Chapter 2

After passing a slight hill, they saw a breathtaking city, one with buildings tall enough to brush the clouds, surrounded by a small town at its base. Just as their mother had described, it was encircled by tall, sharp, white walls.

Mesmerized, Junya kicked her horse into a gallop. Karim, worried for his sister’s safety, followed closely behind.

As they approached the castle-like structure, the sounds of clashing weapons, crying, and shouting grew louder. Two women stood guard at the massive gate. Junya rode up to them and asked, “Is this the Academy?”

The women examined the two carefully. “Yes, this is the Academy,” one of them replied. “Are you here to enroll as students, or are you here for trade with the outer villages?”

“What happens if we join the Academy?” Junya asked.

The woman began to explain: “Here, you'll receive education in physical, spiritual, and cultural disciplines. You'll also be trained in magic and weapons for both defense and mastery.”

Karim added, “Is there a fee to join?”

The woman nodded. “You’ll need a pouch full of gold, or noble blood, or service to the crown. If you have none of those, you must demonstrate mastery or near-mastery in a combat art.”

“We don’t have gold,” Karim admitted, “but we know how to defend ourselves.”

“Then you’ll duel, according to the methods approved by the Academy masters,” the woman said as she handed them two forms. She then stepped through the massive gate.

“What do they need our shoe size for?” Karim whispered. “Maybe they’ll make armor based on it,” Junya replied excitedly.

Just as they were filling out the forms, the woman returned this time with a man in a blue-and-white striped robe.

“This is the Academy’s defense instructor,” she said. “You’ll follow him to the dueling grounds now.”

Junya extended her hand politely. “It's a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

The robed man smiled warmly. “The pleasure is mine, child.”

As soon as they completed the forms, he said, “Welcome to the Academy,” and led them toward the massive gates.

When the gates opened, chaos greeted them. Dueling students, readers buried in books, heated arguments, and others lost in their own thoughts — people were everywhere.

This place… was an entirely different world.

Unable to contain herself, Junya asked, “How many students are here?”

The robed man answered calmly, “There used to be nine million… but due to the wars, it dropped to four million.”

“F-four million?!” Junya gasped, eyes wide. Karim gently tapped her shoulder, silently urging her to calm down.

After a short walk, they arrived at the dueling grounds.

“Junya, please stand outside the line,” the instructor said.

He removed his robe and turned to Karim. “Do you know any magic?”

Karim shook his head. “No.”

The instructor pressed his palms together and murmured strange words. Suddenly, a ring of flames encircled both Karim and the instructor.

Junya flinched at the sudden blaze — this would be her brother’s entrance test.

“If you fall three times, you lose your chance to enter,” the instructor said, waiting for Karim’s confirmation.

Karim nodded and took his stance.

The instructor allowed him to make the first move.

Karim stepped in slowly and managed to grab the instructor’s hand, but the man caught his leg with the other hand and shoved him hard in the chest — Karim hit the ground.

“Two chances left,” the instructor said flatly.

Karim stood, dusted himself off, and readied again.

This time, he moved in quickly. The instructor once again reached for his arm, but Karim used his other hand to push the man off-balance, then locked his leg around the instructor’s and shoved him in the chest — sending him straight to the ground.

The ring of flames vanished instantly.

“You are now an Academy student, Karim,” the instructor said as he put his robe back on.

Karim shook his hand and quietly muttered, “Thank you.”

“When your sister returns,” the instructor continued, “She’ll take her own trial. Then we’ll see if she qualifies.”

As Karim glanced around, he noticed Junya was gone.

“When did you realize my sister had disappeared while you were fighting me?” he asked, surprised.

The instructor replied calmly, “Focus, Karim. Always focus. She most likely wandered off to the library room ahead.”

Feeling both pride and concern, Karim began walking toward the room. He was finally here. He would train, grow stronger, and fulfill his mother’s wish.

But deep inside, one question lingered: What if Junya failed? Would he have to leave her behind?

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With growing unease, he quickened his steps toward the library.

As he entered, he spotted Junya sitting at a table, surrounded by stacks of books.

Relieved, Karim approached her and said softly, “It’s your turn now, Junya. Let’s go.”

Junya sprang up and grabbed her brother by the collar.

“Did you pass?! Please, tell me you passed!” she asked over and over again.

Karim gently took her hands off his shirt and nodded silently — yes.

Junya let out a squeal of joy and threw her arms around him.

“Once I pass too, let’s read all the books in the library together! Did you know some people think planets are round?!”

They rushed back to the instructor. The ring of fire ignited again — Junya’s trial had begun.

She closely observed the instructor’s stance. He took a small step forward, trying to trigger her first move.

Junya suddenly darted behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

But the instructor responded swiftly — a knee to the gut, a punch to the chin. Junya hit the ground hard — her first chance lost.

The pain only fueled her anger. Karim stood behind the flames, silently demonstrating breathing techniques to help her stay calm.

“Karim,” the instructor warned without turning, “If you interfere, I’ll revoke your admission.”

Karim froze — hands clenched, jaw tight.

Junya rushed in again, this time consumed by rage. The instructor effortlessly slapped her down with a single reverse strike.

She stood, stunned and aching. This was her final attempt.

Karim placed his hands on his head and began to pray quietly.

For her last round, Junya decided to try a feint. She waited for the instructor to make the first move.

He shifted slightly. Junya stayed focused — determined not to fall for it again.

But then, with a swift side kick, the instructor struck her thigh. She didn’t fall — but dropped to one knee.

As she started to rise, she locked eyes with Karim. He subtly motioned for her to duck.

Junya turned back toward the instructor — and was met with a brutal kick to the face.

She had failed.

The flames vanished.

The instructor walked over and helped her up.

