Academy life was different from the ranch hand life Link had known for most of his days. Link had formed a friendship with Eagus, Skylofts Knight Commander and sword instructor. He was a young man with bushy brown hair and long shaggy sideburns that extended to his chin. He had been teaching special one-on-one classes with Link in the afternoon. He taught the basics of sword play, your stance, your grip on the weapon, parrying and striking. Then he began with more complex moves, maintaining a distance based on a balance of your sword and your opponents and finding the flow of battle and taking control of it. Eagus admired the sword that Link used, a finely crafted longsword from Link's home village, and despite Eagus' objections, he wielded one handed.
Link had also began to socially adjest to his new home. A rather timid and shy boy named Fledge had taken a liking to Link, while the academy's resident 'tough guy' Groose would never pass up an opportunity to pick on the new kid. All in all, Link had made many new friends, but was reluctant to tell of the reason he was truly at the academy, mostly for safety reasons. One morning, while enjoying a hearty breakfast in the cafeteria, Instructor Owlan had called for Link, telling him that his presence was requested by the Headmaster. Groose was quick to chime in, "OOOOOH, whatcha do this time, Stink? Fail a class, yet again? Heh heh" Owlan gave a irritated look. "One should look at their own test scores before criticizing anothers. Come along Link, it is not wise to keep the Headmaster waiting." Groose slumped down in his chair slightly, "At least I have a Loftwing. Aint' no way some kid who can't even fly is better than me." Link hurriedly took one last bite of breakfast and got up. Link liked Owlan, he was the academy's Loftwing expert. He gave Link a reassuring look. "Don't listen to Groose, you don't need a Loftwing to be a hero, Link. Perhaps even, if the Goddess smiles upon you, you might be granted your own!" Link smiled, he could imagine himself leading forth the revolution while soaring on a Loftwing.
Link knocked on Gaepora's door. He was met with a very familiar "Come in!". Link shut the door behind him, knowing what the subject of Gaepora's call was going to be about. "Aha my boy, how you grown!" Link gave a heartfelt smile, he almost looked at Gaepora like a grandfather. "And I don't just mean that physically my boy, I am absolutely positive the Academy has expanded your wits, no?" Link nodded. "Grand, just grand!" He chuckled. " I suppose you are wondering why I have called for you, you will have to except my apologies for calling so early, far be it from me to get between a boy and his breakfast. Just take a look at me! Ha ha!" Gaepora patted his plumb belly. "Eagus tells me that you have blown him away with your sword skills. I have to say I'm quite impressed too, even our own Knights don't learn such fine swordplay in such a sort time." Since Link first arrived, only three months had passed. An average Skyloft Knight spent six in just training alone. "That is why, well, it makes quite joyous for me to tell you this my boy, I am officially awarding you the title of Skyloftian Knight!" Link almost shot up out of his chair, his smile reaching pointed ear to pointed ear. "Haha, I just knew you would excited! As am I! This is a great honor Link, you are only the Knight ever to graduate with out a Loftwing. Never in my years have I though I would live to see such a day, but I am glad I have! The ceremony is tonight, at the Statue of the Goddess. It is absolutely important that you are not late, so be ready! I await to see you then!" Gaepora gave a great smile, and almost had trouble stopping congratulating Link.
The day had passed and night took watch over the sky. Every one had heard of Links achievement. Needless to say, Links day was filled with mostly excepting congratulations from fellow students. The sun had just set. Link was ready. Everyone in Skyloft was gathered at the Statue of the Goddess. Everyone except Groose. He was leaning against a wall, just outside the door to Link's dorm. Groose was your typical tough guy. Muscular, yet slightly dim witted and far from charming. His hair was styled in an incredible and marvelous pompadour that was simply magnificent. Its height almost peaked at a foot, and his naturally vibrant red hair only made it even more loud. Groose was a bully, but did have friends. His only friends. He looked up at Link as he exited his dorm, his arms crossed. "So your a Knight now huh?" Link stopped in the hallway. It almost seemed as if Groose had been waiting for him. "I can't believe it, a bird-less kid got to be a Knight. But, you know Link, thats a bit strange, don't ya' think? I mean, you've been here three months, but I've never seen you in any classes." Groose stopped leaning against the wall. He moved toward Link.
