“Welcome to Votran! May I ask you purpose for coming to our city?” A guard spoke his good natured greeting as soon as the group arrived.

“We are here to enroll in the academy.” Flira answered. “Could you tell us where to go?”

The guard just stood there for a moment before recollecting his thoughts. He let out a whistle. “Man, it’s been a little while since we’ve seen hopefuls come via the forest—shades, bandits, and all. But don’t mind me. The school is situated right smack in the middle of the city. See that tower over there? Head in that direction and you should come right up to the gates. Also, take these with you.” He distributed a plain blue badge to each person. “I have high hopes for you all. Good luck!”

Entering Vilnor City was like walking into a whole different world. Outside the walls there was desolation. The dead trees, absence of grass, and scavenging creatures made it look like a haunted forest, or a wooded wasteland. Inside the city, there were fields bearing fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The trees had green leaves, and the whole place seemed alive. They passed by merchants selling their wares and restaurants bustling with patrons. Drawing closer to the academy, they heard the explosions emitted from sparring classmates. It was good to be in the city.

“It’s getting pretty late, why don’t we stop at an inn and finish up our trip tomorrow?” Flira asked. “I’m down for it” Eric said. “Sure.” Reylor shrugged his shoulders. He was eager to get to the academy and start learning as soon as possible, but he was a Seldin. He had lived long enough to refine his patience to a sky-high level.

They found an inn before too long, and Flira led the party in. “Hello, we would like to rent a few inn rooms.” “Welcome, welcome, guests. Our rooms come standard for 100 VC per night, but if you rent five, I can drop that down to 80 each.” The innkeeper said with a smile. “Wait, VC? What’s that?”

“Oh? The innkeeper lifted his eyebrows. You must be from out of town. Here the standard currency is VC, which stands for Votran Contribution. It has been separated out from the rest of the empire to ensure that everyone here earns their keep. Of course, we do get merchants wealthy enough to hire mage escorts. For them we are willing to trade magic crystals for services. Of course you can exchange VC for Velii at the guild hall, but it does not work the other way around. So, do you have magic crystals you would like to exchange? “Uh,” Flira stumbled the words out of her mouth “I, we, uh, thank you, but we will not be bothering you tonight.” They walked out, leaving the innkeeper with a sour expression.

“I guess it’s to the academy then,” Flira said, dejected. They continued toward the academy, as the sun slipped past the horizon.

“Hey Reylor, could I talk with you along the way?” Eric asked. “Certainly. What do you need?”

After telling Aileen to accompany Elany, Eric dropped back with Reylor. “Could you tell me the rest of what happened? I know this may be a bit forward, but it is important for a decision I have to make.”

Reylor sighed. Ok, his karma is fantastic, and he didn’t freak out about Splendor. I think it will be alright. An hour quickly passed by as Reylor related the tale of his time at Splendor, the massacre, taking Lucy with him towards Votran, and saving Lucy along the way.

Eric paused for a moment of thought, and then made a decision. “Reylor, I have another request. Votran is not suitable for me. For me to progress to a high level, I need to master enchanting, requiring high level programs that Votran Academy does not have. Aileen needs someone to look after her. She is only 10, and with her unique ability, it will only be a matter of time before she gets into a dangerous situation. Please look after her until I can return. There is something that tells me there is more to you than what we can see. Some mysterious power is residing in you. I believe you have the best chance of being able to protect her, and I know from your story that you have a respectable character; so please, please look after her in my stead.” He bowed as words of sincerity poured out from his heart. “She is all I have left.”

Reylor felt a twinge in his own heart. Isn’t he just like Elany? She lost everything, and everyone, and I am all she has left. This is a grand request—one that should not be taken lightly. Nevertheless, I cannot turn him down. An addition to our crew it shall be. “Very well,” Reylor said resolutely, “I will watch over her until you return. She will be safe. You have my word.” “Thank you,” Eric said, “I only hope that in the future I can repay my debt.”

“Also, I should tell you one other matter-I am a timework phantom who was adopted by Aileen’s parents. Most things about me are the same as other people, but every year I end up dematerializing to regenerate spiritual energy for about a month, so if you go looking for me at the wrong time, you will not be able to find me. This is the other reason why I need help looking after Aileen for now. Anyhow, I still thank you.” He gave Reylor a slight bow.

After pulling Aileen away and talking with her for a bit, Eric brought her over to where Elany had rejoined Reylor. “Aileen, you now have a new family. Stay with your brother Reylor and sister Elany. They will take care of you.”

“Do you really have to go? I want to stay with you!” Aileen sobbed. “I will be back, but first I need to get stronger, to be able to protect you better. They embraced. Aileen cried. Eric then left.

Aileen took the hand Reylor offered her. Dangit, DANGIT! Why does stuff like this keep happening to me? That the same look Elany had after losing Splendor, and the same that Lucy had for the longest of times. Dead and lifeless. Reylor sighed. I will make things change in this world. Reylor then picked Aileen up and carried her, allowing her to fall asleep as they continued forward.

They arrived at the gates of the academy, which happened to be open. That’s odd. Shouldn’t they be closed during the night? ran through the minds of all there. “Well, I don’t see anyone here, might as well step in” Gelt said. “Sure” Flira agreed.

