Chapter 22: The Golem Challenge
Reynold shoulders kept moving until his arms gave out but he did not stop as he kept counting.
Ninety-eight... ninety-nine ...
Sweat was already dripping from his body.
He pushed up for the last time then let out a low gasp as he collapsed after the the final push.
He was there without moving but just breathing for a moment before he dragged himself up.
A quick shower was all he needed after the push-ups.
The cold water streamed down his body, washing the sweat away, leaving him feeling clean.
Soon he was done and in the plain black Academy uniform.
He grabbed a shortsword, it was a practice blade that was among the few things he met in his dorm.
He strapped it to his side. In the schedule, it was mentioned for them to come with it.
He stepped out of the dormitory building. Before he could even adjust to the morning sun, a voice sounded across the entire campus.
"Attention all students! All students report immediately to the Central Assembly Ground. This is mandatory. Repeat: report to the Central Assembly Ground, immediately!"
The sudden command made hundreds of students coming out of dorms, to head straight to the assembly.
"Blast it," Rey muttered, joining the crowd of students already moving toward the central assembly.
The massive parade field that is used as the assembly ground was designed to hold the entire student body, the Magic Users and the Dragon Riders.
As they at the assembly ground, the murmuring became louder.
"The reason were are here must be because of the Aetherclaws that get past the Ward near Dragon’s Tooth."
"My cousin lives in that village! They say houses were burned but army arrived before it got worse."
"Yeah. I heard they were caught. They caught them all last night," someone close to Reynold murmured.
The Headmaster’s entrance made the murmurs to stopped instantly. He was a man in his his late sixties.
Reynold had only ever seen the man in real but only in news spread, seeing him now felt different.
The Headmaster raised a hand. "Students of Wyrmwood Academy, good morning." His voice echoed. "Some of you have heard the disturbing news regarding the Aetherclaw invasion near the Dragon’s Tooth Mountain. We sympathize deeply with those of you whose homes were affected. However," the Headmaster continued. "I can assure you there is no cause for alarm. Due to the decisive and quick action of the Viceroy of the North and his forces, the situation is completely contained. The Aetherclaw warriors responsible have been captured. Bless the flames, there was no loss of life, and the few citizens that were injured are receiving the best treatment available." He adjusted his collar, his gaze shifting across the crowd. "Also, the border Ward has been repaired. Everyone is safe so urge everyone of you to focus on your studies, and honor the sacrifice of those who protect the realm." The headmaster eyes swept the crowd one last time before he added. "That will be all for today." With that, he turned and left the stage.
The students immediately erupted in murmurs.
Captured? Safe?
The Aetherclaws never give up so easily.
The announcement was meant to calm the students but it just made the pressure worse.
Reynold did not bother staying. He left the assembly ground. He did not know when his face turn into a frown when he heard a familiar voice.
He turned to the sound of voice and seeing who it was, his frown deepened.
It was Laena, Landon face was buried on her neck. Landon seems to be saying something funny, making Laena to laugh in respond.
Since Landon’s face was buried on Laena’s neck, Reynold could not see his face.
His fists turned into a tight clenched.
"Come on Reynold. She is changed and not the same Laena you knew in Terraverde City."
Reynold let out a sigh, turn and left.
He arrived at the southeast training grounds. It was a large yard reserved for practical training.
When he arrived, the sun was higher, beating down on the empty, sandy arena.
This class, RWG 123, was only for Riders.
Professor Galen arrived few minutes later.
"Welcome everyone. Today is practical and specialized equipment. You will learn how to survive against what the Malpas tribes can throw at you," Galen stated, tapping the leather vambrace that looks like watch on his left arm. " The course code is RWG 123. For those of you always sleeping through classes, there will be no such here." Galen eyes shifted to the boy who was already sleeping at the corner. Seeing a female close to him tapped him to wake up, Galen then continues.
"This course is about aerial and mounted combat gear but first, we learn about the Golems."
He paced around while talking. "The Malpas tribes are mages who uses black Magic. Their specialty is turning rock and iron into fighting golems and they do not feel pain. If you cannot drop one, it will drop you."
Galen stopped and stared at the students present. He lifted his wrist and pressed a thick button on what looked like a watch.
With a grinding thud-hiss, five big humanoid figures rose from hidden panels in the ground of the arena. They were made from stone and iron, their joints making noise with simulated arcane energy.
The Professor’s voice sounded in the training ground. "Listen. You must target the core rune that is usually hidden in the torso or head. You hit the limbs, you just make it angry."
He demonstrated it while avoiding the swings of one Golem and tapping a specific spot on the chest with a wooden training pole, causing the holem to freeze instantly.
"Who wants to go first?" Galen challenged.
"I will go first professor."
A muscular Rider named Jarek swaggered forward.
"Good cadet. Remember, do not hit the limbs."
Jarek nodded then rushed with speed. He feinted with his left and then swung right, but the golem’s fist swung quickly. Jarek was knocked completely off his feet before he could even draw his weapon, landing hard in the dust.
"Predictable!" Galen said. " Next!"
Student after student went, and student after student failed. They were either too slow, or didn’t understand the necessary shift in focus from a human opponent to a mechanical one.
Reynold watched them, his unconsciously going to the shortsword on his hip. He wanted to go last.
Soon, it was only him left outside the marked ring.
Reynold sighed. It was him now. He stepped forward..
He could feel every single eye in the yard was on him. Everyone wanted to know if the boy that scored high during the trial and the boy that body-slammed a fire mage will be able to defeat the golems
Reynold ran his tongue quickly over his dry lips. His eyes landed on one of the golems and close to head. He saw a small hole close to the head of the golems. That must be place where the rune is.
He tightened his grip on the shortsword and let out a final breath before moving quickly.