Chapter 1: Portal
Mana synchronization, a ceremonious day where thousands of people would gather in the capital, to determine their fate, as to how they will serve the empire, and how they would proceed in life. In the town square loving parents kissed their children goodbye, while fathers gave advice on how to proceed. There were the rich, and the poor, standing separate from each other, each one venomously hating the other group. Guilds were shouting advertisements, handing them around, looking for new members. Adults straightened the kids jackets, and clothes specially designed for this day. Children, of ages 16, were roaming around, but were grabbed by their parent and pulled back towards them to give their final pieces of what looked like hours of advice.
There in the town square, stood a boy, bedraggled, devoid of any parents, with no clothes, other than rags. Even the poorest of farmers had at the very least, decent clothes, however, this young man had none, and appeared to have no weapons. He was the type of person, you would just dismiss as a beggar and nothing more. He had jet black hair with red eyes, and a handsome faced if all the dirt hadn't been covering him. However if you looked closely enough, you could see a glint of steel. They were needles, small and tiny, and long, but enough to puncture through any small crack, disabling bones without breaking and such. The boy's name was Victor. He didn't have a last name, and he had never known his parents. He had given up his search to find them, and had resorted to stealing to live. He had no siblings, known to him, and had no friends. Victor however didn't mind, as he thought that siblings and friends were liabilities. They could easily backstab him, thus he never put his trust into anyone.
Victor started walking around aimlessly around the square. He didn't have anything to do particularly at the time. He soon saw a noble father facing the other direction looking down at his son, most likely giving instructions. Nobles usually carried stuff on them, stuff so valuable the nobles were practically screaming to get robbed. Thus he started towards the man, not caring of his identity. He was just another victim of his survival. The Noble was fairly skinny built, and old man with a pointed beard. He wore clothes that, in all of Victor's lifetime savings, could not afford. He was standing still has a statue and was lecturing what looked like his son.
As he walked near the man he sensed a presence of thick flow of some kind of substance. Victor stopped in his tracks, for he had just seen something that would scare any normal person away senseless. However, this was nothing to Victor as he had met far worse, worse enough to render him almost fearless of anything. Standing behind the man was a knight. He had appeared out of what he thought, basically thin air. He had shining white armor with streaks of gold running down on almost every limb of the body. He wore a knights helmet, covering his face. A shield was strapped on his back with the symbol of the holy church, a holy grail. A sword strapped to his waist showed he meant business. Their could only be one meaning to this.. It was a Paladin Of The Holy Church! Victor had no doubt that the guy would disable anyone that came near the holy church member. Victor, decided against attacking the—
His train of thoughts was interrupted as a short stubby man came on the stage and cleared his throat. Although it was not very loud, in a crowd filled to the brim in town square everyone went silent. The choosing was beginning. In the square a deafening drum began to beat.
Boom, Boom, Boom. A steady of drums erupted around the square. Thousands of people looked around the square, trying to find the source.
"WELCOME, WELCOME ALL!" The loud voice of the mana enhanced man echoed around the square. The man continued:
"YOU HAVE BROGUHT YOUR CHILDREN FOR ONE THING, AND ONE THING ONLY! TO GET YOUR YOUNG ADULTS A FUTURE! HERE AT CORLINON INSTITUTE WE PROVIDE THE BEST EDUCATION IN TERMS OF MANA! YOUR CHILDREN FUTURE IS SET, IF YOU PASS OUR ONE OF A KIND ENTRANCE EXAM! TO ATTEMPT TO PASS THE EXAM, ALL CHILDREN AGES OF 16 ARE TO PASS THROUGH THE PORTAL DIRECTLY BELOW ME..."
Suddenly, a portal formed glowing a bluish haze. Children started forward as parents held back shouting out the last words of encouragement. Victor, however, didn't move. He waited until the crowd of children were halfway in, when he started toward. The reason was simple. If he went first many people would take an interest in him. If he went last people would think he was a coward and would underestimate him. He couldn't have either thus encouraging him to move at a regular pace. This is where I start, this is my beginning, he thought. To conquer all, and to begin his adventure. Little did he know what fate had in store for him!
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