A shiver ran down Xi Zhang's spine as the metallic legs of the walker bent, lowering the massive body toward the ground. Lee Bay had lined up the young nobles in front of a side door that would soon open to the outside world.
With one final jolt, the machine stopped its descent, leaving the young nobles in suspense. With a snap and a sliding sound, the metal door slid into the wall of the walker, allowing the cold wind of the high mountains to prick the pale skin of the young nobles. A ramp extended from the floor to the rocky ground, creating a bridge between the vehicle and solid land.
"What are you waiting for?" Lee Bay asked at the end of the line. "Let's get on with it. Out!"
Upon hearing these words from their instructor, the youths had no choice but to step into the open area, where the cold winds made their teeth chatter and their arms and legs tremble.
Xi Zhang hunched inside his academic uniform. The thick dark brown fabric of the first-year students was tight across the chest and stomach, and loose on the legs and the edges of the shirt sleeves. A thick black belt crossed his waist with two small metal rings.
"Get used to it," said a walker crew member passing toward the back of the machine. "The weather here goes from cold… to very cold at the start of the year."
Xi Zhang didn't know what to say to the man, but he envied the pressurized vest controlling body temperature that the man was wearing. While his thoughts were distracted by the cold, the other four walkers arrived, giving the young man the opportunity to watch the four metallic legs bend at their joints and lower the walker's body until it hovered just inches from the ground.
Xi Zhang watched as the side door opened and the anxious youths were hit by the discouragingly cold wind. For a moment, he smiled at the reaction of the commoners, wondering if he and the other young nobles had reacted the same way seconds earlier.
Slowly, the commoners left the safety of their walkers under the supervision of their instructors, forming four lines behind the nobles. Each young person from each walker stood side by side with their travel companions, highlighting how different the numbers of commoners were compared to the nobles.
"Pay attention!" shouted a plump instructor with a shaved head, wearing a uniform very similar to Lee Bay's, though his fat distorted the black fabric. "We will now call the classes, so be attentive when your name is called."
The fat man then pointed to an old, thin man with long gray hair and a wrinkled face, standing atop an F.C., a Carrier Ant, a small six-legged walker used to transport a few people short distances or carry objects.
The old man calmly scanned the rows of young faces before him, assessing with the experience only veterans like him had, deciding who among them could be useful for the Empire's armies.
"It is a pleasure to meet all of you, my future officers," the old man greeted with a brief nod. "I am Zou, of the Jinx Family from the Cutting Rain Province. And I am also the Director of this Academy."
The old man's words captured the full attention of all the youths. Xi Zhang cast a look of admiration at the veteran before him. Zou Jinx was a legend with dozens of military accomplishments and was the uncle of the current leader of the Jinx Silver family—the second most powerful family of Cutting Rain, just behind the Golds of the province.
"From today, you have become my dear children," Zou Jinx continued, winning the hearts of the young nobles further. "We will turn each of you into excellent officers for our armies. The next two years will shape your futures. We will teach you how to become true leaders, to bring glory and achievement to your families, and to earn renown for our Academy. Only the most capable will leave here. The champions. Those without talent or effort will soon return home covered in shame." The old man let his harsh words sink into the minds of the new students before concluding his speech. "Therefore, my children, push yourselves, surpass your limits, seize your futures with your own hands, and show the world who you are."
Xi Zhang didn't know where it began, but someone somewhere started clapping, and soon all the youths were applauding the old Director's speech. The cold was forgotten, and their innocent minds focused only on the desire for the achievements they could accomplish in the future.
"Now let your instructors introduce themselves to you." Five men dressed in black stood in front of the F.C. at attention.
"I am Lee, of the Bay Family from the Cutting Rain Province," introduced the one-eyed man. "I will be responsible for teaching military strategies and the history of the imperial army."
"I am Gon, of the Wo Family from the Cutting Rain Province," said the plump, bald instructor. "I am responsible for filling your heads with all information about the Empire's internal and external relations."
The third instructor stepped forward, standing out from his companions due to his height and muscular build.
"I am Tatua, of the Sum Family from the Cutting Rain Province," the man said, casting a hard look at Bo Sum, who shrank among his classmates in Class B. "I am in charge of teaching you how to fight unarmed or with short and long-range weapons. Let it be clear that in my hands, you will become lethal machines."
"Excellent encouraging words, Sum!" said a man as old as the Director. "But what we aim to teach here is how to lead. You will be prepared to command hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of soldiers. It will be your responsibility to keep these men alive."
"Enough preaching, Lee!" Tatua grumbled.
"Calm down, calm down," the old man replied, laughing. "I am Lee, of the Dock Family, children! I will probably be the instructor who gives you the most trouble. I am responsible for putting into practice everything you learn from your other instructors."
"You take too long to introduce yourself, Old Dock," muttered the fifth instructor.
Xi Zhang looked at his final instructor—a man of average height with shoulder-length hair. His body was thin, but he radiated an intimidating martial presence that made anyone instantly defensive.
"I am Mor Dalu," the man said simply to the youths. "I come from the commoners and am responsible for teaching you about the Night Predators and leading field exercises. In some cases, another instructor may assist during class."
"As always, your speeches are inspiring, Instructors!" the old Director said, smiling at the five men in black before opening his arms to gesture to the sides. "This area where we are is the infantry and war machines training zone. Please, look around."
Following the old man's words, the youths began to look around, noticing for the first time the vastness of the area. Xi Zhang's eyes widened at the landscape before him, stretching to both his left and right, where a flat surface had been carved into the mountain rocks. On it, hundreds of soldiers in training moved in small and large formations, carrying heavy backpacks and holding alfings—a type of light rifle—in their hands, while their waists carried almashas, slightly curved swords used in the Empire since its founding. Surrounding this vast flat area were massive natural walls created by the mountains.