Seina Ironheart

  Ryan was just staring at me with disdain, like I had spilled water on a noble's carpet.

  The flames around him calmed and disappeared.

  “The test is over.” Ryan spoke.

  “What? Why?” I replied.

  “Because I feel like it.” He looked down and sighed. “Do you know the three forces that people can use? And how common it is for humans to use them.”

  Is this still a part of the test?

  “Well… The most common is mana, the second is aura, and the rarest is prana.” I said, slightly confused.

  “Correct.”

  “Wha—Come back tomorrow for your starting rank.” Ryan interrupted.

  I watched as he just walked away, he seemed both angry and confused. I left shortly after, and made my way to an inn that was nearby.

  I laid on my back staring at the ceiling. All I could think about was how he ended the test.

  Why did he ask that question about the three forces? And why did he look at me like that?

  Like father did.

  When the sun broke the window of the small room, I had already been awake for a while.

  Before I left the inn I made sure I had all my equipment, even though I didn’t have much. But I wanted to make sure nothing was missing.

  I decided to take a longer route to the guild hall. I wanted to clear my head and calm myself down slightly. And before I knew it, I had arrived at the hall.

  The first thing I noticed was that the receptionist was trying not to look at me, like I was some crazed monster.

  The second thing was that I wasn’t the only person there to receive their rank. There was only one notable person there, he had what seemed to be bodyguards all around him. And a neatly arranged staff.

  “It seems you’re all here.”

  I turned to the direction of the voice. It was Ryan.

  “All of you follow me.”

  He led us back out to where he tested me. This time there were other people from the guild here. Each holding a small box.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “All of you here have proven you have what it takes to be an adventurer. Be it skill, talent, grit, or pure strength.” Ryan said without looking at anyone specific. “The life of an adventurer is not an easy one, most die within their first year. But I hope you won’t. When your name is called please step up and receive your rank.”

  He began listing names, most of the people he called were ranked at D or C. Some were ranked lower and their faces told the whole story.

  “Seina. Step forward.” Ryan called.

  I walked up and looked him in the eye. The eyes that continued to show what he gained during my testing.

  “Seina, during your test you showed great confidence and a willingness to fight beyond what your body could handle, but that’s not all. You fought me as if it was real, like you didn’t know if you would come out alive.”

  He grabbed one of the boxes and opened it towards me.

  “I have the honor of bestowing you with a C ranking. I wish for your continued growth. And I wish to fight you once more. You are an adventurer.”

  Inside the box was a small metal card with my name and rank engraved into it. Holding the metal card filled me with a small sense of pride, and the hope I could carry out my promise.

  “Next up.” Ryan said while I walked away. “Beckett Ironheart.”

  The world crumbled. Instinct flooded my hand, urging me to take hold of my sword. All I managed to do was turn to Beckett.

  The last time I saw him was when he was a newborn. He looked so different from the babe I knew.

  “Beckett Ironheart,” Ryan said.

  “You showed great control over your magic, and that you deserve the name you bear. I am honored to bestow you with an A ranking. I know you will grow to be a remarkable mage.”

  “Thank you sir. I will continue to bring honor to my family.” Said Beckett.

  All I could do was stare blankly. The grip on my sword tightened. I started walking away briskly. I didn’t want to dig through the family graveyard.

  Caleb Vecnan

  My mornings never changed, I would wake up when the sun rose, stretch, and then go for a run, no matter where I was stationed at the time.

  I have done it since I was young, even at Ms. Huckleberry’s orphanage. She always talked about how I was born to be a knight.

  Even my new parents said the same thing. That I was going to be a generational knight.

  After years of work and grit, I became a knight of the royal guard.

  But a thought would always plaque my mind.

  I wonder how Seina is?

  Huckleberry said to not worry about her when on the day I left. But I couldn’t help myself. I had personally taught her how to use a sword.

  Once I finished my run, I headed back to my quarters. Outside my door was a woman wrapped up in a robe.

  She turned to me and spoke.

  “I have news for you.”

  “Not now,” I replied, opening the door. “You can tell me later.”

  “One of the guards assigned to the fifth princess was killed.” She said, “We need a replacement, and you’re going.”

  “Why me?”

  “Because I said so. You leave tonight.” She turned away and left my line of sight.

  I sighed and entered my room. I saw shiny new armor waiting on my bed with a sword against my desk.

  I still think they gave me too high of a starting rank.