Bill the human

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Bill Henry Smit / Human / Male / New Terra / Third class citizen

Before a journey to start one must know where we came from

and where those who came before us are headed

only then we can begin to see a path that lie before us

for humanity our path is long and full of regret

our sin is vast, our wound deep

our gods dead, our meaning loss

To be human is to be godless and full of hatred

But I found that life not has to be this way

for to be human is to believe in the possibility of tomorrow

And together tomorrow we shall bring

Bill Henry Smit

“Bill, honey it here!” a women voice calls out her son in excitement even when there is no need to shout since they both live in a wreckage of a house that have only 2 room.

“See I told you they can find our house just fine” said Bill as he takes a mail from his mother and hold it in his hand.

“No matter what the result knows that I’ll always be proud of you Bill” said his mother remembering how hard Bill study for this test even when they only have one book that his father left them with.

Bill had thrown himself into learning everything in that book and with his love of MAM she knows Bill will success no matter what.

Bill nod and then start to open a mail, slowly unfolding the paper he read it content out loud for them both.

“Thank you for applying for a Princess Alana foundation scholarship and taking our test for school of Alana. We would like to congratulate you on passing the test with 95/100 score...”

“Yes!” both Bill and his mother hug together in joy.

“You’re going to city of Alana Bill...khak khak” his mother coughs a few times as she always did.

“I’m going to Alana” Bill says before realize he have to leave his mother behind “But will you be ok here alone?”

He looks past the only window they have where a black smog-stained glass and a sound of machine thump repeat in a background.

“I’ll be fine honey; you go and have a wonderful time now. If there is going to be any place on this earth that safe for human beside New Terra it’s Alana.”

Bill hugs his mother once more before continue reading “...for traveling we have arranged for you a guide on...wait it Today! The postman came late!”

“What! Let's get you packing now”

The two of them rush to get Bill packing, luckily for them they don’t have much to begin with just Bill's father’s MAM, his one book and a few cloths that his uncle give him.

“Here takes this pocket money too” his mother hand him the only money they have for this month.

“No, you keep it” Bill refuse know that his mother needs this money for food this week.

“But how will you...”

“Don’t worry you know how quick hand I am, I can take care of myself” Bill says proudly to try ease his mother concern.

They then rush to the north entrance of New Terra where Bill’s guide is waiting for him.

To Bill surprise a group leader is an Amiel who look just like their tale of beauty; a perfect tan skin, golden hair and eyes.

“Are you my guide for city of Alana sir?” Bill asks in a caution tone and hope he won’t be offended since Amiel are known for their nobility.

“Yes, we are waiting for you since all other kid went on their private boat so you are our only passenger here Bill. I’m Homer nice to meet you”

Seeing how friendly he is and not angry with him for being late Bill apology to him and say goodbye to his mother.

“Please take care of yourself now, I’ll finish school and get back as soon as possible”

“You don’t have to worry about me. Go have fun and make lot of new friends just be careful around those animals ok” his mother warns with worry in her voice and hug him for the last time before let him go.

They wave at each other as the group of truck move out of New Terra.

At the camp fire under a shooting star, Bill sits along with others traveler. This trip is Bill first time outside a slum he lives in his whole life. Around him are merchant and mercenary unlike a usual circle of co-worker, foreman and street gang.

Many of them are very friendly to Bill and tell their story from traveling and dealing with other races like when a group of owls try hit and run on their supplies or a trade gone wrong with the crow. These stories allow Bill to understand how dire his situation really is since he is about to go live alone in a city full of other races with many custom and lifestyle whom for some hate human.

Homer, their group leader, told Bill that many races can speak English so he shouldn’t try to use a sign language when he meets them as Bill had planned since it would be considered very rude, in fact some races may even speak multiple language like Arabic, German or Chinese but English is ours agree universal language.

“It would also be wise for you to not pick a fight nor try to piss off any creature, an ant that smaller than man's knee is strong enough to tear your limp apart, a wolf and most bird have fang or claw that will easily cut human flesh. Even if Alana is considered to be the saftest city on earth and not once have there been a record of a murder, it is wise not to tempt fate.”

Bill nod to Homer word.

He knows he only gets a chance to be here because he passed the test for Princess Alana foundation’s scholarship which he is very proud of since he’s the only one in the slum who ever pass the exam. Many of kid from first class also pass the exam too of course but not a single one of them are here with him since they all got on their fancy iron ship.

Not that Bill is not too mad about it since he’s also gets to travel on a real car with an engine which is very rare for him to see up close let alone actually get to ride one.

On a second week of travel Homer’s caravan is attack by a bandit in a wood which caught Bill by surprise. But many of the guard are ready and seem prepare to regroup and prepare to fight back with sword and arrow.

“Bang” a sound of pistol ring and hit one of the truck windows cause the caravan to panic.

“They got GUN!” a man shout. They didn’t expect any bandit to get a weapon that is so rare to produce or acquire, only a republic of New Terra can produce them and they tend to guard it very closely only selling them in few numbers to other races that allies with them.

