Head Start

=4th District; Crystal Factory =

Ray: "Well, we're here." They were standing on a large gate made of iron bars and steels. Ray noticed a big signage. "It says restricted area. For authorized person only." He read. "So what now? How can we enter this place?" He glanced at his companion.

Nympha: "Yes, it is. You're lucky that I'm here as your escort." She went to one of the sentinels guarding the area. After sometime Nympha came back with a satisfied look.

Ray: "So?"

Nympha: "We're now good to enter."

Ray followed Nympha as they walk past the impenetrable gate that was now open.

Ray: "How did you manage to do it? They let us passed that easy." He asked bewildered.

Nympha: "They didn't let us passed that easy, silly. We were able to enter because of this." She brought out a crystal stone badge. "This badge is used by the different guilds in the city. Every guild has it."

Ray: "It looks like a shield."

Nympha: "That's because it is carved like a shield. This is the seal of the Guild of the Shield of Faction."

Ray: "I wonder what the other badge looks like."

Nympha: "Each badge has their own style and uniqueness. Maybe you will have a chance to see it."

Ray: "Hope so." He focused on his surroundings. The energy in the place is overwhelming. He felt a tingling sensation rushed through his body. "So what's interesting about this place?" (All I can see is crystals…) He started inquiring.

Nympha: "The 4th District is where crystals were developed. Researchers and scientists enhanced the crystals state by combining science and ancient teaching. This is a place of advancement." She explained.

Ray: "Yes, yes." (She's really enthusiastic about this. Her eyes are literally glittering) *sigh* (…maybe I need to explore on my own…)

Nympha: "Isn't it magnificent? You can see the crystals up close. We can visit the Research Development Facility to see the newest technology or we can go to the mining site. You said you want to look for some rare crystals right? How about you go there first and---" She looked around her. "Ray?" Her companion was out of sight. "Where did that kid run off to?!"

Ray went ahead to the mining site alone. Nomad workers are busy carrying truck loads of crystals with their pick axes. Some factions are also present unloading the crystals and doing quality check. Several workers spotted Ray.

Worker 1: "Hey kid!"

Ray: "Yes?"

Worker 1: "It's my first time seeing you here. Did you have any business here?"

Ray: "Ahmm. I'm here to explore the place." (How come I always find myself in this kind of situation?)

Worker 2: "Are you alone? Where's your escort?"

Ray: "I somehow drift away from her?" He lied.

Worker 3: "Well, you better find her immediately. If by chance the guards find you roaming alone in this place, they will kick you out."

Ray: "Yes. You guys are right. I better find her. Hehe." He rushed back to the location where she left Nympha. He didn't care much to see where he's going. Suddenly…

*Thug!* …he bumped into something hard.

"Ouch! Hey! Watch where you're going!" Ray saw a well-dressed kid knocked on the ground.

Ray: "That's my line! You suddenly popped out from nowhere."

Both of their foreheads are beet red.

Kid: "Look who's talking?! I could say the very same thing to you! And why is a kid lingering here in the first place? This is no place for a kid!" The kid stood up and fixed his wrinkled clothes.

Ray: "What the--- aren't you a kid as well?" (Ugh! I hate this kind of people!)

Kid: "I'm no ordinary kid. I'm special."

Ray looked at the kid from top to toe.

Ray: "Special? What can a nomad like you do?!"

Kid: "I'm maybe a nomad but I at least contribute to the development of Ambeist."

The conversation heated and they started bickering with each other.

Nympha heard familiar voices.

(This is not good!)

Nympha rushed to the two boys who are still heated in arguments with each other.

Kid: "You better apologize for your rudeness!"

Ray: "What?! Why should I apologize? You're the one who bumped into me!"

Nympha: "Ray…you bett---"

Kid: "You, with your terrible manners!"

Ray: "Huh?! We're just the same!"

Nympha: "Ray…I think you just nee---"

Kid: "Don't lump me together with you!"

Ray: "Who would want to be with you! A nomad!"

Nympha: (Nghnn…These crazy children! I'm trying my best to pacify them and this is what they do?!)

Kid: "That's it, you want to--"

*BOOM!!!*

Ray immediately pushed the kid away and dodged the attack. A huge massive cracked appeared from the ground.

