Ruler Of Iron And Flesh

Alaric awoke on the couch of his home. His head was hurting, and his body was sore from running around so much. He had a long cowlick that he tried to pat down on his head, but it sprung back up anyway.

Dakota came slowly walking over to Alaric and licked his face, "good morning to you too Dakota! I know you're getting old, but were you sleeping for my entire party? C'mon!"

Dakota went and lied down on the carpet next to Alaric.

"Goodmorning Alaric! Are you excited for your first day of military school?"

Alaric smiled; he had been waiting for this day for so long. He was told that his father had died in the military, so he wanted to be just like him and become an officer in the Irigian military.

They start young in Irigia, so that means today will be his first day of school.

"I'm a bit nervous but very excited. I have been waiting so long to go to school!"

Janae was making Alaric breakfast, and she said, "don't show off too much now. You've learned from the most skilled and creative minds in the world since you were younger. A lot of the kids that go into the officer's school are from richer and more prominent families, but no one knows of your affiliation with Burt or the Queen. They might try to isolate you if they learn of that."

"Don't worry, mom. If I'm going to show off, it's going to be because of my skills and not because of who I'm related to."

Janae chuckled, "I'm not worried about you lacking wits or skills at all; I'm just worried about you making friends there."

She handed Alaric a plate of eggs and Alaric spoke between mouthfuls, "I've got that planned out too. I'm going to go up to different people and introduce myself, and hopefully at least one of them will accept me as a friend. I'll be really nice!"

Janae kissed his forehead, "I know you will, I packed your things while you were sleeping. I'll walk you to the academy here in an hour."

"Mom! It's embarrassing to have you walk me on the first day! I know how to get there, so I'll walk myself."

Janae sighed, "okay then. Hurry up and eat, and also take a bath before you get dressed."

Alaric finished his food and quickly took a bath. After his bath, he got dressed in his new uniform. It was black with gold buttons and had the symbol of Irigia on the front.

He looked in a mirror, 'dang, I look good.' He thought.

Alaric grabbed his bag of clothes and required supplies and walked back out into the living room.

Janae saw him and began to tear up, "you look so nice, Alaric!" She went and gave him a hug, "I'm so proud of you, and I'll always be right here for you."

Alaric hugged her back, "I know mom. I'll make sure to come back and visit! Don't worry so much!"

Janae smiled and nodded, "off you go then! The instructors should be sorting out, class one students here in a bit."

Alaric nodded and walked out the door. He moved towards the newer inner district where many of, the wealthier people lived. It was also where the tallest buildings were and where the officer's academy was.

It only took him 20 minutes to walk there, and he was awed every time he saw the academy.

The academy grounds were fenced off, but a few guards outside were letting in the students who were moving in this year.

The building itself was five stories tall, and was massive, fitting in all classes, rooms, combat areas, and living spaces.

Alaric walked up to one of the guards, and the guard asked in an unwelcoming voice, "name?"

"Alaric Reark. Class one student."

The guard crossed off the name on a piece of paper, "head inside. The older students will guide you to your living space."

Alaric smiled and walked inside the ground's gates. Green grass and different sheds were to varying spots outside the academy building itself.

He looked all around him while walking towards the building, and saw different locations for fighting, building machines, and mecha training.

Once he made his way inside the building, a student wearing a purple uniform walked up to him, "hello new student! My name is John. I'm in class four and elected leader of the student body." He pointed over to his left where a woman in another purple uniform was handing out forms, "that's Dahlia, she's the vice president of the student body, and she is also in charge of any female students coming in. What's your name?"

"Alaric Reark."

John looked at a sheet of paper, "alright, Alaric, follow me to your room."

John led Alaric to a room at the end of the boy's hallway.

"Now, you share a room with one other student, and you share a bathroom in the hallway. You will have your own private room and bathroom once you become a class, three student. Your roommate has already arrived."

John motioned for Alaric to go in, so he did.

It was cozy in the room with a closet for storage, two beds, and a window to look outside. That was it.

Laying on one bed was a kid with bright red hair and freckles dotting his face. He got up and extended a hand when Alaric came in, "Hello, I'm Eli."

Alaric responded, "I'm Alaric, nice to meet you."

John looked at the two boys and said, "I'm going to head back to the entrance now, and you can have time to settle in. Dinner is in two hours, so don't be late!" He closed the door and left.

Alaric put his stuff down and looked around the room, 'let's do this!'