Chương 17: Beyond the Academy Walls

The academy looked different that morning. Not because the buildings had changed. Because the students were leaving them. Groups gathered throughout the courtyard, carrying packs, weapons, tents, food, and various pieces of magical equipment. Teachers moved between them, checking supplies and making sure no one had forgotten anything important. At the center of the courtyard stood several large carriages. Beyond them waited another group of students. Their uniforms were different. Dark blue coats. Silver insignias.

Longer boots. Several carried swords openly at their sides. The Royal Knights Academy had arrived. Leo stood beside Amon and Masha while Alice checked the straps on her backpack. Amon looked toward the other academy.

"So those are the knights." Masha nodded.

"They look serious."

"Too serious." Leo glanced at him.

"You haven't even spoken to them."

"I can tell."

"You can't." Amon smiled.

"I can." Before Leo could answer, a loud voice came from behind them.

"Alice!" Alice closed her eyes. She already knew who it was. A young man approached them with an almost ridiculous amount of confidence. He had neatly styled blond hair, blue-gray eyes, and a perfectly fitted navy uniform bearing a silver crest. Two attendants followed several steps behind him. In his hands was an enormous bouquet. Not a normal bouquet. It was large enough that Amon stared at it for several seconds. The young noble stopped in front of Alice.

"Lady Alice." Alice looked at him.

"Good morning." He extended the flowers.

"For you." Alice glanced at the bouquet.

"Why?" The young man smiled.

"Because today marks the beginning of our journey together." Amon covered his mouth. Masha looked away. Leo simply watched. Alice accepted the bouquet after a brief hesitation.

"Thank you." The young man's smile widened.

"I knew you would like them."

"I didn't say that." His smile weakened. Amon turned his head. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Leo almost smiled. The young man recovered quickly.

"My name is Adrian Vale." He placed one hand over his chest.

"Third son of House Vale." Alice nodded politely.

"I know."

"Then you know I am an excellent swordsman."

"I've heard."

"And an excellent student."

"I've heard that too."

"And—" Alice looked at him.

"Do you have a reason for telling me all this?" Adrian paused. Then smiled.

"I thought you might be interested."

"I see." Leo looked toward the road. Amon leaned closer.

"He's impressive."

"He's exhausting," Masha whispered. Adrian noticed them.

"And you must be Alice's friends." Amon nodded.

"Amon."

"Masha." Adrian looked at Leo.

"And you?"

"Leo." Adrian studied him for a moment.

"Family?"

"Cousin."

"Ah." The noble nodded. Then immediately returned his attention to Alice.

"I hope we have a pleasant journey." Alice gave him a polite smile.

"I hope so too." Adrian walked away. His attendants followed. Amon waited until he was out of earshot.

"That was painful." Masha laughed. Alice sighed.

"He has been doing this since yesterday." Leo looked at her.

"You should tell him to stop if it bothers you."

"I have."

"And?"

"He doesn't understand subtlety." Leo nodded.

"Then be direct." Alice looked at him.

"I'll try." Amon raised an eyebrow.

"You seem unusually interested."

"She's my cousin." Amon laughed.

"Fair enough." The instructors finally called everyone together. Professor Gareth stood at the front of the expedition. Beside him stood several instructors from the Royal Knights Academy. Among them was a tall woman wearing silver armor over her academy uniform.

"Students," Gareth began, "you will remain in your assigned groups throughout the expedition." He pointed toward the road leading north.

"Our destination is the Mist Forest." The students became quiet.

"The first camp will be established near the southern edge of the forest. From there, you will conduct supervised exploration." He looked at the knights' students.

"Your groups will cooperate with the magic academy students." A few students exchanged uncertain glances.

"The purpose of this expedition is simple." Gareth paused.

"Experience." His voice hardened.

"You will encounter situations that cannot be recreated inside a classroom." He looked toward the forest road.

"Do not treat this as a competition." Amon quietly muttered,"That means it will become a competition." Leo looked at him.

"You know that because?"

"People." Masha nodded.

"He might be right." Alice adjusted her backpack.

"Let's just survive the trip." Gareth raised his voice.

"Mount up." The students began moving. Leo climbed into the assigned carriage. Amon sat opposite him. Masha took the seat beside the window. Alice sat beside Leo. The carriage began to move. Slowly at first. Then faster. The academy gates opened. Leo looked back. The towers rose above the walls, catching the morning sunlight. For several seconds, he watched them disappear behind the trees. Then he turned forward. The road stretched toward the mountains. By midday, the academy was far behind them.

The landscape changed gradually. Fields became hills. Hills became dense woodland. The air grew cooler. Amon looked through the window.

"How long until the forest?"

"Several hours," Masha answered. Amon groaned. Leo leaned back. Alice was reading a small book.

"What are you reading?" Leo asked.

"A guide to the Mist Forest."

"Anything useful?"

"Mostly warnings."

"Such as?" Alice turned a page.

"Don't wander alone." Amon laughed.

"That's common sense."

"There's more." She continued reading.

"Don't approach unfamiliar plants."

"Fair."

"Don't touch anything that moves without knowing what it is." Amon paused.

"That's less reassuring." Masha laughed. Alice looked at Leo.

"There's also something about fog."

"What about it?"

"It can appear suddenly." Leo looked outside. The distant mountains were already partially covered in pale mist.

"Then we'll be careful." Alice nodded. They reached the first campsite before sunset. The forest stood ahead. Tall trees stretched toward the sky, their branches forming a dense canopy. Mist drifted between the trunks. The southern edge of the forest looked peaceful. Almost beautiful. The students began setting up camp. Tents were raised. Firewood was gathered. Food was distributed. The instructors established a perimeter around the camp. The knights' students worked efficiently.

They were used to physical preparation. The magic academy students were better with magical tools. Within an hour, the camp had become organized. Amon carried two large bundles of firewood toward the central fire. He dropped them.

"Done." Masha looked at the pile.

"You carried them the wrong way." Amon stared.

"What?"

"The firewood goes over there." She pointed. Amon looked at the pile. Then at her.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You didn't ask." Leo laughed quietly. Amon pointed at him.

"Don't encourage her." Alice smiled. The atmosphere was lighter than it had been at the academy. Students from both academies began talking. Some compared spells. Others discussed sword techniques. A few challenged each other to small contests. Adrian appeared again. This time, he was carrying a chair. Alice stared at it.

"What's that?"

"A chair."

"I can see that."

"I noticed you were sitting on a log earlier." Alice looked at Leo. Leo looked away. Amon suddenly became very interested in the fire. Adrian placed the chair beside Alice.

"For your comfort." Alice sighed.

"Adrian."

"Yes?"

"You don't have to do this." He smiled.

"I want to." Alice looked at the chair. Then at him.

"Fine." Adrian smiled triumphantly. He walked away. Masha leaned toward Alice.

"You've created a monster." Alice sighed.

"I know." Leo shook his head.

"He'll eventually get tired." Alice looked at him.

"I hope so." The sun disappeared behind the mountains. The first evening of the expedition passed without incident. Students ate together. They talked. They laughed. Some trained. Others simply enjoyed being outside the academy. Leo sat near the edge of the camp. He looked toward the forest. The mist had become thicker. It moved slowly between the trees. Nothing emerged. Nothing attacked. There was no danger. Not yet. Leo turned back toward the fire. For now, it was simply a forest.

And tomorrow, they would begin exploring it. End of Chapter 17.