Second new novel, Oran Knight, is out (1/2 chapters for today)
(Prologue) The Boy Came to the Academy
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**Today’s Diary**
Starting tomorrow, I will be attending the most famous knight military academy in this country, Oran Knight Military Academy. Up until now, I used to write about the prey I caught each day in my diary, but it doesn’t seem like I can catch any prey in this city. Instead, I think I’ll write about the daily events. Having just arrived today, I have nothing to write about. Since I want to keep up the habit of writing in my diary every day, I’ll write about the events leading up to my arrival here.
—
My home country, the Principality of Rozan, was a large country in the south of the continent. It had a relatively warm climate and was a prosperous country, but it had one problem. It was at war with a country to the north called Solar. For that reason, the adults said that the further north people go, the more on edge people were. By the way, these two countries, or rather, three principalities in total, were originally one country ruled by siblings, so people call it the “Sibling Quarrel War”. Indeed, it was a really lame name.
I, Fort Lux, lived in the southern part of the Principality of Rozan, leading a peaceful life catching prey daily. Then, a beautiful lady who claimed to be associated with the academy came and invited me to join the academy. I declined, saying that I had to take care of my slightly sickly sister, but the lady said she would have my sister treated at the hospital in town.
We don’t have parents. Well, there’s a bit of a story there.
I hesitated, but I decided to go along with the lady’s proposal because my younger sister strongly supported it. My sister, Noris, though frail, was incredibly smart. I thought that she was probably the smartest in the village. Sometimes the adults in the village would come to Norris for advice, so if Norris said so, it must be true. However, I couldn’t just move the next day. There were preparations to make, and I had to say goodbye to the people in the village who had taken care of us.
Time passed and I ended up in this town, spectacularly late for the academy entrance ceremony. Noris was to live with the kind lady who invited us, while I would live in the dormitory. Even though it was quite late at night, the dormitory mother waited for me and prepared warm soup and bread, saying I must be tired. I thanked her and gratefully bit into the bread and drank the hot soup. It was very delicious. After I finished eating, the dorm mother led me to my room.
The room was simple with just a bed and a desk, but since it wasn’t much different from the house I used to live in, I had no complaints. If anything, it was a bit more spacious. After the dorm mother left, saying she would explain more tomorrow, I gently leaned my sniper rifle, which was taller than me, against the wall.
Taking a deep breath, I took out my notebook and sat at the desk.
—
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Zalard Rita was a soldier in the principality’s military. Her role was a scout. The main job of a scout was to inspect the situation on the battlefield, but their tasks were varied beyond fighting on the front lines. Some might disparagingly call them “errand soldiers,” but those types usually died on the battlefield without the crucial information provided by scouts. Rita took pride in supporting the military from behind the scenes as a scout. One of the important tasks of a scout was to gather talented individuals within the country.
While she didn’t know about other countries, in the wars between the principalities, they avoid a pure numbers game that would only harm their people. On the surface, it adhered to the old chivalric spirit, where only those with knightly pride were eligible to fight. In reality, neither country wants to do it because it is obvious that using civilians as soldiers would lower domestic productivity in both countries and lead to mutual ruin. When one country was exhausted, another would come swarming over the mountains to join them, licking its lips.
They hated the enemy country and wanted to expand their territory, but being overrun by another country was even less acceptable. Though it may be convenient thinking, the truth was neither prince has the will to sacrifice everything for war. However, this didn’t mean the battlefield was a cakewalk. Deaths were a daily occurrence, and entire units could be wiped out. This constant sacrifice causes the northern territories to change hands repeatedly. Therefore, scouts like Rita travel the country, officially searching for warriors with “the pride of a knight.”
Even the most talented individuals would be dead by tomorrow if thrown into battle immediately. That was why the principality enrolled them in knight military academy to teach them the basics of war. Despite being called an academy, it was part of the military and provides proper pay, making it a coveted opportunity for many citizens. The Public Oran Knight Military Academy, this soldier-producing institution, continuously accepted students this way.
Rita’s destination was a particularly rural part of the principality, a village at the southern end. Beyond the village laid dense forests and high mountains, giving the feeling of a natural border marking the edge of the country. Disguised as a traveler, Rita checked into the village’s only small inn with just three rooms and immediately began scouting for interesting talents.
The result was zero. A wasted effort.
“Well, it’s not uncommon.” (Rita)
Rita muttered to himself in her room. She considered drinking some alcohol and going to sleep early to leave the next day when she heard cheers from outside. Curious, Rita stepped outside to find a large Bubor bird lying in the village square. Known for its thick, delicious meat, it was difficult to catch due to its strong wariness and surprisingly fast movements despite its size. In front of the bird stood a middle-aged man with a sturdy build, arms crossed. Rita approached him and spoke.
“Impressive. Did you catch this?” (Rita)
The middle-aged man, flattered by the attention from the beautiful stranger, responded with a slight frown.
“I’d like to say I did, but I only helped carry it. The one who caught it is over there. He’s the best bird hunter in the village, even though he’s young.” (??)
The middle-aged man pointed to a slender boy with long grey hair tied up in a ponytail. He looked to be around 15 or 16 years old. He was chatting happily with the middle-aged woman next to him. Rita thanked the middle-aged man who had called out to her and started walking towards the boy.
“Excuse me for interrupting. I heard from that gentleman that you caught this bird. Is that true?” (Rita)
“Yes, it’s true. Who are you?” (??)
“Ah, pardon me. I am Rita. Zalard Rita. I am associated with Oran Knight Military Academy.” (Rita)
When talking about someone connected to the Orlan Knight Military Academy, most people would assume that they were someone in charge of recruiting talent for the academy. In fact, the middle-aged woman next to him had her hand over her mouth in shock. However, the boy only responded with a “Hmm,” and his brown eyes looked quizzically in the direction of her.
“May I ask your name?” (Rita)
The boy seemed hesitant but, encouraged by the woman, finally answered, “Fort Lux.”
“Lux, a nice name. Is this lady your mother?” (Rita)
When Rita turned her gaze to the middle-aged woman, she laughed and said, “No, that’s not it,” as she lowered her hand.
“This kid… he has a younger sister too, but they live together.” (??)
“I see… Lux, do you go hunting every day?” (Rita)
With a somewhat wary expression, Lux replied, “Yes”.
“And tomorrow as well?” Rita asked. Lux nodded.
“Would you mind if I joined you on your hunt tomorrow?” (Rita)
Though reluctant, Lux eventually agreed when Rita offered to pay him a guide fee as a token of assistance. She later heard that he needed the money because his younger sister was often sick.
The next day, after accompanying Lux on his hunt, Rita decided to recruit him on the spot.
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