“I see him” Homer cries as everyone turn to a ragged man behind a tree holding a M1911 that look so old it shouldn’t even function.

“Shit, they got Amiel” a gun holder shout as he tries to shoot Homer.

Homer whispers some word Bill couldn’t hear and a rock move up from the ground and shield Homer from incoming bullet

“He the only one with gun” said Homer as he shouts “Jacto” and rock fly off to the ragged man behind tree knocking both him and tree away all together.

Seeing an Amiel powerful magic which easily destroy their boss with gun all the bandit stop attack and run away.

“Don’t follow them let’s get on our truck and keep moving” said Homer and everyone jump back on the truck.

“They properly attack because we got a truck and that usually mean more valuable loot but we should be fine now” Homer says to comfort Bill as they ride out the wood and continue on their journey.

After many weeks of travel tonight is going to be Bill last night on the road. He is reading a book about MAM theory of magic for the 20th times. As Bill read, Homer come up and tell everyone to get rest. “If we move by early morning, we should reach the city of Alana by noon”

Amiel is one of the races that govern this world. Throughout Bill life he heard many awful tales about other races from all media and people around him but these past few weeks everyone in this group have shown Bill that trust and respect can occur between other races too.

Still, Bill can see that human in this group seems distant from Homer even though they said to have been travel together for a long time.

‘May be because he is their leader? Or is it because Ameil is kind of intimidating? They are after all a better version of us, all of humanity know it’ Bill thought but try not to worry about it.

Homer then, to Bill excitement, use magic to stifle the fire. For Bill seeing an ameil perform a magic is still amazing every time he sees it. He then run to sleep as ordered.

Later at night in his cheap sleeping bag provided by Princess Alana foundation, Bill stays awake with excitement for what await him tomorrow “Real magic user is way cooler than MAM but I’m still just a human not born with magic so stick with what you got I guess.”

‘A man that shines too bright will be tear apart by his fellow men” Bill tells himself as he tries to sleep but end up visualizing how the magic would change both fire and wind until the fire fade out and wonder how that will applied to his MAM.

Hour pass, Bill still can’t sleep so he thinks of his mother and their life in the slum with sorrow; every day was a hard work of either cleaning big black machine that run a city above or collect and fixing a broken electronics part from the old world that our diver manages to savage from the sea. Only at night that Bill has free time for disassemble and study his father MAM.

Like all human, he too dreams of being able to wield magic like a sorcerer in fairy tale and his dream is about to come true soon.

As Bill looks up to the star and remember the story of his people savior he stops and take a moment before utter “Thank you, princess Alana foundation, for supporting children from poor family like me to go aboard and see the world. I am forever in your debt and promise to repay this kindness one day.” he then finally dozes off.

The next morning comes, as their truck move further the forest become less and less dense and the road start to change from dirt to solid cut rock. Then Bill sees it, as tall as the sky, a white tower stands strong above the rest of bright warm yellow and green field.

After a month of travel the sight of Alana is even greater than Bill could ever imagine, the picture in the newspaper or occasional broadcast that he has seen before does not do it justice. The first thing you see when you look at city of Alana is the White tower that stand tall almost reaching the sky which surrounded by white wall from all side. On the left is the great red river the city set right next to it, many ship can be seen anchor on its port to trade and commute. And then there is a poppies fields that grow along the river almost painted it whole red contrast with the green grass around the area.

“This is it boy” Homer, a group leader said to Bill “Our path end here so let me give you one advice for when you are in city of Alana. You might not understand it now but I hope you will one day” Homer kneels down to Bill eye level and point to the white tower in distant.

“In the city of Alana, it is not about you. Always remember this.”

At the gate Bill stand there in excitement but also with a bit of sadness as he watches Homer group head to the port on westside of the city leaving him alone. ‘I hope I will meet them again’ Bill thinks as he noticed a lot of ship differentiate in style and material.

Most ship are marvelous to behold with a beautiful craftsmanship of wood and metal but some ship make Bill doubt its safety, like that brown ship full of red ant that made of many old leaves stiff together casually float by the river and sway away with the wind. He remembers that this city is a center of trade so it makes sense that all races come here unlike his home where he barely saw other races at all.

As Bill walk pass the gate, he can’t help but stare at a wolf in light armor that bear a mark of Alana, it a conventionalized branches of the olive tree holding up the map of the world. He’s almost twice Bill size and stands on two legs unlike dogs back home.

The wolf inspects Bill from top to bottom with his dreadful eyes yet Bill can’t take his eye of the wolf even when his leg start shaking. above him at the top of the wall Bill can see some crow and eagle walking around, reminding him that they might be 6 main races that hold power but many other races still have evolved and live alongside each other too.

'Just not in human territory because they hate us...used to hopefully’ Bill thinks as he looks down and trots pass the guard.

Inside a lion, goat and human is walking alongside each other on the street without anyone screaming. Ant can be seen climbing the building and enter a window, they said to be the best builder around here. Above are falcon and raven flying free to deliver mail and parcel. One raven even uses a magic to fly a letter into mailbox.

