A great night's sleep. As soon as the instructors brought us back to the dorms, I passed out completely. I hadn't realized how much I had pushed my body until I felt it surrender completely upon touching the bed.
The dormitory building is quite simple, built of gray stone with low ceilings and few windows, located right next to the complex where the commoner exams were held. This section of the academy is separated from the rest as if it were an independent city, divided into small zones according to the type of applicant.
To the east are the cabins for aspiring public officials or advisors. To call them "huts" would be generous. They are shaky structures of damp wood that seem to yield to the weight of the wind. Their inhabitants walk with their heads bowed, aware that their future depends on going unnoticed by the nobles.
In the center of this section is the residence for aspiring commoner knights, a long, sturdy building with over a hundred individual rooms. Here, those of us who, like me, aspire to combat share a roof. Behind the building is a modest stable where mounts can be kept. Some recruits do not yet own a horse, so the academy lends them one... for a fee. Ten gold coins for a medium breed mount. I did not know how lucky I was until the instructors saw my horse and recommended I sell it. "Too flashy," they said. "You'll attract trouble."
They were right. Some minor nobles might see it as a provocation... or an opportunity.
Speaking of provocations, the instructors made it clear that there is only one true rule here: no killing on campus, and never in front of an instructor. Everything else... is permitted. Stealing, intimidating, humiliating. The academy believes the real world is cruel, so this place merely reflects its truth. Some instructors even completely ignore commoners and only pay attention to nobles.
And yet, all of this feels new to me. Fascinating. I feel like a child with a shiny toy. Despite the impact seeing the commander had on me... I am more motivated than ever.
I woke before dawn. With my body refreshed, I went in search of water. There are no faucets or pipes here. Just a communal outdoor well.
According to Angel, it was 5:30 AM. I had an hour before the first ray of sunlight. Upon reaching the well, there was already a line. Some waited with buckets, others were already bathing using boards to support their clothes and keep them from getting wet. There are no divisions, no privacy. Even some young women showered quickly at the back, avoiding gazes.
But as soon as I set foot near it, everyone stepped aside. The boy who was using the bucket to draw water offered it to me with both hands, lowering his head. I could feel his eyes on me... and not just his. Everyone was looking at me. It wasn't respect. It was... devotion. Fanaticism. A shiver ran down my spine.
Before I could say anything, two figures approached from behind. Both were aspiring knights.
"Don't worry about that," one of them said, placing a hand on my shoulder with familiarity. "Come on, I'll explain on the way."
He was a young man of solid build, black hair, and dark brown eyes. He took the water bucket for me and led me directly to the bathing area, a series of small, open cubicles with improvised boards to leave clothes.
"Hello, new guy. I'm Dixon. I see you're surprised by the treatment you received out there," he said, undressing without modesty.
"William. And yes... I guess it was weird."
"It's simple. Imagine this part of the school as a city within another. The aspiring officials need peace to study, but they are still commoners. The nobles harass them mercilessly. But there's a rule: nobles can only intimidate us, the aspiring knights, who can defend ourselves. If we don't let them be humiliated, they'll be safe. Do you follow?"
"They depend on us," I nodded, understanding.
"Exactly. That's why they treat you like a savior. To them, you are a living shield."
Silence settled for a moment. I took off my clothes and began to pour cold water over my body. The sensation was revitalizing... until Angel's voice broke my trance.
"Imminent danger. Activating Eternal Mode."
I had no time to think. My body moved on its own, stepping back just in time to dodge an attack. Water splashed everywhere. I rubbed my eyes to see... and there was Dixon, with a twisted smile.
"What is this supposed to mean?" I said, my breath hitched.
"Hehe... you don't need to know yet. Just surrender, and you won't get hurt."
The calmness in his voice made me boil. It wasn't a joke. He was serious.
"If so... don't blame me for what's coming," I said, lowering my center of gravity.
Dixon brandished a short sword. But as I saw it move, I noticed something strange. It wasn't aimed to kill me. The blow came with the side of the weapon. He only wanted to injure me. Humiliate me.
It was a mistake.
When he executed his horizontal swing, I lunged forward, lowering my axis. My shoulder collided with his chest, while my hands firmly trapped his wrist. With one more step, I rotated my hip and projected him over my shoulder in a perfect judo throw.
His body flew... and fell with a dull thud, like a sack of wheat hitting the ground.
Dixon writhed for an instant, the air escaping his lungs in a choked groan.
Perhaps he wasn't incapacitated... but that must have hurt.
"Stop, I give up! You'll be the captain of the group!"
My gaze turned cold. I didn't understand what was happening and still thought he was mocking me. I walked towards him and placed my knee on his chest to hold him down, while with one hand I took his head by the hair and with my free leg I crushed his right arm, leaving him completely immobile.
"You'd better give me a good explanation or you'll be missing teeth to eat with for the rest of your life."
"Easy, easy! I'm telling the truth! All this is to choose the captain of the commoner knights group. Get that thing away from my face, this is too disgusting!"
My submission hold had my dick in front of his face, making the situation quite uncomfortable for both of us. Now that he mentioned it, I even felt very sorry for doing this. I slowly got up.
Dixon got up with difficulty, still trembling. He approached and raised his fist.
"Don't take it personally... It was my duty to try. There's only one captain's position here, and someone has to take it. If I didn't, someone else would."
He paused, breathing heavily.
"My brother is a soldier in the royal army. He was in this academy ten years ago. He told me everything: the hierarchy, the rules, and how leadership is defined. Not by votes, not by merit. By strength. If you manage to subdue all the new recruits during the first week, no one questions you again. That's why I ambushed the others before they woke up... I hit them, I scared them, and I made sure they wouldn't want to raise their heads. Only you were left."
I looked at him in silence. The guy had planned everything. Calculating. Cold. But his strategy failed by a single detail: me.
Dixon raised his fist once more.
"Now the position is yours, William. Wear it well... because not everyone will follow you for long."
I bumped his fist without saying anything. I felt his sincere respect in the gesture, and perhaps something more: relief.
When we left the bathroom, a small group was waiting outside. They were the other recruits. Some with bruises. Others with bandages. All in silence.
One of them spoke:
"So you're the new captain?"
I nodded.
"I'm not interested in being followed. But if you get in my way, I won't stop either."
The boy swallowed and lowered his head.
"Just... make it worth it."
The others did the same. A simple bow. Rough. But honest. Not out of submission, but out of respect.
We walked out as a group to the training yard. The sky was beginning to lighten, and the first whistle echoed in the air.
It was time to start the day... as a leader.