Cassian walked out of his dorm and into the corridor not much later. He wore his uniform and strapped the sword on his back as he couldn't carry it on his hip.
Around him first years walked by with various different things in hand. Some had weapons, while others had musical instruments. But he did not have anything other than his sword.
As he walked immersed in his own thoughts a red haired girl came next to him and started walking beside him.
"Good morning, Cassian." She said and yawned a bit.
Cassian looked to his side at the girl and forced a smile, "likewise Sharron. You seem more tired than usual."
"Ah, it's nothing. I was just busy all night because of my brother. He's a senior and he was talking about you." She said and moved left from the corridor with Cassian.
"So, you're Eric's sister. The red hair makes a lot of sense now." Cassian replied and opened the door to The Grand Strategy Hall.
The hall had a long table in the middle, above on the sides were observation decks for faculty and senior students while the first years were gathered around the table.
"You're going to try Tactical War Table as well?" Cassian asked as he moved to a place where he could see the ongoing match between a senior with long blonde hair tied in a high ponytail and a blue haired first year.
"Yeah, I am alongside the Sword and Aura Discipline Circle and The Golden Ledger." Sharron sighed as she replied, "I hope I get into at least one, that way my elder brother won't tease me."
Cassian didn't reply, just nodded as he too knew about the nagging of an older sibling. Both in this world and back on Earth.
The onlookers roared as the senior defeated the first year with a huge difference in points. That was to be expected from the seniors of the Aurelian Imperial Academy located in the capital of Duchy Viremont, also called Viremont City.
"Ah, how did I lose?" The blue haired first year yelled in frustration and grabbed his head."There's no way a blankblood defeated me, a Count's son."
In rage of his defeat he jumped from the end of the table towards the senior as she readied to draw her sword.
"I will kill you lowly blankblood for the humiliation you caused me." He roared as he swung his sword.
But with a loud thud he dropped on top of the table, his sword broken in half and his face all bloody.
In front of the senior stood a tall man with long golden hair tied at the nape, with striking sapphire-blue eyes and rather refined aristocratic features.
He wore the same uniform as the woman behind him, signifying he was also a senior. He turned around and bowed before the woman.
"Sir Leopold Valerian d'Artois de Montclair at your service, Sinclair." He said and turned to leave.
"I could've handled him myself, Leopold. But thanks, I'd have broken more than his teeth and nose." She chuckled and left for the observation decks to join the other seniors shrouded in shadows.
The table was cleared as the blue haired boy was taken away by armored guards and then was set up again.
Cassian and Sharron registered themselves for a match to determine if they will join the Tactical War Table Society.
Cassian excused himself and walked to a corner to observe some of the people present, his eyes following Leopold as he went around talking to the first years and seniors alike.
Though the gazes that followed that man after he left a group were nothing short of distaste and ridicule.
He remembered whom he had based Sir Leopold on and it reflected in his personality as well.
Half an hour passed and Cassian was called for his match, as he walked to stand at one of the ends of the table, his opponent, a senior, already stood and watched him.
The Tactical War Table was made up of polished oak panels which formed a vast rectangular field, with brass gridlines etched into its surface.
When activated, arcane light came from beneath the wood, shaping the terrain into miniature mountains, rivers, forests.
Two fortress cities stood opposite one another at either ends of the board, with their banners suspended like any real ones would've.
Professor Hawthorne stood near the examiner's dais, with his hands clasped behind his back.
The examiner was none other than Luna Ironveil. "First-Year Evaluation Trial," she announced.
"Cadet Cassian Morrigan versus Senior Cadet Roland Viremont."
The seniors name was followed by murmurs from the crowd, Rolan stepped forward. He was tall, broad-shouldered and his uniform tailored to fit his frame.
He carried himself with pride, born from countless victories not out of arrogance but certainty.
"You're the Count's son," Roland said lightly. "I've heard of you from Eric."
Cassian nodded his head in affirmation to what Roland said
"After this come visit The Scarlet Banner, consider this a formal invitation from the President, Eric is the Vice-President." Roland said and folded the sleeves of his shirt.
"I will think about it Senior, thank you for the offer though and I suppose Senior Eric cannot keep things to himself." Cassian replied and got ready.
'I need to stop putting myself in positions like these, the more people don't know about me the better it is for my plans.' Cassian lampooned inwardly.
"Yes, he's like that. But try to last more than six turns and I'll acknowledge you alongside Eric."
Cassian smiled faintly. "I will do my best, don't worry."
As he finished, the board activated fully. Each commander was granted four divisions, one logistical corps, one covert unit and one divine asset.
The terrain became clear, a central plain was divided by a wide east-west river with a mountain in the north. A southern port city connected by coastal roads and two fortress capitals facing one another across distance.
The match like any normal Tactical War Table match would last twelve turns. Just then Luna Ironveil raised her hand.
"Begin."
*****
[Chapter 6 - Tactical War Table(1)]