"Today is the day." I said to myself while I ran across the the meadows, making my way to the usual place me and Selena always meet. It's a bit far out in the forest , but it's still within the border walls. It's a beautiful clearing with a small lake on the side. We liked going there for as long as I can remember, mostly because of the relaxing scenery.

Not only that, but Selena liked planting all sorts of flowers in there. We even planted two Yellow Acacias in the middle of the clearing, symbolizing our friendship. We made it our own place, free from anyone but us two.

I mean, I guess we're what's called childhood friends. We do have other friends, but we wanted to keep this place special. After all, she's my first friend, and I'm her first friend too. We found each other back then at this exact same place. She was lost and didn't know what to do. Luckily I knew my way around the forest and got her back to the village. From then on, we just kept on coming back here and eventually made friends with each other.

And honestly, I've been deeply attached to her ever since. However, now that we're grown-up, that attachment turned into attraction.

I do admit that I still haven't been able to tell her what I feel , but today after the assessment I'll tell her about it. I just hope she feels the same way about me...

" Whooo you can do it, man, you can do it!" I amped myself up a little too loud.

"You can do what?" said a voice behind me.

"G-whaa?! Oh I m-meant the assessment later ahaha-hahahah." I stumbled with my words. Dammit, so not cool.

Facing me is a girl with serene, verdant green eyes, with snow white skin and a delicate body. She had long, green hair, ending with curls. Her name is Selena Rivendale, daughter of the elder of the village, my first friend and also the only girl that I'll ever love.

"What are you worrying about anyway? Didn't you go to training for three months? I was pretty lonely out here you know." she said while watering the flowers she planted.

"Yeah sorry about that, my dad really forced me to. But tell you what, I won't leave anymore. The assessment is today after all."

"Hmmph, and you didn't even tell me too. I just visited your mom after you didn't show up here for a day."

"Well my dad just straight up dragged me along, so I didn't have the time. You know how he is , right?"

"Hmmm, nope that won't do, I'm still mad, hmph" Selena said while pouting her lips.

My face went sour for a moment, I hate getting her upset. She then caught sight of my face, a big mistake on my part.

"Hahaha I'm just kidding Sion, you should've seen your face." Selena said while laughing.

"Oh you got me, haha, I must've gotten rusty while I'm away."

She enjoyed teasing me like this. She knows what exactly is my weakness, which is her being upset. I fell for it almost every time, but I didn't mind it at all.

"So anyways, are you ready for later? I heard that It's just us two that will be assessed later."

"Yeah, I'm exited to go. I actually can't wait until before noon!"

"Haha okay, Sion, take it easy will you?" Selena says as she giggles at my enthusiasm. "So, where do you want to go, The Royal Army or the Insignia Academy?"

"I'll go to the academy. My mom and dad really insists that I go there."

"Hmm, okay then, I'll just go with you Sion!" Selena said as she smiles at me, showing her pearly-white teeth. This image was then imprinted deep in my head, adding to the many memories I have of her.

"Just promise me you'll be with me always from now on." she added.

"Oh uhh, sure, o-okay, I promise." I replied as I tried to muster the most confident smile I can.

Then..

"Uhh, Sion? There's food stuck between your teeth."

"Gahhh!, where?, where?!" I said as I embarrassingly went to the lake to see my reflection.

"Haha got you again Sion!" Selena says as she giggles and laughs.

Huh, it seems that I was caught off guard again... But, if it's her, I don't mind.

After talking a bit, we headed back to the village. Not exactly a busy place compared to the other bigger towns, there's still several people wandering about the marketplace.

"Fresh fruits, so fresh that it'll knock ya off ya boots!"

"Excuse me sir, would you like new farming tools? I've got dozens of good quality tools here!"

"Come, men of all ages. I'm selling the secret to a good relationship! If you drink this potion you'll grow a finger's worth of length in as early as 24 hours! And if you buy one now, you get one for free!"

Different shop owners and merchants are selling their products. As far as I know, we don't have any equipment or weapon stores in here.The villagers are generally pacifists anyway, so we have no need for that. As for most of the shop owners and merchants, I knew almost all of them since I was young, except for the last guy. And what the hell is he selling anyway?

"Oh, there you guys are. What, out on a date yet again?" A deep-toned, masculine voice called. It was my friend, Sebastian Weiss. A tall and lanky guy, one wouldn't think that he's actually younger than me. Sebastian was also with a thin, seedy youth. His name is William Stienfeld. Besides Selena, these two were my best friends. We three have been through thick and thin, we even view each other as brothers.

"Wha- we're just waiting for the assessment, quit kidding around haha" I hurriedly replied to him. I secretly looked at Selena's reaction. Her face looks a little flushed. Right, I might have a chance after all, just like dad said!

"Oh yeahhh, the assessment, huh. I can't wait to turn 15! I can already feel that I'm destined for greatness!" William said as he throws imaginary fireballs at me.

"Sure, William." I said to him while laughing with Selena

"Hahaha! Anyway, Sion I'm sure you guys will be fine!" Sebastian added. "Especially you. You were trained by your father right? There were rumors that he took down a 6-star monster just outside the border walls without even a scratch on him. He must've trained you good hahaha!"

"Ugh, I don't want to talk about it. I almost gave up halfway too." I said with a pained expression on my face.

"Giving up? That doesn't sound like you at all Sion." Selena said as she giggled, followed by laughter from William and Sebastian.

Well, I do admit that I'm too stubborn for my own good, I even got into a fair share of trouble for it. I can't help it though, my dad's attitude must've rubbed off on me since I was young.

"Well anyways, I'll see you guys at the plaza later. I have chores to attend to." Selena said just before me, William, and Sebastian say our goodbyes to her.

After seeing Selena walk a distance away, Sebastian looked at me and said, "Seriously, you haven't told her yet?"

He, along with William, knows my feelings for Selena. They even said it was pretty obvious for as long as they knew me from childhood.

"Yeah, but I'll tell her after the assessment, I'm sure about it now."

"Tch, that's what you always say. Let's just go around the village to ease you up a bit." Sebastian said as he smirks at me.

"Yeah, he's right you know?" William added. "Plus, it might be a long time before you can come back to the village, right?"

William is right. The Insignia Academy doesn't allow its students to have outside contact, believing that learning and studying magic requires intense focus. The restriction can only be lifted after reaching the rank of Archmage. By then, a person is free to enter and leave the academy as they please.

When, I wonder, will I reach the rank of archmage? I hope it won't take too long...