The First Day
Three days after the end of the exam, me, Clif, Dan, Dagon, Elda, Mindrid were gathered in the main room of the inn. After I had won Clif played Elda for the last 3 days as we prepared for my first day. Dan jumped at the chance to buy me new clothes stating, it was about time that I got some new clothes as I have been wearing the same thing for weeks. I was wearing the new clothes he had bough for me. My yellow top gone. Replaced by a black one, to hide all the mud and dirt I might get on it, my black cargo shorts replaced with long navy-blue trousers. I smiled and thanked Dan again. Clif had got me a light blue coat that was lined with animal fur, after using <Appraisal> I could see it granted the affect <Increased Defence>, I wasn't wearing it now, but it was in a bag with my other clothes. "I'm going to miss you Buddy", Dagon said moving and sitting next to Clif. "Make sure you visit us whenever you can", croaked Mindrid tearing up, wrapping here arms tightly around me. "Of course, I will", I say tearing up as well. "Clif you better take him, before Mindrid ether chokes him to death or we never let him leave". Elda said turning to see Clif desperately holding back tears. "Yes, I have better take him", he said desperately trying to hide the pain in his voice. He grabbed me pulling me away from Mindrid who was slowly chocking me.
After saying goodbye and waving one final time, Clif grabbed my hand and lead me out of the inn. The cool breeze washed over my face, playfully messing with my long silver hair. The oh so familiar smell of the bakery filled my nose, me and Dan must have spent hours in there trying everything on the menu. I smiled at the pleasant memory, and because we skipped breakfast thanks to all of us saying goodbye. "No, sorry but there isn't enough time" Clif stated, clearly sensing the intent in my eyes. We turned the corner onto the main street, people waved at us as we rushed past and through the marketplace. Yeah, so apparently me coming top in the exam and being technically from Wakemear had made me into somewhat of a local celebrity, because as Dagon explained it people from all over Zayelyn come to compete in an exam, so someone winning and being from your hometown is a big deal. Also, Dan had informed me that there are multiple exams held by the Academy so even though only 30 people competed in my exam up to about 48 students are joining if I'm remembering his words right. We made it up and onto the centre of the city I saw the flash of a wanted poster, depicting a creature in a suit and tie with a goat skull for a head with a reward of 100 gold pieces.
Quickly, swiftly, and efficiently Clif dragged me to the Academy and we arrived just on time. We moved through the familiar reception area where same receptionist sat behind the desk. She smiled as we approached. "Demo you are just on time", she stated as we approached, "Please leave your stuff with me and my team". She gestured to the people behind her, "after orientation, you will be assigned your dorm room, and your items will be waiting for you". I handed over the leather bag that contained my clothes, after examining it, she attracted a tag to it and put in a pile just behind the desk. Then Clif hugged me one final time, "Goodbye Demo", he whispered into my ear. "I'm going to miss you", I replied. After I watched Clif leave, and the doors close behind him the receptionist directed my attention to a long corridor and one of the men behind her lead me down it towards a great hall. It was a massive room with an ornate wooden roof and pillars. At the far end of the room, a wooden platform with a black lectern at the front with seats behind it. Just before the platform where rows and rows of benches, Demo could tell right away he was one of the last to arrive as the benches was already, mostly filled by other children. There were tons of people of all races, and genders. I instantly recognised Sani in the corner, surrounded by lots of people all trying to be friends with him. "Demo", the room went silent. "One of the winners", "Wow she looks great", "idiot remember how he cut down Sani". I could hear them whispering about me which instantly made me uncountable. I looked towards where the voice who yelled my name came from. Instantly, my face became overcome with relief. Drake. I slowly walked towards him. He waved as I sat next to him. A Few minutes passed and what I assume to be teacher walk in through a side door and sit on the seats behind the lectern, a man dressed in formal robes of gold and blue stands at the lectern and addresses us. "Welcome chosen few", He projected his voice across the room using magic. "The Idols have blessed you with the right to learn so use your time hear wisely to achieve great things", he raised his hands as if addressing the heavens themselves. "And now a word from a new student like you, one who got in based on recommendation, he is you better".
