Across Eternity

Divine Fury

"Move it, cadets! If it were up to me, you'd be carrying water up mountain steps!"

It was the morning of the second day, first light, and the cadets had been roused from sleep by the sound of trumpets. Around and around they went, running laps under the watchful eye of Sir Kiev. When they first started, most cadets, still drunk on the bliss of sleep, shambled like zombies for the first half lap. Soon enough, the adrenaline perked them up like a hard slap across the face. Noah was used to this kind of routine and tried to appreciate it. It was a cool morning, pleasant, one best enjoyed before the sun erased the dew and devoured all shade.

That said, he was enjoying it from the back of the crowd, where he was less likely to be noticed by others. Only around half of his swordsmanship class would be able to pick him out of a group, but he wanted to hold onto every shred of anonymity he had left. On the plus side, it let him listen to a lot of the gossip and rumors going around, but unfortunately, he mostly just heard complaints. Like swearing, it was a time-tested painkiller, and various cadets would try to ease their burden by griping and grumbling to anyone who would listen, while making sure their voices couldn't be heard by Sir Kiev. Noah had found that around one out of ten soldiers would be lifelong complainers in most militaries.

Leading the pack were the more elite and driven cadets, such as Alexis, Prince Seraph, and others, and upon completing their tenth laps, they went inside for breakfast. In the mess hall, Alexis had just settled in at her usual spot with a tray of food. On the other side of the room, she saw Sophia, bound to Galvin as if by invisible chains. With them, Prince Seraph, as well as their friends.

As much as Alexis wished she could pull Sophia out of the snake pit, she was forbidden from coming close. All they could do was find comfort in each other's eyes. Galvin, noticing this, grabbed Sophia's hair and pulled it sharply, dragging her back to reality. Where she was sitting, Alexis's hands balled tightly into fists. Her dining knife, how easily it would--

"Good morning."

She then perked up as Noah set down his tray across from her. "Huh? Oh, excuse me. Good morning."

"Is something wrong?"

"It's... don't worry about it."

Noah wasn't convinced, but he didn't ask anything further. After breakfast, he was scheduled to study potion brewing and made his way to class. The room he entered reminded him of the various apothecaries he had visited in this world. It was full of countless ingredients, all bottled, hung to dry, and displayed. He and the rest of the cadets flowed in and found seats among various tables while waiting for the teacher. He soon arrived, an old man with a braided beard and a robe smelling like a used napkin belonging to the witches of Macbeth.

"Greetings, everyone. I am Sir Brume, and I shall be teaching you how to brew potions that will serve you as you serve the nation. I'm sure many of you have been told that knights are forbidden from using potions in all but the most severe cases, but that is only half true. There are many recipes deemed safe for you to use, though it is advised that they not be consistently relied on. The potions you'll be making may be used to restore your health and improve your natural abilities, among other things. Any questions?"

From there, he continued with the orientation, first going over the tools and equipment they'd be using. As expected, there was the traditional cauldron, the mortar and pestle, and mincing knives, but he went on to label tools whose functions interested many cadets and disgusted others. Everything looked like it either belonged to a voodoo priest or a coroner.

He described the various processes they'd be learning for preparing ingredients, such as boiling, grinding, and dissecting. This was basically an intensive cooking class focusing on bitter-tasting soups. Having a great amount of experience as a chef, Noah was more concerned with the potions themselves than the effort of making them.

Soon after coming to this world, he had developed a method of magic training involving repeated mana depletion and restoration in a physically exhausted state. It greatly multiplied his mana reserves, but the long-term effects of potions proved detrimental to his ability to use magic. When he first learned to project his illusory clone, he could move considerably far from his location with a minor increase in mana expenditure. After weeks of dangerous training, combined with all the potions used during his dungeon crab raid, the range and duration had decreased considerably. He was regaining his magic proficiency, but it was a slow process.

Outside, the familiar sound of metal on metal filled the air as Valia hosted her swordsmanship lesson with a new batch of cadets. Just like before, she was gauging their skills in the best way she knew how. One by one, they'd step forward with a borrowed sword, and she'd spar with them for a few minutes, toying with them like a cat batting around a captured mouse. She never drew blood, but her swings would always come within a hair's breadth of their bodies, showing them how easily they could be killed.

