The Start Of An Odyssey

Lex entered the Runners academy but noticed loads of people rushing around looking like they lost something.

Thanks to the old Lex's memories he knew where he had to go, so he started walking there until he was stopped by a girl.

When Lex saw her he was shocked. She had bright pink hair but the most beautiful blue eye he had ever seen.

She was wearing what looked like overalls but had cogs and other steampunk decorations on the clothes.

But the outfit suited her. He searched his brain for a name and it came to him. 'Eve Moonshadow.'

A human Runner family that is respected throughout the city. He remembered that they had been close friends ever since they were young.

The old Lex had a crush on her but never dared to act on it but the new Lex didn't have that as he smiled. ''Hello Eve. You look beautiful today.''

When Eve heard this she was stumped and didn't know how to respond before shaking her head. ''I'm glad you're back on your feet. Those pricks will pay for hurting you.''

Lex laughed before he replied to the angry pink-haired girl. ''Don't worry about them. We will go far and be the best Runners in the empire.''

She nodded her head with a beautiful smile on her face before they heard the headmaster's voice over the speakers. ''Can Class S through B report to the grand hall.''

When Eve heard that she grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the hall as she spoke. ''I was going to tell you before you complimented me and caught me off guard.''

As they were walking they saw hundreds of students walking in the same direction but Eve continued to speak. ''They have brought forward the Runner test. We will be sent out to Shadowwood Grove to survive there for a week and be judged on our kills.''

Lex's eyes widened but an excitement grew within him as they arrived at the hall and entered. 

The two of them saw teachers motioned for the students to sit down. Lex and Eve sat down next to each other but they still held hands catching some of the other student's attention.

As they sat there more people piled into the hall and found spaces to sit down. Lex was looking around taking everything in but then felt Eve squeeze his hand.

He turned to her and asked. ''What's up Eve?''

She looked around and whispered to him. ''Can I do the test with you please?''

Lex looked at the girls and nodded his head with a smile causing her to become excited and hugged him.

When he felt her hugging him he smiled as he returned it before a man appeared on the stage in front of them.

The man looked around before speaking. ''Hello, students and professors. We have received an order from the Governor to bring forward the Runner test which will start in an hour.''

Once he finished talking he looked around letting the news sink in before continuing. ''Everyone here will go to the fields and wait for the carriages to pick you up and take you to the Shadowwood Grove where some Gearknights and city soldiers will surround the forest for your protection.''

The headmaster stopped talking when a man walked on stage and whispered something in his ear.

After the man was gone he started talking again. ''Classes S and A you may depart now. We will send messages to your family to let them know what was happening.''

The pair were shocked and never expected this. Well, Eve had an idea but didn't know it would be now.

Lex stood up and started to make his way out of the hall as the headmaster called out to the departing students. ''Your professors will supply you with everything to last you a week.''

The two left the hall and Eve led him to the fields to find their professor. After a ten-minute walk, they arrived and saw a group of tables.

That's when Eve spotted Professor Vivian and spoke to him. ''This way Lex we will get our stuff and get ready to leave.''

He nodded as they approached the table to see their professor smiling at them. ''Lex, Eve it's good to see you two. I hope you both are prepared as much as you can be on such short notice.''

Lex examined the teacher. She had long brown hair with brown eyes and looked to be in her forties. She was wearing what normal teachers would wear.''

She looked at them and handed them plain-looking rings as she explained. ''These are space rings, they are full of food and water and will also allow you to store the mana cores you collect on the test. The more you collect the bigger your score will be. Any questions?''

Eve gazed at Lex with a smile, but he was already well-informed about the situation. He shook his head in response to the older woman and spoke,

"We've got the details, but in essence, we have to hunt as many monsters as possible within a week. The top fifty students will then advance to the final class and graduate as Runners, right?"

She nodded her head with a proud smile. ''So you do listen in class Lex. I thought you only stared at Miss Eve over here.''

When he heard this he got embarrassed but soon got over it and laughed alongside Eve as they took the bag.

Vivian led them to the first carriage and told them to get comfortable as they waited for the rest of the students.

The two of them got comfortable as Eve pulled out some pasty and shared it with Lex. They started eating.

After waiting for twenty minutes the first student appeared and Lex's eyes widened when he saw her.

She had chocolate brown skin, green hair, and bright yellow eyes. The girl was wearing some steampunk armor, which reminded him of his cloak.

That's when he remembered he only had his normal clothes and cloak. He was gutted that he didn't buy any armor.

As he was wallowing, he heard Eve speak. ''Lex.''

Lex looked up and saw her blue eyes staring at him with a smile on her face. She had something in her hand and handed it to him.

He took it and was curious as he asked. ''What is it?''

Eve blushed but answered. ''It's a set of Gear Armor; I managed to buy the last one in the armor shop and knew you loved it before the incident happened.''

As he looked at it, the memories returned to him as all the information he needed to use it poured into him.

He placed the plate-looking thing on his chest, which caught the other girl's attention.

As Lex did, he felt an almost magical connection with the armor, as if it had been crafted specifically for him.

The suit's pieces wrapped around his body with a gentle hum of machinery, effortlessly adjusting and conforming to his form.

Leather straps tightened just enough to provide a snug fit, without becoming uncomfortable.

The armor's weight was surprisingly manageable, feeling like a natural extension of his body. Lex raised his arm, and the mechanical gauntlet responded, flexing and moving with fluidity.

He couldn't help but smile beneath the helmet, feeling a sense of power and grace he had never experienced before.

Once the armor was on his, he felt a lot better and then looked at Eve who was smiling at him. 

Lex smiled as he spoke. ''Thank you, Eve. It's amazing.''

As she was about to reply, the two of them heard a voice. ''She must love you to spend that type of coin on you.''

The two of them turned to the green-haired girl who just spoke. Eve narrowed her eyes as she spoke. ''Ayla, I do not love him. It was just a gift.''

Lex felt hurt when he heard that and wondered why, but Ayla spoke again. ''You can keep lying to yourself, Eve, but you know you do. Why deny it? You may lose him in the future.''

When the pink-haired girl heard Ayla, her eyes widened, and she got closer to Lex, causing him to smile as he grabbed her smooth hand.

He noticed that she had a storage ring on and turned to the girl named Ayla and spoke. ''Hey, I'm Lex.''

Ayla looked at him and replied. ''Yes, I know. We were in the same class, after all.''

Lex laughed as he nodded before turning to Eve and asked. ''What weapon are you using?''

The pink-haired girl's eyebrows raised before she sighed as she answered. ''I use my Steamlock silly. How could you forget?''

He tapped his head. ''Lost some memories due to the incident.''

Before she could reply, Ayla spoke up. ''Well, it's good that you're awake.''

[A/N - Leave some comments, power stones, and gifts. It all helps support the book. Artwork in the comments or discord]