Dante waited nervously as the large tube he was standing in let out a hiss while the hatch closed. Long pipes connected to the metal base under his feet and disappeared into the wall to his left. The room was bare, with the exception of the tube, pipes and a window set into the wall that showed another room with several machines, one of which, Head Historian Louis stood at.

She looked over her control board, making sure the Essence pressure was built up. In the next room, a large container held several large essence crystals that would be broken down through a magical means that even she was not completely familiar with. The Essence would fill the container and then be sent through the pipes and into the tube that Dante was standing in. The pressure could be strong enough to push the oxygen from the tube, so she had to monitor carefully so that her student could still breathe while going through the process.

She still wasn’t sure it would work with Dante. They didn’t know if he stored his own magical energy like other Mages or if he simply used the Essence around him. The other students had successfully gone through the process and were all in recovery. Thankfully, no one was permanently damaged. She hated putting these children through such extreme measures.

She pressed a sphere, letting her communicate with Dante.

“Nod if you can hear me.” Her voice sounded through the tube and Dante nodded nervously. “Good. The air is going to thin as the Essence is pumped into the tube. Just breath easily and evenly. If you panic, you might pass out and then we will have to start over.”

Dante gave another nod and concentrated on his breathing. His heart had been beating wildly but with the breathing exercises, he felt his body ease into a relaxed meditation. His random worries were tossed aside as he centered his focus on every breath. Seeing he was ready, she started opening the tubes connecting the Essence and pressure started filling the tube.

Head Historian Louis looked on passively but inside she was a wreck of emotions. She had promised herself, long ago, never to teach another student to fight again. In her day, she was a beacon of brilliance. She had been blessed with an ability to wield her affinity with complete and utter control. The youngest Master Mage to have been seen in the tower since its founding. That blessing had tragically turned into her curse.

People die, it is a hard truth that will always remain, but when her grandchildren died, it had broken her. She pushed everything away, living and working in solitude. Ostracized by her son and daughter-in-law.

Her grandchildren believed that her training had made them invincible. She was cocky and arrogant, always bragging about her control, never showing a moment of concern for the dangers of the dungeons. Her grandchildren died needlessly. They were reckless, delving deep into the dungeons without the proper survival instinct seasoned Adventurer’s rely on. When they had died, a part of her had died as well.

Now she was training again and she loathed herself for it, but knew this young boy and his friends would face danger, no matter where they were. She cast the thought from her mind and looked at the timer that was counting down in front of her. The boy had two more minutes before the pressure ran too high.

Dante focused on his breathing. His skin felt prickly and each breath was harder to take but nothing else felt differently than before. He could feel the Essence move around him like a thick fog being tossed about by a strong wind. His skin felt cold but his body felt warm. It was always an odd sensation that he was sure he would never get used to.

The sound of a buzzer came through, snapping him out of his thoughts. He must had delved deep into his meditation. His lungs burned from the lack of oxygen but he hadn’t noticed before. Slowly, the air returned and he felt his ears pop just before the tube’s hatch opened. Historian Louis walked into the room, checking his vitals.

“Anything feel different?” She asked.

He shook his head. “No, Historian Louis. I feel the same.”

She muttered to herself as she wrote a few notes down. “Go change and see how your friends are doing. They should be about ready to leave.”

After changing, Dante walked into a room where his friends sat on a few couches. They were eating little sandwiches which he happily helped himself to.

“How was it?” Kelsi asked, looking up at him.

Dante shrugged. “I didn’t feel anything different. You?”

Ferris rolled his eyes. “Well if you don’t count the suffocating and feeling like you were being crushed like a box of juice, yeah, we are all dandy.”

Kelsi slapped Ferris’ arm and he cracked a smile, showing Dante he really didn’t mind.

“We all feel like we could store more magical energy.” Jasmi said excitedly. “It’s like having another set of lungs almost.”

