Chapter 5: The Beginning of The Journey

Third-person POV:

Silence fell upon the small room as Sebastian revealed his connection to Rayner. Everyone glared at Rayner, looking for answers, although the silver-haired boy was as confused as everyone else in the room. Once said ‘servant’ noticed the questioning look on everyone he said.

(Sebastian) “To be precise, I am your butler,” he said.

(Rayner) “My butler? what do you mean my butler,” he asked.

(Sebastian) “My apologies, but as long as I am not convinced of my assumption I cannot discuss this matter further then it is,” he said and bowed in front of Rayner.

(Emilia) “And when would that be? I mean when will you be able to answer?” she asked out of curiosity, “Because I am kind of in the dark right now,” she stated,“ First of all, Rayner has this strange ability not to mention his odd dragon look. Then a demon attacks the school, okay we now know why that happened. Third, this Rogar took control of Rayner, and before he ‘disappeared’ told me to deliver his message to him. And now you show up from nowhere and tell us that you are his butler, but not really because you’re not sure yourself and--.” she was interrupted by Sebastian.

(Sebastian) “I believe that I’ll be able to find my answers as well when we find Grandmaster Ustrea,” he said calmly.

(Xavier) “I must say that he is right Miss Emilia. Rayner,” he said facing him, “It would seem that more and more questions are being unanswered and that only this Grandmaster Ustrea is our only lead to these inquiries. A party should be assembled in order to find the whereabouts of Grandmaster Ustrea. The matter now is who will the member of such a party be,” explained Xavier.

(Rayner) “Headmaster, please allow me to go--”

(Sebastian) “hmm, I am sorry but as your butler, I cannot allow you to go alone master,” he said with a serious face.

(Rayner) “Yeah right,” he said with a confused tone, “Please Headmaster allow us to go, in fact as we all heard Rogar wants me to go there.”

The headmaster has sunk into deep thoughts and walked up and down in the tiny room avoiding the books on the floor. After a few minutes of silence, he walked over to his desk and sat down. With his good hand, he opened his top drawer at his desk and began to search in it. When he found what he was looking for he smiled, then walked over to Rayner’s and handed him a small paper roll.

(Xavier) “This is a map, it should be able to guide you to the nearest town before arriving at the mountain’s feet. It is a day’s time on foot from here,” he said.

Rayner bowed then said, “Thank you, Headmaster, I greatly appreciate your help and kindness,” he said with respect.

(Xavier) “Now go and have a good night’s rest before setting out,” he said.

(Rayner) “Thank you, then I shall excuse myself,” he said and left the room with Sebastian following him.

(Reiyi) “With all due respect sir but you can’t actually think of sending him on this trip alone with someone he barely knows, right?” he asked.

(Xavier) “Yes you’re right Mr. Reiyi, that is why I want you two to go with him and keep an eye on Mr. Rayner and aid him,” he told them then sat down.

(Emilia and Reiyi) “Understood!”

In Rayner’s room:

When Rayner opened his room, he saw Vivian resting in his bed. He walked in silence and sat down beside her and brushed the sleeping girl’s hair out of her eyes. Revealing a tear in the corner of her eye. He whispered something into her ear when Sebastian closed the door behind them, waking the sleeping maid who, upon hearing her master’s voice said.

(Vivian) “Master!” Cried Vivian in sorrow while hugging Rayner.

(Rayner) “W-What,” said Rayner while falling backward blushing as Vivian’s chest pressed against his.

(Sebastian) “Pardon me, Master. I will leave you to your business,” said Sebastian upon first look.

(Rayner) “W-wait a second yo-,” Rayner was interrupted by Vivian grabbing his shirt.

(Vivian) “Master I thought you left me like everybody else!” she cried.

Rayner’s POV:

(Rayner) “I am sorry Vivian, I shouldn’t have left you guys,” I said and lowered onto my right knee and bowed down. This action surprised Vivian who immediately tried to make me stand.

(Vivian) “No Master, please you don’t have to do this!” she protested but I didn’t move an inch. “Master please, I forgive you, just don’t do this,” she said and fell to her knees in front of me.

After that Vivian, Sebastian, and I talked for the rest of the night. I initiated Vivian to see what happened after I defeated Ashford, what message I received from Rogar, and that we would leave with Sebastian tomorrow for the Mountain of Sacrifices to find Grandmaster Ustrea.

Time skip: Next morning

I woke up around 5:30 in the morning, but truth be told I couldn't get much sleep. So I have decided to pack up my needs for the journey sooner. Two hours later, approximately 8:00 o’clock Sebastian, opened a gate in the middle of my room and walked out of it with a huge backpack clinging on his back. He put down his bag and opened it and said.

