Defending southern border
1310 Words
Chapter 4
The river roared softly as it rushed over smooth stones, its cool mist drifting through the evening air.
Liora stood on a flat boulder near the water's edge, her boots planted firmly apart. She inhaled slowly, then raised a hand.
Crack!
A bolt of blue-white lightning burst from her fingertips and struck a massive rock. The explosion echoed through the valley as shards of stone scattered across the riverbank.
She didn't stop.
Her feet glided through a series of precise steps while arcs of electricity danced around her body like living serpents. Every swing of her arm released another flash. Rocks split apart. The ground blackened. The scent of burnt earth filled the air.
Again.
And again.
Sweat rolled down her temples, but a grin remained on her face.
She lost herself completely in the rhythm of her training.
By the time the last spark faded, the chirping of insects had replaced the songs of birds.
Liora blinked.
"...When did it get so dark?"
She looked up.
The sun had disappeared beyond the mountains, leaving only a silver moon hanging over the river.
She laughed softly and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I really overdid it."
Walking to the tree where she'd left her bag, she pulled out a bottle of water and emptied half of it in one long gulp.
As she lowered the bottle, a warm golden glow caught her eye.
"Hm?"
The bracelet on her wrist pulsed gently, the crystal at its center shining brighter with every second.
Liora tapped the gemstone.
A translucent blue screen unfolded into the air before her.
Her smile faded as she read the message.
«Good evening, students of Celestia Academy.
Due to an unexpected emergency, tomorrow's magic examination has been postponed until further notice.
Large numbers of magical beasts have launched coordinated attacks along the kingdom's borders. Although the Royal Guardians have been deployed, the scale of the invasion has stretched our forces thin.
Scouts have confirmed that a beast horde is advancing toward the academy's southern border.
Effective immediately, every student capable of combat is ordered to report to the southern wall and assist in defending the academy.
You are the future protectors of the Kingdom of Celeste. Today, that duty begins.
—Academy Management»
Liora read the message once.
Then a second time.
Her eyes sparkled.
"Yes!"
She pumped a fist into the air.
"Finally... something exciting."
Stuffing the bottle back into her bag, she slung it over one shoulder and hurried toward the dormitories.
---
Across the academy, golden lights flickered from thousands of bracelets as students opened the same announcement.
"...You've got to be kidding me."
A blond boy collapsed onto a bench, staring at the screen with wide eyes.
"We're students, not soldiers!"
Another swallowed hard.
"My older brother said beast hordes wipe out entire villages..."
A girl hugged her staff tightly.
"What if we don't make it back?"
No one answered.
The uneasy silence that followed said enough.
Not everyone, however, shared their fear.
Excited voices rang out from another courtyard.
"I've been waiting for a real mission!"
"This is our chance to prove ourselves!"
Weapons were cleaned. Armor was strapped on. Spellbooks were tucked into belts.
Fear and excitement spread through the academy in equal measure.
Far beyond the academy walls, deep within the darkness of the forest, countless crimson eyes slowly opened.
Low growls rumbled through the trees.
The beast horde was coming.
The Kingdom of Celeste stood protected by enormous walls that stretched across its four borders. Built directly against the southern wall, Celestia Academy served as both a school and the kingdom's first line of defense.
If that wall fell...
The beasts wouldn't stop at the academy.
The entire southern region of the kingdom would lie exposed.
The following morning, the academy's grand assembly hall buzzed with restless energy.
Thousands of students filled the massive chamber, their conversations blending into a constant roar.
Some nervously adjusted their uniforms, others inspected their weapons for the tenth time, A first-year student trembled while trying to hide it. Someone clasped their hands together quietly praying. while a few wore excited smiles, eager for what lay ahead.
Liora stood among the crowd with Natasha and Tiana.
Natasha bounced on her heels with barely contained excitement.
"I've been waiting for something like this forever," she whispered.
Tiana laughed. "Just don't go charging into the beasts before the battle even starts."
Liora smirked.
"Who's charging? I'm simply planning to enjoy myself."
The three exchanged eager grins.
Suddenly, the enormous doors at the front of the hall creaked open.
Thud... Thud...
The sound of measured footsteps echoed through the chamber.
A man with neatly combed silver hair strode toward the podium, his long academy robe swaying behind him. Though his face appeared no older than a man in his late forties, every student knew appearances meant little in a world shaped by magic. Those who possessed great magical power could preserve their youth for decades, sometimes even centuries.
Behind him walked the vice principal, an elegant woman with sharp eyes and an air of quiet authority.
One by one, conversations died away.
Within moments, the once-noisy hall fell completely silent.
Thousands of eyes followed the pair as they stepped onto the raised platform.
The principal swept his gaze across the sea of students before clearing his throat.
"Good morning, students of Celestia Academy."
His calm voice spread effortlessly throughout the hall.
"I trust every one of you has already read last night's announcement."
No one spoke.
"There is little time for lengthy speeches. Every moment we remain here is another moment the beasts draw closer to our walls."
The words settled heavily over the crowd.
"The Royal Guardians have already been deployed to reinforce the kingdom's other borders. Unfortunately, the scale of this invasion is unlike anything we've faced in decades."
A murmur rippled through the hall before quickly dying down.
"That is why you have been called upon."
The principal paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in.
"Today, you will stand beside the Royal Guardians in defense of the academy's southern wall."
Several students exchanged nervous glances.
One swallowed hard.
Another tightened his grip on his staff.
The principal raised a hand.
"But do not mistake this for a suicide mission."
The tension eased slightly.
"You will not face the beast horde alone. Experienced Royal Guardians have been assigned to fight alongside you, and many of your instructors will also join the battle."
His expression hardened.
"Remember this above all else."
"Your duty is to defend the wall—not to become heroes."
"If a Royal Guardian gives an order, obey it immediately. On the battlefield, hesitation and recklessness can cost lives."
He nodded toward the vice principal.
"The vice principal, several instructors, and I will be responsible for intercepting aerial beasts before they can breach the academy."
With that, the principal stepped back.
He and the vice principal descended from the platform and disappeared through a side entrance to prepare for battle.
A few moments later, a woman clad in gleaming silver armor climbed onto the podium.
The crimson cloak draped over her shoulders marked her as a Royal Guardian.
Her sharp gaze swept across the students.
"Listen carefully."
Her voice was firm enough to silence even the faint whispers that had begun to return.
"You will be divided into squads of ten. You will fight, move, and retreat as a unit. Stay with your squad at all times."
She raised her right hand.
A silver ring on her finger flashed.
Dozens of spatial portals rippled open in the air.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
Large leather gear bags dropped neatly onto the floor in front of the platform.
The students stared in amazement.
Each bag bore a neatly stitched tag indicating the armor size and design.
Male or Female."
- Writer
