[Ties]Campaign 3

In the enemy base camp, three 5-man squads were left to defend the camp. In the middle stood the faculty with the ponytail issuing orders to the rest of the platoon. One squad was entrenched with repeaters, another squad stacked up behind a low wall. The last squad prepared an ambush from behind a row of containers on the left side.

"Remember, nobody fires a shot until I give the order, " said the ponytail faculty, "Let them come closer to their doom."

Just then, a cadet in the trenches reported what he saw.

"Enemy spotted!" roared the cadet, "Three ta—eh...? What in the world is that?"

The confusion in the cadet's voice drew all of their attention to a strange sight before them. Malachi and the rest were evidently prepared to assault the base, but with one additional equipment.

"Where the hell did they get that?!" cried Ponytail in surprise, "Did they knock it off a container?!"

Malachi wasn't carrying any of his weapons. Instead, he left them all, except for a handcannon, to both Levi and Arlianne, and held up a huge plate of metal, carrying it like a shield. The metal plate, similar to the sides of a container, was brought out and sloped back like a plow.

Malachi took in a deep breath and gave a command.

"Charge!"

...

Five minutes earlier.

"They're all packed up behind cover, " said Malachi, "This is gonna get tricky. A lot of repeaters, too. Can't do what I did before."

Malachi was taking a peek at the enemy base camp's situation behind a crate. Having regrouped with Levi, they decided to go together to the enemy camp.

"So, got any crazy ideas?" asked Levi, "If we had grenades, it will be easy for us to take the base."

"Wanna take a crack at it?" replied Malachi with a question of his own.

Levi looked at Malachi, then glanced at the enemy camp, and back at him.

"... No, " said Levi hesitantly, "I'm not that stupid to suicidely charge at a heavily defended camp."

Malachi grinned.

"Well, I'm planning to charge the base, " he declared, "I just need you and Arlianne to watch my flanks."

Arlianne reached out to his shoulder.

"Hold on, " she said, "How is that any different from charging in suicidally? Are you really planning to run up to them and get shot at by 16 repeaters?"

Malachi stood up and left the crates. He walked towards a nearby container, almost his size, and knocked on it with his knuckles.

"No way, " he said, "I'm bringing this with me. Chief Axton did say that we are allowed to do anything, after all."

Levi and Arlianne stared at one another, wondering what Malachi planned to do.

Malachi looked for something on the container. Having found it, it was the container's hatch, and yanked it off with a bit of difficulty. Taking an unused handcannon, he held it by the muzzle and used it as a hammer to break the hinges.

"Here we go, " he said, "I'll be using this as a makeshift shield to approach the camp. I need the two of you to cover my flanks as I make it towards the enemy."

"I see, " said Levi, "You plan to use the fact that we are using practice rounds to our advantage. Though, wouldn't it be difficult to move something that big?"

Malachi shrugged and demonstrated his relative ease of lifting the yanked off hatch. Holding onto one edge, he let the hatch lean back onto his body like the sloped armor of a tank, while supporting it with a fusil hooked below it.

"I'll be doing it like this, " he said, "Now, are we going to pass this test or not?"

...

"Don't shoot the plate!" roared Ponytail, "Flank around and take them out!"

Malachi, with his makeshift shield, marched forward unimpeded while occasionally taking a peek off the edges. Behind him were Levi and Arlianne, ready to intercept and flanking enemy. Malachi took a peek and saw a squad of cadets flanking to his right.

"Here we go, you two, " he announced, "Right flank!"

Almost simultaneously, the squad had come within range of Levi's and Arlianne's weapons. Levi shot the flanking squad with his repeater, and Arlianne took out some cadets with her crossbow. Having been intercepted, the flanking squad bolted for cover as they waited for the two to ignore them.

"Left flank!" roared Malachi as he glanced the other way, "Levi, take the left! Arlianne, focus on the right! Forget about conserving your ammunition, suppress them until the end!"

Two squads had flanked both of their sides, and Levi and Arlianne had gotten busy fulfilling their tasks. Occasionally, due to the cadets and faculty vehemently defending the objective, Malachi had no choice but to pause momentarily to take out some enemies or to support whichever flank was being overrun.

