The second year at the academy was not any better than the first, we had a few new students, but they soon joined all the others in fearing me. I had tried to make at least one friend, but they too were quickly changed.

The first day was exactly the same as the first year I had been there, almost like it was on repeat, how could he repeat things word for word, including that strange influence he had over the other students.

“I am happy to welcome you all to your official first day at the academy, today I will be covering a lot of basic knowledge I hope it will help you progress into fine warriors.” He was smiling the same too. “We’ll first go over the history of Cathopia.”

I screamed in my head, he spoke out the history he claimed was true word for word, the same as the first time I heard it. I slumped forward realising this was going to be more agonising than the first as every lesson we did and words he said were the same as before, how boring.

Dad kept up my training in the mornings before I had to go in. Larana and I were improving every day, but I had yet to stay airborne, only ever lasting a few seconds before crashing, most of the time dad caught me; I didn’t understand why I couldn’t grasp this skill.

“Don’t forget master it is an advance skill,” reminded Larana.

“Still, I’ve managed most of the other stuff.” I lifted my hands creating a wind current without even thinking about it. It was something dad had worked hard on since my incident with the obstacle course.

During things like running, avoiding, or chasing the sphere, dad wanted me to consciously make the connection with Larana instead of the little bits I’d subconsciously been doing like speed boosts and protection.

Trying to do what he had ordered had been far harder than I thought, it used up more energy and the number of laps I’d do while attempting to make that connection had been halved, so instead of the thirty I was doing fifteen.

That wasn’t the only thing being affected, while trying to avoid the sphere my concentration was divided. I got hit more times than I cared to admit, bruised before I went in to class.

“Keep trying Alex, if you don’t want the events of Larana using her power alone to happen again, you must keep going.” Dad would say, reminding me why I was doing it. I knew that, but the constant reminder kept me going back for more.

“How long did it take you to master Larana?” I asked, giving up for the day. I’d been pummelled by ten spheres during training today, shocked, burned and scratched.

“Hmm.” He was thinking about it. “About seven, eight years maybe.”

“Really.” I almost found it hard to believe.

“My development with Larana and Zekon was a fast one, as when I was a few years older than you there was conflict between some of the tribes, real life and death situations are what advanced our connection quickly.”

“Life and death situations?” I repeated.

“You’ve grown up in a time of peace, but your mum worries that may come to end soon, well if Alton doesn’t listen to my advice, she may be right.” Dad patted me on the back, speaking again before I could respond. “Just keep up with your training and you’ll be ready for anything.”

“I’m not convinced,” I admitted.

“Alex.” I heard Tigra’s voice as she came running over to me.

“Tigra.” I smiled when I saw her, with both of us working hard, we didn’t get to play as much.

“Want to walk to the academy together?” She asked.

I glanced at dad; he gave me a nod. “Sure.” I walked off with Tigra waving to dad. “Later dad.” He just waved back.

“I heard what happened at your test.” My eyes widened as she brought it up. I looked away strangely ashamed. “Don’t worry about it, these things happen.”

“I guess.” I didn’t look at her.

“I know two things that will cheer you up,” she grinned. “First dad’s going to try and pull some strings, so the test is within six months instead of next year,” she casually spoke as if it was common knowledge.

“Seriously.” I looked at her suddenly excited.

“Yep,” she nodded, looking ahead. “Just promise me you won’t give up.”

“I’m still going in aren’t I,” I responded.

“Good.”

“What’s the second thing?” I questioned.

“I heard from mum about what dad did to Dumah after her learnt about what he did to you and so many others who entered the academy last year, he put Dumah in his place, so that won’t be happening again and has been told to stop his daily visits to the throne room, dad was starting to find it suspicious.”

“That’s great, but it comes a little too late,” I commented.

“I also heard your dad’s thinking of becoming my dad’s official adviser again,” mentioned Tigra.

“Well, it does suit him better than just being a baker,” I responded.

“True, it also means Dumah will stay away from me too.” She broke into a run and I quickly followed after her.

“You’ve gotten faster.” I pointed out.

“So, have you.” We both laughed and kept going.

Tigra was right six months into the class another test was held, Instructor Willis was not happy about it, claiming none of his students were ready, it was too soon. The decision had already been made so there was nothing he could do about it.

This time it was a fighting test, we were pitted against one another with the masters who judged the academy opening exam there to watch us. I smiled when I saw Master Lance, thinking maybe he’d accept me as his student.

Everyone had their turn to fight, like a little mini tournament. It was hardly any effort as the rest within my class were not trained to the same degree that I was. It made me wonder was this really the next generation of knights to protect Cathopia.

I won every match thrown my way. I always let them attack first, then stepped to the right or left depending on what hand they used their swords. Then I’d step behind and knock them down; in most cases that was enough to end it. I was so bord and so was Larana.

“I would have preferred the obstacle course again,” I admitted.

“Even after it fell on you?” smirked Larana.

“Yeah.” I nodded; anything would have been better than this.

“Fang, well done.” Master Lance had come over.

“Thanks, but it wasn’t even that hard.” I shrugged.

“You showed quite a bit of skill in your strikes, each one having purpose, your father has trained you well.” Master Lance looked at the other judges as they came over. “I would like to take this one on.”

“I don’t think that is a good idea,” responded the Lynx.

“And why not?” questioned Master Lance.

“He may be skilled, but from what Instructor Willis has told us he is not yet knight material,” answered the Pardus.

I let out a sigh, not this again. I could see the dark mist I’d started to ignore circling around them, they were just as infected as Instructor Willis.

“Please let him be my master.” I spoke out even though I knew this would go against me.

“Listen to the boy,” said Master Lance.

“No.” The Lynx voice was harsh. “We have made our decision another six months here will do him some good.”

“But…” Master Lance was about to argue back. I tugged at his arm and shook my head; his expression turned to a sad one, for him or me I couldn’t tell.

They picked about half of them to be boosted up to the next class, even some who were the worst.

“Fang, sorry.” Master Lance obviously felt bad for my situation.

“Don’t worry about it.” I waved my hand as if it was nothing. “I can handle another six months.” I put on this fake smile, that I wished would fool me too, but it didn’t.

“I won’t give up on you becoming my student.” Master Lance held this determined expression.

“I wouldn’t hold your breath, they all have it in for me, I doubt I’ll ever escape this class and I can’t drop out either, this is the only way I can keep a promise.” I began to walk off, with the test taking the days lessons up I could go home.

“Don’t give up Fang, you are meant for greatness,” called Master Lance.

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” I asked myself.

Did I hold some importance for this world, was that why those who believed in me gave me strength while those who didn’t hated me the way they did, but I still didn’t understand why they were against me, I hadn’t done anything to warrant these kinds of reactions.

I walked home my head filled with questions I feared I would never have an answer to, for now I would just continue to walk forward and try to push myself out of this trap I seemed to be trapped within.