Kastrai, Western continent of Thera.

Kastrai West Lodge.

"Next up, Number 1096!"

I looked down at my number badge. I see it's the exact same number, which meant it was time for me to take my Seeker evaluation. I walk through the crowd of applicants, trying to squeeze my way through to the front.

My eyes open to a long staircase leading to a podium and at the bottom is a Lodge employee with a holographic clipboard in her hands.

"Please make your way to the top and your evaluation will begin there."

I nod and begin taking my steps up to the top. As I reach the apex, it seems that the podium is a transportation device. I take my position on it and wait.

Instantly, the floor begins to shine a bright light and I had to cover my eyes. A few seconds pass and I hear voices, a male and female.

"So this is Number 1096, nothing too impressive."

"Relax, Hector. We haven't even looked into his potentials yet."

I begin to open my eyes and I've been transported to a completely different area. The staircase and crowd behind me disappeared and all that was left was a small hovering tablet, and four screens behind it.

"Hi, welcome to your evaluation. Don't be shy, please step forward and stand before the tablet."

It was that lady's voice from before. I follow her command and approach the floating tablet. I look towards the four screens and there are portraits of people; one lady, and two men. The last one to the right had no image at all, I wonder what's wrong with that one.

"We are Master Seekers within the Four Spirit Schools. Here, we will see your potential as a Seeker and will invite you to our school should we want to. Please place your hand on the tablet so we may begin."

Again, I follow what was asked of me and placed my hand on the tablet. Suddenly, the tablet began to make scanning noises, as if my 'potentials' were being sent to the people on the screens.

"...!!!"

"..."

"I shall pass."

"I too will pass."

The two men responded immediately. From those words, I knew I've lost my opportunity with two of the four schools.

"Hector, Seraph, how rude of you to reject him so quickly."

I turn my attention to the lady on the left, as she explains what my situation is.

"Young man, I'm sorry but I'll have to say no as well. You have amazing potential, however, you have affinity in the Bear Spirit Arts. But maybe..."

She looks to her left and calls for someone from the unused screen.

"Hey, Ardella!"

The screen goes white and an image of a middle-aged woman appeared. She looks as though she was fast asleep before she turned on her screen.

*Yawn* "What's the deal, Mariel?"

"Take a look, this boy has an affinity for your Spirit School."

I see this Ardella lady looking down while trying to keep her eyes open.

"Oho...interesting, he'll do. Send him to me."

The screen which portrayed Ardella's face changed to a portal of some sort. I hesitated to enter, but the nice lady gave me the all-clear.

"It's fine, you've been invited to join the Bear Spirit School. Congratulations."

I give a final bow to the other three and walk into the portal.

The surroundings changed once again, from a small dark room to an open room made of solid wood. I look around and I see the Ardella lady lying in the middle of what seemed to be a training arena.

"Hey, welcome to the Bear Spirit School: Ursae Style. I'm Ardella, the Grandmaster of the Bear Spirit."

"Hello, I'm Ulrick Garside... wait! Did you say, Grandmaster?"

Are you serious?

The Grandmasters of Spirits are considered legends in this world. It is said that long ago, the Founding God Desmuth once traveled our world to find Warriors strong enough to help him defend our world from all invading forces. They are so powerful, stories say they are on par with the Founding God when it comes to combat. You're telling me that this lady is one of them?

"Take any vacant room upstairs and wait there. I'll need to get back to these boring evaluations."

Still surprised from what I heard, all I could muster was a soft "yes" and went straight upstairs and took one of the rooms. As soon as I shut my door, I chuck my bag onto the bed and collapse to the floor.

I couldn't believe my luck.

Here I am, just a 16-year-old boy who decided to leave my village to become a Seeker. I didn't want to be the unlucky people who left the Lodge with tears in their eyes. But now, not only am I an official Seeker but I'll be personally taught by a Grandmaster. Maybe my luck has changed for the better after all. If she really is a Grandmaster, maybe I can ask her for a spar.

A few more hours passed and the evaluations are officially over. Out of 1121 applicants, only 4 were invited to join a Spirit School. Mostly only 1 or 2 are chosen but this year's group had some promising youngsters.

Back in the evaluation area, the screens portraying the four representatives are still active. One of them, Mariel, greets her fellow Master with delight.

"Aww... it's too bad there were none for us, but lucky you Seraph! You got two students this year. That should help your Fish School increase its reputation."

"Yeah."

Seraph responds with a stoic tone.

"C'mon, smile a bit. Now you got some juniors to teach and spoil!"

"..."

Staying silent, he disconnects his screen.

"Haha, such a shy one. How about you Hector? Every year your school gets at least one student, what's the secret?"

Unbeknownst to Mariel, he too left his screen as well.

"Rude. Oh well, our school will just need to wait for next year."

Before she leaves, she was curious on how the boy is doing at Ardella's school.

"By the way, Grandmaster Ardella. How's your new student doing?"

"He's in his room, looks like he'll be a good one."

Although Ardella appears to be excited to teach her new disciple, Mariel reveals her concerns.

"So another one has appeared. How many does that make it now?"

"You mean his Spirit evaluation? I don't know, it's been a while since the last one."

"...You do know what this means?"

Ardella quickly responds to Mariel.

"I know. You don't need to remind me."

"I'm sorry, Grandmaster. Please excuse me."

Mariel respects her senior before she leaves her screen. Left alone, Ardella calms herself. She displays a look of sadness and grief but immediately changes to a face of determination.

"Maybe..."

Back at Ardella's school, she visits Ulrick in his room. She opens his door and finds him sitting frozen on his bed, as though he's seen a ghost.

"Hey, kid. You okay there?"

"Uh... what?"

"Good, you're still alive. We'll start training tomorrow, make sure your gear is all set for it."

Ulrick is still unsure whether his new Master is one of those legendary people, so he decides to confirm this.

"Excuse me, but are you really a Grandmaster of Spirit?"

"Yeah, why would I lie?"

"Well, you look young to be centuries old."

Ardella lets out a small chuckle before she proclaims the truth.

"Kid, I know you won't believe me now, but it's the truth."

She suddenly flicks her long dark hair back and poses in a way that was supposed to show off her beauty.

"Also, age can never affect true beauty."

Unimpressed by her action, Ulrick replied with a face of distaste.

"You damn brat! *Sigh* Believe what you will, but just know that I'm not lying."

Before she shuts the door, Ulrick quickly asks her something he wanted to do since he got here.

"Ardella, can we please have a match?"

"..."

Ulrick immediately kneels on the ground with his face on the floor.

"It's Master Ardella, and why should I?"

"I've always been the strongest in my village, I left home because I wanted a challenge. Now, if you really are a Grandmaster of Spirit, I would like to see how I fair against the strongest."

"...Kid, why did you become a Seeker?"

With a strong look in his eyes, he lifts his head and says to his new Master his mission in life.

"To be the strongest Warrior."

Ardella could see the strength behind the boy's words and look. She realizes he isn't the type to back down once he announces it, she decides to humor him a little.

"You don't know you're getting into. But fine, don't cry if you can't land a single hit on me."