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“The Adventuring Academy is known for being a place where young talented people rejoin and grow. Similar to university where the one’s vocation is to learn and achieve their goal. The Adventuring Academy is the same with the exception that it’s geared towards the more modern way of living.”

“About the fee,” asked the boy, “-I’m guessing education doesn’t come cheap.”

“Good question,” thought she gently pushed back her long hair. “It does require money, but not as much as one might think. I think around 2,000 Exa should cover the expense for a full-years’ worth.”

“2,000 Exa...” Misna’s eyes closed. The reality was they couldn’t spare a few meagerly Exa let alone that fortune of an amount.”

“Lady Misna,” said the boy placing his hand atop hers, “-thank you for saving me from the monsters earlier. I think we should part ways here. You said it yourself, I have the capability of surviving.”

“Lady Misna,” catching onto his intent, “-I think the boy should be left alone. The Guild will take care of him from now on. May fortune befall thee on the many travels to come.”

.....

The stance was of a lady beyond the ability to help. She clambered to a stand, threw the last look at the boy and guild-lady, then made for the door. No words, no exchange of goodwill, nothing, she left with the door shut tight. It echoed with the same vigor of a prison cell.

“Lady Melisa,” voiced he strongly, “-could you explain more on the Adventuring Academy?”

“Sure,” the expression eased into a neutral stance, “-the Adventuring Academy was implemented around nine to ten years ago. The monsters grew tiresome, and the market became full of youth wanting to prove their worth. You see, adventuring is one of the many ways to live and become wealthy, excluding business. A certain organization backed the project and thus the enormous academy was built. You need to understand our continent. Since the memories are lost, I should go through this first. We’re the Argashield Federation, one of the more powerful and rich kingdoms out there. Let that sink as we were once viewed as weaklings without a future. A certain man is due credit for the change that has come of us today. The Federation is primarily focused on merit. The more worthy and hardworking one is, the farther he shall go in life. Long are the days of nobles and peasants, don’t get me wrong, it still exists but the accord overshadows that filthy past. To the matters at hand, the Adventuring Academy is farther north of Meke, on flatlands surrounded by forests. The perfect place to teach the ways of battle without backlash from the populous. There’s a special train that goes to and fro, the students are given limited but valid access to the Azure wall. Something most of the current adventurers don’t have. The screening process is long and tedious since the Wall stands to be compromised. Thus, more people flock to the town of Aria, a place where few students practice. The climb of the tower has been an undergoing quest for more than a decade. By the latest report, there’s still no end to how big it is. Some theories and physical observation have seen the structure grow with time. Well, there’s more information at the academy. So, are you interested?”

“Hefty amount of information for a boy who doesn’t have a name. Lady Melisa, the funds, you surely know that I don’t have the capital...” the sentence ended with a frown. The lady had rested her elbows on the table and smiled. “Excuse me, is there something wrong?”

“No, not at all,” she sighed, “-you do remind me of that man so much.”

“Really?” he shrugged, “-about the academy.”

“Interested I suppose?” coyly lobbing her tone across as if having caught an exotic pray, the following grin was just as bad.

“Yes, I mean, there’s nothing much I can do. I’m in the guild’s care, you choose and see fit.”

“Fine,” the drawers under the desk opened with a harsh pull. The force was unnecessary, with it having broken in other instances. “Here are the files,” they slammed onto the table, “-we’ll have to get you registered under an Adventuring name. Firstly, as an orphan, which you technically are, let’s find a name. Anything strike your fancy?”

“A name,” he paused, “-it’s hard to come up with one on the spot...”

“Lyoko Igna.”

“Huh?” her fingers nearly dropped the pen, “-Lyoko Igna?”

“Yeah,” he laughed, “I don’t know myself. The words just came from within.”

“I suppose it’s a sign,” her hands moved to quickly fill the form, “-what about an adventuring name?”

“Kinless.”

“Kinless, as in having no-one, I like it. Well then, Mr. Igna, you’ve been recruited by one of the professors at the Academy. Don’t worry about the fee, we’ll take a cut since the students make money while studying.”

“I deeply appreciate the opportunity.”

“Wait up young man, no need to be in such a haste. We’ll be visiting the doctors to have an evaluation of the body and mind.”

The day continued with the prior mentioned visit. The physician saw fit and legitimized the boy’s story. He truly was an unknown left in a harsh world. If not for the help that came as a fluke in fate, the path would have ended in death.

Tuesday the 2nd of December arrived. Most of the night was spent on the train headed to the academy. Half-way between the Rosespire and Meke, the forest cleared into a massive compound. The train station was bigger than the one in the adventuring town.

‘Suppose I have to try and dig my past or something. I’m old and must have had parents and people I know of. The memories I have are blurry and painful to recall. Melisa is a good person; she has a motherly feeling with each spoken word. This body of mine isn’t natural,’ staring his reflection on the window, ‘-my canines get sharper at night. It shakes me to my very core. There’s something wrong since my thirst never goes away. The thirst remains even after I drink water. It hurts at times but then, it disappears. Whatever, I guess I’ll figure it as I live.’ *Screech* the train stopped at the crack of dawn.

