Two weeks passed before I knew it. My days consisted of physical training in the morning along with history. After breakfast is magic theory and magic training, and after dinner is more physical training and general knowledge lessons.

The lessons began to pay off as well. I feel that my body has become lighter and stronger, I have more stamina and can do the exercises a lot quicker now than I could when I started.

The magic training also helped a lot: yesterday I created a flame the size of my fist that lasted for nearly five minutes. Lance says I'll soon be able to move onto the second phase of discharge.

But my lessons have been delayed.

"William, we're going to travel to Linca City," Lance told me whilst packing up the equipment from our magic theory lesson.

"Why?"

"It has a unique history with demi-humans that's related to our history lessons We're going with Baron and his mentor as well, you two are are around the same place in your history lessons."

I nodded reluctantly. We've learned a bit about demi-humans in general knowledge lessons, they're a humanoid mix of animal and human, created a long time ago through magic. I don't know the specifics of it, but we'll probably learn that upon visiting the city.

The following morning, before the sun could peek over the horizon, the four of us climbed into a wooden carriage and set off to the city.

We travelled down a dirt road through the countryside, fields on either side of us: damp from the constant rain thundering from the black clouds that covered the sky like an ominous blanket. I heard the boom of thunder and a small flash. What a miserable day.

"The weather should be better in Linca, it's closer to the southern sea so it's fairly warm, even in winter," Lance reassured. That's good.

Nothing interesting happened during out carriage ride. We passed a couple travellers, a couple fields, a couple animals and that was it. By nightfall we finally arrived at Linca city.

Linca is nowhere near as big as Vidya, but it's still large with tall stone walls and maybe a couple hundred buildings sitting along the streets along with a castle residing at the top of a mountain dead set in the middle.

There was no queue to enter the city, instead we just had to have a security check before entering.

The brick road streets were bustling with life of all kind, despite it being midnight; farm animals wandered around along with humans and demi-humans. The demi-humans were mixes of animal and man. Some folk were covered in scales like a lizard, some covered in fur like a bear and others looked completely different.

Most of them gave off an intimidating vibe, but the most peculiar demi-human I spotted was a human like child with chicken wings.

"Why are some of them more human-like than others?" Baron asked his mentor, Michael, as if he read my mind.

"When a demi-human and human breed, their child inherits more human features. If that demi-human offspring then has a child with a human later in life, their child will become more human as well. There's a popular theory known as the Demi-human Extinction Theory, stating that soon all demi-humans will turn human."

So demi-humans are dying out? It's sad, but in contrast very interesting how breeding with humans changes their offspring's physical features. Does that mean humans have more dominant genetics that the child will inherit?

"Since it's night, we'll check into an inn and then you can explore tomorrow morning."

I glanced towards Baron who watched the many citizens roaming around on their way home. He looked quite interested in the demi-humans, which is better than his uninterested expression he often wears.

Our carriage came to a stop on the road outside of a large, square wooden building with a small stable sitting outside. The horses and carriage were led into the stables whilst the rest of us wandered into the inn.

It wasn't exactly the scene I was expecting. When you think of an inn, you think of warriors and mages drinking and celebrating some sort of victory. Instead it was quiet with a lone man drinking at the bar.

"Ah, you must be Sir Lance and Sir Michael. Your rooms are upstairs, here are the keys."

The man speaking was a lizardkin, a mix between human and lizard with dark green scales and twisting horns protruding from the back of his elongated, lizard like head. He had two slits which were his nostrils and yellow eyes with needle thin pupils and a jaw sitting below, baring razor-sharp teeth.

Lance took the four keys and handed one to each of us.

"Mister..."

"Rickt, that's my name."

"Mister Rickt, could you get us four meals and drinks? Anything you think is suitable, we're hungry from our travels," Lance requested.

The lizardkin nodded and strolled off to what I presume is the kitchen. I decided to go up to my room, room number three. I fit the key in the door and turned it, listened to the satisfying clink before pushing it open with a creak.

The light from the corridor flushed out the darkness, revealing my bedroom and a strange musk. It wasn't anything special, just a bed, chest, wardrobe and desk along with a window.

In the chest was a wax candlestick which I lit with magic. I'm quite proud about that.

I threw off my cloak, put it in the cupboard, and then set my bag down next to the chest. I picked up the candlestick and gazed out of the window.

It was getting darker and people were starting to return home. I noticed a couple shady figures moving around, probably criminals or something of the sort.

I could vaguely see my reflection in the window. I've never actually seen my appearance, after all, mirrors are objects I've never been able to get my hands on. There are a couple around the headquarters but I've never seen them.

I didn't look any older than maybe thirteen, truth be told I don't know my exact age but I know it's around what I looked. I'm still a kid but I've lost track of my age ever since I turned ten.

I could see my face and my dull brown eyes along with the golden light cast by the flickering candle. My hair was slightly damp from the rain, but that was about all I could see.

I shrugged and turned away. The meals should be ready soon so I'll just wait downstairs until then.

The four of us sat at one off the eight tables and tucked into our meals. Mine consisted of pork, carrots, corn and a dark brown liquid called 'gravy' that's quite expensive, apparently.

My drink was beer in a wooden mug. We can't drink water because it makes people ill, so this is the best option.

I began to eat. This meal is a lot better than anything I've eaten before, normally we had small meals at the headquarters and not 'posh' meals like this. We ate in an awkward silence and once we were finished, all took off to our respective rooms.

I watched the empty streets from my bedroom window, the candle flickering beside me and flashing a bronze light over the dusty glass. This is he first time I'll be allowed to explore a city so I'll make the most of it and get an early night's sleep.