Among the cadets, it was Alexis's turn to step forward. She was nervous, a feeling she wasn't used to, and the hand with which she gripped her sword was shaking. Fighting in a life-or-death battle with a herd of ogres hadn't scared her at all, but every time she looked at Valia, she felt a fluttering in her stomach. With any luck, the reddening of her cheeks wouldn't be noticed.

She faced Valia and bowed down farther than she intended, and shouted when she only meant to speak. "I am Cadet Alexis Veres, and it is a great honor to meet you, ma'am!"

"Ah, yes, Veres. I believe I fought alongside your grandfather in the Battle of Pheron. Does he still brag about that scar on his face from the griffin?"

"At every harvest festival, ma'am!"

"That sounds about right. Anyway, cadet, let's see how you compare. Ready yourself." Both women assumed their stances, blades raised. "Now come at me."

Alexis lunged in the first of a flurry of swings and stabs. Her speed and concentration were pushed to their limits as she fought to impress. Archery was more her talent, but swordplay was nothing she wasn't used to. Her sword collided with Valia's faster than the other cadets, but her attacks were deflected and blocked effortlessly. Simply keeping the elf on the defense was like trying to run on ice. Still, she didn't give in.

Having experienced lessons in combat from skilled teachers, as well as actual scenes of battle, she knew how to maintain her footing, control her center of gravity, and keep her nerve when attacking and defending. She thought back to those lessons, the stances and forms drilled into her when she was a child. She slid herself back into those memories, trying to recreate the movements perfectly. Her attacks were majestic and precise in their execution, awing several cadets and making Valia smile in amusement.

Then, without warning, Valia lashed out, and Alexis could barely block. Valia leaned in, keeping Alexis pinned with their swords grinding. There, Alexis saw it, the scratch on Valia's cheek from her fight with Noah, a feat which looked all but impossible from where she was standing. It was as though his blade had cut the moon.

Valia went on the attack, unleashing a storm of swings and thrusts like Alexis had done. The critical difference was that she displayed little effort, and despite moving faster than Alexis, she was still holding back, humoring her with every attack she allowed to be blocked or dodged. Alexis struggled to form a solid guard, just as she had struggled in her attacks. Her moves, despite her skill, were all textbook techniques, so rigidly performed that it became harder and harder to transition between them. Finally, the battle ended. Alexis tried to swallow the lump in her throat as she stared at the blade held just under her chin.

"You have good footwork, and you've clearly received prior training, but I get the sense that a sword just isn't the weapon for you. Still, you are definitely something I can work with. I look forward to watching you grow."

"Thank you, ma'am! This has been a true honor, and I look forward to studying under you!"

She had yet to regain control of her voice, something which would have earned laughs from the cadets, if not for the fact that she had fought better than all of them. That fact did not ease the embarrassment she felt. She returned to the group, only to receive a hard shoulder bump as the next cadet stepped forward. He was someone she unfortunately knew, and though she flashed him her furious gaze, he scoffed and strode past her.

"Let's do this," he said as he faced Valia.

"Cadet, I will not tolerate such disrespect to myself or your fellow students. Choose your words and tone carefully. Now, state your name."

"Seraph Albion, not like we've never met before. You and all of these talentless rats already know who I am, and now, they're going to watch me beat you."

"Yes, I have watched you grow up as a prince, but you stand before me as a cadet, and you will learn respect, no matter how harshly I must teach you."

Seraph held the largest sword available to the cadets and charged, bringing it down in a murderous swing. As with the others, Valia first stayed on the defensive, letting Seraph's style reveal itself. The oncoming chain of attacks took a pattern visible to most of the cadets. Regarding skill, he was around the same level as Alexis, but his speed and strength were superior, and he was forcing Valia back faster than any of the others had.

He had claimed the rank of strongest cadet, but unlike Alexis, who focused on technique, his sword style was more barbaric. His attacks were broad and blunt, perfect for mowing down scores of low-level troops or beheading monsters. Against a high-tier individual like Valia, he might as well have been trying to cut a fluttering snowflake in half.

"This is what you are so proud of? Vigor is no substitute for skill," Valia said while moving ever out of his range.