"Is it bad to instantly dislike someone", I whisper to Drake, He stifles a laugh as a tall boy with dark hair and green highlights walked towards the lectern. "I am Lance" He spoke in a posh accent to mask his background, "I am the strongest one here, you are all weak compared to me". I looked around expecting people to make a commotion, but they all remained silent. "Drake why is no one questioning him or a lest arguing, I would have expected Sani to have at least done some-", "that's because he has a unique skill already, most never get one, and some will only get one after joining". He replied quickly. "I want you to become strong", lance continued, the mental image of Toba flashing in his head, "I swear that if you follow me then we will become strong". Applause broke out from the crowd. And I will use that power to kill that demon. He silently promised himself.
Continuing on, the rest of the assembly was used to tell us the structure of the school and to use what is taught to train yourself. "The White room used in the exam is out of bounds to be used by you, only third years are permitted to use it. If you don't follow the rules you could die", the headmaster Nafre Shaphroh continued, "There is a room reserved for the first years, but it is on the first floor." After more explanation he told us to go to are assigned dorms and that we would find are items we brought with us there already. As I travel up the east tower, I looked at the window at the golden sunset that bathed the land in an orange glow. I saw the forest I appeared in and the dots that must be the guards patrolling the wall. The sweet smell of the evening air was refreshing. I continued you the stone stairs that led to an old wooden door. Inside the dorm room was 3 beds, one bunk bed and one bed off to the side separated by a window. Drake, who was close behind me stared into the room, "Which bed do you want?" He asked. I walked towards the single bed while grabbing my bag from the centre of the room. I started unloading my clothes into the old wardrobe next to the bed Drake followed suite on the bottom bunk, when someone knocks on the open-door frame. An elf with a grey piece of cloth over his eyes walks in. He quietly asks if this is the right room, I nod.
As he enters, I could see his long green hair contrasted against his white shirt and blue shorts. "Hi, I'm Amra Aratris", he spoke as if his words were being carried by the wind. "Demo, I said shaking his hand". "Sorry but it looks like you've got the top bunk, I'm Drake", Drake said unapologetically, while hanging up a poster of a bulky mountain of a man in golden armour. "That's Bane", Amra explained excitedly pointing at the poster. "Yeah" Drake said warming up to Amra. "Who is that" I asked confused why they were excited about him. They both stared at me as if I had killed their first-born son in front of them. "He is Blane: Hero of the People" Drake begin, "He is a member of the private guild: Golden Dragon". Then I great detail began to tell me of his many achievements, like killing a dragon. After they had finished the epic tale of swords and blood, I asked, "so, what is a private guild". "I can explain this one", Amra said stealing the spotlight from Drake. "So, there are two types of guild in this world the Free Guild, that most regular people join to earn more money by completing tasks as adventures and it gives them more freedom when travelling, in contrast to that a private guild is one often formed by paying a vast amount of money and will have a name like Golden Dragons. These private guilds are often the way most adventures become famous as they are exclusive, you need the leader of the guilds permission to join unlike the free guild, also to keep them in line they must swear loyalty to the king and can be deployed as a military force if necessary." Amra sounded like he was reciting from a textbook, my head was spinning from the overload of information. Seeing this Amra added, "basically, free everyone can join and private are often famous and exclusive". Slowly I jumbled my thoughts back together as Drake and Amra finished unpacking their stuff. "Well, I suggest we get lots of sleep tonight" Amra said, "Big day tomorrow". "Yeah", me and drake agreed after changing into are night wear I stood in the moon light between the beds, "Wow your hair, its sparkling" Drake said. So it was. The moon light was being reflected off of it giving it the appearance of glowing. I moved towards the bed and slowly drifted to sleep. Little did I know across the continent one of the strongest private guilds to ever be seen in this world was about to be formed.
I'm glad that's over, Nafre thought to himself while sitting in his office. Lots of bright young faces. Just as he was about to leave a shadowy figure entered his room. Instantly Nafre dropped to his knees bowing before the man. "Praise the idols" He mutter and Nafre echoed. "Is the seed planted" He asked his voice fading in and out. "Yes, Lance is all set to go, I'm sure he will be of great use to you, that is why you had me write to him to come right. Because of his unique skill." The shadow turned towards him and spoke softly "Yes, make sure he blooms into a capable fighter, and remember you can always be replaced". And with those words of warning, he vanished into the darkness. Nafre was left there still grovelling on the floor. He slowly stood up, regaining part of his dignity back, he left his office swearing to him self that he would do very thing in his power to make sure that Lance succeeded even if he had to sacrifice others, I can't lose this job I thought so hard for he said to himself as he disappeared into the night.