With just a short distance left, they only needed to overcome the trench defending the enemy base before they could potentially achieve the objective. The squads flanking their sides had already thinned, and the cadets and faculty had only 7 people left.

Ponytail grit his teeth and sent out another command.

"All of you, charge their right flank!" He roared, "Break through the girl!

The squads on Levi's side left him and circled around them. Those in the base left to reinforce the remaining squad on Arlianne's side. Malachi and the rest noticed this, and Levi turned to support Arlianne. Malachi, however, gave out another order, instead.

"Ignore them!" He roared, "On my go, we will charge the base! 3... 2... 1... Go!"

With the sudden order, Levi and Arlianne scrambled to catch up to Malachi. Malachi, with his makeshift shield, ran forward like a mad rhino that deflected all attacks. By the time he reached the trenches, he threw down the plate and used it as a bridge for them to run on.

Surprised by their sudden charge, the remaining cadets and faculty also scrambled to return to camp. Ponytail, having been left on the base, was shook up by Malachi's appearance before him and tried to shoot with his repeater.

Since Malachi had forgone the heavy plate, he had nothing to weigh him down, and he ran around the base. Instead of charging Ponytail directly, he circled around him to deter Ponytail from landing an accurate hit. Like a spiral, Malachi circled closer to Ponytail until the two were just within arm's reach from one another.

"Heya, boss!" greeted Malachi, "Please go to sleep so we could pass!"

"I'm still standing, boy!" roared back Ponytail, "You shall not pass!"

"The hell? What's with that reference?" commented Malachi, "Forget it."

Ponytail swung a kick towards Malachi, but Malachi ducked to evade. In response, Malachi swung his leg to sweep Ponytail off his feet. Unaccustomed to Malachi's speed, Ponytail collapsed and was met with an already standing Malachi aiming a handcannon at his face.

"You need more practice, boss, " commented Malachi, "Peace time makes you rusty."

Unknown from where he had been watching from, Axton declared Malachi and the rest's completion of the practical. His booming voice, that went through dozens of loudspeakers, shook up the entire field, and the results were for all to hear.

"Levi Skana! Arlianne Skaria! Malachi Skaria! You have successfully passed the practical exam!" declared Axton, "You are free to go to the administrative building to await the results of your application!"

Voices of discontent, disbelief, and admiration erupted from the crowd of applicants. Those who swore ill thoughts were oft from the older applicants, burning the images of Malachi into their hearts. Those who sighed in admiration oft came from fellow Eskur applicants and some of the younger applicants who presumably had been born after the war.

"Good job, Levi, Arlianne, " commented Malachi, "Let's go."

Malachi turned to leave but was stopped by a voice.

"Hold on, Skaria, " called out Ponytail, "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

Malachi turned around to meet Ponytail's gaze. His red eyes locking onto Ponytail's brown eyes. Unlike the remaining cadets who averted their gazes, Ponytail hadn't flinched and urged Malachi to answer his question.

"I learned on my own, " replied Malachi, "Would you like to study under my wing? No, wait, you're a teacher so I should be studying under you. What to do...?"

Malachi looked down in thought, but Ponytail shook his head.

"No need, Skaria, " he said, "We will have plenty of time to teach one another once you become a cadet. I'll be expecting you."

Malachi smiled.

"All right, teach, I'll see if I passed the written exam, " he replied. Malachi looked at his two companions—one companion since Levi left on his own, "Er, okay, Levi's gone... Let's go, Arlianne and pick up Shyama along the way. See ya, teach."

Ponytail watched as Malachi and Arlianne's silhouettes disappeared into the distance. When they were gone, another faculty approached Ponytail.

"What do you think of the boy?" asked the faculty, "Just as His Highness had said?"

Ponytail looked at his fellow faculty.

"An interesting brat, no doubt about it, " commented Ponytail, "Though, the way he looked at me says otherwise. So, that's the prince, eh? The prince and a child of Skaria. Our lives in the academy will, undoubtedly, become interesting. Now then, let us change shift to prepare for the next batch of applicants."

///

Malachi and Arlianne had received the results of their exams. Both had passed and were in a merry mood. Shyama, who was with them, had sensed their mood and gave Malachi a congratulatory nudge on the back. Although, unlike before, the personnel within and around the administrative building didn't mind the presence of Shyama. They didn't mind, but the other applicants did as most maintained distance.

