Roland dashed out into the street, leaving the Guild behind him. He kept running until he was absolutely sure that old man wasn’t following him somehow.

I didn’t get to ask anyone if those were all of the requests in this city…fuck me. Roland mentally cursed at his negligence. He felt that he needed to get his temper under control. Whatever that something was that lurked inside his mind clearly reacted to negative emotions. Slowly, Roland got lost in thought about his current fucked up situation.

Roland walked into a nearby alley and sat down, lost in his thoughts. He had 300 gold to get in one month and 150 gold every month after. Two girls’ lives were in his hands. He had an entire Inquisition after him sent by the Queen herself, so any formal work or salaried job was out. Although he was escaped the guild, he could always throw his embarrassment to the curb and go back in. The brink of life and death wasn’t the time to hold onto your pride.

I should go back. It will be embarrassing as hell but I need to do this for them. Roland inhaled slowly, taking in the slight stink of the alley. Ignore your pride for now, they come first Roland. If the Guild doesn’t have any means of getting the money then…I’ll look in the underground.

Roland got up and looked around in the alley. It was littered with garbage here and there, with the occasional homeless lying down in a thin cloth. The wood and metal buildings in the alley cast a cool shade for these unfortunate people.

Roland took in the sight and thought that this could be him if he screws this up or takes too long. With a heavy sigh, he walked back to the main street and eventually found the Guild again. He passed by many curious eyes that were looking at him. Just moments ago they saw him dashing away fearfully from the Guild, and minutes later, he is right in front of the Guild again.

Roland resolved himself for the mockery that was about to assault his ego and pushed open the door, ready for anything. Immediately, all eyes looked at him. Some were filled with a laughing mockery, but oddly, most were filled with praise. The two receptionists looked at Roland with surprise as he walked up to the old man again step by step. The old man eyed Roland with a glare.

“Back to talk more shit laddie? Or are ya here for business.” The old man said, casually extending an olive branch.

“Business. I need a ton of money and I need it soon.” Roland replied honestly.

“Don’t we all?” The old man mused. He thought for a moment. “How much do ya need?”

“1500 gold.” Roland said through gritted teeth. “I have two lives waiting on it.”

The old man crossed his arms and closed his eyes for a moment.

“None of these requests will get you anywhere near that amount kid…”

Roland let out a sigh. He turned around to walk out the door, but was stopped.

“…But I have an idea.”

Roland immediately turned back and looked at the old man.

“What is it?” Roland stood there…hoping for anything.

“Yer not gonna like it kid. I guarantee it.” The man glared at Roland. “I wouldn’t even recommend this to a youngin’ like yerself, but since lives are on the line…”

“What. Is. It?” Roland asked again with a slight anger. He felt his emotions start to lose control, but he reigned it in by willpower.

“Here’s the deal laddie. We Guilds often sponsor various events in the city. Hell, even the more seedier types sponsor events. We all have to keep on the mayor’s good side n all that rubbish. Anyway, have you seen the large circular building in the center of the city?”

“Yes, I’ve seen it, It’s kind of hard to miss…” Roland replied.

“That’s a coliseum.” The old man paused. “We sponsor a few gladiators every year. If they get in the top three, we get a cut of the overall profits from the event.”

Roland looked at the old man.

“You want me….to be a gladiator?” Roland asked.

“Not just any gladiator, you got skill kid. If you can keep up with me, then you can mop the floor with those fools HAHAHA! We usually pick a few to sponsor through the Guild tournament, but I’d be willing to use all of the slots for you…if you win that is.”

Roland smiled. “Where do I sign up for this Guild tournament?”

“Its in three days. If ya get the top spot, the slots are yers. If ya manage to do that and get first place at the coliseum, I’ll directly give ya the 1500 gold. Second or third won’t cut it kid. Think you can handle that?” The old man grinned.

Roland grinned. “Ill be here for it then. Count me in.”

“Come back in three days laddie.” The old man said simply and went back to leaning back in his chair, ignoring Roland completely.

“Thank you…Guild master.” Roland softly said before walking quickly out of the door. The old man opened his eyes in surprise before a faint smile appeared…

“Got busted ah…”

***

Junko rallied her students into the courtyard. The stealth types helped the less stealthy to all appear without being noticed. All 33 of them looked at her with loyalty, ready to carry out her orders.

“We are leaving this castle. These nobles think that they can control you, but they are gravely mistaken. We are going to the north west toward Granite City. This is the furthest town that is still within the principality and the general direction that the Inquisition went.”

The class murmured a little, then quieted down.

“We are going to get our comrades back, one way or another. This country has harmed our family and they will pay dearly for it.”

Everyone nodded their heads. Some of the more listless students nodded as well, clearly fighting against something inside them.

“Granite city will be our temporary base until we find Jake, Christina, and Jessica. You all will be split into teams on arrival. Any questions?”

Silence answered her. She turned towards the open gate and said in a low voice.

“Get ready.”

Several of the students took out a carriage each, while another student took out several horses from seemingly a different dimension. A third unloaded crates of cargo from their own dimension. Within minutes, everyone was loaded in carriages outside the gate, ready to depart.

“Move out.”

Slowly, the group left the castle towards Granite City.

After we find our missing family, this country will burn for what it did…mark my words.

It was at this point that historians would mark the beginning of the Costa Principality’s downfall. However, they wouldn’t be alone in this calamity…the entire world would be dragged into chaos by this little ‘family’ of students.