"Come to think of it, nobody's seen you in any classes. The only time anyone has ever seen you studying is all is at the Sparing Hall after class. Doin' a little solo training there Link? Well see that even funner! Cause' no one is allowed to use swords in Sparring Hall outside of class. And now, all of a sudden, you're a Knight. Some kid from the Surface, who can't fly, swings some swords and now he's a Knight in just three months? I'll be honest Link, I'm not the smartest one in this academy. But even I can see something is very, very, fishy." Groose had now moved inches away from Link, staring him dead in the eyes. "Spill it Link. All of it. I'm not letting you leave for that phoney ceremony until you do. I wanna why your here, and why you get to be a Knight." Groose was intimidating. He may not have been the smartest cookie, but his arms did most of talking. Link understood his suspension. Link hadn't once attended any Knight classes, and he only ever trained with Eagus after his normal academy lesson was over. In hindsight, Gaepora overlooked Link blending in. But Link was an honest man, as a Knight should be, so he told Groose the truth.
"Woah, woah, woah, woah. No way. You're telling me one kid is gonna take down the entire Empire just cause' he's Knight? I ain't buying it." Link, interrupted, told Groose it was'nt just himself, but many others. "Well, I mean, that makes more sense. So you're startin' a revolution huh? Banding together the greatest warriors and taking on those 'Pry-mad' things head on?" Groose backed off Link, and smiled. "Well I like it! I'm a pretty rough and tumble guy, don't mean to brag, but that takes the cake! I mean, if you ask me, it should be a true Skyloftian leading the pack, but I guess you'll do." Link had to give a chuckle. "Well, its pretty brave of you. And stupid. But hey, if a guy can graduate to a Knight in three months maybe he's not so bad." Groose muttered under his breath, "even if he doesn't have a bird" Link was almost about to be late. He started to make his way to the door, but was stopped by Groose' arm held out in his way. "This army. Lemmie join, I want in on the action. And don't gimme any of that its too dangerous junk, I know what it is." Link raised an eyebrow. "The Empire... its not right. I know I pick on you a lot Link, but, uh, I don't really mean it. You're...actually pretty cool. Not as cool as me corse', but still cool. And The Empire, what they did to all those people when they invaded, they.. killed so many. All those kings and princess and stuff, thrown in jail for life just cause' they ruled before, thats not right. And I wanna help anyway I can." Link gave Groose a sincere smile. "You'll...really let me in? Thanks Link, I'm gonna prove to you I can kick some butt, just wait!" The first recruit, Link thought. The first solider of the revolution.
Link hurried to the Statue of the Goddess. Hey hopped he wasn't late. A crowd consisting of the entire town had gathered around. Gaepora and the instructors where in the middle. The Statue of the Goddess was a massive statue of the goddess Hylia that overlooked a circular courtyard made of stone. It was very old, and starting to crumble in places. Even so, it was beautiful, and Skyloft's prominent landmark. Link met Gaepora with a smile. "Ah, here he is! Our proud new Knight!" The crowd cheered. The ceremony was embedded in Skyloft tradition. Though Link hardy understood what any of it meant, he was graciously honored. The ceremony reached its end. Gaepora spoke loudly. "And now, it is with great honor that I proclaim Link, a Knigh of Skyloft!" There was mass cheering. "Link my boy, I'm very proud of you. You're going do great things my boy, not just for Skyloft, or Hyrule, but for the world over. You shall be a true hero Link." Gaepora gave Link an emotion filled hug. However, the joyous uproar was interpreted. Interrupted with the call of a Loftwing. Owlan spoke, "Was that... a Loftwing?" Suddenly a grand crimson red Loftwing swooped down from the sky. "A red Loftwing! Incredible!" Owlan ejaculated. The beautiful bird fluttered its wings and gracefully landed on the ground by Link. It lowered its head, to show its submission to its master. It cooed and nudged Link with its dully tipped beak. "By the Goddess!" Owlan shouted. "Her grace has gifted Link with a Loftwing! And a red one at that! Amazing, never in my life have I seen a red Loftwing!" Owl was quite excited. "Oh, Link, you must let me instruct you in the ways of Loftwing aviation!" he excitedly proclaimed. Gaepora spoke up. "Link, this is truly a miraculous moment. The great Goddess Hylia has gifted you a fine Loftwing. I have to say I'm quite jealous." He patted Link on the head. "My boy, I take what I said. You are not merely a hero. If the Goddess has gifted a bird to some one from the surface,..., you must be far, far beyond just a hero."