Since they passed, Malachi and Arlianne had been told to go to the Headmaster's quarters to receive the Headmaster's traditional congratulatory welcome and their class assignment. Leaving Shyama behind, again, Malachi and Arlianne had gone up the building towards their intended destination. Along the way, they met Levi who was going down the upper floors.

"You passed, eh?" said Malachi, "Congrats."

"You passed as well, huh?" said Levi, "Well, just don't get in my way. Oh, right. As a Skaria, I should warn you. The Headmaster is a peculiar person connected to your ancestry. Take care of what you say to him."

Levi left after saying what he had to say, and Malachi and Arlianne looked at one another before they continued going up.

Arriving at the Headmaster's quarters, they were surprised to see officers of the Royal Army personally guarding the doors to the quarters. Two Buzzards were standing on either side of the double doors.

"Names?" asked a Buzzard.

"Malachi Skaria." answered Malachi.

"Arlianne Skaria." answered Arlianne.

The Buzzard raised a brow and looked at his fellow Buzzard. The other Buzzard nodded without saying a word and stepped aside. The first Buzzard returned his attention to both Malachi and Arlianne.

"Congratulations on passing, cadets, " said the Buzzard, "Take care inside."

Having been allowed entry, Malachi and Arlianne saluted the two Buzzards before passing them. The two Buzzards, surprised by their gesture, also saluted in response. Once the doors had closed, and the Buzzards were left alone, they began to chat with one another.

"So, that's him, eh?" said one Buzzard, "Wonder what their faces will look like in there. Heh heh."

"Such naughty thoughts, my friend, " said the other Buzzard, "Still, this is the result of His Highness's efforts, right? To see it come to fruition with just the child, it makes me hopeful for the future."

...

Like how the Buzzard had thought, Malachi and Arlianne were surprised to see who the Headmaster was. With his booming voice, the Headmaster greeted and congratulated the both of them.

"Hah hahahahaha!" laughed the Headmaster, "Welcome and congratulations on passing the exams, you two. I hope that the both of you will have a meaningful life here at the Martial Academy. Now then, your class placements. Is there anything you'd like for your classmates?"

"Y-y-you..." stuttered Malachi, "What? Why? How?"

"Hm? Is there something wrong, child?" asked the Headmaster, "Ah, are you wondering what I'm doing as the academy's Headmaster?"

Arlianne was also shocked. Her mouth had repeatedly opened and closed, not knowing what to say nor how to react. The stimulation from recognizing the Headmaster's identity was too much. The Headmaster, still seated behind his desk as he sifted through papers, looked at the two dumbfounded cadets before him.

"Ah, could it be something else?" said the Headmaster.

The Headmaster left his desk, his seat, and went towards the two with arms wide.

"Come, give grandfather a hug!" said Eleazar, "Hahahahaha!"

"You also know?!" cried Malachi in disbelief, "Since when?!"

Malachi held his head, and Arlianne fell back on her bum. The Headmaster, the former king, Eleazar, and Malachi's grandfather strode forward to rub their heads.

"Since Emmanuel and Bashia were making you, haha!" answered Eleazar, "Yes, I've known about their affair since way before you were born! Then and until now, child. I know everything!"

This time, it was Malachi's turn to repeatedly open and close his mouth, not knowing what to say.

'That so wrong, ' thought Malachi, 'Peeping at the deeds of your own son.'

"Was this revelation too much?" wondered Eleazar, "Hahaha! Even that child of mine doesn't know about this fact! Ah, don't tell him about this, though. He also doesn't know about me becoming the Headmaster."

"Th-then, what about the faculty and personnel?" asked Malachi, "Aren't you afraid they might leak it to Pops?"

Eleazar grinned.

"Child, everyone in this academy... Every faculty and personnel, from teaching staff to the canteen cooks, from the researchers to Chief Axton. All of them, child, all of them adhere to my commands! This academy is my territory!"

A bomb had been dropped, and hit Malachi squarely on the head. Taking the time to process the events, Malachi took a deep breath and fixed his appearance. He went over to Arlianne and helped her up, still in shock. Taking another deep breath, Malachi faced the former king.

"All right, Gramps, " he said, "What are you planning?"

