-Summer 12, years 430-
On this scorching summer day, anticipation filled the air as the academy's inaugural test loomed on the horizon. A throng of aspiring students had flocked to the portal, their eagerness palpable as they arrived even before the break of dawn.
As the sun climbed higher, its relentless rays fused with the fervor in the young hearts, igniting a blazing fire within them. Beads of sweat trickled down their brows, mirroring the coursing of blood and the kindling of spirits that perfectly matched the intensity of the moment.
In the midst of this anticipation, Desmond, true to his routine, stirred from his slumber and began honing his skills as a swordsman in the sanctuary of his room. Before embarking on his physical exercises, he stretched his lithe form, casting off his upper garments.