Sorry it took a couple days to post this! I work at night so it's hard to find time to write. This one is a bit longer than the last one and i had to cut it short so it's not too crazy long. Anyways if you see any mistakes let me know. I'm going to try and get the next chapter out tomorrow! I promise more Mano in the future. I'm just setting the stage, bear with me please!

Thanks fellas :D

---- Chapter 2 ----

Dawn was casting is red glow over Roland city.

Roland was a colossal and well built city that bordered a large fresh-water spring spanning nearly 400,000 km in length. The spring, aptly name Jewel, was named after its clear waters and the high value it held. Being directly near an oasis such as this held many advantages for a big city. One being the most important.

Water.

The desert was unforgiving and housed an endless supply of monsters, built to survive in one of the worst ecosystems in the world. Naturally one would think that the volume of monsters would deter most from venturing into desert. But on the contrary, a caravan equipped with skilled navigators could easily avoid monster packs and some of the nastier creatures. But even if they did come across anything wild, caravans always hired escorts, and a party of at least twelve 6 star warriors could dispatch most normal monsters. The main cause of death in the desert was water. Water was very scarce and proper preparation was needed before one traversed the sands, lest you die of dehydration before you reach your destination.

Roland’s streets were already alive with merchants of all races setting up shop, and people making their way to their workplaces. Built in a hexagonal pattern, Roland was separated into eight segments. Each with three layers, the outer layer being the lower class. There weren’t many truly poor people in Roland however and the income difference from the middle and upper class was small. So the standard of living was good. The city centered around the Business district in it’s core. Normally a city like this would house a king or mayor in the center, but Roland was a city that dealt in trade.

Business was king.

Almost anything could be procured here and many resources made its way trough its walls. The Ruby desert was the quickest way from east to west and vice-versa so many traders set up trade routes through the desert. Many converging on Roland. The natives that lived here mainly found work farming on the coast of Lake Jewel, Merchanting, and Adventuring. Adventurers were mainly hired to escort caravans carrying wares, setting off to fulfill their destinies in the vast world beyond.

Roland did not have a traditional military but all citizens were trained to take up arms in a time of war starting at the age of five, and after a certain amount of time, were returned to their normal lives. Due to this, many training halls sprung up all over the city. Each seeking to raise the best warriors, teaching many different styles of the five combat fields, ranging from archery, hunting, subterfuge, swordsmanship, and vanguard training. Those seeking adventure would stay in these halls for many years honing their skills to take on the world.

There were many great training halls to whom people flocked. But none were as great as the training hall called Myst. The only training hall located in the business district.

Myst was famous because of the quality of training held there. Just being accepted showed you had great potential. Being located in the core of the city allowed businessmen take a look at promising future prospects as well.

Today was the day of Myst’s entrance exam and many people gathered.

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Training Hall Myst’s courtyard was a hive of activity this year. Because of Myst’s fame as the strongest hall in Roland, most families took their child here in hopes they would be accepted as a student. All training halls were also academic schools and even if one completed his training he or she would remain going to classes dealing in mathematics, science, literature, and more. This would last till they became twelve and graduate.

The courtyard was filling up with people. It looked like about 500 children would be testing for Myst this year.

“It looks like its going there are more kids this year than last year.” sighed a large man stationed in front of the crowd. He had blond hair and a short beard with a large scar across his forehead.

“You don’t seem that excited Master Arron.” An old looking man pointed ears and a long blond beard pats the other, named Arron, on the shoulder.

“Chief Takk.” Master Arron stands up and bows respectfully to the old man in greeting. “It’s just troublesome to sift out the promising children from all the weak.” Sighed Arron again. “I can only hope we get some good students this year though.”

At this Chief Takk orders Master Arron with a kind smile, “Start the festivities in 15 minutes, i’ll be inside with the others.” Turning around, Chief Takk enters the training hall’s main entrance.

----

Amongst the crowd many people were gathered, and among them was a large Bronze skinned man holding the hand of a small child just a shade lighter than himself.

Mano was a bit taller than the average five year old at about 1.2m tall. He was nice green tunic over his brown shorts. Along with his brown leather boots that cuffed just above the ankle, he was incredibly cute and many of the mothers in the crowd were staring at him with hunger in their eyes. Ready to just pick him up and snuggle him into their bosoms. Mano had shoulder length black hair held up in a ponytail in the back. He was starting to look a little like his father with long eyelashes and nice full lips. His sky blue eyes got slightly darker around the pupils, making them look deep.

