Morning Before Expedition

Year 559 of Acluraria. Eighteen years since Ruler Wular Valemont died.

“Master, today you have your first expedition." A young, slim lady stood before a bed, wearing a noble lizin maid outfit in black and white as was standard; she had short black hair and piercing red eyes.

Slowly uncovering himself from his sheets, he brushed a large blonde strand of hair away from his messy bed face. He cleared his throat momentarily before speaking out. “I’m aware, Mira; the whole city is talking about it. I wouldn’t be surprised if word got out even to the east.”

Mira folded up his clothes, a dark grey mage's robe. "We tried to control information, but it seems I have failed you. I apologise, Master."

“Even if the east hears about this, then it is only a simple patrol anyway; we won’t be going out too far." He swung himself out of bed onto the wooden flooring, going towards the pile of clothes. The fresh air blasting from a window hit him now.

Mira just stayed silent; it was the usual. “Master, you are the hero. Your name carries weight you would never imagine. If the east found out, then you would not only be targeted but also invaded while out on patrol. So don’t forget that.”

“I am a top-tier mage, if not one of the most potent in the city. Also, quit with the master stuff already. I know as a maid it's your duty, but you basically raised me. Just start calling me Sorin already." Sorin was already putting on his robe; it was rich in color despite it being a shade of gray and contrasted his blonde hair well.

Mira sighed, turning around towards the dark brown Elaroth doors. “I will settle for Master Sorin, unless you want me to start calling you worse things; then I suggest you stop."

Even worse things—I suppose calling me the hero would be worse. The whole city calling me that is annoying enough.

“Thank you, Mira. I will be out shortly. Prepare me a sandwich with whatever is left over." He waved her off as she shut the massive doors, causing thunder to run around the room.

After a minute, he finished putting on his robe and the clothes underneath them.

My expedition is only a short journey; I'm going with Keldric as well. We're both at the top of our class. I just need to stick to the books. It’s not like we will be alone; there will be veterans too. I shouldn't let her doubt get to me.

Turning towards the massive elaroth doors, heading out of his luxurious room, he went down into the main hallway, heading down a spiral staircase lit up by enchanted candles on a metallic stand that never ran out.

I need this to go well; I’m one of the strongest mages of this city. The one who was destined to lead forward. I can't just back down now; I should show exactly what I'm capable of. That way people won't lose hope the moment I come back. I can’t fail this. I need to earn the name hero before I allow myself to be called that.

On the first floor, his feet touched upon cold gray brick. Taking a right turn, he entered the kitchen area, where Mira was already ready with his sandwich in her usual stoic face.

“You have a minute to eat, Keldric, and your team is already at the gates near the elevator. Try not to also excite the city while you make your way there.”

He nodded in agreement while eating. “There isn’t anywhere I go that doesn’t make people excited, but I will try." He finished with the final fast bite as he started rushing over to get on his black custom-made shoes to finish off his outfit.

“Take care, Master Sorin. Don’t let anything happen. Your hero status is still only in name even if believed by all, but still, don't do anything rash to keep up."

The door opened with a howling wind; taking a look down, he saw a tower beneath him identical to his. Every building was a tower, some stretching hundreds while others were barely above ground. All were made with grey bricks and had differently coloured tipped rooftops to distinguish what purpose the building served.

An orange-hued glowing pathway appeared in front of him, with barriers surrounding each side. Sorin started running forward as the orange glow materialized into a bridge and stairs connecting him to many empty towers that served as bridge hubs for traversing the high towers that built the mountain shape of the city. He ran down lower and lower until the last bridge hub led him towards the main street of the city.

I just got down… No way this is already starting to happen.

Within a matter of seconds, people already started to grasp that he's about to leave. “The hero is coming!” they shouted. “The first expedition of the hero.” The main street started to fill up faster and faster. Sorin pushed himself past while waving towards everyone.

This is exactly the reason I will prove my destiny. All these people are here for me, and I haven't done anything to deserve that.

A loud sound echoed from the end of the street. ”Move aside for the hero!” On top of a carriage, there was a grey-haired man with a scar on his left eye. He bore a serious smirk that could tell of all his dark tales away from the safety of the west; his bulky form filled out his dark grey robes.

Sorin slowly approached the carriage, now having a clear path. “Good to see you, Instructor. I didn't know that you were also going with us.”

“What type of instructor would allow all his students to leave by themselves? Don’t take me for some sick old man."

Getting on the wooden carriage, Sorin quickly sat in place, taking in the old smell and the warmth compared to the howling wind, then took a look at his classmates, who just stared back at him with annoyance at the crowd chanting in the background.

This is exactly why being a hero is such an embarrassment. I haven’t even done anything, and these people just don't shut up!

“Don’t zone out already." Sorin’s forehead got flicked; a slight sting hung over him as a man in the same robes as all the class and he had got into view. He then pushed aside one of the classmates sitting next to Sorin.

Looking up at him, Sorin gave a warm smile. “Keldric, did you really need to hit me?”

“I wouldn’t want the ‘great hero’ to be slacking off now; also, here's your staff." Keldric handed over a wooden staff before he crossed his hands; a small joking smile played on his pale face. His dark green hair and black eyes gave him a unique look compared to everyone else.

“Don’t start with that stuff to—"

“Quit down there." A loud shout entered their ears as the instructor ordered the carriage to start, “Do the usual patrol route to give these youngsters a taste beyond the gates and walls of West Acluraria."

A sudden speed burst made everyone inside tumble slightly as they began to leave the city gates. With the carriage moving, the guard at the gate cast their staffs to open them. A clear orange hue spread out before slowly vanishing into nothingness. The gates were open.

My first journey away from everything, from West Acluraria towards a patrol where I might not only get attacked but also killed. I have to stay aware. I will bring back good news that it all went well…