Clifton Academy, in a class hall.

“…” Leon stared blankly into space, something on his mind.

“What do you make of this, Leon?” asked Royland.

Leon shook his head, his attention returning to what Royland said.

“Of what, Royland?”

“Matters concerning the revolutionaries and their current actions. What say you?” Royland questioned Leon once more.

Silence. Leon took a moment to think of an answer.

“This is just a thought, but…”

“Go on, I’m listening.”

“I think that revolutionaries are preparing to stand a coup.”

Royland was taken aback, eyes wide open. Clearly, he wasn’t prepared for Leon’s answer.

“Surely you jest? Do the revolutionaries really believe they’d win a fight against the crown?” Royland inquired.

“Take a moment to think about it. Whether they’d stand a chance to win or not, the revolutionaries are made of the common man. Villagers, farmers, laymen,” explained Leon.

“They’ve laid down their lives during the war with Zenthar and what did they receive in turn? Nothing. Not a coin to their name. The Queen was unable to give them pay and now they seek it through mugging those with a heavy purse. Their families are growing cold and hungry. Turning to thievery and pillaging others is the only way that could keep them alive.”

Royland took a moment to digest Leon’s words. Once he thought about what he said, his friend’s words had some truth to them.

“Then what of us? Does the army plan to strengthen their sum with you and me?”

“Perchance the all of us,” replied Leon as he looked around each of his classmates.

Leon and Royland joined the knight academy at the same time. Through their determination and hard work, they were able to become the top of the class. The other students were formidable as well, though not as competent as Leon and Royland. This year’s class was expected to carry the most students with the potential to become knights.

They all joined the academy at the age of 12 and trained for 6 years. Swordsmanship, strategy, and martial arts, the class was subject to many teachings from veteran knights. But now, at the age of 18, many of them were excited to become fully-fledged knights and formally join the Queen’s army.

“Get in formation!” a man’s voice yelled from outside the doors.

In a span of a second, all the students systematically lined themselves up in rows, one behind the other. The doors to the hall opened. A knight captain came walking in, his head held high in pride. He wore a cape with the insignia of a griffin, the symbol of Kandarynd. He confidently made his way to the podium and faced the students.

“Listen well! The Kingdom of Kandarynd needs more capable bodies like yourselves. The people need someone to look up to and uphold their ideals. As everyone’s heard, several bandits and unruly organizations are becoming more prevalent in our lands.”

“Namely, the Revolutionary Faction. The group is made up of dastardly men who look to harm the crown! Scoundrels with time on their hands yet dare to harm the common man!”

‘The common man?’ Leon thought, ‘They are the common man.’

“These mongrels need to be put down!” the knight captain continued, spit flying from his mouth.

“We’ve been ordered to subdue the members of the Revolutionary Faction and put them to the gallows. Although you’re still green behind the ears, we’ll be acting in accordance with Queen Elaine’s Royal Guard!”

Royland’s eyes began to glow, his enthusiasm clear.

‘The Royal Guard!’ he thought excitedly.

Royland looked up to the Queen’s Royal Guard. When he was younger, he remembered seeing the royal guard for the first time. His family were in the capital city that day and were able to see the Royal Guard. They were escorting the royal family’s carriage down the streets. They were seasoned knights that laid down their lives for the royal family, rigorously trained to do so.

Royland joined the academy in hopes of entering such an elite group of knights. He trained himself day and night, hard enough until he bled from his hands when he held his sword. He remembered the brooding days of sitting in a lecture hall listening to the theory of fighting when he was one who preferred the practical outdoor training. Because of this, he was always excited when the class was taken outside to the training arena for one to one sparring against a knight instructor.

“Now, you lot try to keep a cool head,” the knight captain continued, looking specifically at Royland, “I know it can be exciting to work alongside the Royal Guard.”

Royland calmed himself after hearing that. The rest of the students began to grow restless, thinking this was their chance to gain more combat experience outside of the academy.

The doors opened once again, and another knight came rushing in. She made her way to the podium and whispered towards the knight captain. As the knight continued to whisper in the captain’s ear, he showed a look of understanding and dismissed the knight, sending her out through the doors.

“Listen up! Looks like you’ll be getting some experience out in the field faster than I would have thought,” said the knight captain.

“Word has come that an ambassador from Ecrax and her guard was attacked by a band of revolutionaries just on the outskirts of the Kandarynd! Her carriage carried Ecrax’s sigil. However, we don’t know whether this is a ruse and a hidden enemy will plan to attack. The majority of the kingdom’s knights have already been sent to Staenia to protect Princess Sylvette and several nobles to discuss relations between the neighboring nations.”

The knight captain’s face grew hectic. If an ambassador from Ecrax were to be harmed on Kandarynd soil, relations between the two lands would take a turn for the worst. But if this was a ploy made by the revolutionaries, then the royal family may be put in danger.

“You lot, gear up! Take up your arms, the time is now! You all will take on the bastards in the outskirts of the country while the other knights will be on standby within the kingdom. I know you’re still students, but remember you’ve been trained by the very knights of Kandarynd! Take pride in your standing!” the knight captain’s words to bolster the students’ valor.

With his words, the class grew determined to take on the mission. However, on Leon’s face was one of concern.

What was going on here?