Yoshua made his way to the academy's library for personal time. The massive repository of knowledge occupied an entire wing of the main building, its shelves stretching from floor to ceiling and containing volumes on every subject imaginable. Tall windows provided natural light during the day, while enchanted crystals illuminated the reading areas after sunset.
He selected a table in a quiet corner and opened his Advanced History textbook to a chapter discussing the founding of the Gloria Kingdom three centuries earlier. The text described how King Aldric had united the warring city-states through a combination of diplomatic brilliance and military might, establishing a kingdom that had known unprecedented peace and prosperity.
As Yoshua read about the Kingdom's accomplishments – the construction of roads and aqueducts, the establishment of schools and hospitals, the creation of laws that protected both noble and commoner – he felt the secret admiration in his chest.
He closed the book with a soft thud and leaned back in his chair, pressing his palms against his temples.
Three days later, Marcus burst into Yoshua's dorm room, a sense of urgency about him. He was carrying a freshly printed report from Professor Caldris himself – a detailed analysis of the most recent engagements between the Gloria and the Carolingian Kingdom.
"You won't believe this," Marcus exclaimed, tossing the report onto Yoshua's desk. "Caldris just got these dispatches. The Carolingians... they're even more aggressive than we thought. Their cavalry is truly elite."
Yoshua picked up the report, scanning the field assessments. "So, their legendary ferocity isn't just a tale then. It sounds like they're pressing hard into Glorian territory."
"Exactly," Marcus confirmed. "They fought for two days. The our forces at the second day, sensing the Carolingians' overconfidence, tried to spring a trap. They feigned a desperate retreat, pulling back deep into their own lands, hoping to draw the Carolingian cavalry into an ambush. The idea was to mimic a panicked rout – leave behind supplies, make it look like their lines were collapsing."
"Their Winged Knights?!" Yoshua asked, then Imagine thousand knights descending like angels.
"No, there were only their White Knights."
He gestured to a section of Caldris's report. "We established pre-set ambush points in the valley with light cavalry and dismounted archers concealed. The plan was to let the Carolingians commit fully to the pursuit, stretching their formations thin and making them vulnerable to flanking attacks from the hidden Glorian forces."
Yoshua's eyes narrowed as he read further. "Did it work?"
Marcus shook his head, a hint of frustration in his voice. "No. That's the kicker. The Carolingians didn't take the bait. Professor Caldris's report indicates that while they pressed their advantage, It seems they don't want to go further to escalate the skirmish. Their advance wasn't as reckless as the Glorians had anticipated. They kept their formations relatively tight, their scouts were exceptionally vigilant, and they seemed to sense something was amiss."
"They didn't overextend their supply lines?" Yoshua mused, thinking back to their earlier discussions about forcing the enemy to overcommit.
"Not significantly," Marcus replied. "They pushed hard, but they didn't chase the Glorians into the pre-planned kill zones. Caldris speculates they either detected the hidden forces, or perhaps their commanders are simply too seasoned to fall for such a classic ruse. It seems their discipline, even in pursuit, is formidable."
"So, the Glorian feigned retreat didn't lead to the decisive ambush they hoped for," Yoshua concluded. "It just turned into a more prolonged, if still controlled, withdrawal."
"Yes," Marcus said, tapping the report. "It highlights a critical point for our own wargame. We can't assume our opponents will always fall for traditional ploys. The Carolingian commanders, much like our competitors, are clearly adapting. We need to think several steps ahead, anticipate their counter-moves, and have contingency plans for when our initial gambits don't play out as expected."
After the intensity of analyzing Professor Caldris's report, the conversation naturally drifted into more personal territory. The maps and battle diagrams were now pushed to one side.
"So you want to become the royal guard?" Yoshua finally broke the quiet, swirling the last dregs in his mug. He knew of Marcus's lineage, of course. It was an open secret among their peers that Marcus's father was a decorated member of the Gloria Kingdom's elite royal guard, a prestigious unit known for its unwavering loyalty and fierce combat prowess. "You're truly set on following in your father's footsteps, aren't you? Swearing an oath to the crown, dedicating your life to protecting the royal family?"
Marcus nodded slowly, a faraway look in his eyes. "It's more than just following in his footsteps, Yoshua. It's... a legacy. Our family has served the crown for generations. There's an expectation, a duty. And honestly, it feels like the right path for me, because it grants me the honor I desire."
"Honor, certainly," Yoshua conceded, leaning back in his chair. " I heard the salary is high..."
"It is an insult, Yoshua."
"Marcus," Yoshua began, his voice softer, more serious than before. "Let me ask you something, and be honest with me. This isn't about tactics or honor, or legacy. It's about whether you dare to throw yourself in front of a blade, or take an arrow intended for them..."
"Yes I am."
"Hmm..."
As his friends prepared to leave, Marcus paused at the door. "You know, Yoshua, you have a real gift for this. Have you considered applying for advanced military training after graduation? I'm sure my father could put in a good word with the Academy Command."
The offer was generous and well-intentioned, coming from a young man who had no idea he was speaking to someone destined to become his kingdom's enemy. Yoshua managed a grateful smile while the sacred flame stirred with dark amusement at the irony.
"I'll certainly consider it," he replied. "Thank you for the suggestion."
After his friends departed, Yoshua found himself alone with his thoughts in the quiet of his dormitory room. The chamber was modest but comfortable, furnished with a single bed, a writing desk, a wardrobe, and a small bookshelf filled with his personal collection of texts. A single window looked out over the academy's moonlit grounds, where night watchmen made their regular patrols.
He moved to the window and gazed out at the peaceful scene below. Somewhere beyond the academy walls lay the great city of Glorian, capital of the kingdom.
The night settled over Gloria's Royal Academy like a blanket, bringing peace to all who slept within its walls – save one young man who lay awake.