As the group walked in, the space around them instantly changed. They suddenly found themselves trapped on a sandy island in the middle of the day. “FORMATION!” Reylor yelled, after quickly passing Aileen off to Elany. As if woken from a dream everyone drew their weapons and surrounded Elany and Aileen. The blue badges they had acquired from the front gate guard all flew up into the sky and disappeared with a flash.

“The final evaluation begins now!” boomed from above, as twenty small golems rose up from the sand. “Flint, provoke them! Reylor yelled out. “Come at me, you pieces of dirt!” Flint screamed. “Flira, attack with your hottest fire!” Reylor yelled out another instruction.

Flint prepared to block the golems as Flira released a spell of white-hot fire, turning the outside layers of sand to turn into glassy encasements. “Gelt, have at them!” Gelton sprang forward, shattering the encased golems with ease, then returned to his former position.

“Round one complete! Full party strength has been evaluated. “Divide into two groups and each choose as location. You have 7 minutes to decide.” The voice sounded again.

“Flint, Gelton, with me! Flira yelled out.” Flint gave a somewhat sorrowful look to Reylor, but continued to the circle with Flira and Gelt. Elany is, after all, Reylor’s responsibility. Flint thought. And Aileen is… Wait where’s Eric? He didn’t have time to finish the thought as Reylor led Elany and the newly awakened Aileen to the other circle.

“Small parties chosen. Trial of the shade will begin now.” The voice said, as a massive magical barrier spread out, dividing the island in half and separating the two parties.

“Aileen, I need you to put up the barrier for you and Elany, ok?” She nodded. Good, she’s not as far gone as Lucy was. We can do this. Reylor thought.

The small island was instantly filled with shade beasts of all varieties. Flira's group fought fluidly, as Gelt Shattered through the beasts with ease, Flint protected Flira, and Flira finished off the mangled corpses Gelt left behind.

On the other side, things looked a bit different. Reylor instructed Aileen to focus on just protecting herself and Elany, so the barrier would last longer. In the meantime, Reylor took out his longsword and began to fight beasts one at a time. That being said, a massacre still followed. Reylor was not the battle-ignorant weakling that had originally arrived in Splendor. His movements were swift and fluid, his perception clear.

After an hour Flira’s group managed to finish off all the beasts on their side, and so they watched as Reylor single-handedly fought off the horde on his side. Whether it was a wolf or bear, badger or bull, Reylor’s blade parted their bodies with the grace of a flowing stream. Finally, the last creature fell to his blessed blade. Flicking the blood off his blade, he placed it back into its sheath.

“Round two complete. Small party strength assessed. Round three will begin in ten minutes. Individual strengths will be assessed. Non-combatants enter the green circle”

Elany walked over to the green circle, and a few minutes later all of the remaining combatants were separated by magic barriers, in which an unfamiliar mage was also placed. Only Elany was exempted. It was obvious that the strange mages were extremely powerful, yet held their power back.

Gelton was the first to finish, receiving an injury that would severely limit his fighting ability until it was healed. Moments later a soft light landed on his injury, healing it at a rapid pace. He was released from his sealed area and directed to a light blue circle next to the green one. Reylor and Flira both were eliminated at a similar time, and were also directed to the blue circle. Flint was the next lose, finally being injured, despite his strong defenses. Only Aileen was left, weathering the storm of blows with her unbending shield.

Reylor inspected her shield. It’s getting weaker. The mage pitted against her did not seem to notice, becoming more frustrated by the minute. What in the world is this thing? The blasted thing just won’t break.

Finally, He lost all his patience. Raising his hand to the sky he called out “Spear of the heavens, I beseech you, grant unto me the power to slay my enemies. Heaven Strike!”

Matter seemed to coalesce from the sky, turning into a spear 40 feet long and two feet in diameter, causing the sky to tremble. Aileen trembled slightly as her breathing became ragged. Are you trying to kill her? Reylor thought. The frustrated mage had gone mad from being unable to break the shield of this little girl and had now summoned one of his strongest abilities.

No, no! I can’t let this happen! Reylor’s mind began racing. There is not question. I have to do it.

Reylor had been concealing his god-like powers as much as possible, to avoid making a scene until he was strong enough that it wouldn’t matter if it was let out. But now was not the time to hold back.

“Void transfer!” “Ugh.” The barrier obstructed even his transfer skill, putting his stomach in a knot.

That’s it, I gotta go all out. “Aura, release!” His figure was enveloped in a dark mist—which was all the spacial energy he had been saving up. This was a necessary step in order to execute Seldin skills quickly.

He placed his hand on the barrier. “Aetheric Art: Break!” The barrier shattered, leaving not only Flira’s group, but also the various mages in shock. Who was this man? Even the principle would take at least a few minutes just to make a small hole, yet he instantly shattered the whole thing!

He strode forward to Aileen who was just standing there with a petrified look on her face.

Eric, I will not let you down. Reylor glared at the mage facing Aileen. Recall your ability at once! He yelled.

“Shut up Plebian!” The mage fired back.

Reylor told Aileen to cancel her shield, which she reluctantly did.

“Stop Xeld! The other mages called out. You are going to kill her!

The spear began to descend, faster and faster. He obviously had no more care for the lives of those around him.

Reylor! Aileen screamed.

Reylor held out his hand, instantly condensing all the spacial energy around him into his palm.

He opened his mouth and spoke: “Seldin Art: Void Disruption”