"Tch, that recovery was fast. Nothing, really, " replied Eleazar as he looked at the ceiling, "Just wanted to meet my grandchildren. Can't an old man find pleasure with his grandson and granddaughter?"

'An old man with the mind of a child, that's what!' thought Malachi rudely, 'Darn it, I hope he doesn't expose myself prematurely.'

As though Eleazar read Malachi's mind,

"Ah, don't worry, child, " he said, "I won't be blurting out our relationship during your stay here. I'll leave that for until Emmanuel makes up his mind about it. Of course, the others know about this as well."

'The hell?' thought Malachi, 'How many spies does Gramps have?!'

"I have many eyes and ears, child, " said Eleazar, "None in this kingdom can hide from me, not even Elijah's Intelligence Division."

"Stop reading my mind!" shouted Malachi, "Great, I've got a headache."

"Hahahahaha!" laughed Eleazar heartily, "Now then, onto your class assignments. Seeing your test results, you have the option to choose your class."

Malachi raised a brow.

"I get to choose?" He asked, "Wait, what are my scores?"

"The scores are classified information, " explained Eleazar, "Even to the applicant. We can say, though, that it is high enough to warrant you to choose your classmates."

Malachi stared at Eleazar's eyes, trying to find anything wrong with his gaze. Eleazar resolutely stared back at Malachi, showing his sincerity, feigned or not, to the boy.

///

Eleazar was now alone in his office, seated behind his desk. Before him, on the table, were the profiles of many of the academy's applicants and present cadets. Beside the stack of profiles were Malachi's and Arlianne's test scores. Arlianne's was a jumble of scores between 80 to 90. Fairly average grades. Malachi's scores, though, were straight 95s. An outstanding grade. Still, with just an average of 95, Malachi shouldn't have had the right to choose his own classes.

Beneath Malachi's test scores were his examination papers. There were four straight lines of correction marks, but all four had had something in common—Malachi correctly answered each of the four test types, items 1 through 95, and stopped answering the last five of each test type.

Eleazar ignored the front pages of the test papers, and flipped their back pages. What the ones who checked the papers hadn't noticed was, Malachi actually answered the final five of each test type with alternative answers not found on the given questionnaire. Eleazar read each of the unnoticed answers with a smile on his face, visibly enjoying reading Malachi's unorthodox—unorthodox for their people—answers.

"Truly an unpredictable child, " he whispered to himself, "Even his request hadn't adhered to my expectations. To request that kind of class, that kind of squad and platoon, even with perfect scores. I had expected him to choose the most perfect of cadets to carry out his ideals. Nevertheless, this might be better for my own goals."

Eleazar leaned back and thought about Malachi's answer a few hours ago.

"I want those who have nothing."

"I want those who had lost everything."

"I want those who left their comfortable lives."

"I want those who doubt themselves."

"I want those who have nothing to lose."

"I want the rejects, the black sheep, the unwanted."

"I want those who are looked down upon by those who think of themselves as superior."

"I don't want those who believe they have everything."

"I don't want those who hadn't experienced the harshness of reality."

"I don't want those who cower behind their names, their histories, their ancestries."

"I want the meager who will do anything to succeed in the life they live in."

"I want those who struggle living in the present."

"I will show them, that even someone like me, will achieve more than what you had even done for this kingdom, Your Highness, Grandfather."

"So very ambitious, Malachi, " muttered Eleazar, "Ambitious, but admirable. It makes me question whether you should live like a common child should have had, or push you into the problems of our world. However way I see it, though..."

Eleazar looked back at the stack of papers before him, and recalled the fervor in Malachi's voice and eyes.

"Also, I want full and free access to the academy Furnace. You'll see why, soon. Oh, and give me a room for Shyama. You don't expect to have a Manticore run freely on campus, right?"

"Why do I feel that you know a lot more than you should?"

///

The next day, the list of classes had been shown to those who passed the examinations. Tears were shed by those who failed, and shouts of joy erupted from those who passed. Amongst them were also gasps of surprise, and scowls of disdain. The names of those who passed were naturally for all to see, and the one name that had garnered everyone's attention to was: Skaria.

Malachi and Arlianne were placed together, presumably due to Eleazar, and were in Class 13, the very last class. With them were names of Eskurs and Perlasians, and was the only class to have Eskurs; Classes 1 to 12 all had Perlasian names.

