Pompeiii

The classroom bore familiar features, yet the atmosphere was distinctly formidable. Scratched desks and broken chairs hinted at past vigor and intensity. Unlike other rooms adorned with caricatures, this one remained plain, emanating a sense of seriousness. Alan couldn't help but notice these distinctions, finding them strangely reminiscent.

As moments passed, a figure strode into the room, devoid of the typical teacher's attire. Instead, he wore a steel chestplate secured with leather straps, white tights revealing muscular legs, and matching guards on his shins. Despite his bald head, it was his commanding presence that drew attention.

Approaching the platform, he raised his right leg high, evoking memories of Alan's past training instructor in the Kingdom of Rir. With a thunderous stomp, the classroom fell silent, every eye fixed on the imposing figure.

With authority in his voice, he boomed, "Attention! Insects!"

The rush of adrenaline swept through everyone in the room, but it was Alan who epitomized the response. Rising from his seat with precision, he snapped to attention, arm saluting and eyes fixed ahead as he answered the man's command with a resounding, "YES SIR!"

Witnessing Alan's immediate compliance, the rest of the class followed suit, mirroring his posture in perfect unison. Impressed, the man approached Alan, muttering to himself in a voice audible to all.

"Well, well, this is quite the sight," he remarked before lowering himself to Alan's eye level and bellowing, "Insect!"

"Yes Sir!" Alan responded without hesitation.

"Do you know why you are here?!" the man demanded.

"To learn about Raiding, Sir!" Alan replied.

"And what will you do by learning that?" the man pressed on.

"I will go raiding in Relic Castle, Sir!" Alan declared.

"Relic Castle?! Do you think you have what it takes to survive the horrors of Relic Castle, YOU PUNY INSECT?!" the man challenged.

"Yes Sir, Ye—-"

But before Alan could elaborate, the man locked eyes with him, thundering, 

"Nonsense! Look at that feeble face! It reeks of weakness! Do you truly believe you can endure the terrors of Relic Castle with such a visage?!"

"Yes, Sir, Yes!"

Taken aback by Alan's unwavering resolve, the man paused, assessing him once more. With a resolute tone, he declared, 

"Then again, if there's one lesson you can learn from Relic Castle, it's that appearances can be deceiving."

With a final command, the man strode toward the teacher's platform and delivered another booming announcement.

"My name is Jearden Arthur, and you will address me as Commander Arthur! Is that clear, insects?!"

"Yes, Sir!" The entire class responded in unison.

"Good, now at ease!" Commander Arthur declared, releasing the class from attention. As everyone settled back into their seats, Aurelia turned to Alan with concern etched on her face, joined by Armis and Lyco.

"Are you alright, Alan? That was intense," Aurelia inquired.

"Oh, I'm quite alright. I think I rather like Commander Arthur," Alan replied calmly, a faint smile gracing his lips. His friends exchanged puzzled glances at Alan's reaction, but to him, it felt oddly familiar, reminiscent of his rigorous training back home. 

Commander Arthur resumed his lecture with another thunderous command, diving into the subject matter once more.

"Listen up! As you're well aware of what we're diving into here, I won't waste time with formalities. In Raiding, learned from my 30 years of experience, there are a few crucial things to remember!" Commander Arthur's voice boomed, commanding the attention of every pupil in the room. With a gaze piercing with intensity, he seemed to convey that what he was about to impart was not just information but a matter of life and death.

Without hesitation, the students reached for their notebooks, ready to capture every word of wisdom. Seeing their readiness, Commander Arthur continued, his voice rising in urgency.

"A Raider needs mastery in these things above all: ATTACK! When you step foot into Relic Castle, the first thing you'll encounter are those grotesque devilish creations. Don't be fooled by their appearances; they may seem harmless or even cute, but they won't hesitate to tear into you the moment they get a chance. Always be prepared to strike at anything that moves."

After a brief pause to catch his breath, Commander Arthur resumed his lecture with fervor.

"DEFEND!" he exclaimed, emphasizing the importance of defense in Raiding. 

"A skilled Raider always maintains their armor in pristine condition. In Relic Castle, not every creature you encounter will be easy to vanquish. Some possess enough power to tear your body apart in an instant. If you find yourself unable to attack, focus on defending yourself until reinforcements arrive, or until you identify a weak spot and exploit it, or simply make a strategic retreat."

"ARSENAL!" Commander Arthur continued, his voice booming across the classroom. "Any Raider who ventures into Relic Castle unprepared never returns in one piece. Your arsenal must be meticulously curated as if your life depends on it—because it does. Stock up on potions, ropes, bags, emergency rations, flame raisers, extra weapons, clothing, medicines, and any other supplies you might need. Keep your arsenal full and updated, for you never know what challenges await you on each floor of the castle."

With commanding presence, Commander Arthur strode between the desks, his voice resonating throughout the classroom.

"SURVIVAL!" he bellowed, his words punctuated by the sound of frantic scribbling as students hurried to capture every syllable.

"In Relic Castle, every tenth floor presents a new terrain challenge, from scorching deserts to swampy rainforests. To ascend higher, you must master survival in these unforgiving landscapes. Remember, rest is crucial. You cannot progress with your bones screaming in agony. Take breaks, but remain vigilant. The abominations of the castle lurk in the shadows, waiting for you to let your guard down and feast on your flesh. Sleep in groups, assigning guards to watch for predators while others rest. Choose your campsite wisely—low enough to avoid detection, yet not too high. We'll cover campsite selection in detail in future classes."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing with equal intensity.

