"Now, with these tools in hands, with these shields and weapons, we’ll be stronger than ever," said the Golden Sage as he scanned the crowd. "I bet that is what you all are thinking, right? I hate to rain on your parade, but that is far from the truth. Your tools are better, your training is more optimised, your foundations stronger. But similarly, the challenges you will have to face will be challenges none have seen before.
"There is no need to keep it a secret, word will spread soon enough. We will no longer be bound by this prison of mist all around us. The time has come for us to venture out, to seize the world and make it ours. Yet the world will not yield itself to us so easily. The challenges that lay ahead of you... will test the limits of your being. If you are found wanting, then there will be no second chances."
A hushed silence fell over the cadets, all the earlier excitement faded as they sat with the weight of what lay ahead of them. For some of the cadets, this was the first time they heard about such a thing, and were left feeling confused. Some, like Nero, had learned about this ahead of time.
After all, preparations for these ventures were already underway. It had not been conducted in secret, nor could it be hidden from those in positions of power. So, whether they knew it or not mattered little. In fact, so many of the things that had happened recently happened in preparation for this endeavor.
"So, to adapt to the times, the format of the academy’s education will also be altered. One of the primary changes that will take place will be the existence of Crucible Champions," the Golden Sage said, pausing for a brief moment as he looked towards Vilhelm.
"Crucible Champions will be chosen from between fourth year and fifth year cadets only, for a very specific purpose. From now on, to nurture the upcoming generation of soldiers and officers, as well as to promote a better understanding between our soldiers and Novan soldiers, an annual competition will be held.
"Unlike the existing Crucible challenges, which solely involve hand to hand combat, this competition will include the use of cards and abilities, and will be overseen by a Sage of both nations to ensure that no one gets hurt. The purpose is to showcase our ability, understand our Novan counterparts, and primarily, to discover the best talents between two nations who will receive further nurturing.
"Though the fight will be between Nova and Kolar, the whole world may be watching. After all, New Velariya is also in talks with the other nations to form an alliance. Who knows, by the time the competition is organised, they may also become a part of it. For this endeavor, though the countries may act separately, we act as one, single humanity against the terrors of the world."
The Golden Sage paused again to allow his words to be absorbed by the cadets. Nero instantly picked up on the fact that if this was a competition between countries, then KMA may not be the only one sending cadets to participate. KWA, at the very least, would also most likely send some cadets.
"That is not all," the Golden Sage continued. "The competition is only one new addition, and it will not include most of you. However, a part that will include you is that from now on, there will be an increased demand for external training for all cadets. KMA has already linked with various civil offices around Kolar and lined up opportunities for you all to get hands-on experience and training while under professional supervision.
"These opportunities include, but are not limited to, working in field hospitals, with the police, with the Aetheric Power Company (APC), various manufacturing and processing industries, farms, logistics offices and more. The reason is very direct and straightforward - once we emerge from the mist, we will need to establish new territories, establish colonies, as well as new production and processing lines. These responsibilities may, inevitably, fall upon you."
Most of the cadets had not even properly comprehended that the six countries were moving towards leaving the mist. Now, hearing about gaining experience to establish new colonies, many of them suddenly felt overwhelmed. Of course, many of them also felt incredibly excited, as if a whole new world was opening up in front of them.
Nero, on the other hand, felt none of that. He only contemplated the severe and serious dangers such expeditions would pose. It was unlikely that anyone below Arcanist level would be deployed. In fact, even Arcanists would be the lowest level soldiers, with a majority of the forces involving Mystics and Ascendants.
More Arcanists and Initiates could come after a relatively stable area had been carved out, which meant that it was highly unlikely that they would be able to venture out any time soon. Moreover, though the Golden Sage said that the countries were working together, united as humans against the world, he doubted they would be so united.
It depended on how difficult the situation was beyond the fog. If it was too dangerous, that would definitely prevent them from being too united. Instead, it would become an opportunity to use others as shields instead. Similarly, if it was too easy, then plotting and scheming would begin to fight for resources, territory and power.
Nero, for one, knew that he would never feel safe if someone he hated, such as the Dom family, was fighting beside him. Or even their allies. In fact, he may even be tempted to use the dangers to deal with his enemies. If Nero could think like this, then others most certainly could as well.
"That, too, is merely one aspect of the changes that will be taking place in KMA. The next biggest change... will involve the training officers for a new type of Division primarily focused on all things related to Eldrim. For now, that entails things like familiarising oneself with Eldrim ruins, and the kinds of obstacles and challenges we can find within them.
"Although, as of now, there were only two sets of ruins in all six countries that can be reached and ventured into, we all know the locations of several other ruins. It’s just that they are not so easy to reach. However, Nova and Kolar have already agreed to try to explore more of these ruins together. At such a time, officers familiar with the ruins will be required.
"Moreover, there is no telling what we might encounter outside the mists. We may find more than just occasional ruins, in which case, soldiers and officers specially trained for these things will become highly in demand. Thus, starting from this year onwards, all cadets will receive some level of training regarding Eldrim ruins, and those who show remarkable progress may be specially nurtured for such positions. If nothing else, we will need officers to tackle the obstacles of Lumina for at least the next decade or two."
Those words lit a real fire in the hearts of many cadets. Multinational competitions and colonising expeditions were too farfetched from them, and were difficult to imagine. In comparison, many cadets had already been to Lumina, or knew someone who had been there.
It was much easier to wrap their heads around, not to mention the benefits from them were unimaginable. While a lot of what happened in the ruins was confidential, so stories were not shared readily, it was easy to see with their own eyes how many of the cadets who survived the ruins came back considerably stronger.
Some simply unlocked their inner potential, but some like Nero and Gabriel gained genuine, unimaginable benefits from within the ruins. While in the long run, such things would be taken by the military and studied so that they could be applied en masse, they could not prevent the soldiers who risked their lives from receiving any benefits they discovered while out on mission.
Just imagining the possibility of recreating the legend of Emperor Iskunder, who began the rise of human civilization by exploring a single set of ruins, all the cadets were filled with incredible zeal and motivation.
The Golden Sage could see how his words affected the cadets, and seemed to nod slightly. This was exactly the kind of motivation he needed the cadets to have. After all, he knew more than them just how difficult their future was going to be. If they didn’t train sufficiently, then they may not even live to enjoy the benefits they were dreaming of.
< Chapter 472: Changes
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