The two were nowhere to be seen, and had already gone to their assigned room. Class 13's room was already filled with cadets—seniors—and were just idling around minding their own businesses while waiting for their assigned faculty and fresh enrollees. That was until Malachi and Arlianne entered and drew attention once more.

Outside the classroom, though, was a familiar face. A man wearing a faculty's uniform stood outside, waiting for the newcomers. It was Ponytail, the faculty Malachi had gone against for his practical. The first few to arrive were two Eskurs. One was Levi and the other was a young Eskur woman. Afterwards, they were joined by two more, a Perlasian woman and a young Perlasian man. After that, Malachi and Arlianne had arrived.

"Hi, Levi!" greeted Malachi, "We're classmates! That's so good!"

Malachi leapt onto Levi, and wrapped his arms around Levi's own arm. Levi inched away from Malachi, disgust clearly drawn on his face.

"What the hell?! Stay away from me!" roared Levi, "Stop clinging onto my arm!"

"Hey, now. That's no way to treat your lov—ow?!" said Malachi teasingly but was smacked by Arlianne, "Ah, sorry, we should do this when my wife's not looki—ow! Okay, okay! Just a joke, Arlianne."

Arlianne faced their fellow cadets and their faculty, and bowed.

"Sorry about that, " she apologized, "Malachi was just too excited to see an old friend. Are we the last to arrive?"

Their fellow cadets stared at Malachi's shenanigan, but Ponytail ignored it. Instead, he placed his attention on Arlianne and answered her question.

"Good to see you, again. My name is Carlos Baltazar, and I am your assigned faculty, " he said, "And, yes, you are the last to arrive. Now then, let us enter and proceed with your introductions before getting down to business."

Ponytail, Carlos, opened the door behind him, and went inside the classroom.

"All right, settle down, all of you, " he told the class, "We have a batch of new students today, and I will be introducing them to you. All right, boys and girls, come in. First up, Levi Skana."

Levi walked through the doors and presented himself to the class. He didn't say a word and just looked at the rest disinterestedly. The rest also just looked back at him expressionlessly, like they were used to having an Eskur amongst them because apart from the incoming cadets, Class 13 also had a number of Eskur cadets.

"Moving on, " continued Carlos, "Dinah Skolva."

The young Eskur woman who was waiting with Levi entered the room. She had shoulder length hair with a braid hanging on her left, and her eyes were half-closed as though sleepy. Unlike Levi, though, she had the initiative to nod towards her fellow cadets.

"Next up, Rae Ramirez, " said Carlos, "Please greet your classmates."

An athletic Perlasian woman strode forward once her name was called. She wore a headband that held her long hair in place. Opposite of the first two, she was lively, immediately lighting up the class with her overly enthusiastic voice.

"Good day, fellow cadets!" greeted Rae, "I am Rae Ramirez, call me Rae, and I hope to make the best of our lives together, aye!?"

A few cadets frowned at her enthusiasm, while some raised their brows. The majority, however, remained bored out of their wits, unaffected by Rae's cheerfulness. Carlos ignored her pep, and continued to introduce the other cadets.

"Right, next, " he said, "Tyler Simmons."

Tyler was a short Perlasian for his age, almost always slouching or averting his gaze from other people. Not much to say apart from him being a shy sort with his short hair, yet with bangs long enough to hide his face.

"He-hello, " said Tyler, "I-I'm T-Tyler, p-p-pleased to m-meet you."

Not much reaction from the class was garnered due to his soft voice. Only those at the very front were able to hear his greeting, but only a few gave him a glance of acknowledgment.

Outside the classroom, Malachi witnessed the lifelessness of his assigned class.

"Damn, this class is perfect, " he commented, "No motivation, doesn't give a damn, and makes me question why in the world these people signed up here in the first place. A pathetic lot, even our fellow passers are interesting. The Eskurs, though... Huh, quite a lot. This class seems to be a dumping ground for the unwanted despite one's capabilities."

"That's... A rather harsh assessment, Malachi, " said Arlianne, "Do you really hope to transform this class of misfits into an elite force, or so you said?"