"SURROUNDINGS!" Commander Arthur continued, his voice commanding attention. 

"Always be vigilant of your surroundings, not just for predators, but to find what you seek—valuables, riches, and plants that can aid in potion-making and other essential tasks. You can learn more about these plants and herbs in tomorrow's class with Master Venatus Venanatust. Always keep your senses sharp, for finding a way to ascend higher is paramount. Once trapped, your fate is sealed."

With an intimidating scowl, Commander Arthur directed his stern gaze at Lyco, sending a shiver down his spine. Regaining his composure, the commander returned to his platform to address the class once more.

"COMMUNICATION!" he thundered, his voice commanding attention. He leaned down to Leo's eye level, his glare piercing. 

"No matter your level, survival in Relic Castle demands communication. Alone, the castle consumes the soul, transforming you into a mere shell of your former self. Many have ventured in alone, but few returned unchanged. Maintain constant communication within your group and beyond. Utilize the messaging system by windows provided by the institution.

"And now," he continued, his tone shifting slightly, "I will conclude by discussing the ranks in Raiding. I trust you've all understood the importance of today's lesson? YOU MAGGOTS!!!!"

"YES SIR YES..!!" The whole class boomed. 

"Let's discuss rankings," Commander Arthur continued with his authoritative tone, commanding the room's attention. 

"New Raider recruits, like you lot, begin at the Pawn rank. As you navigate the treacherous lands, vanquish vile creatures, and return with riches, you'll ascend to the Knight rank. Keep persevering, and you'll reach the Rook rank."

He paced across the platform, his words laden with gravitas.

"When you face the challenges of the Relic Castle's harsh terrain and send your first message back, you'll earn the Bishop rank. Defeat one of the Lords of the Gates, and the institution will grant you the prestigious Queen rank."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. 

"However, there exists a rank of unparalleled honor, a rank of which only ten individuals in the entire history of the Raiders have achieved it. They are revered by the Elite and the Elders, governing the most critical aspects of raiding and Relic Castle. It is the King Rank!"

With a final, commanding proclamation, Commander Arthur strode towards the exit, pausing midway to ensure his message resonated with every pupil.

"I HOPE YOU INSECTS UNDERSTOOD ALL THIS?!!!" he bellowed.

In unison, the class responded, their voices echoing their comprehension, "YES SIR YES!!!"

Satisfied, Commander Arthur departed with a resolute nod. "Good," he muttered, his voice lingering in the air as he made his exit.

As soon as Commander Arthur stepped outside the classroom, the interval horn blared across the academy grounds, punctuating his departure with a sense of strict timing. 

Alan couldn't contain his smile after absorbing Commander Arthur's lecture. Despite his usual composed demeanor, Alan's emotions surged within him. It was the first time since arriving in the kingdom that he felt such a strong sense of belonging.

Noticing Alan's beaming expression, Aurelia couldn't resist teasing him. 

"Looks like someone's a fan of hardass Arthur," she remarked with a playful grin. 

Armis chimed in, adding, "She's got a point, Alan. You seem happier now than I've seen you since we met."

"Yeah, it's like being back home," Alan admitted, realizing the weight of his words as soon as they left his lips. He knew it could raise questions from Armis and Aurelia, but before they could delve into it, Lyco's call from the classroom exit diverted their attention.

"Hey, guys, come on! I've got something to show you in the Training Hall," Lyco called out.

Alan seized the opportunity, quickly slipping away from Armis and Aurelia as he headed towards Lyco. "You don't want to miss this!" he exclaimed, motioning for Lyco to lead the way.

With a sense of curiosity mingled with puzzlement, Aurelia and Armis followed behind, their strides matching their intrigue as they made their way to the Training Hall.

At late evening the group made their way back to the dormitory after their training hall session, Aurelia, visibly frustrated, stepped in front of Alan, venting her disappointment, 

"What the hell, Alan? You said it was going to be good, but all the twerp did was make a wimpy rabbit with the mud."

"Hey, it was beautiful, unlike your ugly mug," Lyco retorted with a teasing tone, defending his trick.

Alan pleaded his case, "All I said was that you didn't want to miss it. I never promised it would be good."

"He's got a point, Aurelia. We can't blame Alan for getting our hopes up," Armis chimed in as they reached their room, turning to open the door.

"But it was cool, right Alan?" Lyco asked, seeking validation.

"Sure, it was," Alan reassured him. As he glanced at Aurelia, he noticed a faint blush on her cheeks. She cleared her throat, her voice stuttering as she called out to Armis, "H… Hey, Armis."

Armis turned to address Aurelia's call, "Yes, Aurelia?"

"So… you know, I was thinking that since tomorrow's our last class for the week, we have an upcoming day off."

"Yeah, you're right. It is our last class tomorrow," Armis replied.

"So, I was thinking, would you like to go out…"

"Sure, we should go out!" 

Before Aurelia could finish, her proposal was interrupted by Lyco's mischievous interjection as he burst in, eliciting her anger and prompting her to kick him away without hesitation.

"Sure, we should go out. How about you, Alan? You wanna come?" Armis added, but Alan realized the damage done. He knew there was no way of getting out of this proposition, so he agreed without any resistance. "Sure... why not."

Armis turned to Aurelia to confirm her proposal, but all he saw was her walking away, stomping and mumbling in anger. Still unaware of what had just happened, Armis turned to Alan and asked, 

"What happened to her?"

Understanding Armis's naivete, Alan nudged him inside the room with his shoulder, speaking in an amused yet downcast voice, "C'mon, man, it's already done."