It's chapter 10 guys, which means I can ask for reviews and feel good about it :D

In all seriousness, please tell me how you guys feel about the story so far. Ratings and comments really help me out. Now, onward toward having this story be in the top weekly! (In like, a few months :p)

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The sun was just starting to set as Steel finally reached the east gate. Like it's counterpart, the east gate was a tall opening with both a portcullis and wooden door with stairs to the upper levels on either side. The guard house stood next too it as well, with many guards leaving to begin their night patrols.

The two inside gate guards stood at attention as Steel approached.

"Halt young traveler, you are too weak to leave this gate. " One of the soldiers declared as Steel approached.

"I have a letter for you." Steel said as he handed over the letter marked with a book to the guard. The guard briskly took it and opened it. He took a moment to read the letter before nodding and putting it away.

"Your letter has been verified as an official request from the Mage Guild and you are authorized to enter the farmlands for a single night. You may remain for as long as you like out there, but if you do not return before the night is over you will not be allowed to leave again until you are stronger, even if you get a hold of another letter. You must pass through the gate in order for this to be verified, and dying will result in the same consequence."

Steel nodded and the guards let him through.

Outside the gate, Steel saw a large stretch of land before him of grassy plains and farmer fields. The setting sun cast long shadows on the area and made beautiful colors appear in the sky.

Enlarging his mini-map, Steel found the arrow directing him toward Marie's location. He followed it down to one of the farm buildings and walked inside. As he closed the door, a hand covered his mouth and a voice whispered in his ear.

"Have you brought the goods?" The voice whispered.

Seeing as he couldn't speak, Steel shrugged his shoulders. The voice 'tsked' and removed it's hand. Steel turned to see Marie frowning at him.

"You are a very boring man, do you know this? Anyway, let's hurry and get this over with before night falls too heavily." She motioned for him to sit on one of the straw bales, "Now, did you want to learn how to be a mage or just learn skills to cast magic?"

Steel thought for a moment, "I'll be going the warrior route, but I would like to learn some magic to go along with my fighting skills."

Marie nodded her head, "That's a rather wise decision you've made traveler Steel. Most muscle-heads think magic is worthless to anyone who doesn't use a staff, but that's not entirely true. I can teach you some basic magic spells, but I'll need your promise to help me out someday when you are stronger."

Quest Continued (Special)Learn Magic IIYou have successfully met up with Marie in the farmlands without getting caught. She has requested you help her in the future when you are stronger in return for magic lessons.Objective:Return to Marie after reaching level 5 and 10 to see what you can do for her.Special Objective:If you agree and fail to seek Marie out when the time is right, your intimacy with the Mage Guild will fall to a low level..Reward:Spells, intimacy with Marie

Steel thought for a moment, "Will you continue to teach me spells if I agree to help you?"

Marie nodded, "As long as you help me, I will help you."

"Then I owe you a favor then." Steel said as he clicked yes on the menu.

A genuine smile broke out on Marie's face and she visibly relaxed. "Right, first thing you need to know is that everything alive is capable of using mana. As long as you know the chant, you'll be able to cast spells with ease. However, the stronger spells will have both longer chants and a higher mana requirement. Since you aim to be a warrior, you reserves of mana will be low compared to a normal mage, so you will not be able to cast most medium and higher level spells."

When she finished explaining to him, Marie began teaching Steel how to cast spells. First, she cast a spell and showed Steel what it did. Next, she had him slowly recite the chant back to her until he got it correct. Finally, she let him cast the spell on his own.

You have learned the spell: Fire StarterDescription:The most basic fire spell. When cast, a small fire will start in the location preset by the caster. It lasts long enough to set something aflame.Level:Beginner 1Effects:Create a small tongue of fire for a few moments

You have learned the spell: Create WaterDescription:When cast, a small stream of water will erupt from the castor's palm for a few moments. The water is drinkable.Level:Beginner 1Effects:Create a bucket's worth of water

You have learned the spell: Earth ShotDescription:A basic earth spell. Castor creates a small shard of earth and launches it toward a target location.Level:Beginner 1Effects:Create a stone shard and fires it at a target.

Steel was pleased as he finished reading through the notifications, but he turned an inquisitive eye toward Marie. "No air spell today?" He asked.

Marie shook her head, "I think three spells are enough for you for now. If anyone asks where you learned them, be sure to tell them you earned the skills yourself so as to alleviate suspicion. Tonight's magic lecture is over, so be sure to find me after you get stronger."

Steel gave his thanks and exited the farmhouse, heading back to the gate. After the guards acknowledged his return in the set time, Steel opened his menu and clicked the log out button.

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Plat removed his helmet ad stretched as he got up. He had played for 8 hours and was now thoroughly hungry as we watched the sunset from his window. Seeing his wristwatch had no new messages, he sent Henry, Reva, and Dia a message saying that he would be eating in the cafeteria.

A quick look into the room confirmed that none of his usual bullies were present. Feeling relief, Plat made his way through the food line and grabbed himself a bowl of pasta and a freeze-dried ice cream. The pasta was his favorite, and it left just enough aftertaste to give a bit of flavor to the bland and tasteless cold treat. Since fresh food was a rarity at the academy, students had to make do with what they had.

"Is this seat taken?" A warm voice asked him from behind. Plat turned to see a smiling Sarah looking down at him with her own tray of food.

"It's open, so help yourself." He managed to get out without turning red.

"Thank you." Sarah said as she took a seat next to him. She took a moment to eat a bite of her food before she turned to Plat, "So how was your first day in Everlife?"

"It was good." He said with a smile, "I explored the city and even got a few quests. I even got to explore a little outside Rostwood before the day was done."

Sarah gave a small gasp, "That's amazing, we ended up in the same city! My character is an ice elf named bright and I spent the day learning at the elvish embassy about history and magic."

"The elves have an embassy in Rostwood?" Plat asked in confusion.

Sarah nodded, "All the races have one in Rostwood accept humans because they own the city. I learned through my history lessons that Rostwood is one of the few cities where all the races can live in peace together since it's so close to the border between nations."

Plat frowned, "Was it really necessary to spend so much time on history? Kinda sounds a little boring."

Sarah giggled, "It was, but I got a lot of stat boosts to intelligence and wisdom because of it so it was time well spent. What about you, did you find some interesting place?"

"I found a mentor at the Training Hall and made a friend with an apothecary if that counts." Plat told her, "I still don't have a class yet though, so I'll be training for the next two days at the training center."

Sarah nodded her head as she looked thoughtful, "Well, how about we meet up when your done training and hunt together in the farmland. I can get a pass for you from the embassy if you need one."

Plat shook his head, "No need, I got one already from a quest. Do you happen to know when we can leave the gate without a pass."

"I believe you have to be level 5 in order to enter the farmlands and level 10 in order to leave the city." She said thoughtfully, "Okay then, I'll send you a message in three days on where we can meet, so look forward to it."

"Sure, I wish you luck in the game." Plat said with a smile.

"You too." She grinned and ate her last bite before getting up and leaving. As soon as she was gone, Plat released his breath and felt his face and ears growing red. He quickly finished his food and left the cafeteria for bed.

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"Did he agree to it?"

"I just heard back, and he did."

"Good, we need him to complete the quest. Be sure nothing gets revealed that might spook him away."

"What about the others? They aren't comfortable with the plan and may warn him."

"They can't, they're in too deep. No matter what happens, they are in with us whether they like it or not."

"Yes sir, I'll tell them you said that."

"Good, see to it then."

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It's a short one again, but expect a long chapter today too :)