"The difficulty only makes it worth the excitement, Arlianne, " he replied, "Even the dirtiest rocks could actually hide a nice gem if you take the time to clean it. Even more so for a trash heap like this. All they need is one person to refine them into treasures worthy to be gazed upon by the people who thought to discard them as they are right now."

Finally, Carlos looked at the two remaining faces. He glanced at Malachi and Arlianne, and the two caught his gaze. Without a word, nor waiting for an instruction, Malachi entered the room and Arlianne followed.

Due to his face unhidden from the time he entered the academy, his lineage was displayed for all to see. Only then did the majority of the class awaken from their stupor. Some stared at the unnatural sight before them, while others chatted with one another—the subject being Malachi and the rumors that had spawned around him. A few had clenched fists and had grit their teeth, but the Eskurs had eyes of respect towards him.

"Hope you don't mind me entering on my own, teach, " said Malachi, "Greetings, comrades. My name is Malachi Skaria, and I hope for you to treat me well."

"Arlianne Skaria, " added Arlianne, "Same sentiments."

Suddenly, a boot was thrown at Malachi, but he had caught it effortlessly. Malachi dropped the boot on the floor, and gazed at the person who threw it at him with a smirk. A middle-aged man with thick facial hair on a robust body was standing at the back of the class.

"Patrick Bryant, stand down!" ordered Carlos, "Who told you to attack him?!"

"Sir, he's a Skaria!" roared Patrick, "That clan nearly destroyed the kingdom over a decade ago! And now, a spawn of that clan, stands here before us, mocking us! I've lost so much from that war, so much, and none could bring them back! You expect me to work with someone who came from that clan?!"

"Yeah, it seems stupid that the academy accepted a potential threat, " commented a cadet, "How are we to know whether or not he will stab us in the back, the victors of the war?"

"Isn't he the most dangerous out of all the Eskurs here?!" cried another cadet, "Even more that he's a Tainted. A Perlasian who mingles with such filth deserves to die!"

Malachi stifled a laugh.

'If only you knew who the Perlasian who mingled with my mother was, ' thought Malachi, 'I wonder how they'll react once they know?'

"And that girl!" added Patrick, "She even had the gall to take up the name!"

"What's wrong with my fiancée taking up our name?" asked Malachi, "She is the woman I love, and will be taking up the name eventua—ow?! What did I say wrong?!"

"You were too excited, Malachi, " answered Arlianne, "There is no need to defend me against, as you had said, the unknowing and the unforgiving."

"But did you have to hit me on the head?" whined Malachi.

"Mama told me to keep an eye on you, " she said, "To prevent you from doing anything stupid."

"Will the two of you cease your quarrel?" asked Carlos, "Gods, this is so embarrassing, why did I end up with a lunatic like this? And you, Patrick Bryant, step outside and cool your head."

"But!" tried Patrick to argue.

"Outside. Now." repeated Carlos sternly.

Patrick left the classroom through the back door, his left foot missing a boot, and grumbled as he closed the door. Outside, one could barely hear the curses he threw out one after another.

Carlos waited for Patrick to leave before he addressed the class's other concerns.

"Feel free to choose wherever you'd like to sit, " said Carlos, "Onto more important matters. I know we've just had fresh faces, but the time has come for you to nominate your Class Captain. Ever since your last Class Captain had graduated, none of you had taken up the position. As you all know, the Class Captain acts as the class's squad leader when you're out on missions. You all know that the academy also polices the territories around itself, and that it deals with monster and outlaw subjugation as part of its curriculum."

Carlos scanned the class for any interested applicants. A few of the fresh faces, hearing a bit of his explanation, averted their gazes. The only one to look on was Malachi, and Arlianne repeatedly sent glances his way. Carlos let out a soft sigh undetected by the rest of the class.

"While the Class Captain is the squad leader, " continued Carlos, "The Class Captain also deals with the class's logistics and other miscellaneous concerns like drills and training, and report submission. If a faculty has a concern over a student in a class, that class's Class Captain will be approached to deal with the concern appropriately."

Malachi raised his hand.

"Yes, Skaria, " addressed Carlos, "Would you like to nominate someone?"

Malachi did an exaggerated bow before Carlos. With his right hand on his left chest, and his left hand in the air, he gave his nomination.

"I would like to nominate myself, " he said, "Seeing that none would take it up, I find no deterrence to do so."