I'm A True Disciple...?

Enzo had already been walking for more than 30 minutes and had long since entered territory he had never been in. He took another look at the map that was given to him by Chung to make sure he was on track. Examining the map, he saw that there were three triangles in specific locations that had the words Village overtop and they were numbered. The triangle with the 3 next to it had a circle by it and that seemed to be where he left from.

"So I live in the third village?" Enzo didn't know much about where he lived at. His parents left him at an exceedingly young age and after that happened the village chief threw him into the 3rd village and ever since then he just lived with the kids and elderly there.

That's right, village 3 is filled with nothing but orphaned children and elderly who can no longer work while village 2 is full of working families or middle aged men and women who can hunt or complete direct tasks from the School of Initiation.

Village 1 is where the village chief's family clan stays at. They are the top of the food chain outside of the School of Initiation.

Enzo saw a line was drawn that went from the circle by village 3, all the way to village 2 then off to the left and ended at a massive X.

"I'm guessing the School of Initiation is outside of village 2…" Scratching his head, he looked around and saw a great deal of tall trees, leafless with wilted flowers and dark bushes surrounding them. He looked down at the powdery dirt road he stood on which almost resembled soot. He lamented softly and looked up towards the sky and saw it's dreariness. Peering into the cloudy ashen sky made him wonder if there was ever a time where the sun would shine through these clouds that resemble smoke or if these trees and flowers would ever stand upright in delight.

"The elderly from my village spoke of a time when this land possessed color and life, they also said it had spirit…but, what do I know?" Shaking his head he journeyed onward.

"I should be nearing the second village soon. I'll get master Chung's water jug and maybe if I perform well enough in the future Chung can help me become a member of the School of Initiation too!"

With a strengthened resolve, Enzo advanced forward and within 15 minutes could already see the entrance to village 2. Many people were heading in and out of the village with weapons on their back and bags slung over their shoulders. Some woman could be seen carrying baskets on their heads with some small black fruit in it.

"Wow," Enzo exclaimed in amazement. "There's way more people here than in my village!"

Enzo leapt down from the small dune he was situated on, and quickly made his way into the village.

Upon entering, he quickly noticed the amount of mud huts vastly outnumbered the amount in his village. There were also wells placed down the middle of the village which created a sort of two lane system for all the people to walk in. Many of these huts served different purposes. Enzo saw that there were even more sizable huts where people could purchase and buy things; a system which didn't exist in village 3. There were also stalls of people recruiting to complete missions for the School of Initiation. Is this really a village? This was more like a town.

"Selling a pound of Waralo meat, only 5 Leu!"

"Looking for capable people to help slay some wild Loboon, reward is a slice of it's meat and 2 Leu."

Seeing all the bustle, Enzo couldn't help but be more impressed. For two villages to have such stark contrast, this was definitely an eye opening experience.

"Hey kid, need some help findin' yer way?"

Hearing such a raspy voice clearly directed at him, Enzo looked to his right and saw a shabby old man sitting up against a mud hut that was more rundown compared to the others. He was poorly dressed and had white and grey stubble. His hair was like tendrils as they curled into a messy cluster which blocked his eyes and some of his nose from being seen. The only leeway to be had was his crooked teeth that had a slight golden tint to them.

"Haven't seen a new face around here in ages," The old man commented "What's yer name kid? Seeing that yer new around here I can give ye some directions if ye got a place yer lookin' to head."

"Uhh," Taken by surprise by this old man's wretched appearance, Enzo didn't know what to say, but luckily his quick-wittedness saved him. "My name is Enzo."

"Ahaha, Enzo, eh? That's a good name...a good name…" The old man seemed to be lost in thought, and it was hard to tell if it was because of Enzo's name or something else.

"Well, tell this old man here where yer headed, and let me see if I can point ye in the right direction."

Hearing the old man's question, Enzo quickly replied. "I'm trying to find the School of Initiation."

"Huh?!" Hearing Enzo's words the old man couldn't help but be doubtful. "You? Now why would a young lad like yerself be looking for that ol' School?"

"My master left an item behind and I need to get it for him." Enzo replied coolly

"W-what!? Yer telling me your a disciple of someone from the School of Initiation!?" The old man was definitely surprised by what he heard. His hands were even positioned on the ground as if he could stand up at any moment.

"Oh no no, I'm not someone that important, I am merely a servant."

"O-oh!" Hearing that, the old man could finally calm down a little.

"However I do possess this!" Enzo's hand went into his shorts pocket and he pulled out a light blue token with golden edges.

