A large facility opened its doors to the train. Within, a crazed plan with unknown chances of success was in its nascent organization.

…

STRATIOTI.

…

A sign read. Its blood red color was reminiscent of the Chosen's eyes.

"Today's my last day of being Tasha… the [Shoe Maker]," Tasha whispered. The young woman could barely believe it herself. Her eyes roamed everywhere, taking everything in as she walked forward.

Tasha had no clothes or luggage to carry. The only thing brought was her body and the newfound confidence developed from the three hard months of training endured to become a soldier of His Highness, the [Chosen of Madris].

The facility was massive, at least the area they were led to by soldiers, mages, and other individuals that Tasha didn't recognize—at least two for every one of them. The mage next to her was a young woman with raven hair who hadn't stopped staring at Tasha since her introduction. Two spell constructs glowed over her eyes, and Tasha felt her skin crawl, almost like she was naked in front of the woman. Fortunately, this behavior wasn't solely for her. Amin, in front of her, and a lithe woman, Terra, behind, also were receiving the same treatment. She'd been introduced early in the morning by Reinhardt Orgunna, who was only steps behind alongside Jordan. Both, seemed to be treated better by the two next to them.

Everything was hushed save for the quiet whispers exchanged by the mages not assigned to anyone.

"…stra… tioti."

Whispers blew through the air, barely picked up by Tasha's ears. She wasn't scared by the atmosphere but… Tasha found herself picking up a nervousness that felt indicative of who she was trying to become.

They entered a large, spacious hall with cushioned purple seats that all pointed to a black curtain-covered stage. Tasha sat in-between the two who'd accompanied her. Nothing had been explained yet. And, no more than a few words had been exchanged between her and the soldier and mage next to her. A simple 'follow' from the raven-haired woman and a nod of respect from the soldier were all the information Tasha had to go on.

The lights of the room dimmed, and the silent chatter exchanged by the extra staff halted. The curtains were pulled back, revealing a diamond-shaped crystal that glowed with multicolored light like that of a rainbow.

"Welcome," a voice said. At the same instance, the crystal on stage projected an image into the air.

'A recording,' Tasha internally mused. She knew of them, but the devices used to record such things were extremely rare. They weren't supposed to be able to record sound, just light, but this seemed to do both. Part of the reason Tasha knew of them was the expanded education system of Edryan. A general study was taught on the history of their nation, and such inventions were mentioned.

Tasha's eyes widened as she recognized the speaker. An owl, horned , its plumage ebony gradient and eyes red-gold seemed to stare directly at the young woman.

"I am Minerva, you may think of me as an extension of His Highness Lawruthian, and you should address me as you do him."

The voice was light, feminine, but held a dignity and majesty that captured Tasha and the rest's attention.

"You must be curious."

The owl began to pace back and forth through the air, but her eyes never seemed to leave Tasha's or anyone else who watched.

"Curious, about your different treatment from those who joined the Chosen's Army. Curious, as to why you are here, and curious, as to what your future pertains. These questions and more, are what I hope to answer as this video proceeds. It is unfortunate that I could not be here in person for the establishment of such a historic event. I apologize as my time is precious, and to take advantage of this new age, every second is needed."

The raven-haired woman and soldier stared with rapt attention. Tasha did too, but she found herself relaxing as the seconds passed. Already, some of her earliest questions had been answered by Minerva's words.

"If you are here, then it means you've been selected to become a STRATIOTI—a…," Minerva paused, her red-gold eyes piercing. "…blade of the [Chosen of Madris]— The Blade of The Chosen of Madris. No matter where it points or who it points at, you are to execute without question—your father, mother, a child—each other… all could become necessary targets the blade of His Highness points at. Should you not be able to agree, then stand now—know that you will not be harmed, but you will be returned to the Chosen's Army."

No one stood. Not Tasha, not Jordan, Amin, Reinhardt, or anyone else. Tasha swallowed, her thoughts roamed to her loving father and harsh mother. Could she really point a blade at them? Was her heart truly into it?

…

She didn't know.

…

That hesitation is what caused her to stay seated. ‎ …

She couldn't say with certainty, if the [Chosen of Madris] told her to slay her family, that she wouldn't.

…

"Good. Right here, right now, repeat after me with the intention of dismissing your class. It's pain is known as… excruciating ."

Minerva paused, giving Tasha and others a few precious seconds to prepare. Tasha took a deep breath, the spell constructs had returned to the raven-haired woman's eyes as she watched her.

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" I intend to dismiss the path: [Shoe Maker]," Tasha whispered. It was soft, so soft that Tasha barely thought that she spoke the words aloud. Yet when pressure from the world descended on her shoulders, she knew she hadn't been mistaken. It was the certainty in her heart that told her this was real. It was the scream of her voice that assured her she would be walking a new path.

…

"Welcome to Stratioti."

…

Together, their voices came out as one.

Together, their vision faded as one.

Withdrawing within themselves until none but blackness remains.

As all sound faded.

As all colors escaped.

Until within they saw nothing but whiteness.

As all tastes returned.

As all feelings heighten.

Tasha's screaming stopped. Her chest heaved, and her vision returned slowly. A notification appeared before her, followed by several others.

