First of all, sorry for keeping you waiting. With the start of the new semester I don't have much time. The bachelor thesis takes a lot of time, too. I will try to post at least one chapter per month, beginning the week after next.

Enjoy!

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“Once upon a time, in a certain village there lived a little girl, the prettiest one of all. Her parents, especially her mother was excessively fond of her. They doted upon her and spoilt her. She wouldn't listen to what her parents say.

One day, when her mother told her to sleep, she wouldn't go. Instead she indulged herself in playing with dolls. Midnight came. Still not yet asleep and with her room as bright as day, she attracted something evil.

Coated in dark shadows and long, pitch black claws, it lurks in the deepest shadows.

The light in the room suddenly flickered, then flickered again, then it extinguished eventually. The shadow sneaked in.

The girl wasn't really disturbed, but annoyed that the lights were unreliable.

Luckily her caring mother noticed something was amiss and opened her door. A small line of light illuminated what was in front of her.

The bogeyman. With the long, pitch black claws clear in front of her, the girl screamed.

But screams couldn't help the spoilt child, though her loving mother could. Keeping her cool, the mother sang a lovely good night song.

The shadow, who couldn't stand it, fled. The little girl was saved. From now on she listened to her parents and they lived happily ever after.

Moral of this tale, either listen or wail.

-old fairy tale

***Aeron***

After arriving at the South Gate one of the guards went ahead to talk to the city guards, who are protecting the Gate. Shortly after, one of them waves us through without inspecting us. The name Kingsley seems to be much valued or the guards are simply slacking off.

The road broadens and there is enough space to let at least three carriages passing by, side by side. It's already dark, but the streets are illuminated by lights, which are attached to cables hanging above. Despite the late hour, it's still lively and a lot of stalls are offering food, clothes and miscellaneous items. We follow this main street for some time until we arrive at another gate. It's much smaller than the outer gate and secludes the inner part of the city. These city guards aren't stopping us neither. There are a lot of grand and high-toned looking houses in this district. In the distance ahead are huge silhouettes, perhaps the Griffon Academy and the Colosseum, but we are leaving the main street before arriving at the centre.

The journey ends at an inn named Black Sheep. Despite it's name, it's a good middle-class inn in one of the calmer corners. Lily tells us that the owner handles the guests in a discrete manner.

“Are you sure of this place? It's not shabby, but shouldn't Lady Kingsley stay in one of the better inns?”

“It's perfect for our means. And above all I know the owner, he may even lend me the master-key.”

Lily is outside to talk to the chief of our guards. I can't hear their talk, but something gives me a chill. Afterwards the guards help us with our baggage, then they bid us farewell before they leave for another place.

We get two rooms at the second floor. They are clean and big. But I don't pay much attention, the training, which I did the whole day, takes its toll and I fall asleep quickly.

*Splash*

“waaaah!”

Opening my eyes, I see Lily standing in front of me saying, almost singing bitter-sweet:

“Good mor~ning dear, breakfast is ready.”

“Lily! Why?!”

“Breakfast is the most important meal. And it's going to be a very, very long day for you.”

“That's not what I meant! There is NO need to wake me up with cold water!”

“But it's much more fun! And it's just magical water, it will leave if I cut the mana supply... see, you're dry again. By the way, I know what you where thinking yesterday morning.”

While poking her tongue out, she leaves. How does she know? No, there is now way that she knows... But it's her win today and I just have to survive this day, then she won't be able to prank me much more. The academies are boarding schools and Mia and I are at different places.

After refreshing myself I go down for breakfast. Mia and Lily are already waiting for me. Eggs, bacon, bread, cold meat, cheese, pancakes with syrup and cereals are at the buffet. Delicious! I'm stuffing myself, after all we went to bed without having dinner. Mia does the same, just Lily is refraining herself. Afterwards both of them take me to the Adventurer Academy.

