Unmarked Adventurer

Transported back to his childhood, Lucas reminisced about a time long ago when his father, James, had taken him to a baseball game at the Metro stadium. The sheer enormity and vastness of the stadium had left him breathless and filled his heart with uncontrollable joy.

Now, as he stood at the entrance of the colossal and awe-inspiring arena, where his final exam to become an adventurer awaited him, that same overwhelming feeling washed over him once more. The magnitude of the arena, with its grandeur and imposing presence, made his knees weak and his smile uncontrollable.

Fortunately, the arena was empty.

As Lucas stepped onto the centre stage, his footsteps echoed loudly, amplifying the weight of his anxiety.

The vastness of the space seemed to engulf him, amplifying his sense of vulnerability. He glanced around, taking in the towering walls that enclosed the arena, amplifying the feeling of being watched.

Lucas's palms grew clammy as he anxiously clenched and unclenched his fist.

With a commanding presence, a remarkably fit man strode confidently onto the centre stage. His well-defined physique was evident even beneath the loose-fitting tunic. The fabric draped gently revealing three distinct scars etched across his chest.

He gave a small bow. He held two pieces of metal, one was as long as he was and the other half his height.

He flung the shorter one and it clattered on the ground just in front of Lucas. " My name is Darius, I will be your examiner today," he said in a deeply resonant voice. "That is a training weapon, the sides are laced with a neurotoxin that will disable any area of your body that it touches. If you are still holding onto it in 60 seconds, I will allow you to become an adventurer."

Lucas felt his breath quicken, his chest tightening as a surge of panic threatened to overwhelm him. But with a determined effort, he managed to regain control and steady his racing heart. There was something about the presence of this man that triggered an instinctual urge within Lucas, urging him to flee.

Summoning his courage, Lucas mustered the words, his voice steady albeit laced with uncertainty. "I need to understand your ability," he spoke, his gaze fixed intently on the man. "Will you use it? I struggle with knowing how to activate and deactivate mine."

Darius responded with a half-smile, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "Though I am an adventurer, I do not possess a tattoo or an ability," he revealed. "However, I don't believe you need to worry about consciously activating your ability."

Curiosity piqued, Lucas followed Darius's gesture as he pointed to his own forearm. The fly tattoo on Lucas's skin was emitting a radiant glow, that he hadn't noticed before. It was a phenomenon that only occurred when Lucas's life hung in the balance, a powerful signal of imminent danger.

Darius conjured a sandglass, its translucent grains flowing steadily within its confines. "Once the sand runs out, if you're still gripping that weapon, you shall prove yourself worthy of becoming an adventurer," he uttered, flipping the hourglass upside down to commence the test.

Driven by determination, Lucas lunged forward, his training blade arcing downward in a swift strike aimed at Darius.

Skillfully evading the attack, Darius sidestepped with agility, though a flicker of surprise briefly crossed his features.

Recognizing the need to reassess his position, Lucas swiftly jumped aside, repositioning himself. In that moment, a shadowy silhouette materialized in his mind's eye like a vision, revealing a training blade hurtling towards his vulnerable back.

Reacting swiftly, Lucas spun, attempting to counter Darius's counterattack. However, to his surprise, the blade was effortlessly deflected away, leaving him momentarily off balance.

Despite Lucas's perception of time being momentarily slowed, he struggled to find an opening or exploit the advantage it granted him.

Darius displayed an uncanny awareness of Lucas's movements, predicting his every action with precision. It became increasingly apparent to Lucas that Darius was deliberately restraining his full potential.

Such realization fueled Lucas's suspicion that Darius had not been truthful about lacking an ability. It seemed as though Darius possessed an almost omniscient understanding of the unfolding battle.

Caught in the intensity of Darius's relentless assaults, Lucas found himself unable to spare a moment to check the sandglass. Although mere seconds had passed, it felt like an eternity as he clumsily attempted to outrun the relentless flow of time. How could a mere 60 seconds feel so agonizingly protracted, he pondered, his thoughts muddled amidst the ongoing struggle.

With a sudden shift, Darius brought the battle to an end. Breathless and weary, Lucas glanced towards the sandglass, realizing that its contents had completely depleted.

"Is it over?" Lucas managed to utter, his voice strained as he fought to catch his breath.

Darius, his expression softened, offered an apologetic smile. "Forgive me," he spoke, his tone filled with genuine remorse. "I was so engrossed in the fight that I momentarily lost track of time."

Collapsing to one knee, Lucas felt the weight of exhaustion settle on him. His training blade slipped from his grasp, making a loud thud as it hit the ground. The surge of adrenaline that had fueled him initially had begun to wane, leaving him gasping for precious air. Amidst his laboured breaths, he managed to ask, "Does this mean I passed the test?"

A smile played upon Darius's lips as he nodded approvingly. "Allow me to share a secret, one you have rightfully earned," he revealed, his voice filled with admiration. "The true test wasn't confined to a mere 60 seconds duel. Not everyone who awakens an adventurer's ability possesses the courage to face me. The fact that you held your nerve and willingly participated in the test is a testament to your bravery.

Lucas frowned. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?!"

Darius laughed. "I had intended to convey this to you, but you started to attack me and didn't give me the chance."

A flush of embarrassment tinged Lucas's cheeks, his realization of his impulsive actions causing him to lower his gaze. "I apologize for being hasty," he murmured sincerely.

Darius's laughter resounded a warm and hearty sound that filled the air. "You have truly impressed me. Your face will remain etched in my memory, and I shall keenly follow your future exploits in the news. Now, tell me, what is your name?"

A grin spread across Lucas's face, a mix of pride and accomplishment. "It's Lucas. Lucas Moore," he declared, his voice brimming with newfound confidence.