You have dismissed your class: [Shoe Maker] — Level 29. ‎ WARNING: You may not retain all levels when selecting a new path.

Barely registering in her blank mind. Tasha tasted blood, and her body felt sticky from the sweat it was covered in. It was only after she calmed that she realized both her arms and legs were restrained by her chair. Her chest still heaving, the young woman spoke.

"I'm… I'm ok now… can you," she gestured her chin at the restraints. She hadn't even realized when they were put on.

The raven-haired woman studied her for a moment longer. Then, her observation done as the spell constructs faded, she spoke, her voice deeper than what Tasha expected for someone who appeared noble-ish. "Han, release her."

The soldier next to her nodded before tapping a button on the side of the chair. It was only after, that Tasha realized she was sitting on a golem.

The raven-haired woman reached forward, and a towel appeared in her hand. She whispered an incantation, and a hovering water ball was conjured before her. She lightly dipped one end of the towel in the water ball before offering it to Tasha.

"Thank you."

Tasha took it, and the woman began her introductions. All around the young woman, the same was occurring for those who'd finished thrashing around. Tasha was fortunate her level was still low, and its undoing wouldn't be as harsh as those far more advanced. She gazed around, noting Reinhardt still undergoing his class dismissal. That meant he was a higher level than her.

"My name is Nova, that's Han," Nova gestured at the soldier. "We're your… [Handlers]. Han will be your physical combat instructor—he holds proficiency in most cold weapons—swords, shields, daggers, bows, crossbows, halberds, staffs, the list goes on and on. I am the exact opposite—I am here to instruct you on magic, particularly ones that will keep you alive. After all, you won't be having a class for the next three months."

Nova directly got to the point. Tasha could tell she wasn't one for idle conversation and was someone direct with her words. The young woman frowned when she heard she wouldn't have a class for the next three months. The system had already prompted her on a few. Tasha knew there wasn't a restriction from the Prime System for reelecting her class. Nova nodded at her frown and explained.

"It could be longer. Stratioti is a never-before-seen class—that means you are the forerunners to establish it. Your legend has only just begun," Nova said, standing. "Let's head to your quarters. You'll wash up, after, you'll have to kill a man."

Tasha paused, taken aback at the end of Nova's words. "Kill a man?"

Nova nodded, glancing Tasha up and down, unassured at the sight of the young woman before she spoke again. "Kill a man."

The woman provided no further details, and a quick look at Han told Tasha he wouldn't be much help. He only smiled reassuringly but didn't say anything.

Tasha passed Amin, who remained seated as he continued to recover. His eyes flashed, and he nodded through the pain as their gazes met. The young woman returned the nod, but under the prodding gaze of Nova, she kept moving.

Tasha found them traveling through the halls and entering a brightly lit corridor that seemed to serve as a main transportation vein of the facility. They moved for a while, others passing them in hushed conversation and nods of respect directed toward Nova and Han. Their curious gazes landed on Tasha, but she didn't shy away. Instead, she stared back, studying the people present. Many of them wore the attire of a mage, but many more were clearly of the [Artisan class type. They weren't [Warriors], both magical and not, but people who served another purpose. Each wore an emblem that remained the same, but in different colors, as it represented a tier of some sort. Even Nova and Han held one, their color black. It seemed to partially command respect and sympathy from the passerby.

They quickly found themselves passing from hall to hall before Tasha found themselves in a large room—its designation was 003. Nova quickly walked around the room, activating various functions.

"Go shower," Nova directed, pointing to her left. "There'll be a change of clothes and necessities within the room. When you're finished, we'll have to go kill a man."

Tasha frowned; she wasn't used to someone with Nova's attitude, but it did seem very mage-like and similar to the stories told. There was always a haughty mage in any good [Adventurer] party. Although she was a mage and possessed magic, there was a difference between someone who trained since their youth to become a mage and Tasha, who just happened to possess the same magic. It was a difference as big as the sky and the earth. Yet, Tasha was tired of not receiving more information about her current status and what exactly was going on. Besides, she was tired of being told she was going to kill a man.

Tasha folded her arms and planted her feet in the same manner her mother had before she left home. "What is going on? Where exactly are we? What exactly is a Stratioti, and by the Goddess, why do you keep telling me I'm going to kill a man?"

Nova was tapping away at an object in her hand. It let out a bright glow that lit the woman's face in a white and pink light. A look of irritation flashed on her face as she turned to face Tasha, one not kept from the younger girl's sight. She took a deep breath, slightly calming her nerves, before answering the questions directed at her.

"You are part of an experimental project that no one is certain whether it will work. We are located in the Caden Mountain Range, headquarters of the North American Research Center at the sixth mountain, BeyondMan, a place where the limits of us humans are tested and meant to be broken—illegally and legally," Nova huffed, growing agitated. "Unfortunately, for me , it's a place that produces few results and thus gains fewer benefits. You are its hope, plus mine—and you're going to kill a man because you're a soldier of His Highness Minerva. A weapon—a blade meant to take a life without questioning. His Highness Minerva said so earlier—no matter who you're pointing at, you're to execute," Nova continued. "Now, do as you're told and go shower. Once you're finished, we're going to kill a man."

*****

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