A laughing Gregory walked over and declared Silvia the victor, most of the other fights found their natural ends as well. As Auron watched her saunter off toward the other finished recruits, Gregory slapped him on the back.

"Believe it or not, that is how I met my wife."

Gregory had the subtlety of a rhinoceros as he jibbed Auron and poked him in the ribs. Auron only blushed in response as he walked out of the ring. He hoped the young woman did not overhear the joke.

"Try not to be too smitten just yet, budding rogue. There are absolutely no romantic interactions allowed between recruits," As the man spoke, Auron tried to will his burning cheeks back to their standard color.

As he failed in his struggle against the color of rosy pink, one of the fights was still going. Two of the nobles Auron recognized from earlier. One of the boys was striking the other with a quick ferocity aided by magic. His limbs took on a delicate yellow glow as they buzzed through the air. Auron noticed the crest on his armor was that of a Peryton, a mythical creature his mother taught him about that was a hybrid of a stag and a bird.

A dull grey glow emanated from the boy taking the blows. His crest was that of a Turtogolin, a hybrid of a tortoise and Pangolin.

Seeing the mystical creatures from earthen mythos so prevalent in this society was confusing for Auron. His thoughts were dominated by other things, as one of the quick strikes by the pangolin boy split the lip of the defensive young man.

Auron was outraged by the scene, the competition clearly should have been over.

Gregory leaned over to Auron and whispered to him while placing hands on his shoulders to prevent him from interfering.

"This is why you do not beat on a tank Auron. Finish them quickly or do not engage. Watch what happens next closely."

As he finished speaking, the boy in a defensive position began to emanate a more profound radiance of grey, streaks of white added to the lights. Running across his body, the luminescence started to flash in tempo with the raining blows.

Seeing the magical power grow the speedy man redoubled his efforts to fell his opponent. His strikes, filled with nervous energy as he showered blows.

The white lights began to flow to the hand of the turtle crest boy. The light became so bright Auron had to squint to continue watching. With one punch, the man's metaphorical shield turned into a sword. He struck forward to the chin of the golden boy once, but the man reeled back as if struck tens of times. The force of the strike flung him out of the arena and sent him tumbling into a weapon rack on the far side. With a tremendous clatter, he came to a stop, unconscious. If this battle confirmed one thing, Auron did not want to fight a tank.

After the dust settled and the loser was eventually woken, Gregory declared the victor.

Turning to the recruits, the leader looked over them all once more now, spotting more bruises than this morning when they came in, dried blood caked on most of their faces.

"This is why we fight in groups. You have all learned more about your strengths and weaknesses through these spars. Members of a party can help complement those strengths and cover those weaknesses. Pay attention to your foe. Monsters do not have the hesitations that we do as humans. They are ruthless, and they will kill you without remorse. Some of you earned your mana learning that very lesson," As he said this, his eyes hovered over Auron and Leon.

After a slight pause, he continued, "Over the next few weeks, you will run. Then you will spar. The brightest minds we have available will teach you all battle tactics, and the basic fundamentals of mana. We will also be teaching you how the guild works and how you are expected to behave if you become full-fledged Guild members. Do remember this is an opportunity, and not a right. Once made full members, you will receive the benefits, stipend, and ability to take quests like any other affiliate. Until that point, you are recruits, and you will do as you are told. Understood!?" His last word boomed out in a commanding tone.

"Yes, guild leader," The young men and women yelled in acknowledgment.

"Very good," He said and then pointed to Marcus, "He will be teaching you as I have the guild to run with my wife. You will all meet her in due time. We do not like to scare you recruits too early," He barked a laugh and walked toward the building.

When Marcus took over, he made all of them run until Auron felt his legs would fall off, and the sun began to sink over the mountains. The increased gravity made even their rest periods taxing. As the day ended, not one of the rookies had the energy to even talk to one another on their march back to the Felt-Worth compound.

Later that night, Auron ate with Gregory's family. Contrary to the size of their estate, they did all of their cooking and cleaning themselves.

Oddly Auron felt very comfortable around the family. He kept the children entertained with stories of the jungle, and the mysterious green dungeon at its heart.

In return, their father explained to them and Auron that there was no longer a noble house for that color of mana. The Grand Emerald that they had held in their now desolate chapel disappeared along with every member of the house 15 years ago. After stating that Gregory and his wife became glossy-eyed, the children did not notice as they ate their meal. Auron noticed.

Once the adults came to, he gave Gregory bits and pieces about what he "Remembered," Gregory seemed satisfied that Auron got his green mana pool from the Baboon he killed. Stating he took several attacks from it and used stealth to kill the beast. The large man said that anomalies with mana were uncommon, but not unheard of. As an unplanned example for that presented itself as his daughter began to shake violently.

