away, turned and ran towards him, giving him a calm smile, accompanied by a pat on his shoulder: "Everything will be fine." William clenched his fists... and swallowed the impulse.

One by one, the names continued to reverberate. Each student received a brass bracelet that glowed with their unit’s color. William’s lit up with a burning red, bearing the image of a dragon that seemed to swim in the ocean—an emblem of shock missions.

"William, Crimson Dragon Company, Third Battalion."

He twirled the bracelet between his fingers. He felt the gazes of the others fixed on his back—some with fear, others hoping that this "demon" would end up on the front lines and never return.

Agis raised his voice one last time:

"Collect your supplies! The first portal will open in thirty minutes in the west courtyard. Demonstrate the courage of Black Rock! Or die trying."

A roar of approval (or hysteria) swept through the plaza; it wasn’t clear which of the two it was. William pulled away, trying to locate Lia again among the growing crowd. He only managed to see her blonde mane disappear in the opposite direction, towards the north wing.

Thirty minutes. Thirty minutes to prepare for a war he hadn’t asked for, against an enemy he had never seen... and with a council that perhaps wanted him dead.

The bracelet clicked coldly around his wrist. William took a deep breath, let the notion of the Void brush the palm of his hand... and headed towards the west courtyard.

War—and the true intentions of the Alliance—awaited him on the other side of the portal.