"Fight back, damn it!"

"Cadet Albion, do not expect me to coddle you as your previous teachers have. Unlike them, I am allowed to discipline you at my discretion, and the price of your words is steep."

The time had come. Valia went on the offensive, bringing Seraph's momentum to a sudden halt. His defense was as mighty as his offense, and he managed to withstand her attacks, but she was relentlessly hammering his sword. The sound of each impact was nerve-racking to the cadets, all expecting Seraph's sword to soon shatter. He held his ground as long as he could, but the escalating brutality of her swings was breaking his stance.

She was forcing him back, but even when his guard slipped, she'd still attack his sword rather than simply call it a match. His punishment was to endure the bombardment, and even this brutal act was done with the grace befitting Valia's skill. She continued smashing his defense, finally breaking him down. He fell to his knees, and she stepped on his sword while putting her own to his throat.

"I hope this makes things clear. Now, get back among the other cadets."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"We're not done yet!"

He wrenched his sword from under her foot and attacked her once more. However, while his composure was lost, his power had significantly increased. He was wrapped in an aura of holy energy and rocketed towards her with a fierce roar. The gold mantle clung to his blade, with his lateral swings creating audible sound waves and his execution chops ripping apart the ground as if he was setting off landmines.

"Control yourself, cadet!" Valia thundered as she fended him off. She held her ground with an iron defense, though the soil under her feet was not as resilient.

"Not until I beat you! I heard that other cadet managed to draw blood, and I'm not going to stop until I surpass him!"

Rather than tiring, he was getting stronger and faster as he continued to fight, with the aura around him increasing in intensity. Things were getting dangerous, and even other classes were noticing.

"That is enough! Zodiac: Rakshon! Baom!"

Behind Valia, a large magic circle appeared, depicting ten large runes like the numbers on a clock. Two of the runes were glowing brighter than the others, and Valia's body briefly gained a silver radiance. Seraph swung at her neck, only to be shocked when he caught his sword with her bare hand. Her skin had become as tough as steel, and her physical strength surpassed his. Seraph's power was too great for her to come out unharmed despite her enhancements, and her blood trickled from her cut hand.

"That should satiate your thirst for blood," she hissed.

She struck the flat side of his sword with the edge of hers and shattered it, then grabbed the broken blade and slashed Seraph across the cheek. The cut was deep, sending him dropping to his knees and howling in pain. In response, he flashed her a glare of utter hatred, and she kicked him hard in the side of the head and knocked him out.

At last, there was peace, but Valia could see the looks of anxiety on the cadets' faces, not just those with her. The windows of the academy buildings were filled with staff and students alike, having been drawn to watch the chaotic fight. They were staring at Valia, who had just been forced to put down a rampaging prince.

While he had been the instigator, it did not look good for her as a teacher. After the rumors of her fight with Noah, her reputation had just taken a harsh blow. She looked up and saw the infamous cadet in the potion brewing class. The two of them made eye contact, sharing looks of concern.

As expected, the academy mess hall was in a ruckus when lunch arrived. Rumors and speculation were flying about, with every detail either overblown or downplayed. Noah joined Alexis at their usual spot.

"So," he said as he sat down.

"So," she replied.

"Interesting first class?"

"I would certainly say so."

"Did Lady Zodiac live up to your expectations?"

Alexis sighed, but there was a smile. She brushed Seraph's rampage out of her mind and thought of her match with Valia. "She was incredible, just as I had always dreamed."

"I'm guessing she took a shine to you. I figured she would. I'm surprised, though, that you would pick a sword as your main weapon." He pointed at the glass sword on her hip with his fork.

"I plan to return to archery once I'm a full-fledged knight. However, as long as Lady Valia is teaching here, I will devote myself wholly to the sword."

"Nice. Anyway, what was the deal with that prince?"

Alexis sighed once more, now without a smile. "Seraph, he heard about how you fought Lady Zodiac and went mad when he couldn't match up."

"I'm in trouble, aren't I?"

"Assuming he doesn't get kicked out of the academy, he's going to be coming after you. If he couldn't beat Lady Zodiac, you'll be his next target."

"Getting stalked by a bloodthirsty prince really isn't how I expected to spend my year in the academy."