Auron jumped up alarmed, but Gregory and Laura just waved for him to sit back down as they rushed to aid their daughter. As they held her gently to stop her from injuring anything in the seizure, Auron noticed Laura pull a glowing object from a hidden pocket. The glow spread toward their daughter and calmed her convulsions.

The tension that hung over the rest of their dinner was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Auron did not know what words to say, but he just wished he could help. When he headed up to the room, they let him stay in, Gregory stopped by to check-in.

"You do not have to feel uncomfortable. I know it is hard to watch, but our daughter is a siphon. When you know more about magic, I can explain to you what that means. She will be fine, Auron. Bright and early tomorrow morning," His last words were spoken as he walked away down the hall.

Contrary to what he said, Auron was worried. He needed to increase his knowledge as quickly as possible. If the blood magic was behind those seizures, that was one more reason to shut it down.

Auron spent his nights receiving healing and company from Zander, having a few close calls. As three weeks flew by, Auron gained stat increases in strength and speed from running and lifting the guild to make all he recruits do. Once or twice a week, they would even go out to fight roaming monsters. Auron quickly leveled up to nine. Gregory explained that the stat increases and level gains from training became rarer after level ten.

Looking at his stats, he decided it was time to spend some points. Gregory had hinted there was a big test coming up.

Auron last name Lvl 9

Title: Baboon King

S Title: Scholar

Class: Rogue

S Class: Artificer

Available stat points: 35

Socket points used: 2/8

Familiar: 1/0

Stats

Spiritual stats:

Health: 30 = 300hp

Regen: 10(x2)(Zan)

Mana: 20 =200mp

Wisdom: 20+10 (Secondary class bonus)

Physical stats:

Speed: 25

Precision: 20

Strength: 25

Durability: 25 + 15 (Gear)

Stat changes

Health: 30>40

Regen: 10(x2)> 15(x2)

Speed/strength: 25>30

Green magic Attack path

Genesis

External

Internal

Soul

Tier One

Wind blast (Limited) 3/3

Wind barrier (Limited) 3/3

Healing wind (Limited) 3/3

Lvl 20 Tier Two

Locked

Locked

Healing gale (Partially locked) Error

Lvl 30 Tier Three

Locked

Locked

Locked

Lvl 40 Tier Four

Locked

Looking at his stats, he decided to remain rounded out. Though the trainer Marcus was intimidating, he explicitly stated that it is wise to round out stats until you know your desired specialty.

There are still many paths Auron could possibly take. Though he did not like the idea of the assassin class or that of the sting warrior, the two routes suggested by Thatch.

As he was deep in thought, his mind wandered. He was still unable to see how high the levels of certain people were. Level nine was nothing. Gregory was at least in the fifties Auron was able to terse that out through their conversations. Even that mountain of a man seemed to doubt his strength compared to the royals, and high up nobility.

With a sigh, Auron turned his attention back to his screen.

Adding 10 points to his health five to his speed and strength, and he spread out the last fifteen between Regen, Mana, and wisdom. With this, he was content for now. His body was filled with strength and energy from the daily training, and these added stats made him feel invincible. Forcibly calming his wild emotions, he knew this feeling was from the rush of the values increasing.

Auron was very pleased with his increased strength. He would have to find a path soon, but now he would at least be able to survive more hits, cast more spells, or use stealth longer, and he was feeling faster and more energetic. The increased Regen and wisdom would also come in handy.

He did wish he could go to the market to improve his gear and maybe find some items to tinker with, but Gregory said it was a strict rule that recruits not interact with shopkeepers until they complete their initial training. The large man did not have an approving opinion of the marketplace, even going so far as to call it:

"A fool's paradise run by swindlers."

As he thought about the words and the increasing mystery of the market, a knock at his door startled him. He swept away his screen as if he was doing something wrong. Annoyed at his own reaction Auron called for whoever was knocking to come in. To his surprise, it was Laura, her cold gaze flickered to something more vulnerable as she looked around her deceased son's room, that vulnerability only lasted for a brief moment, just as quick as it was there it was gone.

Turning to face Auron, she leaned against the window. Light from the moons highlighted her white dress as she spoke. "My husband treats you as our own... I am sure you have been able to tell, I disapprove," She spoke softly as she gazed out at the Felt-Worth property. "I do not think ill of you, Greg just has too big of a heart for this world. It is why he left his position as the leader of the Wendigo house, and it is why he is with me even though I am from a lower family."