Dante could see how excited they all were. They had all seen improvement. It was another thing Dante felt he was missing out on. Jasmi noticed his smile fade.

She stood up and slapped him on the arm. “Hey! Don’t be feeling down. Don’t think I haven’t noticed that you have been acting distant lately.”

Dante tried but couldn’t hide his blush. “It’s just that you all get to train together and I’m always alone. I feel like I’m left out, I guess.”

Gretta had moved closer and snapped her fingers next to his ear causing him to flinch. He looked down at her and she was smiling up at him. “It’s just training. We have plenty of time to make memories but we all have foundations we need to build. You are ahead of us so we need each other to grow and catch up.”

Dante smiled. “Yeah. I understand.”

Ferris stood and stretched along with Kelsi. “Good.” Ferris said. “The Historian said we had the rest of the day off. What should we do?”

They all thought about it. They hadn’t had a day off since their training had started. They were somewhat at a loss for what to do.

“What happens when we leave the Academy?” Kelsi asked. “Do they give us gear?”

Ferris nodded. “Everyone is given starter gear. Usually gear made by students or apprentices. It isn’t that good but it will serve until we can afford better.”

“The fourth-year team that won the tournament received specially made armor as their prize.” Gretta added.

“True.” Jasmi said. “But that was fourth-years and we won’t be in the next tournament because of the Advancement Trials.”

“We should find out.” Dante said. “We still have student credits we can spend. If we know we have a chance to get armor, we could spend the credits on other things we might need.”

The group agreed to ask Senior Instructor Williams the next day. Today, they would relax. They hadn’t even talked to their old friends from the orphanage since their training had begun. They might not get a chance to talk to them again. Especially if they passed the Trials.

Esteban entered the Castellas Estate through the servant’s entrance at the back wall. The guard nodded to the family butler as he passed. Through the kitchen and up the side stairs, he arrived at Francis Castellas study. He knocked softly and entered without waiting.

Francis Castellas sat at his desk, his ever-thinning grey hair and thin frame led many to think the he was frail, but Esteban pitied anyone who underestimated the man. Francis had always been thin, but his strength was still there. Light affinities were adept at hiding their true power. The man could jump over the desk and disable Esteban in a moment if he wished.

Francis looked up from his paperwork, his gold eyes looking to his friend with a small measure of desperation. It truly unnerved Esteban to see his friend like this. The guilt of making ties with the Atahchi family, leading to the death of his family, had tortured the man. It was sheer stubbornness that drove him on.

Francis set down his paper and waited for his friend to take a seat. “It has been weeks.”

Esteban nodded. “I was not going to risk you and your wife being caught in this. I handled every detail through several different associates. The letters will arrive tomorrow and cannot be traced back to the family.”

Francis smiled and let out a deep sigh of relief. “Always looking out for us. I can’t thank you enough old friend.”

Esteban shook his head with a grin. “Too tell you the truth, it was exciting. I didn’t realize how much I missed the old days.” He looked at his crippled hand. It looked more like a ball of melted wax. He had hoped that with enough healing, it could be fixed, but as time passed, that hope had faded away. He should have cut it off and attached a hook or something more useful. “A safe house has been set up in case Jasmi and her friends need a place to hide.”

Francis raised a grey brow. “Her friends as well?”

Esteban nodded. “Yes. The rumors are consistent enough throughout the tower. Other merchant families will start moving as well. The boy is an Essence Mage.”

Francis leaned on his desk. It was a lot to take in and he hadn’t thought enough about the rumors, instead his concern was only for Jasmi. If he was still the man he was before, he might start thinking of ways to entice the young man to work for him. He wasn’t though. His mistakes had given him something he could reflect on. If Jasmi and her friends needed help, then he would offer it. A smile touched his face.

“Tell me more.” Francis said. He felt the old Adventurer’s flame light within him.

