Chapter 324 - Temporary ranks

Footsteps echoed till the door sprung open, "-Eira, is something the matter?" asked Ysmay as she panted.

"N-no really," gasping for air, Ysmay reached over to give a comforting hand. Over towards the middle of the room rested a round table with the girls sat around. Filled with pastries, maids stood at the ready for any request. 

"Let's settle down," she offered.

"Come, the cake is good," said Mille with cream over her cheek.

"Do mind thy manners," fired Anastasia who proceeded to wipe the cream off.

"Come on, sit," smiled Christina with a sister feel.

"Thanks," said the princess who joined the feast.

Accompanied by Youst, Tony and the others wanted to have a tour of the military grounds. Though on the gravel floor, the castle hosted a training area towards the right. Hidden amidst trees, none would have figured said place existed. 

"As you see, the ground is unoccupied. Her majesty had the guards moved the barracks down to the ground floor. The clashing of swords perturbed her enjoyment of an afternoon nap."

"Too bad," voiced Simone with a stretch.

"Still can't believe we're inside a tree," commented Timothy with the head turns to the sky. 

"Yeah, I agree," mumbled Harold, "-there's a differing atmosphere here. It's as if nature itself is free to do what she wants."

"A soothing environment, I get why barracks would destroy the sense of freedom," interjected Fletcher, "-the place is so different from what we're used to." 

"Should we head back?" asked Youst, "-not that it's of any of my concern, it'd be best to take as much time as one can to rest. Tis a piece of advice from a humble butler; the coming days are to be feared." Confused to what was said, the advice about taking rest sunk. 

Saturday the 7th came around. Risen by the chirping of birds, Class 2A made their way to the dining hall where a heavy breakfast awaited. "Good morning," voiced the King in a differing outfit.

"Morning majesty," replied, the focus was on food opposed to who sat where. Dressed in a reminiscing grey-uniform-suit, breakfast ended after a few minutes. Xula still slept for the prior night was strenuous. A conversation turned into an interrogation, questions concerning the Mana Research had the king in peril. One after the other, it kept going on and on till the mind refused to answer anymore. 

Finished and dressed in trainee uniform, the class stood before the entrance of the castle. "Here we are," said Staxius who exited with butlers carrying baggage. 

"Pardon my asking, could thee elaborate?" asked Tony in a respectful tone.

"Is it not obvious, thou art moving out of the castle," voicing a smirk, "-Youst should have warned thee before. The program starts today." Joyfully stepping down the stairs, "-welcome to Arda." Looks of despair were exchanged behind his back. 

"Now then," stood facing the students, "-I was asked to do as I see fit," beside metalized Serene in a bat-shaped mist. "You will be treated the same as the adventurers, no special treatment nor favors, if you fail, thou art going to return to Hidros," the gentle tone emphasized greatly how the path ahead was treacherous. 

"I'll take over from here," said Serene after which Staxius left.

"More details will be given at the guild. For now, come with me," said strictly with luggage at their feet, Serene led the way.

"Guess it's started," smiled Simone.

"Yeah, I'm excited," sparkled as given a candy, Tony sprawled with anticipation.

"Crazed-headed fool," whispered Anastasia.

"I'm glad to not have brought that much stuff," remarked Kim who peered towards Christina. 

"Shut it," she said, "-a lady must be prepared for everything."

"Being prepared and hoarding are two different matters," quipped Mille. 

The stone brick path of a meticulous arrangement diverged into many streets. Taking a left, the group headed to a relay point. Walking till the edge would take hours due to its size. Tame and without noise, the area around felt nice. Lovely buildings reminiscent of the Ardanian craftsmanship.

"Lady Serene, could I ask a question?" 

"Go on, Timothy."

"Is there a reason that a lovely place such as this seems to be dead?"

"Observant," smiled the lady, "-monsters are to blame. A fissure caused goblins to shelter around in buildings over yonder," she pointed to the left, "-referred to as little devils, the inhabitants soon moved away. Only the area in front of the castle is touched by the monsters. Specially trained guards make rounds every few hours as a precaution."

Sunk deep, the lesson remained. Stepped into a cottage-like building, a portal stood with an old lady handling the desk.

"Good morning, Great mother," said Serene with a bow.

"Good morning to you as well," from studying the newspaper, she lowered her glasses to have a better look, "-Princess Eira."

"Hello, Great mother."

"Why do you stay so shyly, come here."

Respectfully, the princess obeyed her whim, "-look at you," instantly pinching her cheeks, "-do pay granny a visit sometime," cheeks bright red, the Great Mother let go to reach for her drawer. "Lollipops for thee and thy friends." 

Bustling with activity, the populous walked without fear. At the market square of the ground floor, Roth stood a few streets away. Fruit baskets, kids in cute clothing ran around mimicking soring birds. Mothers gossiped with one another, a poor fellow professed his love with a waggle of the tail and an entire roasted pig. "Don't dilly-dally, we've somewhere to be," voiced Serene who had an inkling of interest at how the proposal would turn out.

"My lady, could we please see how this unfolds?" requested Eira.

"Sure," reason being her curiosity.

Knelt at one of the meats selling stalls, a beastman with features of a cat had proposed to a demi-human with cat-features. "Me-ow lady, for long have I seen thy whiskers flutter at sunrise. Admits the full moon, I've admired from afar as you had milk under the pearly white stars. Would thou make me the luckiest cat in Astral?" 

"Sorry," refused the lady, "-I wish not to break thy heart. Come to the trader's guild if thou art to throw the pig away."