(Sebastian) “I have successfully gathered all the needs for the awaiting journey before us Master,” he stated with a straight face. I couldn’t help but gaze at the size of his backpack and wondering what he had put in it.

(Rayner) “Hey, Sebastian?”

(Sebastian) “Yes, Master?” he asked.

(Rayner) “What’s in the bag?” I asked, questioningly looking at the bag.

(Sebastian) “All the equipment necessary for the trip, including an axe, two swords, sleeping bags, healing potions, (...)

Half an hour later…

(Sebastian) “(...), Magic Stones, and lastly, the map that the Headmaster gave us,” he finished with a smile on his face. I just stood there quietly and decided to not say a word.

Once both of us were ready to set out we made our way out the room where a surprise awaited us. As I opened the door a piece of luggage crossed my way, behind it Vivian standing with a smile on her face. She was wearing a brown piece of cloth tied around her neck, she kinda looked like a mage. Under that, she was wearing her dark blue and white maid outfit along with boots.

(Vivian) “I’m ready to depart Master,” she said with a sincere smile across her plain white face. However, before I could say a word she grabbed my sleeve and dragged me outside the dorm. There I met with two more familiar faces, Emilia’s and Reiyi’s, both all packed up.

(Rayner) “What the… what are you guys doing?” I asked, waiting for an answer that I trusted would not be what I was thinking.

(Reiyi) “What do you mean? We have been waiting for you to come. Wait, don’t tell me you actually thought of leaving alone?” he said.

(Rayner) “Please don’t tell me that you guys want to come with me.”

(Vivian) “That’s right Master, we can’t let you two go alone,” she said.

(Emilia) “She is right, what if something happens to you or you have to fight with Demons again and you die?” she said, “We as your friends can’t let that happen,”

she finished.

(Rayner) “Sorry guys, but I can’t let you put your lives in danger for me. I’ll be fine, really. And what about your parents don’t they have a say in it?” I asked.

(Reiyi) “I’m 18, particularly an adult so I can decide whether I want to go or stay. Besides, they already agreed to it so I’m good to go,” He said with a smug on his face.

(Vivian) “I don’t have parents, and you are my Master. I’m going wherever you are going,” She said.

(Emilia) “Well… at first, they didn’t like it but I managed to convince them by saying that you were the one who saved me twice. So they let me go as well,” she said it, blushing.

(Sebastian) he leaned closer and whispered “My lord, I think it would be best to let them accompany us. After a while maybe they’ll realize the dangers and decide to go back,” he said it.

(Rayner) “Yeah you might be right but I still can’t let them put themselves in danger,” I said.

(Sebastian) Don’t worry my lord, I can teleport each of them if you consider them in danger. All you have to do is tell me and I shall take them back by any means,” he said and straightened up once again.

(Rayner) “Alright then, I’m counting on you, Sebastian!” I told him then I looked at my friends in front of me. “Alright, it seems that there is no way of talking you out of this, so I’ll be counting on you ‘my friends’.

(All of them) “Yeah, let us go!”

Third Person POV:

Then Rayners’ group set off to their journey to the mountain. But before they left the city they stopped at a food vendor by the City’s main gate. Each of them bought food for two days from the money they received from the Headmaster. After everyone finished they made their way to the gate but the gate guard stopped them.

(Gate guard) “You cannot leave without permission kids!” he said in a grim voice.

(Reiyi) “Why? I thought anybody could freely leave and enter the city,” he said.

(Gate guard) “Normally yes, but due to the recent attacks and the reappearing of the demons you can’t neither leave nor enter city grounds without a permission-pass,” he explained.

(Emilia) “And how can we get these permission-passes?”

(Gate guard) “You can get them in the Adventurer’s Guild, two roads down from here. However, only registered adventurers can get these passes!” he said.

(Rayner) “Thank you,” he thanked the guard for the information and left.

A few minutes of walking down the road they arrived at the Guild. It was three stories high, the first floor was made out of concrete, the second and upper floors were build-out of mainly wood. It had big, latticed windows and a huge wooden door with a metal door knocker on each side of it. Without any hesitation, Rayner grabbed the handles and opened the doors. The inside of the Guild was filled with many adventures each gathering with their party. Benches were set for adventures to await service from the Head-office. Stairs ran down from the right of the door with a couple of windows and torches to lighten the chamber. A board of quest was near the stairs for adventures to complete and get a fine pay in gold, silver, or copper for their completion.

(Rayner) “Wow, it sure is lively” he astonished.

(Sebastian) “Master, I believe we can get our passes by that counter” he pointed at the counter behind the stairs.

