The gentle streams of light filtered through the windows as the members of Hwarang chat amongst themselves. They sat on the steps that lead down to the stage that the headmaster will stand upon. They are in the classroom which resides in the Bulguksa Temple. The Temple was decorated with fabrics that came from the west, orange and green cloths, that were brought over from Persia, draped over the windows. The sound of voice is a hum as the young men converse. Some question what their first assignment will be, others talk about how they miss being able to go anywhere.
They all fall silent when the headmaster walks in. He slowly takes his time walking up the steps. His robes swish at his feet as he turns around. All the Hwarang watch as he looks them over. A laugh bubbles out of his mouth and he shakes his head.
"Still not getting along? What a shame. You are all going to have to work together to succeed here." He pauses and glares out over the wavering gazes of the young men. "The Bone Rank System does not exist here!" He yells out. "While you are here, while you are Hwarang, you are equal. You don't have a rank. No one is higher than the other amongst warriors.
"There will be tests during the beginning of your time here. You can fail them and if you fail so many times, you will be kicked out. We need the best warriors here. To protect the royal family and our people from the other kingdoms in Korea. You are here to be Silla's future. So act like it." The headmaster spreads his arms out. "You will have three tests to complete. If you fail two or more then you will leave. We need the best of the best training here. You also have three chances outside of the testing. If you step out of line, if you get caught fighting each other, if you break a rule, you will get a strike. Three and you leave. You are not allowed to leave your rooms when everyone is in bed. If you do, there will be a punishment for all of your roommates." He smiles before stating "The testing will start tomorrow. You're dismissed." The headmaster walks off the stage and through a door.
As he leaves, the chatter picks up again as the men worry about the future. Youngmin sits off to the side, he has no friends amongst the group here. They are all above him and have never passed him a light of day before. Although, the bone rank system does not exist within these walls, so maybe things will start to change.
YOU ARE READING
Hwarang
Historical FictionYoungmin makes it into the Hwarang. It's always been his dream to serve the royal family. He lives in the Silla kingdom in 500 AD. He makes friends with the other members in his room, all except Hyonjun. When Hyonjun gives the low blow, hell break...
