13. Ahmina
AHMINA
Ahmina had only ever read about the Great Hall in books. Seeing it in real life was almost shocking, as if she had entered another realm—an ancient, ethereal dream from which she would soon awaken.
Reality was much closer to a nightmare, especially at the Academy.
Was not choosing also a choice? Rory had dragged her through the Academy gates, but she had let her. She suddenly felt as though she was on a ride she couldn’t get off, one headed straight for a cliff.
Beside her, Rory looked calm. Her hair fell in shoulder length, messy curls, blowing in the wind slightly as she walked.
“Stop spiraling,” she said to Ahmina, sensing her apprehension.
“You’ve worked your whole life for this.
We both have. As soon as you get settled into the new routine, you’ll feel better.
It’s not like they’re going to send us out beyond the wall in the next hour.
You’ll be fine.” She gave Ahmina’s hand a gentle squeeze.
Ahmina took in a deep breath. Rory was right.
They had worked for this for years. The Soul Snatcher had simply spiked her anxiety, she reasoned.
She hadn’t told Rory about the experience yet; there hadn’t been enough time.
And despite their closeness, she was hesitant.
How could she possibly explain something so absurd?
Faculty ushered them into the center of the Great Hall with the rest of the new recruits.
Having Rory by her side had eased her compulsion to run, and the castle's architecture captivated her, reminding her why she had this dream in the first place.
The Academy had this sort of ancient, magnetic energy that made her feel like she wanted to be better, to strive for more. To be brave.
Rory was right. Once she settled in, she would be fine.
They were given the standard college uniform and ordered to put it on.
So, they shuffled over to the adjacent washrooms to change before returning to their spot in the center of the Hall.
They had already given their sizing upon acceptance to the Academy, and Ahmina’s uniform fit her like a glove.
While she was used to wearing loose, soft pastel sundresses and worn-in leather boots, her uniform suctioned to her skin, making her feel itchy.
It was such a departure from traditional Jarrian fashion that most of the new students, like her, looked severely uncomfortable.
But as uncomfortable as she felt, she tried to wear it proudly. Like a noose well earned.
“This place is insane,” Rory whispered, leaning into Ahmina’s shoulder. “Like I always knew it was otherworldly, you know, the way books describe it, but it’s almost like it has an energy.”
Ahmina nodded in agreement as she looked around.
Second and third years were already gathered in the hall.
The Slayers were easy to identify, sporting leathers and extra weapons, their worn uniforms filled with tales of their conquests.
Shoulders squared, they spoke calmly and directly, every step and word as sharp as a weapon.
While the Clever and Alchemist specialties were equally powerful in their own right, they seemed slightly softer, their limbs and smiles loose.
Despite their differences, they gathered, watching the new recruits shuffle nervously into the hall.
“They’re staring at us like…” She stepped a little closer to Rory, their arms touching. “Like we’re prey.”
“Maybe we are,” Rory joked, and Ahmina nudged her.
It wasn’t long before the chatter subsided and a lean muscular figure with dark brown skin and a bald head faced them at the front of the hall.
“Welcome, first years—and welcome back, second and third years,” the headmaster’s voice bellowed. Arms raised, the crowd clapped and cheered in response.
Adellaide Adeyemi wore a long plum dress made of silk, embroidered with golden thread. They surveyed the first row of students, silently assessing each one, before glazing over the rest.
“The Academy was born out of a need to protect our people. That will always be your mission, above all else. Everything we do here at the Academy is to sharpen you, prepare your mind, body, and soul to face what lies beyond the Great Wall.
“Some of you may have heard tales over late night fires, or read facts in library encyclopedias, but that is only a sliver of all you’ll need to learn about the creatures and their magic.”
Ahmina glanced at Rory, who stood like a statue beside her.
“You will learn it all here. This is your new home. The old you, your old life, is gone. You have chosen to defend your city, and therefore, you now belong to the people. There is no going back, so I hope you’ve said goodbye to your old life.”
As an orphan, Ahmina didn’t know any of her blood born relatives, but Anastasia had become a home to her. Rory and Elder Muaka were the closest thing she had to family. She was thankful she only had to say goodbye to one of them.
“As you all know, you will progress into one of three specialties. Slayers tap into their agility, physical strength, and courage to destroy any creature that dares to threaten our people or cross our walls. They may be lethal but they would lay down their life to defend each and every one of you.”
Ahmina glanced to where most of the Slayers had collected, searching the crowd for Lennox.
She spotted him across the hall. As if he could feel her staring, his eyes shifted from the headmaster to her, and she quickly looked away.
Should she have told him about the Soul Snatcher?
