(Rodova Military Academy, Outside the Mess Hall – Present Time)
Yu Shen stormed out of the mess hall, his jaw clenched so tight it felt like his teeth might crack under the pressure.
His mind was a swirling storm of rage, as although he had humbled the two first-years in front of the entire academy, he still did not feel his simmering rage reduce even slightly.
This was because, the real cause behind his anger was not the first years, but rather the conversation he’d had with Principal Alric Dainhart just moments before.
A conversation that had pissed him off more than anything else in recent memory.
—--------
(Flashback – Principal Alric’s Office, 30 Minutes Ago)
The moment Yu Shen and his team stepped onto Rodova Military Academy’s grounds, fresh from the grueling summer camp, a summons awaited Yu Shen, as apparently Principal Alric Dainhart was eagerly waiting to see him.
Yu Shen hence barely had any time to shake off some dirt covering his body, before he found himself in the principal’s office, standing before the most powerful man in the academy.
"Ah, Yu Shen," Alric said, his voice laced with genuine pleasure.
"At last, you’ve returned my boy," He said warmly, as he stood up from his seat to show the kid some respect—
To which, Yu Shen responded with a respectful bow, before he sat across from Alric, on the other end of his imposing desk.
"The summer camp went well, I assume?" Alric inquired, his sharp eyes studying Yu Shen closely, as he tried to sense the aura he exuded.
Yu Shen only smirked in response, tilting his chin up, as he confidently let Alric check him, as it was only after the principal was satisfied with his search, that Yu Shen finally responded.
"More than well, sir. My team is stronger than ever. We will not shame the academy at the circuits this year" Yu Shen declared, as listening to his words, Alric nodded happily.
"That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear." Alric said, as he then transitioned into making some lighthearted small-talk praising Yu Shen for his accomplishments over the summer as reported by his training instructors.
Apparently, Yu Shen had grown a lot stronger during the summer, receiving high praise from all the training instructors that had gone with him to the camp, with him showing progress not only as an individual, but even as a leader who was well respected and well feared by his troupe.
The instructors also reported on how well-balanced this year’s circuits team was—calling them one of the strongest, most well-rounded rosters in recent memory.
As listening to all this high praise, Yu Shen’s chest swelled with pride.
He already knew that this year’s team was much stronger than the year before, as he was a part of last year’s team and had experienced their performance at the circuits firsthand.
Hence, if anyone knew what it took to win at the circuits, it was him, and although he did not think his team was ready to quite win yet, he was confident that with 8 months before the circuits started, they had enough time to really work hard towards it.
Which was exactly why—
The next words out of Alric’s mouth shattered every ounce of pride that he’d been feeling.
"About your team, my boy… There are a couple of changes you might need to make." Alric said casually, as Yu Shen’s expression froze listening to those words.
"I don’t know if you’ve heard yet, but we have two Monarch-level talents among our first-year intake this year." Alric continued as if he had not just spouted blasphemy, as he talked like he could not sense Yu Shen’s discomfort at all.
"They are two very important individuals, and they need to be given exposure to the circuits as first years so that they can become proper leaders like you in their second year.
And hence, it is my decision that they be included in the circuit’s team this year." Alric instructed, as Yu Shen’s heart almost stopped at those words.
They be Included by default?
Alric wasn’t suggesting this—he was declaring it, which made Yu Shen’s brow twitch in fury, as he barely controlled his rage.
"I will let them join, if they earn it, not without it, sir–" He said coldly, barely controlling his emotional outburst, as he spoke without raising his volume.
However, Alric dismissed his thoughts like they were garbage.
"You will do what I tell you to do boy. You’re a Captain on paper, but it’s me who fills the forms to decide the circuit team and who represents Rodova and my decision on this matter is final!
The boys need exposure if they are to win us the cup next time around, and I’m going to give them what they need at any cost necessary," Alric declared, as listening to his words Yu Shen immediately saw red.
He felt his fingernails dig into his palm.
As although it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, he understood the exact meaning behind the words that Alric had just said.
And what he really meant was that despite all his praises—
Despite all the efforts that Yu Shen and his batchmates had put in to train and get stronger, Alric did not actually believe in them to win Rodova the cup this year.
What his words really meant was, that the principal of this academy did not have faith in them to do the job they were trained to do, and was rather interested in grooming the next batch, who he fancied more to win.
As this made Yu Shen’s blood boil like it were molten steel.
’How dare you underestimate us?’ He thought, as he just couldn’t wrap his head around why instead of investing in the warriors who had already given their blood, sweat, and tears, Alric was focusing on building the next generation? And was more interested in investing in two untested rookies over the men who had suffered in hell to get here.
Still, knowing how he was in no position to argue he bit his tongue.
His emotions raged like a storm beneath the surface, but his voice remained calm.
"With all due respect, sir…" he began, forcing himself to speak carefully.
"I don’t have a problem with them joining my team if they have the strength to earn their place."
He looked Alric in the eye, his voice unwavering.
"However—if they don’t—"
His fingers curled into fists beneath the desk.
"Then I’ll let hell freeze over before I let them join just because of your recommendation alone."
His words hung in the air.
For a moment, the two locked eyes—a silent war of wills.
Alric said nothing, simply because he had no need to.
Yu Shen lashing out about it was never going to change his decision on the matter, and it was not like the boy had any real power in the first place.
While, Yu Shen did not budge from his position either.
His mind flickering back to Ru Han—his captain from last year, the one who had entrusted him with carrying on their legacy.
The same as how the captain before him had entrusted it to Ru Han.
It was a promise passed down from leader to leader. Continue your journey at .Côm
Rodova had not won the cup in years.
But this year—this year was supposed to be different.
He had promised Ru Han.
He had promised himself.
That they would fight to reclaim Rodova’s lost crown.
That they would bring the championship home.
Not next year. Not in some distant future.
This year.
And now—he was being asked to lower the quality of his team by putting two undeserving rookies in it instead of hard trained warriors?
Who had suffered nothing?
Who had not yet bled for this academy?
No.
It was not happening.
He knew he couldn’t argue with Alric right now.
But as soon as he stepped out of this office—
He knew exactly what he was going to do.
"Don’t do anything stupid after walking out of here, boy, I know how hot-headed you can be, and hence I will be watching you—" Alric warned, as Yu Shen stormed out of his office, his anger burning white-hot as he stormed toward the mess hall.
If the principal wanted to gift those two a spot on his team—
Then Yu Shen was personally going to ensure that they fucking earned it.