Reinhart City, the Capital city of the Reinhart Kingdom, A bustling city packed with people, shops and architecture, but in the midst of the sea of people in the long winding road was two individuals in brown cloaks, Richard and Ryan.

“As I was saying there are 4 districts: The Royal Palace and the homes of the nobles are in the east of the city, south is where the labour class lives. The north is where the military is located and the West where we are is where the business and merchants of the country come together to trade.”

Ryan looked off into the distance and he could see the enormous palace with tall rising towers in the distance before he asked: “So are we here to buy ingredients?”

“Yes I’m here for ingredients, but you’re here to enter the Coliseum at the centre of the city for the next phase of your training.” He explained: “At your current stage you are naturally talented when it comes to training but a real fight does not follow a pattern anything can occur.”

“Therefore what you’re lacking the most is experience in battle.”

“There are countless beasts in the forests for me to fight against and compared to humans they’re so much stronger,” Ryan replied with a sound reason.

“No, there is a difference, what beasts lack is intelligence and what human’s lack is the strength. Even without the strength with strategy humans can outsmart and kill beasts a lot stronger than them.”

Ryan understood as he finished the sentence: “So through fighting different kinds of people I’ll gain experience to counterattack no matter the situation.”

“Correct.”

“At the Coliseum, you’ll be fighting with your life on the line, every warrior comes ready to die and with that resolve, they strive to survive.”

“In there you will have to kill if you want to survive,” Richard observed Ryan’s expression to see if there were any changes, killing another human the first time was always traumatic for most people.

However, contrary to his expectations Ryan’s eyes were relaxed not fazed at all by those words instead his reply caught him even more off guard, “Kill? I’ve already been forced to do it there’s no need to worry about me hesitating.”

“Ok, then but before that let me buy a few materials I need at the auction.” Richard decided not to think too deeply into it even though he was curious.

Richard put his hand in his cloak and pulled out two blank silver masks with two holes for the eyes. “Put this on now, it’s safer now than to put it on when we reach the auction hall.”

Taking it into his hand he put it on, “Why is that we’re wearing this?”

“It’s because the Atlas Blaze Auction Hall sells rare items and if we reveal our identity while purchasing items we’ll be prime picks for thieves even though they won’t be able to do anything to me, but it’s a hassle if they know who we are.”

“And just like the Coliseum is part of a bigger organisation known as the Sage Association, Atlas Blaze Auction Hall is part of the Atlas Blaze Conglomerate so no one will do anything out of the ordinary within the estate. Since both these factions are partnered with the Reinhart Royal Family they are protected on this land.”

“Both organisations take half the income of their respective establishments while the other half is given to the Royal Family, in return the two forces support the Royal family’s hold on power while the Royal Family keeps order around the two establishments.”

“How powerful are the two establishments compared to this kingdom?” This was the first time Ryan had heard of these two organisations, on the other hand, the Reinhart family is a name he’d heard of since he lived in the streets of one corner of this kingdom most his life.

Richard chuckled before replying: “The Reinhart kingdom does not need to fear the establishments but compared to their backers they are nothing compared to those two colossal mammoth-like forces. It’s like comparing a kitten and a lion, it’s pointless.

“Let’s just take the Sage Association as an example it alone is a colossal superpower, manifolds stronger than the Reinhart Family with influence across the whole continent, if they wanted to they could destroy this kingdom. There are not many organisations that have the wealth or power to face those old fogies without hesitation, but the Atlas Blaze Conglomerate is one of the few that does not fear them.”

Just as he finished speaking they were only a few metres away from the entrance of the Auction Hall.

The architecture and design of the building was something Ryan had never seen before, he didn’t realise that buildings could express such individuality through construction.

The six pillars were arranged like soldiers, each pillar on one side was symmetrical to the other side. Between the middle two pillars was a large door that was left open, yet it was guarded by muscular individuals wearing armour.

On their chest where the heart was, an insignia with the image of an eagle in descent with its claws extended; its wings and feathers were covered in flames creating a majestic, powerful emblem.

The building itself was white with large windows on the higher floors; on the roof of the building was a flag with the same eagle that was on the insignia of the guards.

“Let’s go inside.”

Ryan snapped out of his admiration and followed Richard, just as they reached the doorway into the building one of the guards moved forward to block their path.

“Sorry, we must first see an invitation or a pass to enter the building.” The man stated professionally with no show of arrogance.

“Ah yes,” Richard searched through his cloak and pulled out a jet black card with gold writing on it.

The moment the guard discovered the card his eyes widened rapidly, also a similar reaction was being displayed by his comrade.

“May I take a look at it?” The guard whispered not daring to take a misstep, he was at the peak of the Sage Warrior stage and was quite proud of his strength but at that moment he felt scared from just seeing that card.

When his eyes scanned the card his eyes widened even further and immediately returned it. Just as fast he turned to his compatriot and nodded.

The two in unison moved aside and they both respectfully stood straight: “Elder please enter, we will immediately notice the chairman of your arrival.”

Richard nodded and walked in, just as the two walked deep into the building one of the guards quickly rushed inside.

-----------------------

In the highest floor of the Auction house was a large room, there was a middle-aged man sitting behind a desk.

His long grey-black hair was tied with a knot; his eyes were squinted as he read through the documents when all of a sudden a loud banging sounded into the room.

“Enter!” The banging sound broke him out of his trance, immediately feeling a tinge of annoyance he expressed it.

The guard entered the room, “Chairman pardon me for not following protocols, but an Elder of the Atlas Blaze Conglomerate has appeared at our Auction Hall.”

The man was still focussing on his documents and didn’t seem to have heard what the guard said still slightly annoyed.

“What did you say again?"

The guard felt panicked, immediately repeating his words: “Chairman Francis! An Elder has entered the Auction Hall!”

Francis comprehending the words dropped the documents in his arms: “An Elder? Quickly take me to him!” The man roared frantically instantly rushing towards the door.

Just as he walked through the door, he suddenly stopped and turned: “Wait! Is this truly an Elder?” He asked suspiciously, the likely hood of an influential guest of the Atlas Blaze conglomerate being in the Reinhart kingdom was quite low.

The guard nodded without any hesitancy: “Chairman I am 99% certain, he even revealed his Elder Black card, however, the writing was gold, and it was different from what I’ve seen in the textbooks.”

Hearing this Chairman Francis felt his heart slow: A Legacy Black Card?! Without uttering a single word he disappeared from his office leaving the guard in awe at the Presidents speed.