Ray: "What was that all about?! Are you trying to kill us?!"

Nympha: (My presumption is right. This kid is a strange one.) She loosened the knuckles in her hands. The joints from her fingers relaxed. "Are you ready to listen?" Her calm demeanor was long gone.

Both of them gulped.

"Yes, ma'am!" They said in unison.

Nympha: "Ray, you first need to apologize."

Ray: "Why shou--" Ray didn't finish his sentence. He was forced to bow.

Nympha: "I apologize. He's just new to the city. We didn't mean to offend you."

Kid: "Hmp. So it seems." He replied with an arrogant voice.

Ray: "What's your problem? He's the one who started it?" He whispered.

Nympha: "Shh. Keep your mouth shut." She also lowered her voice. (This kid! You don't know what you're putting yourself into.)

Nympha knows that Ray is a stubborn kid. It was a bad match.

Nympha: "We already waste your precious time. We'll be on our way." She dragged Ray with her and went in another direction. "Phew! That was close."

Ray: "What was that all about? Why do we even need to bow to that kid?"

Nympha: "The kid is the administrator of this place. He's the one who oversees and manages everything that happens here. He runs this place obviously. Do pray you won't be blacklisted."

Ray: "What?" He froze.

Nympha: "You still don't know the things that went around here, so you need to be careful." She gave a practical advise. "Let's just move out and proceed with your choice."

During their journey, Ray reflected and realized he was wrong. He apologized for his wrong doing and promised not to do it again. After sometime…

Ray: "Hmm…sister Nympha, that kid, who is he?"

Nympha: "He's name is Celsius. A natural born genius. He's great grandfather was the once who introduced how to harness energy from crystals. Thanks to that, Ambeist is now a flourished and advanced city. Beside from being an administrator, he also heads the Crystal Memory Department. The people of Ambeist owed it to them."

Ray: "So that's why he's so arrogant for a kid."

Nympha: (Well, aren't you two alike?) "Hmm, you can say that. Anyways enough talking, it will be a long way walk. You need to preserved your energy."

=3rd District: Training Ground=

Ray: "Whoa! This is--- amazing!" He's eyes widen.

The 3rd District feels like a different realm. The place has a romanistic vibe. A large colosseum made of white tough crystal lies in the center. Large columns were built side by side to each other. The ground was made of crystal-like marbles. There's a designated training hall for sparring, for target practicing, for mental advancement, and a battle simulation for each type of monster present in the labyrinth.

Nympha: : "Ray! You're drooling." She can't helped but smile.

Ray: "My bad." He wiped his mouth immediately. "My excitement took a hold of me."

Nympha: "I can see that."

Ray: "So, do we still need to ask for consent?"

Nympha: "I'm already done with that. You didn't notice since you're in your own world a moment ago."

Ray: "Right."

Nympha: "Follow me. Before going to the training hall, we need to change our attire. And you need to have the right equipment. I will show it to you."

They went into the changing room.

Nympha: "Listen carefully, Ray." She waved her hand and a small black cube appeared. She opened it and two items popped out. "This is a Nano fiber armor. The other one is a chroma-stone bracelet."

Ray: "What can these items do?"

Nympha: "Wear it and imagine what kind of armor you want and it will materialize. Same goes for the bracelet. You need to imagine what kind of weapon you want. It will pop out and materialize. These are god-tier equipment I received from the Goddess, so use it wisely."

Ray: "Okay. All clear to me now."

Nympha: "Once you're done changing, I'll wait for you outside." (Let me see what you are made of.)

With all the instruction given, Ray successfully wore the armor and bracelet.

Nympha: "Good, you did it."

Ray: "Yes. So, where are we going to train?" He's eyes glittering.

Nympha: "Heh, I know the right hall for you." Her eyes flashed suddenly.

=Target Practice Hall=

Nympha: "Ray you better start stretching first. Don't strain your body." The crowd noticed their arrival.

"Look a mere kid is about to do some target practice." Said by the man with a medium build.

"This better be good." A robe man sneered.

Nympha: "Good luck."

Ray: "Un."

Ray was all fired up. Everyone eyes were set on him. It's time to prove to this people how capable he is.

=0=