Draco was leafing through a history book when someone knocked on the door.
– Come in. – Draco glanced over his shoulder.
Darius looked tired. He must have just returned, because he hadn't even had time to take off his cloak. The mage had been at work all day and most of the night, basically since he said goodbye to his student at the Academy.
– You're still awake.– Bleist tried to say it in a reproachful tone, but a yawn thwarted his plans. – You should rest before tomorrow's exams.
– I wanted to check something else, master.– The boy forced a smile. It wasn't difficult, because after the afternoon training session with Trace, he felt great. Fortunately, after returning from the Academy, he immediately ran into an officer who suggested he take part in some exercises so that, as he put it, the young master could warm up before tomorrow. This way of spending the afternoon worked wonders, and Draco even forgot that he was worried about the written exam and his answers. – As I thought, I made a lot of mistakes in history, which was not about wars. – He grimaced. In the past, he would not have admitted his mistake, but his master showed him that he did not have to fear his reaction. – Other than that, I did pretty well. Well, it depends on how the essays are graded.
– Don't worry, – Darius sat down at the table. – I'm sure you passed.
The dragon didn't want to argue, so he didn't comment. He changed his seat and sank into the armchair opposite his master. He looked at the man more closely. Fatigue had really taken its toll on him. He had a slightly pale, sallow complexion, dark circles and bloodshot eyes, yet he smiled as he looked at his student.
– You should lie down, master, – the boy said with concern that was quite palpable. – You certainly need more rest than I do.
– If you say so, then I must look terrible, – the magician tried to downplay it a little. – Don't worry, I'll be fine, – he said more seriously, seeing that his attempt at humour had backfired. – I'll be back to work as normal soon, so things will be calmer.
– Are you nearly done?
– Yes, thankfully. – Darius heaved a sigh of relief and sprawled out on the sofa. – I think I've passed on everything I should have, and all that's left is to tie up the formalities. Life will finally return to normal. — A pale smile expressed more than the mage wanted to convey. — But enough about me. How are you feeling before the practical exams?
– I hope that magic won't be too difficult. We've practised all the required spells, I've cast them many times. – The dragon was slightly masking his anxiety. Although he wanted to feel confident before the test, somewhere in the back of his mind there was still a nagging feeling that he couldn't do that well. Irrational, highly emotional, and an echo of Dagos. The worst part was that Draco knew all this, yet he couldn't shake it off. —As for shooting... As I said, I'm not good at it. I can handle a rifle fairly well, but the shooting itself... Well, I hope just firing in the right direction will be enough. – He had shown what he could do with a gun once or twice, but he really wasn't good at it. Everything was fine until he raised the rifle to the firing position. After pulling the trigger, everything was in the hands of the gods. Although he preferred them not to take an interest in him, he had the impression that the bullet's trajectory depended solely on their whims.
– It should be enough, Draco.– Darius tried to cheer him up.– Don't worry, magical knowledge, spellcasting and combat skills are what count most in the final assessment.
– I'll try not to think about it.– The dragon couldn't promise anything in this regard. He knew himself too well.
— Both combat exams are in two days, and then it will be over. —Bleist stretched. —I'll drive you there in the morning, but now we should both go to sleep. —The mage rose from his seat. —Don't worry about anything. I know you can do it.
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The carriage stopped at the end of the driveway in front of the main entrance to Solvein. Draco adjusted the sword at his belt and glanced outside somewhat nervously.
– Don't worry about anything, – Darius had been repeating this roughly every ten minutes since breakfast. He looked better than the previous evening, but he was still clearly tired. – You can do it.
Draco just nodded. After yesterday's written exams, his nervousness had subsided somewhat, and he began to approach everything with greater calm. He hadn't mastered everything, but even that was enough. He took a deep breath and got out.
– Good luck. – Bleist disappeared behind the door and the carriage drove off. Another one was already approaching to take its place.
Unlike the previous day, the students were gathering in front of the entrance. There were fewer of them than during the written exam. They formed small groups of similar ages, chatting with their friends. It was also easy to spot those who were just trying to get into Solvein, as they stood alone, away from the hustle and bustle.
– You're earlier than I expected. – Aiden broke away from one of the groups and approached the dragon. He seemed to be doing much better than before the previous test. He was even smiling a little.
– Hi. – Draco waved to his approaching friend. – It wouldn't have been appropriate to be late.