"EH!?" The old man stood up and pointed at Enzo and his token in absolute shock. "T-that's a S-school of Initiation 1 Star Initiate token!!!"

"Huh?" Enzo looked at the token in confusion. Wasn't this the inferior guest house token and not the 1 Star Initiate token like what the old man said?

The old man quickly spoke in a hushed whisper.

"Lad my eyes have not seen with uncertainty, quickly put that token away! If anyone sees you with it you will be killed!"

Putting the token away, Enzo couldn't help but think.

Huh? Be killed? Why would someone kill me if I have this token?

The look on Enzo's face clearly gave away what he was thinking.

"Aye, anyone who's in possession of that token, regardless of whether he was bestowed one by the School, is an undisputed true disciple in the eyes of the School of Initiation…"

Enzo's eyes widened. Does that mean right now, I am a true disciple of the School of Initiation…!? Holy crap!

The old man continued to explain.

"One can only enter the premises of the School of Initiation with a token, which is why I was certain it would have been useless tellin' ye how to get there…"

Enzo nodded in agreement.

"I won't ask how ye got ahold of a true disciple token, but be careful where ye flash that thing. There's a reason why the School allows anyone with that token to become a disciple; only those with power are given a token, and only those with power can take them. Without power, ye'll die and that there token will end up in someone else's hands."

Only those with power have the right to bear the burden of the token…

Enzo's hand went into his pocket as he unconsciously gripped the token.

Seeing the look in the boy's eyes, the old man felt as if he was seeing his younger self.

"I can feel yer resolve, so I'll point ye in the proper direction; just go straight down this road here and when ye hit the crossroad, go left…"

After getting directions from the old man, Enzo said his goodbyes and headed on his way through the crowd.

Seeing Enzo's figure fading into the crowd, the old man sighed.

"The School of Initiation will either be a stepping stone for this boy, or he'll be another addition to their burial ground…"

He then walked back to his mud hut and sat cross legged. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

____________________________________________________________________________

Back in village 3

Chung sat silently on his wooden fold-out chair, often taking glances at the village kids working on their chores. After confirming no one was slacking off, he picked up the book on his lap to continue his reading. However it was more like a manual than a book. It was only 5 to 6 pages long. The words on the front of the manual made it clear that it was property of School of Initiation.

'The Guiding of Core Power' could be seen in bold and under it was written 'Insights and Experiences derived from Master Incipient Reid'

Chung used to be just like all the other villagers, he would hunt wild beasts near village 2, sell random items found in desolate areas and sleep in his mud hut only to repeat that process the next day. However, ten months ago when news spread of the School of Initiation disciples recruitment, his dull life changed.

...

"Did you hear? The School of Initiation is about to recruit disciples!"

"What? Stop lying."

"No, I'm serious! My nephew is friends with someone who once had a disciple token not too long ago. He said they would be recruiting people with potential to be given a token!"

"Is the School of Initiation planning to expand their territory? Why would they give out more tokens?"

"I'm not too sure, but I do know for a fact that soon they will be testing people, and those who pass will be given a 1 star Initiate token along with a guest room token!"

"A guest room token too!? Isn't that better treatment than a normal 1 star initiate disciple?"

"Seems the people they are looking for this time won't be ordinary."

The leaked news spread throughout the second Village and the first. It wasn't long before the School stepped forward to clarify. Standing in front of a crowd, a brawny man with two white stars embroidered on his uniform announced to the crowd.

"As you all have heard by now, we will be holding a recruitment for those who have talent but lack opportunity. Two days from today we will host the test at this very spot, those interested can show up, no cost required."

Hearing these words, the crowd in front of him cheered. A few amongst the crowd however, chose not to cheer and looked on with indifference.

"Heh, this School thinks they can fool me with their ploys. Like I'll fall for their recruitment and be forced to look after village 3…" A brown haired youngster glanced at the brawny man before turning around and leaving.

"No matter how generous this offer is, there must be a catch." Not far away from where the brown haired youngster was, a teenager with ash grey hair looked on with his middle finger pushing up against his glasses. A blinding glint could be seen as he murmured, "With the caretaker of village 3 in the midst of his evaluation , I assume they are already looking to get his replacement ready. That token and guest room offered up will probably be his old room." Giving the brawny man one last look, he also turned around and left.

However, there was one young man who didn't leave. He had curly red hair and an endless supply of freckles. Whenever he spoke, spit would discharge from his mouth like a jacuzzi jet. "This is it," He said to himself. "This test marks my road to fame and fortune."