Sword Soul of the Snowlands

September's wind carried the last dry heat of summer past the gilded name stone of the National University of Defense Technology. I clutched my sweat-dampened admission letter, my Adam's apple bobbing. This was the first time in my life I'd ever been so close to the word "soldier." My trouser creases were sharper than parade-ground posture, and I even made a point of breathing softly, afraid to disturb the world of rifles and bugles hidden beyond the gate.

"Make way, freshmen this way!" An upperclassman in training fatigues waved a little red flag, his voice carrying the distinctive scent of grass clippings from the sports field. I had just followed the crowd across the threshold when a chill swept over the back of my neck. Two iron-clamp hands seized my arms, squeezing hard enough to feel as if they might crush my bones.

"Who are you?!" I struggled, but they twisted my arms behind my back. I looked up into two expressionless faces. Their camouflage caps were pulled low, hiding their eyes; only their jaws showed, set in hard lines. The "Instructor" insignia on their shoulder boards felt like two blocks of ice.

"Don't move." The instructor on the left spoke in a voice deeper than the autumn wind, while his other hand clamped over my mouth. I tried to shout, but only a muffled grunt escaped my throat. I watched helplessly as the other freshmen kept chatting and walking inside, none of them noticing me being dragged toward the helipad east of the gate. The whir of rotor blades grew closer, blowing my fringe against my face. The helicopter's shadow swayed across the ground like that of a giant black raptor, making me dizzy.

"Get on." The instructor practically shoved me up the boarding steps. I stumbled into the cabin and fell. Before I could steady myself, the door slammed shut, cutting off the noise outside. The communicator suddenly crackled to life. Its electronic voice was cold and utterly without feeling, like a scalpel pressed against my skin. "Welcome to the Dark Blade selection. It starts now."