Jasmi entered her room to find a letter sitting on her desk. The letter was sealed with simple wax and the paper looked ordinary enough. When she opened hit, a small flower fell, hidden in the folds of the paper. She picked it up and tears immediately welled up in her eyes. The letter was a simple congratulations on winning the first-year tournament. There was nothing to hint at a hidden meaning in the writing and it was not signed. The flower, however, was the only hint she needed. The purple jasmine was a favorite of hers growing up and only one person called her by that nickname. Her grandfather.

She rushed about, getting showered and changed before meeting her friends for dinner. She pocketed the letter before leaving. The group met her, cleaned up from the day’s training and headed to the mess hall. When they finally sat, Jasmi asked about the letters.

“Did you all receive a letter of congratulations?” Jasmi asked looking around the table. They all nodded.

“It was a little weird.” Ferris said. “No name from the sender or anything.”

“Also, several months late.” Added Gretta. “Why wait so long?”

“My letter was a little different.” Jasmi whispered. They all leaned in. “The writing was most likely the same but mine came with a small flower.”

Gretta gasped and the rest of the table looked between the two.

“What are we missing?” Dante asked.

“The flower was a purple jasmine. It was my favorite as a child and also a nickname used by my grandfather.” She whispered.

The group had shocked expressions but remained quiet. “What does that mean then? That is an awfully big risk.” Kelsi asked quietly.

Jasmi smiled sadly. “I think it means he wants to help. I don’t know how he figured out that I was still alive but it must have been recently.”

“That’s why the letters are so simple and non-revealing.” Gretta added. “Jasmi’s grandfather probably went through a lot of channels just to get us these messages. They most likely can’t be traced back to him.”

“That’s wonderful and all.” Ferris said quickly. “But it’s not like we can contact him.”

“No.” Jasmi answered. “But if we needed to run, we could go there. Besides, if everything works out as planned, we will be Adventurers in a few months and I can get in touch with him.”

“Can we trust him?” Kelsi asked. Jasmi started to respond but Kelsi stopped her. “I know it’s not polite to ask but this is still a risk for us. There are too many people after Dante and a few after you as well, Jasmi. It’s a question that needs to be answered.”

Jasmi settled back and nodded. “You’re right. I will try to get in touch with him when we graduate. Until then, it’s an ‘emergency only’ plan.”

The group smiled and agreed. Now all they could do was continue training. The end of the year was coming quickly.

Serist De stood at attention in the arena. Their training equipment was stored away and they wore their Academy uniforms instead of their worn-out training clothes. Their Instructors stood before them, facing the Academy Senior Instructors and Dean Marcus.

“Why have you called this meeting Senior Instructor Williams?” The Dean asked. His voice sounded more ceremonial than curious.

“To request the Advancement Trials.” Williams said with the same ceremony. “These young Mages have proven themselves to be extraordinary and are ready to become Adventurers.”

The Senior Instructors didn’t give any hint of surprise to the announcement. Dante had a sneaking suspicion that this was planned out since the beginning of the year.

“And who will witness and judge them in the Trials?” The Dean asked. Perez, Louis and Williams all stepped forward.

“We will.” They said together.

The Dean nodded. “So, shall it be recorded. You are granted the Advancement Trials. You will leave tomorrow. Do not let your guard down students of the Academy, the dangers you face are all too real. If the judges need to interfere in the trials, you will fail. I will pray to the Gods for your safety.”

The Dean and Senior Instructors left the arena and two large crates were brought in and set before the students. Williams turned around to look at his students.

“These crates contain your prize for passing the Trials. In this case, you will use them while in the dungeon but you will keep them only if you pass.” Williams said.

Instructor Perez had opened the first crate and the students watched in awe as the prizes were revealed. Armor, enchanted and high quality, were displayed before them. The armor was tailored made and enchantments were woven through each piece.

Perez pointed out the enchantments. “The enchantments are simple but strong. They absorb impact damage and weaken piercing damage. Elemental resistance could be added but it would weaken the other enchantments. Less is more when it comes to enchantments.”

