Chapter 2: Infusion
"Any tool is a weapon if you hold it right."
An ex-knight and our instructor, Sir Rain, wrote it in very bold letters on the blackboard.
"Yes, you read it correctly, and I meant it. Every object around you can be turned into a weapon if you use it in the right way at the right time and in the right place, and with infusion, it can be enhanced to indefinite energy."
"Sir, even this pencil.? "
One of the guys from the last bench asked. The entire class chuckles.
"Yes, Shawn. From literature to cultural inheritance. The world's greatest and worst decisions took place because someone chose to express them through their writing. Pencils hold great value, and in a fight, if you don't get anything in your hand, just poke it in the eye and make someone blind on the spot."
Sir said the last line laughingly. Everyone laughed along, but Shawn and his gang seemed puzzled. Maybe he wasn't expecting such a detailed answer to his childish question.
"The reason I wrote this is because today we'll be finally beginning the final phase. The phase of Infusion This means becoming one with something and turning it into something unconventional or bizarre. As a knight, how properly you can blend yourself with your weapon will determine if you'll survive or just become another dead body on the field. You guys have already mastered martial arts and your basic knowledge of academics. Now all that is left is to enchant your souls."
Sir Rain was explaining everything about Infusion while walking around us in the classroom. Everyone was paying attention closely; even the guys who usually irritate in the class, a.k.a. Shawn and his gang, were silent.
This is our last year and last phase before we graduate and finally become knights. So no one wants to miss any small detail because failure means a waste of everything we've learned and dedicated ourselves to.
"There are 30 of you here, but let me tell you, there's no specific number on how many of you will pass out. Only 5 students graduated from a class of 30 last year. Sometimes the entire class makes it to the end, and sometimes not a single one. So be prepared. Tests and training won't be easy to call. Either you are worthy of getting inside the doors of our kingdom or the doors shall close forever."
Everyone was in awe, and even I shook for a moment when he said that there are times when not a single student makes it.
I chose to be here because I am prepared to take this risk. There's no point in covering yourself in fear. Sir Rain was about to walk past my desk, but he stopped and said,
"During his time, your dad was the only one who graduated from his class and became an S-class knight on the spot."
While everyone was puzzled about who he was talking about, he turned his face towards me.
"Eleanor."
I was surprised to look at him. I know my dad is considered one of the top knights, but I didn't know this detail.
"Given your surprised expression, it seems like he never told you this, did he.?" Sir Rain asked.
"N-No, he didn't," I replied.
"Haha..Usual Arno thing. He is still secretive while keeping that friendly attitude of his." Sir said. "Well, he has been of exceptional kind since the beginning of time."
"I've heard about your dad too from my dad. He was once in his unit for a year or so."
One of the female classmates from behind said:.
"I-I see."
"Yes. He is an inspirational figure to many."
"Even the king has high respect for him."
"He is so cool. I want to see him."
"Me too."
Everyone in the class was throwing compliments at my dad one after another. I felt proud yet so embarrassed at the same time. I just kept my head low, all flustered, wondering why I didn't have all this information.?
"Elea.. I want to meet your dad too. I will ask for your hand." said Shawn.
As those words left his lips, laughter erupted like a volcano in the class, and my embarrassment level reached new heights. A few boys started passing comments like
"Ohh, a proposal."
"Beginning of Romance"
Few girls knew I had zero to no interest in him, so they took my side by saying.
" Huh. Don't get ahead of yourself. She'll never go out with you." Said Marie. She is a little tomboyish and quite open with her words. She is my best friend.
"Exactly" said another girl.
I think I should say something too, or else he'll take my silence as an advantage. I turned behind him and looked at him with no emotion in my eyes.
"Shut up."
As I uttered those words, a chill swept through him and his friends. Their laughter abruptly stopped, and they diverted the topic swiftly and started conversing among themselves.
Everyone continued their laugh for a little bit more as he got rejected.
Well, I didn't have any interest in him anyway, and he proposes and flirts with girls right and left. There's no way I'll become one of his toys.
"Ahem, okay, attention here now."
said Rain while knocking on the board.
"Choose your weapon wisely and carefully. Being a knight is not about looking cool. Everything comes with considerable risk. Your weapon must be something with which you should be comfortable, or at least courageous enough to master the thing you'll choose."
The class was silent. Everyone was thinking about the weapon. Till yesterday, everyone was talking about going with a sword, but now they must be rethinking their decision. Well, there are still months left until we'll be infusing with one.
"Anyone has any questions.?" Said Rain.
Alex raised his hand.
"We can infuse with only one object, right.?"
"Yes, you can infuse only with one until and unless you are a specialist who can wield multiples at once. Currently, only two people in our kingdom are specialists. One is Eleanor's dad, and the other is King.
"I see, and how do we know if we are specialists or not.?" asked Alex.
"The aura won't come up as it should when you're using the first one. You'll know this when you're practically doing it. Don't worry. "
"S-sir," said Yui, raising her hand.
She is another person who partners with me the most, after Marie.
"Sir, suppose someone wants to change their weapon after the Infusion ritual is done. can they.?" Asked Yui.
"Infusion is the fusion of your soul with an object. It's like a contract in exchange. So no, Yui, I am afraid. Once the pact is made, there's no going back. That is why I said, Think carefully and take your decision wisely. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and you don't want to regret it."
said Sir Rain.
After hearing that, there were heavy whispers in the class. We became aware of our positions, and suddenly I also understood why most go for the sword. Because it's more reliable and known compared to any other. We don't know if we'll be able to handle other weapons. Everyone knows or has enough knowledge of how the sword works. But I won't forget what dad said to me in the morning.
"They go for a sword because that looks cool, but don't be mistaken. The world's strongest sorcerers are not necessarily sword holders. Including our King."
Yui, who is pretty timid and shy, is more curious today, as she raised one more question.
"Sir, which weapon do you use.?"
"I used to be called the Eagle's Eye of our Kingdom. An archer knight. So my infusion is a bow and arrow.
"Woah!" The class was surprised.
Respect for our instructor increased even more in the class. Everyone felt a curiosity to know and learn more about it.
"Sir, can you show us a demonstration of it.?"
"Yes, sir, I want to see it too."
"Me too."
"Me too."
Everyone followed along. Even I wanted to see him wielding it.
"I was originally planning on showing it to you guys anyway." Said sir, "What's in the theory compared to the practical use of it?"
There was applause and a loud roar from the excitement in the class.
"After this lecture ends, gather up on the ground. I'll demonstrate my arrows."
"Thank you, sir." Said Yui.
"It's been 3 years since I last wielded it. So yeah, I also want to test it out." said Sir.
Usually, original knights don't reveal their infusion as it can lead to enemies finding out their weaknesses, but Sir Rain is not a knight anymore. He's retired and our instructor; that's why he got ready to demonstrate it. Let's see what type of performance we'll get to witness.
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