— Especially since there aren't that many participants. Being late could stick in Instructor Hine's memory. I guarantee you wouldn't want that. —He shuddered. —He's terribly vindictive and can make life miserable in class.
— It's worth remembering, then. —The dragon didn't want to accidentally get himself into trouble in a new place.
—I don't know which instructors will be there today, but if there's a broad-shouldered, bald guy with a bullet scar across his left temple, that'll be Hine. — Aiden looked around and lowered his voice slightly. — He's vindictive and likes to cause trouble for people he considers undisciplined. As long as you behave yourself around him, he won't pay too much attention to you.
—It seems you've already made an impression on him. —The dragon also glanced around, but no one seemed to pay them any attention. —You have to be a good shooter.
—Pretty good. —The redhead grimaced. —I drank a calming potion. It's not allowed on the written exam, but you can use it on the practical exams if you have permission from the instructors in charge. I got one. — He seemed to want to say that if it weren't for that, he would never have been able to come here.
– Good for you. – Draco smiled slightly.
– Luckily, not all exams have the same requirements. – Aiden shook his head, dismissing the idea.
– Assemble in three rows! – The crowd was carried away.
The dragon turned towards the entrance from where the loud voice came. Three men came out of Solvein wearing white coats decorated with embroidered swords and gold torsades, blood-red epaulettes and high collars in the same style, and graphite lapels. On the right walked the instructor, whom Draco identified as Hine.
The assembled students and aspiring ones quickly rushed to carry out the order. They lined up before the instructors reached them. Standing in the middle, an older, wiry, completely grey-haired man with the aura of a retired officer adjusted his monocle and scrutinised the cadets. He clicked his tongue and twirled his bushy moustache.
– For those who know me, this is your last chance, – he began in a strong, ruthless voice. – For those who are seeing me for the first time, let me introduce myself. I am Johan Hartmann, retired captain of the Land Army of the Kingdom of Atlantis and senior military instructor at Solvein. My task is to effectively train cadets so that after six years they can call themselves soldiers and military mages. The few of you who manage to pass the advanced profile will have to deal with me for another three years. If you complete your ninth year of study as officers, you will be able to proudly bear the title of battle mages. However, that time is still a long way off. – He looked at everyone. It seemed that he was lingering his gaze on some of them, and they shuddered under its influence. – I will not lie and say that it will be easy and that everyone will succeed. Anyone who does not meet the Academy's standards will be expelled or transferred to another school. Keep that in mind. — He looked directly at Aiden, but his gaze was not as cold as before. It seemed to express concern instead. — That's all for those who want to study.
—Turn right! Column behind me, march! —Hine's voice sounded as if it were coming through a huge tube. Fortunately, Draco was well versed in drill and reacted instinctively. The exam promised to be interesting.
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The way to the shooting range was quite simple, although a bit long. They marched in a column through the corridor of the Tower of Light. There was not much to see there except for closed doors. Hine set a fast pace, which was not at all troublesome for the dragon; one could even say it was pleasant. After reaching the other side of the spire, they exited through a door identical to the entrance. The exterior area was very different from the simple and neat driveway. Immediately beyond the exit, the terrain began to slope down, causing the side buildings of Solvein to rise on stone foundations resembling fortress fortifications. The only irregularities in the walls were the places where the side exits of the buildings were located. The two towers at the ends of the Academy's wings had an additional row of windows, so their basements were lit by daylight.
Further down, below the main buildings, a sloping meadow criss-crossed with well-trodden paths stretched out. They were not covered with anything or prepared for use, they were simply beaten earth. About halfway down the slope, there was a real road. It was difficult to tell where it led from and to, as both ends disappeared behind the bases of the Towers. Further on, the slope was again covered with a network of paths leading to buildings located below the steep slope, on level ground.
Far to the right of where they had emerged were the stables. Five two-storey buildings, spaced apart from each other, with high gates surrounded by wooden fences of varying heights. It was clear that someone was moving around the buildings, but it was difficult to see anything clearly. The only thing the dragon was sure of was that further behind them were paddocks where something was grazing.
A little to the left of the stables, there was a single-storey building, almost three storeys high, with a conservatory climbing up the opposite slope of the valley. There was a normal entrance at the front, but on the sides of the building there were doors resembling those of the stables.
