The First Test

Boy, oh boy, that was a close call. Then, as Tyla was walking to regroup with me, the other soldier woke up and came running at her. As I was about to warn her, she kicked the dude in the family jewels, put him in the chokehold, and made him pass out.

Now Tyla, was the kicking part in his family jewels warranted? I laugh genuinely, just as if I were there with my squadmates.

Yes, sir! I did it because I wanted to, and I felt good doing so, so we should bring this person back to the guild for questioning.

Yes, Tyla, before we let him strip down to see if he has any other form of communication, damn, for a bad guy he is pretty hot with his short black hair and green eyes. I patted him down and thoroughly searched his gear; he and his bag are all good.

Uh, Mason, since you searched for him, how are we going to put this cloth back on? Since he passed out and all?

Uh, well, we just stripped him… I don't really know. Wait, I know we put the enemy’s vest on him as he was shirtless. Those are some hot biceps; I can feel them around my neck while I carry him, as if he is still conscious. I smirk. I am one lucky dude for this blessing in disguise.

Focus, Mason; quit drooling over him. He is the enemy, you know. Ugh, hurry it up; I’m getting a bad feeling that something is going to be here soon.

I feel you; I am getting a sense of oddness too, as I prop him on my back, with his vest on him and a white tank top and camo pants. Man, this reminds me of the days when we had to do some grueling carries of equipment. As we were almost out of the woods, my mind wondered how I was able to use one of my abilities without magic. My disk is just blinking; shouldn’t I be an aggressor by now? Can people still call me that if I am not actually labeled with it? This is so strange. Having to carry this fine specimen reminded me of my training. We had to carry a 50-pound bag with all of our gear, and then we had to carry people over our shoulders to get them to cover. There was this one time when I had to carry my friend. He said, "If you fall over, say 'timber' so I can brace for impact." Ha, get it? Yeah… It sounded funnier, not out loud.

As we got back to the Guild, people were chatting, and rumors started to swirl around. As I walked in, I overheard a bystander saying, "Did you hear about Odyssa?" There are rumors going around about how she was recruited to a faction too.

Was it any big one, like Light, Silent Night, Blazing Phoenix, or NightWanders?

Yes, she got accepted to the NightWanders; she is a paladin/knight, which is kind of fitting for someone named Odyssa.

Mason, hellooo, are you there? Earth to Mason, you do know that you still have an informant on your back, right, MASON!?

Huh, sorry, I got distracted with the rumor. Anyway, here is the feedback. I'm not sure if there were rogues or something, but one of them was a sniper. As for his body, I popped him with a casing of my bullet as it dropped, but we did recover this person, who came charging in after us.

Yeah, I had to take over because this slow human wasn't in the right headspace. Anyhoo, the name is Tyla, and I am his partner in his group. Can we have the reward for our capture now?

Yes, here you go, 3 gold coins; use them wisely. Also, we are holding prospects this coming week for the factions week; that is where we as the guild hold a competition to see if they get recruited or not. This doesn’t happen all the time, but ever since news spread about Odyssa, they thought it would be a good way to get people to join.

So, basically, influencing people to join something that they may or may not want to join is interesting. I will be attending for sure, but what is the catch? This is too good to be true. Something has to be a factor behind this, as I say to myself.

Uh, Mason, it's Tyla. Get out of your mind, Mr. Cloud Nine, and let me and Mason lead the way. My mind wandered. Who is Odyssa? How did she climb the ranks so fast? I understand that her class has a factor to play, but that alone doesn't fit the subscription.

Home, sweet home. The atmosphere is lively tonight, and the food smells so good it got me drooling out of my mouth a little like an animal. Well, I don’t know what Mason Head is, but I will leave him in his room and go out to enjoy the creaky floor in the tavern. This food is to die for—no, literally, it is to die for; it’s greasy and tender, and the inside is crispy. This beer tastes so good too.

Woah, we made it home. I have to thank Tyla. Soon, I wonder how Nyx and Isela are doing. I will find out tomorrow, but for right now, what if the feeling we had was Odyssa, or could it be someone else watching from afar? What really is this world? Do I have the drive to atone for my actions? I don't know, but I need booze. It will help me avoid the feelings and voices in my head. I got out of my bed, got some booze, and looked at all of these smiling faces. My disk is still blinking, so I don't know what is happening with it. I walked down the hollow stairs, grabbed something to drink, and went back to my room, and I looked over at Tyla. Even in this world I still seem to have a reliable companion, I hope.

As the saying goes, early birds get the early worm. Ugh, I hate this ray from the sun; it makes me go blind. I put on my school uniform and headed to AshGuard. I hope Mason has been well; it’s been a while since I saw him last. Too bad he is not here to keep me company; it’s been lonely without our banter. As I was halfway to the school, I bumped into Mason. “HEY, WATCH IT! WHERE ARE YOU GOING, PENDEJO?” As I looked up, it was Mason. No way, I just said that to him. Ugh, this is awkward.

Hola, Isela, ¿Cómo estás, chica?

I was baffled by the Spanish even though it's basic as I responded, "Bien, ¿y tú, papi?" Heh, he does not know what that means. I hope so, as I got flustered.

How is school life? I hope school is going well with you. Anything new with you, Isela?

Nah, just the same old school stuff. Oh yeah, I heard the guild is hosting a faction recruitment, and I see you have a bronze rank. I can’t wait to see you in action as I whisper in his ear, “Please drop them like deer for my own Vetta.” I was assaulted walking home one night; a couple of the higher classmen pinned me to the wall and started to feel all up on me. Luckily I got out there, but it was scary, so please do me this favor.

I see. I will see what I can do. Since they are students, they can’t join the recruitment week unless there is a way to get them to accept school candidates to try to get recruited.

That's right. I forgot you were expelled if you can’t do that. Can you walk me home after my training? I feel safer with you.

Sure, Isela, I will be here when you get done.

Now it's time for me to get to class. Bye, Mason!

As I walked onto the school field, I saw Nyx; she looked over and rushed over to me as if she missed me. But she wasn't. She was just glad to see a familiar face after a while, Mason. I hope you have been well. I see you have been good! What brings you here even though you were expelled?

Wanted to stop by and ask you some questions about the recruitment for the factions.

Oh, ok, ask me here. You are forbidden to enter anywhere else since you are no longer a student.

Are students allowed to join this too? It depends on the student and what year they are in, if they are in their third year or up, and if they can afford it and know the risk of losing reputation or bodily harm.

Yes, they can. This boy is not telling me something; I see your disk is still blinking. WAIT!? Blinking, how are you not labeled yet? This is strange; I will look more into this later. Anything else, Mason?.

No, that’s all. Oh yeah, come watch me annihilate this competition.