"HAHA," cheered the crowd, "-If it isn't our local heart-breaker, LADY HARU."

"That's so sad," commented Christina. 

"Haru Gel," spoke Serene, "-she's one of the representatives sitting at the Ardanian council. We best continue." In jest, the boys bowed their head as if to pay respects. Moved along the town, the cheerful visage of the people had the class blissful. Smiles of the townsfolk meant a good and just rule. Roth soon came in view with adventurers of bigger build stood in a queue. 

"Lady Serene," many bowed at her sight. As for the students, some glared, some had killing intent, and other overly self-conscious. Survival instinct from when one was faced with the unknown. 

"Look at this place," said Tony. Spacious and technologically advanced for screens on where displayed quest details hung around. The middle was filled by people in search of work. 

"Over here," climbed till the 5th floor, a spacious meeting room with Staxius already sat facing an interface.

"You've made it," he said with a wave, the screen vanished, "-please, take a seat," offered, the students soon sat along a big rectangular table. Windows to the left held a good view. Unknown to what would happen, they waited for it was all that could be done. A flick of the wrist later, blue light dashed at the wall, *tsst,* in a sparkle, another display came in view. 

"Let's begin the meet," he said. "First and foremost, I'd like to hear thy opinion on what you think must be done."

"Speaking on the girl's behalf, we requested for Kniq since of the opportunity to learn Alchemy. We can study opposed to training as the other guilds," ended Kim with a smile.

"And the boys?"

"Excluding Timothy, I think that it would be a great honor to be trained by Xenos."

"Fighting and studying. What about you Eira?"

"Both?" she said nonchalantly, "-I don't see the reason to separate them both. The study of magic is ultimately a necessity for becoming strong." 

"Good point," smiled the Guild Master. "Tis decided, Class 2A will be evaluated to then be trained by one of four guilds. Traders, Smiting, Mages, and Fighters. Ranks given will be temporary and not official for thou aren't affiliated with Arda. Except for Eira, your rank will matter, consider this a test from the monarch. I wish to see first-hand the progress made in Claireville Academy. Serene, please have them evaluated," to which she led the way. Pressure added, they climbed to the fourth floor.

"Is it necessary to be that harsh on her?" asked Adete who had remained in the front pocket.

"I need to see her results for myself. The tournament is impressive. Still, it didn't test her raw potential."

A floor below, one by one, ranks were assigned by machine.

Eira Haggard: Tier 7 – Sapphire.

Ysmay Mallkin: Tier 10 – Porcelain.

Anastasia Whitstar: Tier 10 – Porcelain. 

Kim Lone Franquet: Tier 9 - Obsidian.

Christina Valerie: Tier 10 - Porcelain.

Mille Stalin: Tier 10 - Porcelain.

Timothy Clark: Tier 10 - Porcelain.

Fletcher Vega: Tier 9 - Obsidian.

Harold C.u.mber: Tier 9 - Obsidian.

Simone Styles: Tier 9 - Obsidian.

Tony Parker: Tier 8 - Steel.

"A good balance of Tier 9 and 8. How about the selection of guild," paper slid across the table, "-take a good look and read."

Mages Guild: Leader - Ryul Traxina. Focused on the art of mage and theory, the mages guild trains adventurers who are to become supportive allies on the battlefield. 

Traders Guild: Leader – Haru Gel. Geared towards the dealings and trade of items. The guild is home to many businesses. 

Smiting Guild: Leader – Skokdrag. Learn about the gritty methodology of metallurgy and craftsmanship.

Fighters Guild: Leader – Mieshre Nufry. Obedience and discipline, grow strong and lead the front line of the assault. True heroes are people who risk themselves to save others.

"Excuse me, guild master, but are we only allowed to choose one of the four?" asked Simone with a troubled gaze.

"What about training under Xenos?" asked Tony with a rather harsh tone.

"What about learning alchemy?" asked Kim who didn't seem pleased with the events.

"Silence," yelled Serene who had bats flying all over, "-don't cause a scene." 

"Class 2A," spoken in a shady voice, "-do you think that highly of thyself? The highest-ranked amongst you is Tier-7, the winner of the inter-magical tournament. Where does that leave thee who art in the lower tiers." Sharp, the words cut deep.

"We apologize."

"How about a deal, here in Arda, adventurers are only allowed to go on a quest if either the mages or fighter's guild has given their stamp of approval. It takes on average a month or two for any candidate to be accepted. You have a week, get recognized by the guild leaders and I'll have a masterclass on the basics. We may also go on a Boss killing quest. It all depends on how well you perform. Show me what is meant to be called A-ranked students." 

"YES, GUILD MASTER," shouted Tony, "-if we do as you've conditioned then we'll go on that kill quest."

"Do I have to repeat myself?" 

"NO SIR," decision made, they stormed out full of motivation. 

"A regiment of one month in one week, are you pulling my leg?" 

"I doubt any of them to be able to pass. Maybe Eira and Tony, the rest seem to not be interested. One week is but an excuse for me to recover. They'll get some good training out of it, tis the whole point of the visit." 

Rushed down the hall, "-this is exciting," laughed Tony.

"Yeah, I can't wait," smiled Mille.

"Here I thought we came to have a gentle time to study," taking out staff from her belt, "-guess trainee mages do have to fight," sighed Kim. Thus, began the training of Class 2A. Little did they know that this trip to Arda would forever change their lives. Troubled brew in the north as well as the border of Kreston. Many players were readied to make their move, Gergusser had a premonition; one of an avalanche. Gazed the window with a hum from Adete, Staxius stood oblivious to how the province would soon react.