Much to Brom’s dismay, Mano’s cute looks caused many of the maids in the family fawn over him and often had him dressing up in many different outfits such as butler suits, animals costumes, and adventurer garbs. Natalie didn’t mind because Mano liked the fun maids.

“Daddy! Look at all the people!” Mano excitedly looks around at all the unfamiliar faces.

The two of them together were fit for a painting, a handsome man escorting his adorable son to school. Many of the women looked at them. Most at the cute Mano, while others looked longingly at the handsome Brom.

Brom didn’t notice their husbands staring daggers at his back and easily answered his excited child laughing, “Of course there are a lot of people here son, Myst is the best training hall in the city!”

“Do you think I will be able to get in Daddy?” Questioned Mano, looking up at his father.

“Well, I was made to come here as a child by my father and his before him. I’m sure you will pass. I mean me and your mother have been keeping you quite active since you walk. So physically it should be no problem! However that’s not all they look for.” Brom answered.

“What else are they looking for?” Mano’s wondered.

“Well there are many masters here and the children accepted are all expected to join a specific field of combat classes, and only a certain number of slots are open. The masters are quite picky about talent and some of the slots never get filled.” Brom listed the five main combat proficiencies to Mano. “Do you have any idea which one you want to learn?”

“I’m going to grow up big like you Dad! I want to join the Vanguard ranks!” Mano says with confidence.

“Hou~?” Brom raised an eyebrow at his son, “The vanguard is always on the front lines you know? They live on the edge and every split second counts, there’s no room for the hesitant you know?” Brom questions his boy.

“I can do it! It sounds so exciting.” A fire is lit in Mano’s eyes. Determined.

Brom was filled with pride. The vanguard isn’t held in very high regard. Most adventurers think they are just muscle bound idiots who don’t have much skill. While it is one of the easier fields to pick up, it’s far from being easy to master. You have to know how to accurately block strikes endlessly while also dishing out pain yourself. It takes extreme dedication that many other proficiencies lack. A successful vanguard can protect his comrades and lead the charge in battle, being able to face dangers head on, so his party doesn’t have to.

“Hahaha! I was foolish to questioned you son!” A hearty laughter exits Brom. “Your will is just like you mothers! I met her here too and she also joined the vanguard. It’s in your blood! You will definitely pass!” Brom encourages his son.

“Un!” Mano nods with determination.

A short time went by with Mano examining all the people until it was time for the exam to begin.

“ahem, EXUSE ME EVERYONE!!” A large man with blond hair and a nasty scare on his head addresses the crowd.

It was Master Arron.

Everyone stops what they were doing and are now listening attentively. What powerful charisma this man has. “I am known as Master Arron! I will be here to administer the entrance exam.”

Excited whispers could be heard from around the crowd. Master Arron was known as one of the top swordsmen in the country. One of few high master ranked swordsmen. He was the instructor of the most popular course of study, swordsmanship!

“AHEM” Everyone quieted down. “Good. Now I will need the families to exit the courtyard and leave your children here. We will give each of you a magical device that buzzes when you shall come and receive your child.” The parents all line up and take a small copper looking disk with a number on it from one of the assistants attending after they link each one to a child, whom they put the corresponding number on, so they don’t accidentally call the wrong parent.

The families knew that the training hall was a safe place so they made their way out. Going out to explore the business district while their children tested. Leaving the children standing there awkwardly waiting for instruction.

Arron looks down at all the prospects. About 500 in total. “LINE UP!!” Boomed Arron and the kids lined up shoulder to shoulder instinctively, fear in their eyes.

Master Arron began to make his way down the line, examining each child slowly. “You, you, you there, you and you, aaand also you. You fail. Go to the gate and have one of the assistants call your parents.”

“What! But we haven’t done anything yet! How can you fail us like this!” One of the children starts to protest.

“BECAUSE I’M THE MASTER HERE!!” Master Arron boomed. “Your weak! I can tell from your posture that all you do all day is sit around. From the fat you have around your neck I can tell you don’t eat healthy! NOW GET OUT.” The pudgy child began to cry and ran to the front of the gate to the assistant. Not wanting to get yelled at the other children that failed hung their heads and meekly made their way as well.