“If you learn to control your emotions, you’ll go far. You have great potential — but you need growth.”

Tears welled up in Junya’s eyes. She begged for another chance.

The instructor ignored her plea.

Turning to Karim, he said, “Congratulations, Karim. But your sister must leave the Academy grounds before sundown.”

Karim pleaded, asking if Junya could retake the test — but the instructor refused.

Karim had passed. Junya had not.

And so, Karim made his decision: he asked for his enrollment to be withdrawn.

Junya shoved him hard.

“If I can’t fulfill Mom’s wish, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t!” she snapped. “Stop being ridiculous.”

The instructor turned to Karim and said, “The gates of the Academy will always be open to you. If not today, then tomorrow — or even ten years from now. It doesn’t matter. The mystic walls already recognize that you belong here.”

But Karim couldn’t leave his sister behind. He mounted his horse, Junya by his side, and together they rode away.

Junya didn’t speak a single word. Her sadness was written all over her face.

Karim tried to comfort her. “Junya, it’s okay. You heard what the instructor said. I can return anytime. Besides, Mom and Uncle William will help. We’ll train together.”

Junya’s eyes welled up.

“First, I couldn’t do anything when those bandits attacked… Now I fail the entrance exam too. How is this fair, Karim? Is it me? Or did Mom just raise me too gently?”

Karim paused for a moment. “You fight better than any girl I’ve ever met.”

Junya gave a bittersweet laugh. “What girls, exactly? How many have you even fought besides me?”

After a long journey, they finally arrived home.

Their mother saw them and immediately asked, “Both of you failed?”

Without saying a word, Junya walked inside.

Karim followed quietly and said, “Junya didn’t pass, Mom.”

Diana prepared them a meal and sat down. “Well, tell me what happened.”

Junya didn’t come out of her room. No matter what her mother said, she wouldn’t move.

Karim ate in silence, then got ready for bed. Before lying down, he told Diana everything.

Later that night, Diana and William sat by a fire outside the house.

“No matter what I did, I couldn’t get Junya to let go of her emotions,” Diana sighed. “I told her not to suppress them — but to control them. But she only clung to them harder.”

“You can’t suppress emotion, Diana,” William replied.

Diana looked away. “That was the first thing they taught me at the Academy, Will.”

William shrugged. “You were twenty when you entered the Academy. They’re only twelve, thirteen. They didn’t choose this path — they were pushed into it.”

“They can barely hold a sword. Honestly? Sending them there this early… I think that was the mistake.”

Diana’s voice sharpened. “What else should I have done? Let them mourn their father and move on like nothing happened? There’s a fire in them — I know it.”

William looked into the flames. “Yeah… there is. But Diana… they’re still children. They’re just kids.”

Wanting to end the conversation, William stood and gently placed a hand on Diana’s shoulder. “At least Karim made it. Let him begin his training — maybe it’ll lift some of the weight off both of us.” With that, he walked inside.

Diana sat in the quiet night, her thoughts spiraling. She knew one thing for certain: the two children were inseparable. But for their future — for the mission — a sacrifice might be necessary.

Though Junya was more familiar with her techniques, it was Karim who stood out. His calm mind, his analytical thinking — he always found the perfect angle in every situation, even when they played games like stone throwing.

He never showed it, but deep down, he might have the same assassin potential Diana once had.

Still, Junya’s failure troubled her. Would her daughter begin to doubt herself? Lose her motivation? That was Diana’s worst fear.

Overwhelmed, she finally stood and went to bed.

The next morning would mark a turning point for both siblings.

At dawn, Diana woke them. She handed Karim the last of her coins.

“This is your last chance, son. For me… and your sister. Don’t let us down.”

Karim hesitated. He expressed his fear — that he didn’t want to go, that he didn’t know how to survive alone.

But to Diana, none of it mattered. The decision was made.

Karim would return to the Academy. Junya would stay behind and continue training with her mother.

There was no light in Junya’s eyes. She looked hollow — as if emptied from within. No reaction, no protest. Just silence.

Karim, pushed by his mother, set off toward the Academy. He cried on the road, lost in thought. He was now officially a student — but where would he sleep? How would he eat?

He had only stayed at the Academy briefly after his entrance exam. Now he was being sent permanently.

His mother had said, “Don’t come back until you graduate.”

But graduating from the Academy… Even for the most gifted students, it took five years. Karim would spend at least that long away from his mother and sister.

Still, part of him was determined. He liked being alone. Maybe he could earn money, support himself, and eventually bring his family to live with him.

He made plans… Though he was only fourteen, he imagined the future as if he were twenty-four.

The truth? All of it might take a decade. Maybe longer.

But he believed. He would make it happen.

As the Academy’s towering white spires appeared on the horizon, his resolve hardened. Meeting new people didn’t seem so bad. But he had to know —

What did it really mean to be a student here?

With a thousand questions in his head, Karim approached the gates. No voices. No footsteps. Not a soul in sight.

The massive grounds seemed empty.

A chill ran through him. Maybe he’d arrived at the wrong time. Maybe he was already breaking a rule. He had a feeling this place had strict codes.

Careful, he started exploring. He circled the building where he had taken the trial… the library Junya had visited… No one.

Just as he was about to give up, he saw it:

A beam of pale light descending from the sky, striking the tallest tower of the Academy.

“Maybe… they’re all inside that tower,” he thought aloud.

He headed that way.

When he reached the base of the colossal building, the doors were closed. He heard noise from within.

Was it a meeting? Would he get in trouble for interrupting?

He hesitated.

Then came the loud cheers — laughter, yelling, and shouting.

Curiosity won.

He opened the door.

Inside, the halls were packed with students — seated in rising galleries, drinking, eating, chatting, and laughing.