Chapter 11: Magic Academy I

"This is where you lot will spend the next 2 years of your life!" The man spoke with a voice that carried a lot of power. He had come alone to address them. "I am General James Foxx and during your stay here, I'm in charge of everything that concerns you."

There was confusion in the air but none of the chattering kids had the guts to say a single word. The population of kids in the large field was 3000 in total and a good portion of them had a negative change in their facial expressions after the General's words. Of course, he noticed.

"If you have something to say then bloody do. I want my soldiers brave and sharp," the General said observing the looks on their faces.

A group of people dressed in military uniform surrounded the kids. They used their Magical Sound Affinity to enchance communication between the General and the large crowd of children.

Still, no one was willing to speak. Seeing as everyone else was bent on being silent, Jordan raised his hand. He was behind the General by six other kids.

"What?"

"Excuse me, Sir, but isn't the program meant to last for 6 months? I'm not sure I heard you correctly," Jordan inquired, his eyes fixed on the General.

Everyone else had the same thing on their mind but none had the courage to question the General. Jordan on the other hand wasn't going to jeopardize his entire plan by being a coward. For some reason, he wasn't as intimidated by the General as the other kids. Maybe it's because he has met him before.

The instant the General set eyes on Jordan, he recognized him. A smile flashed across his face.

"Good question, private. Now, I'm aware that prior to this time, you all had the conception that the Muggle Training Program was held for 190 days. Well, things have changed. Prepare yourselves for 730 days of intensive formation into the perfect soldiers Rivia needs you to be," the General looked around as he spoke. "Does that answer your question? private?" His gaze rested back on Jordan.

"Yes, Sir!"

"Good. Now before we begin, as a favor of goodwill, I'm going to give all of you one last chance to decide if you still want to be shaped by the academy or get back to your meaningless lives wherever you came from. Whatever you were told about this program, this year's training is going to be a thousand times more intensive." He closed his eyes for a second and took a breath in before reopening them.

"I can not assure you all that you'll live long enough to graduate as a Magic Knight. So please, if you know deep in your heart you are not cut out for the ways of war all you have to do is raise your left hand." The General crossed his hands over his chest. "You have 3 minutes to decide." He turned, his back facing the crowd.

For the first ten seconds, there was silence among the crowd. No hand was raised. It was when a guy with short blonde hair raised his hand that the murmuring began.

"Does he really mean not all of us will make it out alive? I don't want to die here. My mom is waiting for me back home."

"What does he mean 2 years?"

"Yeah. They didn't mention that in the invitation letter. I'm out."

"I really want to become a Magic Knight but what use am I to my village if I'm dead? I'm going back."

The General could hear different voices but remained silent. He waited patiently as the seconds went by. Jordan on the other hand couldn't help but feel that something was off. He had done a lot of research about the MTP before now and Since the General took command of the academy 15 years ago, this was the first time he was offering a forfeit opportunity. He couldn't help but feel like there was more to it.

Could it be a test?

Not that he had any intentions of forfeiting in the first place. He was just very suspicious of the General.

When the General turned back to face the kids, there was a frown on his face. He rubbed his white beard with his fingers.

"Tsk Tsk Tsk. Times up."

Almost 40% of the crowd had their hands up. For him, it was indeed a discouraging sight to see raw talent so helplessly lost to the force of Weakness.

"At least now I know the brave ones among you lot. The rest of you who wish to return home should stay here. You shall be transported to your respective destinations soon." the General looked around and each person his eyes swept by found themselves frozen in place. He did that to those who had their hands up.

"What gives? I can't move," a girl called out, unable to move any part of her body.

"The rest of you should follow me," the General ordered, ignoring the girl.

If only she knew what the General had in store for her and the other weaklings who dared turn down the invitation of the Academy. Ever since the kids stepped their feet on the bus, their fates had been sealed. Whether they wanted it or not, one way or another they were going to be useful to the academy.

The General led them out of the field and into a very large hall. Everyone they saw was wearing a military uniform.

"Everyone take a seat. You'll be attended to in groups of ten. Understood?" the General instructed firmly.

"Yes, Sir!" The response was very low.

"But, Sir where do we sit? There are no chairs in the hall," asked a girl in front of the General.

"What do you mean there are no chairs?" To their greatest surprise, the General got in a sitting position. In less than three seconds, a chair materialized out of thin air. He got up and the chair disappeared. "Just think of sitting down and getting in position, the nanobots will do the rest."

The kids looked around in awe at the sights in front of them. The technology possessed by the Academy was on a whole new level compared to what was being used by the public.

Just like the General said, they all did accordingly, and just like before, comfortable metal chairs formed out of nothing. They sat in ordered rolls and columns.

"Cool."

"I know, right? This place is full of surprises."

The kids sat and chatted away as the General took the first set of individuals to a counter at the front of the hall. It took a long while before Jordan's group was to go next. From what he could tell, there was some sort of test going on on the other side of the door the General led the other kids. Jordan's group was the last so naturally, after three hours passed, he got really tired of waiting. The group of fifteen individuals was the only one left in the hall.

"What do you think is going to happen to those guys who decided to leave? The General didn't look so happy to see them," a kid said to Jordan, breaking the silence between them.

The boy had a strange hair color that was somewhere between dark-purple and dark-blue. He was just as tall as Jordan with a similar physique but looked a lot healthier than skinny Jordan. By the looks of the clothes he had on and the cologne radiating from him, Jordan could tell he was one of the rich kids who had been selected by the Academy.

"The General was very clear about sending them home," Jordan replied with the least bit of interest in the boy. He didn't even look at him.

"Well, okay. I'm Richter by the way. What's your name?" the boy stretched his hand for a friendly handshake. "Let's be friends."

"I'll pass."

Just then, the General returned and all the kids went silent.

'Perfect timing.' Jordan thought to himself.

In a line, they were led into the other room, one at a time. Finally, it had gotten to Jordan's turn. He was the last person left.

"You're that kid from the orphanage." The General sighed, his eyes fixed on Jordan as he led him into the Mana-testing lab. "You shouldn't have come."