“Alright students, please stand in line for the roll-call,” ordered a man who just entered the cabin. One by one, they moved with massive backpacks and better outfits. Some chattered, others laughed and some showed off their prized items.

‘What is it with them?’ wondered Igna, ‘-wanting to fight, talking about honor and all that stuff. I don’t see myself fighting on the frontlines, so why did I say I wanted to visit the Tower of Aris?’

*Smack,* “-I’m sorry.”

“Watch where you’re going,” refuted the other boy who bent to pick the books.

“Once again, I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, don’t worry, help me pick up the books,” said he rather hastily with his glasses nearly falling.

‘What a strange boy?’ after gathering the items, the boy with glasses took off without another word said.

“Welcome to the Adventuring Academy,” said the same man now stood on one of the benches. The curved-metal-roof carried the commanding voice across. Three rows of 5 stood silently with arms behind their backs. The first five were girls followed by boys who filled the rest. “Forget about anything taught in school or another establishment. The Academy doesn’t conform to rules or regulations. We’re here to teach you how to become adventurers, the people who are ‘free’ in this world of ours. So, admission happens when 15 or more students have met the requirements. Lady Melisa here will continue the rest of the tour. Make sure to not cause trouble – punishments are far worst than you could have dreamed.”

“Thanks for the harsh welcome, Mr. Vega,” she smiled to take a more appropriate stance. “Since we slipped over introductions, I’m Melisa, Guild-Lady, and Advisor. This here is Fletcher Vega, Tier-4 Bronze Adventurer of Pegasus. He’s also a trained mage from the famed Claireville Academy,” the warmness of the tone froze, “-the adventuring academy isn’t a place for jokes and playing around. Students will die, and many have died. Consider this, by studying here, thee art now official trainee warriors. Not to fret, there are other vocations such as blacksmithing and more as we give the tour.” On that, she continued down a staircase that gave into the open. The largeness and the scale were beyond imagination. It left to a beautiful park of forest and greenery with buildings behind.

“The residential apartments are over there,” she pointed in front, “-beyond the park. You’ll each be assigned rooms unless housing has been decided otherwise.” So far, the greenery and peace were inviting. Upon reaching the foot of the stairs, it turned right and elevated into one twice as tedious.

‘This is the stairway to heaven,’ jested a boy trying to lightened the load of the climb. It worked since most laughed. Finishing the arduous climb, a whiff of fresh air relieved the prior pain. Parking to the left that led into the office building. The stone path continued forth towards a peculiarly shaped statue.

“This here is the memorial of fallen adventurers. The names of a few known fighters are engraved on here, counting among the few is Deadeyes of Kniq. Od’pel of Blade’s End and Megn of Hado.”

Afterward, the tour continued to the actual academy. Three massive buildings of four-story high. They laid next to one another giving space for benches and a hangout area for the students in-between.

“Over to the right,” she pointed, “-down the small hill is the Arena. Most combat and monster fighting will happen over there. The last buildings on our journey are the smithing and crafting area. Apprentices will be assigned to master craftsmen later in the day.” The journey continued to the gymnasium/cafeteria (all in the same building).

“Here we are,” the floor was of a soft material, “-the place has been cleared for recruitment. Go forth and see what job interests you. Return to us once it’s done, we’ll assign rooms and all should be fine.” In that instant, the students split into multiple groups and dashed to various camps. Trading, craftmanship, adventuring, magecraft, technology, science, and military-arts. Those seven fields encompassed what one needed to do to become a successful adventurer. The majority flocked to the Adventuring side of the gym. Some headed towards the craftsmanship and a few to the military-arts. None chose trading, the one heading the desk was a demi-human.

“Heads-up,” voiced Mr. Fletcher,”-Combat will be mandatory. Since this is an adventuring school, temporary guild-tags will be assigned.” On that, the doubt of many fell into a relief.

“Excuse me?” approached the lonesome Igna at the Trading desk.

“Hello,” said a lady with cat-ears and whiskers, “-I see you chose the trading guild. Let me warn you, we’re not part of Hidros, we actually belong to Arda. It’s the reason why most of the students choose to stay away.”

“Yes,” ignoring her words,”-it says here you teach cooking, painting, writing, and a few more?”

“Yes, traders are those who appraise items and sell for profit. We need to know everything from weapons to the undies you might be wearing.”

“Is it hard?”

“Very,” she laughed, “-most of the students drop out after the first week.”

“Then I’d please like to be in the trading guild,” he bowed courteously.

“You’re a very polite young man,” she smiled, “my name is Haru, Guild Leader of the Trader’s guild. It’s a mouthful I know, but what can you do.”

“Good to meet you, lady Haru, I’m Lyoko Igna,” the aura she gave was of threat and trouble. Despite it, the curiosity of being a trader couldn’t have been more palpable.

“Pleased to meet you, Igna,” her whiskers and ears fluttered. Behind were the suspicious gazes of the other students. ‘Why would anyone become a trader?’

‘Such a stupid job,’ so on and so forth, the gossiping never-ended. What was sure in Igna’s mind was, ‘-being a trader will teach me more than the other jobs.’