Auron paid close attention to her words. She continued speaking as if in a dream. "Losing our son almost broke him. Since then, he has not been as himself as he has now that you are around." She then looked at Auron directly. Her cold gaze sent chills down his spine. He had overstayed their initial offer of a few days. Laura must be here to kick him out.

"Do nothing to betray him, and I will attempt to be kinder to you. Thank you for not speaking out on my lack of manners so far. I am sure it has not been easy for you. Please feel free to consider this home your own." For the first time, she smiled genuinely at Auron. The words made his heart feel a warmth that mirrored the atmosphere radiating from the woman.

"Gregory wishes to surprise you after the festival next month with an invitation to take our last name, and a tutor for your abilities." She said the words as Auron's mouth dropped open in shock. Smiling lightly at his reaction, she continued. "The sappy fool wanted it to be a surprise. I do not believe it is a decision to be made lightly, which is why I am telling you now. I wish for you to accept the tutor either way. My son would still be alive if we had done the same for him." She finished speaking and walked out, leaving Auron stunned, not knowing how to feel, or what the harvest was.

After a night of dreamless sleep, Gregory once again failed to surprise Auron awake. The insignificant victory helped fuel Auron as he was made to run laps around the training grounds with the others.

After several laps running with their increased weight, all of the recruits were beginning to feel exhausted except for Sylvia. Struggling to catch up to her, Auron was rewarded with a rock to the thigh that made him trip forward more from shock than pain.

Glaring at Marcus, he could see that the man had collected a generous bounty of the palm-sized stones and looked to be having a great time throwing them at the young warriors.

"You must always be aware of your surroundings. When fighting with a team, you are not only watching your back but theirs as well. Physical exertion is no excuse for lack of awareness." The man spoke in a controlled level tone. Punctuating his sentences with thrown rocks. An almost invisible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He was enjoying this.

Auron's pause in running was about to be rewarded with another rock when Leon jumped forward and smacked it out of the way. Pushing himself to his feet, Auron got up and gave him a quick nod of thanks. Running side by side, they now watched each other's backs making small noises to warn of incoming projectiles.

Watching the struggle show on Leon's face concerned Auron. Out of all of the kids, he was clearly the weakest, but he put in every ounce of effort he had to make up for that difference. As much as Auron's internal guard was up, he liked the guy.

Around an hour later, they were given permission to stop running. Even Sylvia was gassed at this point, her advanced cardiovascular health reason enough for Marcus to deem, she needed a bit more weight while running. Auron, Sylvia, and Leon somehow managed to lead the group in laps. Some of the nobles did not seem to be trying that hard, and the other commoner girl was not built for speed.

"Groups of three everyone," Marcus ordered the group after they had all drank some water and caught their breath. As Auron was standing closest to Sylvia and Leon, they formed a triad. "Get to know the abilities of your groups." He said as he watched the groups split up.

Auron was somewhat shy, interacting with Sylvia. She was unlike anyone he had met before, and he had a funny feeling in his stomach when he looked directly at her. She did not seem interested in communicating with the two boys, which left Leon to begin the dialog. "My father's bookstore was hit by an explosive round during a raid. He shielded me from most of the blast. I got my mana from that. I can make explosives using Blue, and Purple mana. I can't really control it, and I am not really used to fighting, but my pops used to read me battle tactics as a child, so I suppose I would consider that one of my strengths," He sputtered as his eyes raked the ground.

Sylvia spoke next. "As you both probably recognize from my crest, my mother is a squadron leader of the black crows, house of the Beargon. My father is Len Rushford, head of the Guards. Their affair led to me being born, hated by my stepmother, and left with no path other than the guild. My heritage has given me the benefit of access to both the black and grey cathedrals. My abilities are currently limited to anchoring things in place. At that, she gave Auron a wink causing him to blush. "I can also change the size of some inorganic material. I use these metal rings to bind enemies."

Auron was a bit thrown off by the unabashed flow of information from the girl. Some of the news he did not know how to digest, like what were the black crows, but he took most of it in.

Looking up, he was surprised to see them both expectantly waiting for him. Choosing his words carefully, he added to the story that Gregory had laid out for him with his assumptions. "I received my three-mana connections by going out into a dungeon. It being a purple dungeon, my memories were scrambled. I have inspection abilities, and I can use some purple abilities like stealth, and a modified version of infusion using my tattoos as you have both seen," Auron finished speaking and met both of their eyes. They seemed to be waiting for more, but Gregory began lecturing again.

"Now, all nine of you will face each-other. All three of your team have to be incapacitated or pushed out of the bounds to count as your loss. Weapons are not allowed, abilities and magic can be used freely. The last three-man team with a team member left in play wins."