In the town Aramore, dawn had already passed, and the rays of the suns shined fully upon every house and building. Doors opened. People’s voices could be heard, talking about new tasks, new events, and new problems. A braying of a donkey or a bellowing of an ox occasionally reverberated throughout the town. Faint laughter could be heard in the air, either of children playing or of lovers flirting with each other from their beds (Author’s note: Yeah, people need to close their windows when they’re acting naughty with each other. I don’t want to hear y’all when I’m sleeping!). Townsmen began to open their workshops and stores, and merchants were quickly setting up their stalls. A brief moment later, the loud voices of merchants could be heard as the merchants advertised their variety of wares, which ranged from seemingly useless junk to expensive and exotic items. Aramore was a small but fairly prosperous town. The town head, Vincent Reyes, was a wealthy but generous man, and it was thanks to his leadership and charisma that the town attracted many traders and merchants. The town slowly came to life, and soon enough, it was bustling with activity. A certain boy was already making his way to the small school on the far west side of town, walking briskly with a sense of purpose. It was Eldon.

Eldon loved his town. It wasn’t as big as most other towns, but that was what he loved about it. Although Eldon preferred to study in quiet and solitude, he felt quite content upon hearing the multitude of sounds that originated from the town. He looked around, seeing familiar sights and people. In his entire life, Eldon had never really left the town, except for a few occasions when he would go into the nearby forest. It was his world, his home. But, he had a feeling in his heart that all might change when he takes the Valis Institute’s test. It was a small feeling, but Eldon had never felt this feeling before. It was a yearning for journey, for him to expand his horizons, and to explore everything that Draen had available for him.

__________________________________________________________________________

Eldon saw his sister run past, sticking her tongue out at him. He chuckled. Although Roxana was merely ten, her speed gave many adults a surprise, and her stamina was just as comparable. Soon, he no longer could see her as she went up a small hill in the road. He continued at his brisk walking pace; there was no particular need for him to rush to school, but he couldn’t wait to discuss the recruiters with his classmates.

Eventually, the school building came into Eldon’s sight. It was fairly small, but it matched with the size of the village. Most kids of Eldon’s age went to school. However, since nearly all of them were commoners, much of the stuff they learned in school didn’t really apply later on in their lives. Nevertheless, a basic knowledge of the world around them didn’t hurt. Most kids stopped attending school when they were thirteen years old, as some would go on to the Valis Institute. With their friends beginning a new chapter in their lives to become a magician or swordsmen, the ones who failed the test usually began to earnestly learn their parent’s trade. Some would pick up the skill of a merchant and leave in search of fortunes. A rare few who passed the test of the Valis Institute would instead look for independent and experienced magicians/swordsmen who were willing to teach and pass down their skills and knowledge to them.

__________________________________________________________________________

Most of the kids in Eldon’s class were already in the classroom when he arrived. Classes were separated by age, so everyone in Eldon’s class was more or less around his age. Some of his classmates were chatting away, most likely talking about the recruiters. Eldon saw a person with a mass of yellow hair lying his head on a desk in the back of the room, apparently asleep. It was a good friend of Eldon’s, Brien. He went to greet him.

“Good morning, Brien!”

Brien stirred, raising his head from his desk and let out a lazy yawn. An eye of crystal green color cracked open, and it saw Eldon. Brien opened both of his eyes. “Hm? Oh, hello Eldon! Yes, it’s a good morning.” He blinked a few times, having just woken up from his nap.

“You’re always sleeping in class, Brien. Don’t you get enough sleep at night?” Eldon took his seat, which was next to Brien’s.

“I never seem to do.” Brien promptly laid his head back down on the desk, but he didn’t fall asleep again. “You seem somewhat excited today. It is because of the recruiters?”

“Of course! This time, most of us in the classroom are allowed to take the test,” Eldon said. “You’re going too, right?” he asked.