"I wish I could say I was surprised by his behavior. In Uther, it's common for noble families to bring their sons and daughters to formal events and parties, to show off how eloquent and educated their children are, how good they look. I've met him several times over the years, and every time, he's more arrogant and pigheaded than the last."

"After seeing what he's capable of, I can understand why."

"Everyone regards Sir Adwith Tarnas as the greatest paladin in all the lands, but Prince Seraph will surely surpass him one day. He already has an inherent talent for holy, warrior, and monk magic, and it's all gone to his head. It's bad enough without his brother Galvin filling his ears with poison."

She spat out the name, and Noah perked up.

"Galvin? Weren't you fighting him in the battle royale?"

Her demeanor turned ice cold. "You saw that?"

"I did. I must say, he has a very punchable face."

For a moment, Alexis's icy hatred melted, and she was able to enjoy a brief laugh, but that warmth soon faded. "He is easily the most despicable person I have ever met, absolutely rotten to his core, and his vitriol has been corrupting Seraph all his life. He knows just how to stroke his brother's ego and manipulate him.

Even as a prince, Seraph's actions today will not go unpunished, or at the very least, he'll have used up what lenience he could expect to receive here. Even he will think twice before trying anything. He won't openly attack you when others are around, but Galvin might try something underhanded."

Someone like Seraph wouldn't even be considered a threat in a normal world. He was talented, but a fool. The problem was his status as a paladin. Bad enough his magic could boost his abilities to superhuman levels, but if he really was anything like Adwith Tarnas, then he could erase Noah's illusions, not to mention holy magic was extremely painful. He was a power-type fighter, and the last time Noah tangled with a power-type, he almost lost an arm.

"I'm starting to think I should have enlisted in another country."

----------

Submerged up to her neck in one of the many pools, Alexis felt her stress melt away. Around her, the other female cadets bathed and gossiped. Alexis's eyes, so sharp when staring down the shaft of an arrow, now refused her will and threatened to wander, her gaze falling upon the luscious bodies of the young women moving about the clouds of steam like mystical nymphs.

Same-sex relationships were frowned upon in their faith, especially here at the academy, so she didn't want to be caught with a lecherous gaze and have rumors spread. But the real reason she had to reel in her desires, not to look upon the bounty of women around her, was that she wanted to focus only on the one at her side.

Sophia slipped into the hot water next to her.

"Hey," Alexis said softly, smiling.

"Hey," Sophia replied.

They gazed at each other, each wishing to speak the words they could never let anyone else hear. Only now could Alexis let her eyes drift.

"Busy day?" Sophia asked.

"Busy enough. My shoulders are aching from sword class."

"I bet they are. Is it true you use glass blades?"

"Yes, and I swear, they are the most frustrating devices I have ever encountered. Every time my blade snaps, I feel like the gods have just flicked me on the forehead. What about you? How often are you working in the infirmary?"

"Too often, and Galvin is there, watching me."

"What I would give to never hear that name again. I would offer my life to the gods if they erased that wretched name from all memory. I should just put an arrow through his eye socket and end this."

"You can't, as much as I would love it if you did."

"At least here, he can't bother us."

"Well, the other women in the infirmary are kind. They don't say anything around him, but I know how they feel. And now I can truly learn how to help people and heal them. Someday soon, I'll be able to follow you in battle and patch you up."

"Oh, speaking of battle, I finally got to fight against Lady Zodiac. She was more incredible than I dared dream. Those days we spent as children, telling each other those stories, fantasizing about fighting for Uther beside her, trying to be like her, it feels like we've come so far."

"You know I admire her as much as you do, but truth be told, I never wanted to be like her," said Sophia. Alexis turned to her in shock, but before she could respond, Sophia's hand found hers beneath the water, and their fingers became intertwined. "I always just wanted to be like you."

----------

The third day brought rain, and with it, mud, sticking to Gideon's face as he crawled through a labyrinth of thorns. He and dozens of other cadets were clawing their way through a brutal obstacle course, one that seemed to go on without end. Their instructor, Sir Reyns, was watching them, a long-haired man with a pair of quarterstaffs in a sheath on his side. His sharp features gave off a hint of elven ancestry, or at least Gideon thought so.