Master Arron turns around and addresses all the children. “What I say is law! Do you understand!?” The scared children nod frantically in compliance.

“Good” Arron put a smile on his face and be can to examine the children again.

“You, you, you...” He continued to make his way down the line failing the students. If he deemed you acceptable he would just examine you and move on.

In the end there were 43 students left.

Making his way to the front of the crowd Master Arron again addresses the group of children smiling broadly. “Congratulations! You passed!”

“Huh?” Most of the kids were confused looking around at one another. Only one didn’t seem to be confused.

“YAY!!” The raven haired child jumping in air in glee was none other than Mano.

The other kids disregarded this carefree kid that just accepted this like it was nothing. How could he just accept this? No one knew why they passed and wanted to know. They weren’t satisfied in just passing,wanting to know what they did right.

“I can tell a persons worth physically just by looking, if you must know” Arron answered matter-of-factly. “Kids these days just just accept things as they are without questioning us adults, like that boy over there.” Pointing at Mano who was happily listening to Master Arron.

“Boy.” Arron questioned Mano “What’s your name?”

“Mano Stonewall sir!” Mano straightened up in attention to Master Arron.

“Haha! No wonder! You have your father’s face.”

“You know Father?” Mano was intrigued at the man who seemed to be familiar with his Father

“Yes as a matter of fact. We went here together once upon a time. He was a few years my senior though, I was always jealous of how aloof and free he was. Quite the smooth-talker that one, did you know he once had one of the female teachers pining after him? To think the rascal who used to have a dame in each arm settled down.” Getting back on topic Master Arron asked Mano what was really on his mind.

“Did you do some kind of special training? Your overall physical traits were stronger than all the other kids that came out today.”

“Well I often play with the maid-aunties at home. I like to explore and climb trees too!” Answers Mano proudly.

So this kid is just doing normal kid stuff. Impossible his body’s potential is incredible, like some kind of monster. “That sounds like fun Mano.” I’ll just forget it for now.

“Alright kids lets start the next phase!” Walking to the Training halls front door Master Arron opens the large double doors to reveal an even larger space than the 300 square meter courtyard. They were now on Myst’s main school ground. It was massive and was easily 3,200 meters across.

Standing in a clearing to the left were four people of differing races with an old looking man standing off to the side. Master Arron lead the children to sit in the space in front of the four people, taking his spot among them.

“We five are the head combat instructors here in the Myst training hall. We all specialize in a specific field of study. From archery, hunting, subterfuge, swordsmanship, and vanguard training. We will introduce ourselves and our specialization and when we are done explaining, you may gather around the instructor of your choice. We will be instructing you through your years here at Myst.”

The instructors begin to introduce themselves.

The first one to introduce them self is Master Arron.

“I am Master Arron, the swordsmanship instructor. We swordsman live a life of honor and glory. Striking down the opposition with blades ranging from rapiers to great-swords. Our role is that of a leader and damage dealer in parties.” Finishing his introduction a tall man with fair skin and pointed ears steps up.

There were many races in this world from elves, dwarves, beast-men, halflings and many others. Roland, being a trade hub, had all kinds of people coming in and out all the time. Race wasn’t a big issue and you weren’t discriminated for being different. Everyone could contribute to society.

The man stepped up, “I am Master Feralis, the archery instructor. Archers live on the back line. Don’t let that fool you into thinking we are cowards. A skilled archer is incredibly deadly and a skilled on can shoot an apple falling off a tree effectively at 100 meters away. Our role in the party is to pick off the back line of the enemy while seeking shelter behind the frontline.”

The next one to step up was a dark skinned human in a cloak. “I am Master Tethys. I am the subterfuge instructor. Otherwise known as rogues we support the party by incapacitating our enemies and causing chaos in the battlefield.”

One of the last two people steps up, a female dwarf accompanied by a large lizard steps up and introduces herself. “I am Master Dorna, the hunting instructor. We specialize in scouting and tracking for our parties as well as setting traps. Our role in combat is survival. We stay in the mid-line and pick off stragglers while our pets help out the front or back lines.”

The final person to step up is a lithe human woman about 176 cm tall with pointed ears and beautiful features. Casting a cold look to all the children. No visible emotion on her face. “I am Master Kreig the Vanguard instructor... I do not accept disciples.”

...What?!

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