While there are many races that evolve and change shape some stay the same like a dog that running on a sidewalk or a horse that pull cart pass him by.

Every race living together side by side in harmony, this is truly a city of Alana.

In an instant a white wolf bump into Bill sent him fly off to the ground “Ouch” Bill groan as he hit a solid well-made street of Alana.

“Watch where you going human” a big wolf said in clear hostility toward Bill as he steps over Bill and walk on as if nothing happens.

‘May be not completely in harmony’ Bill thinks as he checks his empty wallet that not have any money anyway. At least his MAM seem ok, usually they are very durable made from the best material man could find. In Bill case a broken pieces of junk in his slum. He should consider himself lucky his modify part didn’t scatter and fly off in all direction.

Bill then becomes more careful of anyone and keep his distant as he headed to the school in the city center. On his way animal of all size walk past him by, all seem so scary but his excitement overcome his fear so much so that Bill has to stop himself from walking in front of them and examine all part of their body and their equipment.

Not to mention the sweet smell of the food in the market; a grill pork mix with charcoal accompany sound of fried food. Street fill with shop selling bread, cake, fruit and dessert of all size and shape, of which Bill never seen before.

But Bill can only admire it and keep them in his memory as he journey on. It would after all be dangerous to steal something the first moment he step foot in a new city that fame for having best security in the world.

‘It’s not like I enjoy stealing or anything I’m only doing it at the last resort.’ he tell himself.

Finally, Bill reaches the school district and he surprise once again. Unlike New Terra’s school which surrounded by wall to prevent outsider like him to randomly wander inside. School of Alana does not have a wall at all, it does have a little ditch of water surround the area but it just a part of garden anyone can jump over its easily.

And the white tower is even more impressive up close from down here. Bill tries to gazes upward the tall tower but only able to see its shade. In a way it reminds him of how small and insignificant he is.

“Hello there” a voice spoke in front of Bill.

Bill quicky look down and see an old lady, an Amiel, standing in front of him. Feeling embarrassment that someone see him standing still in a middle of a road like an idiot he quicky replied “Oh h- hi ma'am”

She looks at Bill fumbling act which remind her of an old friend before saying “you look like you are lost, I'm a teacher here. Perhaps I can help?”

“Oh” Bill says with relieved for the first time since he steps out of New Terra “I’m a student here err” Bill looks for his document from Princess Alana foundation in the bag and hand it to the teacher, the paper was crumpled a lot but still readable

“I qualify for a scholarship and just arrive at the city today, what am I supposed to do next?”

She looks at the seal to confirm that document is valid then introduce herself “My name is Hellen Lentess, you can call me miss Hellen” as she speaks, she noticed some data his application form.

“Your name is Bill right, sorry to bring this up but I noticed from paper here that you are a third class citizen...”

Here it come. Bill clutches his hand in anxious. Await the ridicule that usually follow.

“That make you our first student from a third class! congratulation Bill, our test standard is very high so you must have work very hard”

Bill stunt. He did not expect this reaction and don’t know how to respond

“Hm let’s see it would probably be best if you don’t let other student know that you are poor”

Strangely it was the straight description of his wallet status that knock Bill to his sense.

“Ah yes, I was hoping that I can keep the fact that I’m...poor a secret?” Bill hesitates with his word choice.

“Yes, even if most race doesn’t care much about human social affair, it still better you don’t make bad first impression” Miss Hellen thinks as she scans Bill from top to bottom.

“That bag need to be throw in incinerator immediately, that dress is tolerable we have school uniform provided for student of all race including bag. You can get it from our dormitory staff later”

‘Of course this dress is fine his uncle give him the best one he has. This is indeed the best cloth he wear in his entire life!’

“It said here you are interesting in study about MAM? Do you have one with you” Miss Hellen point at his letter but not surprise since many human naturally want to learn about magic.

“Yes, but it doesn’t have a core to draw magic from” Bill bring his MAM out, half expected a positive reaction half concern because this is a first time that someone else than his mother and uncle get to see his MAM that he modify from his father work.

“Hm, it good that you have one or you would have to buy a version that we sell cheap for student but this does look a bit weirder than most MAM I have seen before. You should ask Professor Roy who in charge of MAM class, he should know more about this subject better than me”

Bill nod and collect MAM to his bag. It not like he would have a money to buy any equipment anyway, let hope that they give away a core for free but that is very unlikely.

“That should be all for now you really have good timing, our dorm just opens for student to move in their stuff today. The building for male is on the left side.” Miss Hellen point to a tall building on the south side of school area

“Goodluck Mr. Smit, I'll look forward to our class. Don’t disappoint me”

Bill bows to thank her and felt a cold breeze pass him by but didn’t think too much of it.

Bill then proceeds to collect his student uniform and change his bag before head up to his room on third floor.

As he was standing in front of his room, he can hear someone inside.

‘This is it, my life in school start now, if I can complete this study, I can change my life, me and my mother won’t have to live in that slum no more.’

He is going to survive and finish this school no matter what.

Bill gathers his strength and open the door.