“The question should be, who isn’t going? Virtually everyone wants to become a magician or swordsman. This is a chance of lifetime for many.” Brien sat up, and looked at Eldon. “However, it’ll be rather difficult for us to pass. I know that your parents only have neutral aptitudes. Perhaps one of your ancestors had a good aptitude or greater, but it’s highly unlikely. Luckily for you, you still have a chance, considering that your parents have aptitudes of different elements. Me? Both my parents have poor aptitudes. I’ll be blessed if one of my ancestors pulled through.” Brien yawned again. “Anyway, becoming a swordsman or magician would be quite a pain. I think I’ll be a swordsman if given the chance, though. Maybe the physical training will cure my tiredness.”

“Well, I think that-”

“Did someone say, swordsman?” A large, burly figure interjected into Brien and Eldon’s conversation. He grinned. “Brien? You, being a swordsman?” said Angus jokingly. “You’ll fall asleep in the middle of a battle.”

“That’s probably true,” replied Brien. “However, considering your size, you’ll probably be the first to fall from the enemy’s attacks. Who could miss you?”

“Watch your mouth, Brien. I can crush you like the twig you are!” Angus shook a meaty fist in front of Brien’s face, attempting to appear threatening. It worked pretty well, in Eldon’s opinon. Brien scoffed.

“You’ll have to catch me first. Even goblins could probably dance circles around you.”

Angus made a pained face. “I can never win against you, Brien.” The three laughed. “Anyway, I guess you guys already know about the recruiters.”

“Yeah, yeah.” “Yes.”

Angus flexed a bicep, showing off its size and bulge. “I think I’m the perfect type to be a swordsman. My enemies will be diced into meat in front of my greatsword!” Angus pretended to wield a giant sword, and swung his arms around wildly. “There’ll be nothing left when I’m through with them!”

Brien rolled his eyes. “Why don’t you go show off your muscles to Serene? I’m sure she’ll be mesmerized by their definition.”

Angus blushed. Serene was the daughter of the town’s head, Vincent Reyes. Not only that, but she was also one of the prettiest girls in the town, if not the prettiest. The boys stared at the front of the room, where Serene was currently sitting and talking with her girl friends. Even though she was only thirteen years old, everyone could tell that she would grow up to become an amazing beauty. Vincent Reyes would swell up with joy when people commented on Serene’s appearance. He was sure that she would be able to woo the hearts of many young men from influential families once she became older. Even now, her beauty caused heads to turn as she walked past people. She had a lovely face, perfectly accentuated with her long locks of golden hair. Her skin was fair, and her voice was light and dainty, like music in the air. She also had the personality and temperament of a maiden. She wasn’t arrogant or haughty, and got along with everyone quite excellently. Many young lads were entranced by Serene, and Angus was just one of them. Even Brien, who a few girls liked because of his mysterious air (caused by his sleeping and droopy eyes), couldn’t help but feel his heart jump a bit when he saw Serene’s soft and grey eyes. The boys continued to gawk at Serene. Except for Eldon. Eldon was different. The only thing in his eyes at that moment was Karis, one of the girls sitting with Serene.

__________________________________________________________________________

Eldon saw Serene’s beauty, and he too had to appreciate how pleasing her face was to the eyes. Nevertheless, his heart was already swayed by another girl, Karis. Karis couldn’t be considered a beauty, but she wasn’t average either. Either way, she paled in comparison with Serene. However, since the first time Eldon ever laid his eyes upon her, he was head-over-heels. He loved everything about her, and noticed everything she did, however subtle. He couldn’t decide what exactly caused him to be attracted to her, whether it be her spotted freckles, her radiant hazel eyes, the two dimples that appeared on her face whenever she smiled, the moments sound came out of her mouth, or the times she would play with her smooth and long hair. Eldon rarely ever talked to her. Although he was a bit shy, Eldon usually had no major problem talking with girls. Karis was a completely different case. Whenever he saw the red headed girl’s face, his head went up in the skies. He nearly had a heart attack once when Mrs. Fern paired them up on an excursion in the forest to find certain herbs. Eldon was sure that Mrs. Fern intentionally paired them together, as she winked at Eldon when she was instructing him. While he was gathering herbs with Karis, he was sure that the entire forest could hear his heart pounding furiously and rapidly. His face turned completely red whenever Karis looked or talked to him, and he was so embarrassed.

“Are you okay, Eldon? Your face is really red.” Karis had said.

“Y-yeah, I know. I’m okay.” His face flushed even more.

