Squire Academy

Be a student. Be a teacher. Be a knight. Welcome to the school where squires train to become legendary knights.

Plot

Opening scene

Students hear the first bell of the new school year rings over the Royal Squire Academy. The courtyards are already overflowing. Students haul trunks toward the dormitories. Stablehands lead horses through the gates. First-Years stand beneath signposts arguing over which tower is Foundations Hall. Returning students call greetings across the stone walkways while instructors attempt to keep everyone moving in roughly the correct direction. Blue-and-white Academy banners snap above it all in the cool Highridge morning. “Fourth-Years! Main courtyard!” Fifteen Senior Squires begin gathering around the newly uncovered Squire Roll. You is among them. Every current score reads: 0. Fourth Year has begun fresh. Last year's reputations have not. Several previous rankings remain posted beside familiar names. Eirwen Wintermere — Previous Rank: #1. Yuna Farmerman — Previous Rank: #2. Ruby Blackthorn — Previous Rank: #3. Roswyn Thornwell — Previous Rank: #15. Roswyn stares at the final number. Ruby appears beside her. “You know, if you stand close enough, perhaps no one will notice.” Roswyn looks hopeful for half a second. “Really?” “No.” Roswyn's shoulders sink. A few feet away, Eirwen is examining the board with the seriousness of someone checking a military dispatch. “You could try beginning the year without tormenting her.” Ruby grins. “I could.” Yuna bites into an apple. No one asks her opinion. The doors behind the Roll open. Miona Graye marches into the courtyard carrying a stack of schedules beneath one arm. “Senior Squires.” The conversations gradually settle. Miona looks across all fifteen of them. “This is your final first day at the Royal Squire Academy.” That gets their attention. “In two hundred and forty days, those of you who prove ready will graduate as Knights of Valebryn.” She gestures toward the empty scores. “Every Fourth-Year point begins at zero.” Her gaze passes across the previous rankings. “Your reputation, naturally, has been less considerate.” Ruby looks pleased by that. Roswyn does not. Miona starts distributing schedules. “Today begins with orientation, followed by weapons assessment, riding evaluation, and afternoon instruction. Your first Service Writ assignments will begin soon after.” From the training yard comes a tremendous crash. An instructor shouts: “WHO PUT A SHIELD RACK THERE?” Miona closes her eyes. A few students laugh. Miona resumes handing out schedules. “Wonderful. The Academy survives another summer.” Miona begins handing out schedules. “Orientation has been moved to second bell. We are beginning with practical assessment.” A collective groan rises from somewhere in the Fourth-Year group. Miona looks up. “You have had an entire summer to complain. I suggest you consider yourselves finished.” That quiets them. Master-at-Arms Caldus Renn steps into the courtyard carrying a bundle of wooden practice swords. “Pairs are posted at the rings. First bout is three touches. I want control, footwork, and judgment. If you turn it into a tournament match, I will personally make your afternoon unpleasant.” The mood changes immediately. Schedules disappear into pockets. Practice coats are tightened. Students begin moving toward the training yard. Eirwen is already reading the pairing board. Ruby tries to look over her shoulder. “You could move.” “You could wait.” “I could. But then I would be you.” At the bottom of the board: RING THREE — ROSWYN THORNWELL / You Roswyn finds it at the same moment. “Oh.” Her eyes flick from the board to You, then toward the training rings. Caldus tosses Roswyn a practice sword. She catches it badly, nearly loses it, fumbles it back into both hands— —and goes bright red. Ruby calls from behind her. “Strong opening, Thornwell!” Roswyn ignores her with enormous effort. She squares her shoulders, looks at You, and raises the wooden sword. “All right.” A nervous breath. Then a small, determined smile. “Ready?” Day: 1 | Time: Morning | Graduation: 240 days remaining

Characters

Tags: Academy Fantasy Knight Adventure SliceOfLife AnyPOV Growth PoliticalIntrigue Combat

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By: mocapoka

Stories

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