Would he have gone after it? The thought made her shiver even in the heat of the day.
“Then there are our Alchemists, who craft what I believe to be highly underappreciated potions that sicken, confuse, and kill creatures without having to lay a single hand on them. The same hands that work in defense work to heal. They are the reason so many of us have lived to see another day. I hope none of you ever have to visit the infirmary to receive their care, but it is highly likely that you will.”
“And finally, Clevers.” Ahmina perked up at the word. “The brain of our defense system. Responsible for analyzing, strategizing, and leading to ensure our entire team works together effectively. Never underestimate a Clever; they are always ten steps ahead.” Adeyemi smirked knowingly.
“Combined, our forces unite to keep our city safe. You have been given the great honor of serving. Now it’s your job to rise to the occasion.
“I will not deceive you. Defenders put their lives on the line every day. And sometimes, we lose our loyal fighters in the process. But no death will be in vain, for every action you take is to protect. Remember that. Be brave. Serve well and your people will honor you. But, if you are here, you know this already.”
Ahmina watched as a few students nodded in agreement.
“What you don’t know is that this year, we’ve…” Adeyemi paused, choosing their words carefully, “made some adjustments.”
Muffled whispers spread through the Great Hall. Even the second and third years shifted uneasily.
“In previous years, students have only faced one final assessment to test character, knowledge, and skill. This year, students will face three. First years will be tested in all subjects and will be designated a specialty before the start of year two. Second and third years, you will be tested in your specialty. However, you will also undergo additional assessments. Assuming you all pass, I look forward to welcoming our third-year graduates to our official Defender program at the end of the year.”
Hands shot up in the air and Adeyemi immediately waved them off. “There will be no questions at this time. First years, save your questions for Trivium, your core lecture. Second and third years, please see your specialty professor.”
After a moment, the crowd quieted down and the headmaster spoke again. “I will be honest with you, the danger is increasing and we need you ready for anything.”
The room was so quiet, Ahmina swore she could hear her own heart beating.
“Creatures have repeatedly breached the Great Wall, which means we need you to train faster, harder, and become skilled at defense more quickly. Therefore, your skills will be tested more frequently.”
“We picked a good year to attend,” a student beside them whispered, and Rory grunted.
“The first assessment is only weeks away,” Adeyemi confirmed, their head held high. “You are all about to start on a journey that will change your life forever. But tonight,” they said, raising their hands, palms facing the crowd, “we celebrate your arrival!”
Cheers erupted as second and third years clapped each other on the back, smiling confidently. Like Ahmina, most of the first years looked around, their smiles tight.
“Throwing first years out beyond the wall weeks into their education, what could possibly go wrong?” a voice said behind them, and Ahmina turned around to find a short, slender man with medium brown hair and light brown skin smiling at her.
“Is that what they do during assessments?” she asked. “They just send us… out there?”
“How else will they assess us?”
“Right. Yeah,” she said sheepishly.
“I’m Artie,” he said, offering a wave.
“Ahmina.”
“Rory.”
“Nice to meet you. First years, I’m assuming?”
“Yes,” they said in unison.
“Me too.” He grinned. “I just found out the headmaster is gender non-conforming; can’t believe I didn’t know.”
“Isn’t that like common knowledge?” Rory said and Artie shrugged.
It wasn’t uncommon. In fact, many Jarrians celebrated diverse expressions of gender and romantic preferences.
Unless you were a noble. They never said it outright, but everyone knew nobles were expected to marry in pairs of male and female to produce children.
To keep their position of power, of course—hard to do that if your bloodline dies from a lack of offspring.
Adeyemi’s voice carried through the crowd again, but this time it took minutes for the students to fall silent. “Your initiation Gala is this evening in the courtyard. Dress is formal. All of you are to immediately report to your Trivium where you will be given your schedule and dorm information.”
“Eeeee,” Artie whispered, grabbing Ahmina’s wrist, which startled her since she just met him. “We get to actually dress up! I didn’t think I’d ever see a gown again.”
“This will be your only event of the year until graduation, so make the most of it!” Adeyemi yelled over the chatter while professors hushed the crowd from the sidelines.
The headmaster picked up their skirt, stepped off the small platform and melted into the crowd.
As if responding to a wave, it shifted and flowed around them as they moved through it.
Ahmina, Rory, and Artie stood, looking as confused as every other first year, while second and third years began to exit the hall.
“How are we supposed to know where to go?” Ahmina asked, brow furrowed as the crowd of first years closed in around her, seemingly going nowhere.
“I’m taking you.” She turned to find Lennox standing behind them. He read off a list of names, before beckoning them to follow. “Trivium, tour, then Gala.”