“Are you sure you don’t have a fever or something?” Karis reached out to feel his forehead. Before he could even react, her soft hand had already reached him. Her hand was cool to the touch, but to Eldon, it was like a fiery flame. He shook a bit.

“YeeaAHAAHH I’m fine! I’m great, really, really great, great! In fact, I feel amazing!!! No problem!” Eldon wanted to punch himself for reacting so strongly. Karis raised an eyebrow.

“Well, you seem fine now.” She smiled. Eldon could do nothing but grin stupidly back.

He was glad when they were done collecting the herbs, but also regretful that he didn’t take the initiative to advance their friendship further.

__________________________________________________________________________

The boys were still staring. Out of the corner of her eyes, Serene noticed the mesmerized boys. She then began to talk in a low whisper.

“Look, they’re staring at us.” she said softly.

“You mean they’re staring at you, Serene.” said Alera, another pretty girl with black hair and brown eyes.

“Not quite. Look at our Eldon. It’s obvious who he’s looking at, and it’s not me.” Serene winked at Karis. Karis blushed and began to play with her hair.

Suddenly, all the girls in Serene group looked over to Eldon, Angus, and Brien before they could even turn their heads away. The boys, embarrassed, attempted to compose themselves, but the damage was done. The girls started laughing. Angus tried to preserve some face and, facing the girls, said, “What are you girls laughing at?”

Serene smirked, “What are you boys looking at?” The girls continued to giggle even more. They then continued their previous conversations. Angus’s cheeks turned even more crimson and he awkwardly began scratching his head. Eldon looked up from the floor, and sneaked a peek at Karis. Coincidentally, Karis had also taken a glance at Eldon. Their eyes met. Faintly blushing, she quickly waved one of her small hands at him, before turning her attention back to the girls. Eldon felt his internal temperature rise by a hundred degrees as his body’s homeostasis system failed him. He felt even happier than he did in the morning when his mother gave him her approval to attempt the test. Brien leaned back in his chair.

“She’s on a completely different level.” He sighed.

Surprisingly, Angus quickly came over his embarrassment, and heatedly said, “That doesn’t matter. Love will find a way!”

Eldon tried to resume their previous conversation, “So, like I was saying before Angus joined us-”

“Hello students!” Mrs. Fern walked in with a bright smile from the entrance. Eldon stopped talking. She was carrying a large bag.

“Good morning, Mrs Fern!” The students said in unison. The class quieted down and took their seats. Angus smiled at his two friends and went to take his seat in the middle of the classroom.

Mrs. Fern was a young woman in her mid-twenties, so she was around the prime of her beauty. Her optimism was a positive influence on the class, and it was in part thanks to her that everyone got along pretty well. She took her seat in front of the class.

“As many, if not all of you know, the recruiters have come to our little town today. Unfortunately, this means that this may be the last day of class for many of you.” She smiled sadly. “Fortunately, life will move on! I know that many of you will have great success and I hope that you will just be as amazing students as you were to me as you will to your future teachers and mentors. So let us celebrate!” From her bag, Mrs. Fern took out a multitude of sweets and goods. Her family ran the bakery shop of the town, and it contained some of the best stuff Eldon had ever tasted before.

“Wow!” “Sweet!” “Thanks Mrs. Fern!” “I love you Mrs. Fern!” “I’ll never forget you Mrs. Fern!” “I’ll remember you when I become famous and powerful!” The students shouted with joy. Some ran up to hug her. Mrs. Fern rolled her eyes and said, “Now now, let’s not be too eager. You all still have the test to take.”

For the rest of the class, the students indulged upon the sweets and reminisced about their memories.

__________________________________________________________________________

It was afternoon. Eldon said goodbye to his friends and classmates, as they needed to go home to prepare for the test. Most people in the town attended the test; all the parents went to see their children take the test, and everybody else did too, because, well, everyone else is going! Eldon was waiting for Roxana, but he saw her busy talking and playing with her friends, so he left first. He could feel his heart beating stronger and stronger as time passed by. If the test was like it was every year, it would happen right after most people had dinner. Eldon went back home, but this time, he was running.

It’s almost time.

__________________________________________________________________________