Gretta pointed out the insignia on the armor. “They made us a badge!” The others looked closer to see a shadowed outline of a single Adventurer in front of silver colored shield backdrop.

“The Lone Wanderer.” The Historian said with a smile. “I found it while researching. Serist De was a name used long, long ago by another team of Adventurers. They, as well, had an Essence Mage among their group. The mithril was hard to find but I wanted to stay true to the legendary team.” The students looked at the historian, amazed and somewhat stupefied at what to say. She cackled at their expression. “You don’t own it yet! Pass the trials and make us proud.”

They smiled and laughed lightly. Williams had opened the second crate and they moved over reluctantly, still astonished by the previous crate’s contents. Weapons laid before them. The giant claymore was taking up most of the space and Ferris picked it up easily, admiring the forged steel. Jasmi picked up a pair of long daggers that were eighteen inches in length. The steel was black and only the edges gleamed a silvery white. Gretta looked at her new violin. She was staring at the enchantments that wrapped around the instrument.

“The violin has been enchanted to be as durable as steel and the sound can be amplified.” Williams said. “Your throwing daggers have been polished to a bright shine so that you can find them in the tunnels. I won’t tell you how many knives and daggers I have lost in those damn dungeons.” Gretta smiled and hugged her new violin

Kelsi staff was not enchanted but it was made from a material she had never seen before.

“Ahhh.” Perez said. “That staff is made from the obsidian trees that grow near volcanoes. The mutation of tree and glass gives the wood it’s glass like look and it will be a tad heavier than normal staffs, but it is damn near indestructible. The wood can’t be enchanted though for some reason or another so many staff wielders don’t use it. It will be good in your hands though since you seem adamant about bashing things over the head.” Perez laughed.

Kelsi hefted the staff but it didn’t feel that much heavier. It was thin and the black glass like wood glowed with an ominous look. She loved it.

Dante watched his friends and smiled. He had no need for weapons since he could make his own. So, he was surprised when the Historian tossed him a small boot knife.

“That is an enchanted blade.” The Historian said. “It’s not used for fighting but rather for cutting. It can cut the through steel as easy as a loaf of bread. Be careful though. If the enchantments on the edge of the blade become damaged, it turns into a regular knife.”

Dante looked at the enchantments etched into the sides of the mirror like steel. It was curving like calligraphy and must have taken hours for such a small piece of work. He was reminded why enchantments didn’t normally get placed on weapons. This work must have cost a fortune.

Senior Instructor Williams brought them out of their inspections of the treasures. “We will leave at six in the morning. Make sure you are packed and ready to go by the front gates. We will carry the cooking items and bedrolls for this trip but we will only be watching.”

“Senior Instructor Williams?” Kelsi asked. “What happens if the monsters attack you though?”

Williams laughed. “Monsters are not completely stupid. They will ignore us and attack the weaker prey. If they do attack us however, we are allowed to defend ourselves without any recourse.”

The group nodded and collected their gear while the Instructors left them to handle packing themselves.

“Is this normal?” Dante asked Ferris. “This is a lot of gear.”

Ferris shrugged. “The harder the task, the better the prize. Considering we are doing Advancement Trials a year early and that not many students attempt it, even in their third year, I think it matches the task.”

Dante looked at his friend. “So, what your saying is, this mission is probably impossible and we all might die?”

Ferris cracked a smile. “Pretty much.”

“Alright!” Kelsi said to the team. “We wake up early tomorrow, eat and then head out to the dungeon. Make sure to keep your packs filled with only the essentials.”

“We have all of our potions stored in our rings.” Dante added. “Practice pulling them out so you can get the proper potion at a moment’s notice.”

“Are we forgetting anything?” Kelsi asked.

Ferris grinned. “How would we know if we were?”

She scowled at him as the rest of the group laughed at the pair.