Further on, there was a piece of open meadow, and just behind it were stone terraces divided into individual arenas. The whole structure began in the valley and slowly climbed upwards, sometimes cutting into the slope, sometimes growing out of it with stone foundations. Wide stairs led through the entire structure, from the base to the top. The lower levels contained classic round arenas covered with sand, surrounded by low walls and a few seats. Higher up, roughly halfway up, the squares were surrounded by stone pillars, regular obelisks with glowing runic symbols. There was a slight commotion in the lowest of the magical arenas.
Right next to the terraces, essentially along them, obstacle courses had been set up. Ladder walls, balance beams, climbing towers and many others. The most interesting, however, was the route leading from the foot of the opposite slope to its summit. It seemed very demanding, even from a dragon's perspective. Draco couldn't wait to get a chance to try it out.
To the left of the training tracks, some space was left again, and then a shooting range was marked out. It was located in a place where the embankment had been artificially cut, turning it into a vertical wall that served as a kind of bullet trap. No one wanted stray bullets flying around. From a distance, it was clear that ten shooting ranges had been prepared, marked by narrow obelisks not much taller than an adult human. The entire shooting range was bounded by four tall pillars between which a delicate mist seemed to waft.
The valley ended with a forest gradually rising upwards, but it seemed that a deep ravine remained, stretching further to the left. The dragon did not see the riding tracks Aiden had mentioned, but considering that the opposite hill was higher than the one Solvein was standing on, he assumed they were even further behind him.
Hine did not change his pace as they walked down the slope. Many people had to put in a lot of effort not to fall over. They were heading straight for the shooting range, and Draco couldn't get his mind off the image of all the visible paths flooded by the autumn rain. Disaster guaranteed.
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When they finally reached the entrance to the shooting range, most of them were panting heavily, and several people had to break ranks because Hine was glaring at them. Inside, several assistants were busy laying out weapons, ammunition and gunpowder at the individual stations.
– Form a line of three! – The instructor did not have to repeat himself twice.
– I will explain the rules of today's exam. – Hartman stood in front of them without raising his voice. – First, you will be shooting. Depending on your profile and year, the requirements are slightly different. All third-year military students have to fire three shots from a rifle at a target 100 metres away. The other profiles shoot with handguns at 20 metres. First- and second-year students take an exam on weapon handling. — The officer looked at everyone. — You enter the shooting range when the instructor calls your name. You approach the designated position and fire your shots. After checking and handing over your weapon to the assistant, you leave the shooting range. Clear? – The students nodded eagerly. – After completing the shooting exam, you will go to the magical training arena. — He pointed towards the terraced structure. — There, you will be presented with further rules. — The captain twirled his moustache. — Good luck. — He said as he left and headed towards the aforementioned arena.
Hine began reading the names from the list. Draco did not focus on his voice, but watched closely how the others were doing. It varied, but overall it wasn't too bad. Everyone seemed to be able to handle the rifles, only their accuracy left much to be desired.
– Ignis Draco. – The dragon shuddered but quickly moved from his place. – Range five. – The instructor did not pay much attention to him as he reviewed the entire list. The boy swallowed and, without hesitation, moved to the designated place.
At track five, the lecturers' assistant was a girl, a vampire, with a gentle smile. She pointed Draco to a table on which lay a familiar H91 dwarf rifle, several types of ammunition and a container of gunpowder.
– You may begin, – announced the assistant.
The dragon simply nodded and got to work. He selected three bullets suitable for this rifle, checked the weapon, gunpowder and primers. He glanced at the vampire, but she didn't even blink. Once in a blue moon. Draco lowered the hammer, rested the rifle on the ground and took the gunpowder. He measured out the appropriate amount of propellant with a measuring cup and carefully transferred it to the barrel. He calmly placed the wad in the barrel and the bullet on top of it. He pushed the bullet into place with a ramrod. He picked up the rifle and checked the flintlock. Everything looked fine. He poured gunpowder into the pan, took aim and pulled the trigger.
The bullet hit the corner of the target, chipping off a few splinters. It was a poor shot. Draco reloaded, took aim and fired again. This time, the bullet must have gone somewhere to the side. There was no trace of it. The dragon cursed. He loaded a third time and fired quickly. He held his breath in surprise. The bullet hit the target. Almost at the very edge, but still on the right side.
He unfolded his rifle, trying to smile at his assistant. He failed. He thanked her and left the shooting range. Hine noted the end of his shooting test, sent him to the next place, and then called Aiden.