The Adventurer Academy owns several buildings. The castle-like main building is the most prominent of it. It adjoins the eastern plaza and it's back faces the city wall. Between the city wall and the main building is a huge, enclosed training ground with many buildings for teaching and housing.

Standing in front of the plaza I get to see an impressive view. The plaza is filled with countless people. There are many stalls with loud promoting merchants and even more passers-by and adventurers. The latter are sticking out with their equipment, most of them are equipped with swords and miscellaneous armament like leather armours, chain mails and even plate armour. Outfits just made out of cloth are quite common for them, too. Some of them look like cliché-like magician robes.

“Wow! Look at all those items they are selling! This stall sells lovely trinkets and good luck charms!”

“Come on, Mia. We can go shopping after registering. Aeron needs cute equipment after all.”

It's much too early for arguing, hence I pretend to be oblivious to their little talk and follow them closely, it would be really bad to loose them in the crowd. There's no way I will accept something like 'cute' equipment, though! Of course I shouldn't be too picky about free stuff, but still, there has to be a limit on how much I have to endure!

In the middle of the plaza is an elevated place with a tower as it's centre, guarded by armoured sentries with dark brown surcoats. A golden scale and a golden sword below it adorns the centre of the surcoats. A big clock is attached to the tower, displaying 10:15am.

“Below the tower is one of the few entrances to the dungeon. The guild-guards won't let anyone through who isn't registered. As a student you will have to wear your academy's emblem additionally.”

Lily takes the role of our tourist guide again and explains a few things. For example most of the shops near the tower are specialised in adventurers. They provide them with miscellaneous equipment, consumables and resources. Not only selling, but also buying the items, which the adventurers gather in the dungeon.

“Aeron look, there, an elf!”

She points at a tall, female adventurer clad in a short tunic and a long wand. On the left side of her slender waist is a short sword attached. Long blond hair tied to a pigtail, delicate, fair skin and a nice face. If it wasn't for her long pointed ears, you wouldn't think that she isn't a human. She draws a lot of attention, but I don't think it's because of her race. Most of the onlookers are males and her companions do their best to move smoothly trough the crowd, heading for the tower.

“Mia, it's not nice to point your finger at people.”

“Sorry.” She looks down with an apologetic expression.

“It's OK, just watch your manners next time. You will see many more people from different races in Altos. A lot of them are good fighters and adventurers.”

“It's my first time seeing other races. I never saw any of them at Mia's place? How many are there and where do they come from?”

“Um, the majority here should be the varied beast-tribes, elves and dwarfs. They have kingdoms near our borders, but they have some towns of their own in Gewain, too. Several nobles had and still have a preference for them, especially beast-tribes, and benefited those immigrants massively in order to let them settle in their territory. In history lessons you will get to hear more about the other races.”

It doesn't take too long and we arrive on the other side of the plaza. Behind a sturdy fence and a well-kept front yard is the castle-like main building of the Adventurer Academy. At the main gate are two guards in navy blue surcoats with a white emblem.

“Good morning. Are you here to enrol?”

“Just Aeron here.” Lily speaks for us.

“Then follow the right corridor after entering. It's signposted. Good luck with your fight.”

“Thank... er... fight?”

“Oh,don't you know? The Adventurer Academy has a ranking system, but don't be afraid, it's not a real fight. Just show the examiner what you've got.”

Looking back at Lily, I see her smiling. Of course, she knew about it.

“Don't look at me like this. It's just a really small, insignificant test here. Please show this letter at the registration, it's a copy of the one I already sent... just in case. We will pick you up here at 1pm and get your cute equipment. Oh, and you better do well during the test.”

“Till later then, Aeron. And good luck!”

One of them is smiling mischievously, the other one is giving me a hearty smile, while being dragged off. They have to enrol Mia at the Griffon Academy. They just brought me to the front gate. They left a little sudden, but it was clear from the outset, that here, I'm on my own. Facing the front of the building I can't help and smile. This is the place I will go to school for the next years and learn magic, my new home. I advance with great strides.