Imperial Academy

The Imperial Academy (帝国軍兵学校, Teikoku Gunbyō Gakkō) is a military institution mentioned in Suikoden, Suikoden Tactics, and Genso Suikoden Short Story Collection 1. It is the military training academy of the Scarlet Moon Empire.

Students
The Imperial Academy was located in the Scarlet Moon capital of Gregminster. As of SY 444, it was stated to have existed for over 200 years. Coop was a former student of the academy, along with Andarc Bergman.

By SY 447, both Alen and Grenseal were cadets at the academy, alongside their friend Clet. Later, McDohl did not enroll at the academy as he was appointed directly to the Imperial Guard by Emperor Barbarosa himself.

School life
The Imperial Academy itself was surrounded by high brick walls on its large grounds. In the grounds, there was a school for the study of military law and other subjects. In addition to the school, there are also training grounds, for both weapon and rune use, and dormitories for the students.

This academy was not an easy place to be accepted to. There was a rigorous examination of fighting ability, academics, and physical strength, and only about a hundred people a year managed to get in. It was said that only about half of those who enrolled would graduate to the Imperial Army after two years.

The academy was considered very strict. Students were not allowed to leave the school unless they had a good reason to do so and were rarely allowed to see their families. Even so, many applied every year as it was one of the few ways a commoner could be appointed an officer of the Empire through their own abilities. Failing that elite goal, graduates could still serve the military in a number of vital roles.

Although it was possible to be assigned to any role with the military upon graduation, most enrolled in the hopes in joining the Central Army. It was very rare for a graduate to be appointed directly as an officer to the Central Army. More commonly, they would gain experience in one of the other branches first.

Training tournaments
Mock matches and tournaments in a variety of disciplines were frequently held. For swordsmanship, entrants wore protective gear and fought with blunted blades. The use of runes was also forbidden. At one tournament in SY 447, just under half the student body entered following withdrawals by either unskilled students or those focusing on another branch, such as military strategy.

Underclassmen usually lost these tournaments by the second round, but one tournament saw both Alen and Grenseal reach the fourth round. Grenseal would win, only to be easily defeated in the next round by an upperclassman.