The first lecture of Professor Lorian Field had ended a day ago. He had told them clearly: "Return the papers to me at the next lecture."
Ryan had not chosen yet. He had not signed. He had until the next lecture to decide. He still had a full day ahead. But he didn't want to delay. He wanted to finish this, to organise his schedule, to know where he would be and when.
He sat on his bed in his small room, the paper folded in front of him on the wooden desk. The evening light seeped through the window, tilting toward orange, casting long shadows on the bare walls.
He opened the paper. He read the list written in small letters at the bottom, after the compulsory subjects.There were the optional subjects.
Then he noticed a small line at the bottom of the page, written in thinner letters:
"Notice: The elective subjects chosen by the student will be studied for the remainder of the academic year and cannot be changed after the paper is submitted."
Ryan's eyes froze on the line for a moment. No changes. No turning back. What he chose today would stay with him for months.
he whispered.
"This changes everything,"
He had to choose wisely. There was no room for trial and then dropping a subject later.
Ryan began reading
Elective Subjects (students may choose two or more.):
1. Poisonous Plants and Their Antidotes.
2. Advanced Fencing.
3. Advanced Theoretical Elements.
4. Ancient Languages and Encrypted Symbols.
5. Field First Aid and Healing with Elements.
6. Map Drawing and Military Geography.
7. History of the Five Kingdoms (Advanced).
8. The Art of Negotiation and Leadership.
9. Camouflage and Deception in Battle – stealth strategies and use of terrain.
10. Legendary Creatures and How to Fight Them – study of monsters and rare elements.
11. Military Engineering and Siege Engines – design and use of catapults and mobile towers.
12. Climate and Battle Weather – how wind, snow and rain affect the battlefield.
13. Sound and Vibration as a Weapon – using sound waves in combat (for wind or earth users).
14. Military Economics and Supply Management – how wars are financed and resources managed.
15. Military Psychology for Soldiers – dealing with trauma, fear and stress after battles.
Ryan's eyes stopped at the last item.
"Military Psychology for Soldiers."
He hesitated for a moment. He knew he needed this subject more than any other. But he was not ready to admit that. Not to anyone. Not even to himself.
He continued reading.
The list was long. Fifteen elective subjects. Some seemed boring, some seemed dangerous, some seemed strange. But he couldn't take everything. He had to choose. And his decision was final.
He took a blank piece of paper. He began drawing a schedule from Monday to Friday.
First, he wrote the compulsory subjects:
· Basics of Elements – 2 lectures per week.
· History of the Continent Arthalia – 1 lecture.
· Combat Strategies – 2 lectures + practical application.
· Physical Fitness and Combat Without Elements – 1 lecture + practical application.
· Ethics of War and International Laws – 1 lecture.
The number of compulsory classes was seven per week, spread over five days.
he whispered.
"Possible."
Then he began thinking about the elective subjects.And He was talking to himself while thinking
"Advanced Fencing..." He knew his sword skills were still weak. His training with Anna had been intense but short. He needed more. He needed to become faster, more precise, less dependent on his element.
"Advanced Theoretical Elements..." This was tempting. He wanted to understand how his spark worked. He wanted to know why his scars hurt when he used fire .Although he thought the reason was what Professor Lorian had talked about last time and he still wanted to know more.
"Field First Aid..." He wasn't planning to save others' lives. But he knew that if he got injured in battle,or one from his family got injured .knowing first aid could be the difference between life and death.
"Map Drawing and Military Geography..." This reminded him of Edan. who had drawn the academy map by hand. Ryan wasn't a cartographer, but he knew geography mattered. In battle, whoever knows the ground wins.
"Legendary Creatures..." He remembered the three‑eyed wolves that had attacked them on the way to the academy. He didn't know much about them. He wanted to know. Where do they live? How do they think? How do you kill them?.He also wants to know about the monsters that exist in this world.
"Camouflage and Deception..." This seemed suitable for someone like him. He knew how to disappear. He knew how to mislead. But did he need a course to learn what he already knew?
"Ancient Languages and Encrypted Symbols..." This was interesting. He liked puzzles. The badge he wore on his chest had a slogan written in a language he didn't understand. Perhaps in this subject he would discover its meaning.
"Military Psychology for Soldiers..." He paused at this item for a long time.
He knew he still suffered from nightmares. He knew the memory of the pit did not leave him. He knew his anger sometimes flared beyond control. But he was not ready to sit in a classroom and talk about his feelings.
he whispered to himself.
"I don't need this."
He closed his eyes. He needed a way to organise his thoughts.
He opened his eyes after a few seconds and He began writing a shortlist of subjects he will to choose:
1. Advanced Fencing.
2. Advanced Theoretical Elements.
3. Field First Aid.
4. Map Drawing and Military Geography.
5. Legendary Creatures.
6. Camouflage and Deception.
7. Ancient Languages and Encrypted Symbols.