Code of Shadows

Second Third (Part 36)

Finally, I came to terms with what happened and I brought my attention back to Sera.

"We do an obstacle course every morning. The goal is to get to the best ranking you can. Enterprises place is then based on the enterprises overall ranking. Currently, Grianan occupies second place. Manuae is in first." There was an obvious unspoken challenge. "You will join this race when you have passed all 5 test. The good news is that you only have two more test. The fourth test will be today after lunch, and the last will be tomorrow." Finally I noticed Sam leaning on the doorframe waiting for Sera to finish her speech. 

Sam motioned us over, then started to talk as he lead us through the maze of the battle field. 

"Those who've been discharged have been sent to their room to pack. If you want to see them you have until lunch when their carriages come to get them. We expect you at lunch on time, but you are free to do as you wish until them. Remember to say on school grounds as you are cannot go off of school grounds until you are a cadet in a special focus group. Also, you may not go into the forest, and the main tower and Grianan's tower are the only towers that go into for the moment. Failure to follow any of these rules will result in a discharge." Sam turned around here, and disappeared with a puff of swirling blue and green smoke. I coughed as I waved the smoke away. Way to make a dramatic exit, I thought. 

I took a breath of fresh air and looked around. All of the trainees were in a varying state of shock or confusion. I turned to find Dylan. I didn't see him at first, but then I saw him walking ahead of me towards the towers. I ran to catch up with him. 

"What is the rush for?" I asked as I caught up to him.

He glanced at me and shook his head. "We are going to be late for breakfast. Did you not just hear what the cadets said about eating some decent food?"

I shook my head. "Apparently not."

.............................

Dylan and I ate at a table in the corner. The glowing table lit up the whole area despite there being no lights overhead. As we ate, another group sat at the opposite end of the table, but they paid no attention to us. Their uniforms told us that they were cadets in their final year here at the Academy. I stared at them in amazement. Everyone in the group looked legendary. A girl sitting at the table caught my eye and I turned away in embarrassment. 

"So, Dylan... How has your life been as a Prince?" he scowled at me.

"How did you figure it out?"

"Don't be so surprised. Your last name tells me everything. Do you really think that I am that oblivious of the outside world?" I asked, half bluffing.

"Yeah, I kind of do. Only people from you know where call it the outside world. It is more commonly know as Allan." Our expressions switched. Dylan wore a smile while I wore the scowl.

"I learned that Allan existed less than 4 months ago. You have to excuse some of my mistakes. I'm not like you who has been learning about it secretively since birth."

Dylan gave me his signature smirk. "A royal can't be under educated."

"Seriously," I said as I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah," he paused for a moment. "Please just call me Dylan though. I hate the prince stuff. Plus it brings a lot of stuff I really don't want to deal with."

"Well, at least you are starting on a new slate," I said.

He sighed. "Not really. Look around. Everything is still divided. The 'commoners' and the royals are never mixing," he paused, "Except here." I glowered at him.