(Rayner) “Alright, let's get our passes,” He said and the rest of the group nodded in agreement. The group of friends then made their way to the counter where a young lady with a gentle smile waited for them.

(Lady)” Welcome to the Adventurer’s Guild, how can I be of service?” she asked politely.

(Rayner)” We’d like to register ourselves as adventurers,” stated Rayner.

Rayner’s POV:

(Lady) “ Sure no problem,” she said then she took out five pieces of paper from the bottom drawer of her desk. “Please fill in this form and once you finished them please hand them to one of the ladies over there,” she said pointing towards the booths on the other side of the room. I took the registration form from her and made my way to one of the tables closest to the door.

(Rayner) “Okay guys it seems that we need to fill out these and we are good to go,” I said while handing out the forms to my friends.

The form follows:

Name: Rayner

Age: 17

Race: Human

Affinity: Red

Party members: Emilia Von August, Sebastian Zovu, Reiyi Nieldic, Vivian Warf,

Team Name:

(Emilia) “What should be our team’s name?” She asked looking around.

(Rayner) “I have the slightest idea,” I answered truthfully, and so did the others. So we sank deep into thoughts to try and come up with a good name. After a few minutes of deep thinking Reiyi suddenly stood up and said.

(Reiyi) “The Five Heros,” he said.

(Emilia) “Nope it's not happening!” she stated rather furiously.

(Reiyi) “But why?” he asked, “I think it’s a cool name…(whispering) and I’m sure it would be a great girl magn--(Smack!!!) Emilia smacked Reiyi in the head with her bag making him fall onto the ground.

(Emilia) “I said it’s not gonna happen you perverted idiot!” she yelled.

(Vivian) I agree with Miss Emilia, we need something better, something that represents our group,” she stated.

(Rayner) “How about ‘The Guardians’” I asked the group who now looked at me questioningly.

(Sebastian) “I think it is a good name, I quite like it,” He agreed.

(Emilia) “Yeah I think it’s good but why Guardians?”

(Rayner) “ I don’t know it just popped into my head and I think it sounds good, ” I answered.

(Reiyi) “ I like it, I think it’s cool (and I’m sure it will be a great magnet for beautiful wome-- (Smack!!)”

(Emilia) Just die already, pervert!”

(Vivian) “Yeah me too”

(Rayner) “Okay then let's use it!” I stated then put our group’s name on the registration form.

Name: Rayner

Age: 17

Race: Human

Affinity: Red

Party members: Emilia Von August, Sebastian Zovu, Reiyi Nieldic, Vivian Warf,

Team Name: The Guardians

After we agreed and filled out the rest of the papers we walked over the booth where another beautiful lady waited for us. And after a last nod of the agreement, we handed in our registration. The lady collected them and went behind the curtains, after a few seconds of waiting she came back and said.

(Lady) “All done, here is your Adventurer Cards” she handed the cards to each of us.

We took the cards and carefully examined them. As I looked at my card I noticed a spot that had been left unfilled. It was the grading of my magic power. I walked over the Reiyi and looked at his card. On the card it said: Magic level: ? Then I swung towards Emila and checked her card as well, as well as the rest of the group’s. All of them were left blank so I went back to the counter and asked why there was nothing, and she simply answered.

(Lady) “Oh, that? I apologize, I must’ve forgotten to mention when I gave you the registration forms,” She said, “First, you have to measure your magic and then we can fill that out for you.”

(Rayner) “And where or how can we measure it?” I asked. The lady then came out and signaled us to follow her into a room behind the stairs. In that room, only a table was located in the center, with a similar crystal ball on top of it that was in the cave where Sebastian took me.

(Lady) “Please just put your hands on top of the sphere and infuse it with magic. This ball is capable of showing us the amount of mana you have within you. And also your aptitude for magic however, I believe you’ve already done this,” she calmly stated.

(Emilia) “Yes, however, that crystal ball only shoved us our aptitudes but not the amount of mana we have,” she said.

(Lady) “Good, then let us start. Who is going first?” She asked while looking at us.

(Reiyi) “I’ll go first,” He said and stepped forward. He positions his right hand on top of the crystal ball and closed his eyes. A few seconds later the ball began to glow in two different shades. One half of the sphere glowed blue, while the other side green. The lady then walked up to him and started to write notes on a piece of paper.

(Lady) “Your magic aptitudes are Water and Earth, and your mana capacity is…” she looked at the ball again to read off the numbers. “It is 63,000 mp, which means it's a C” she stated.

(Rayner) “Rank C with 63,000 mp… is it good?” I asked because this was my first time hearing this information.

(Emilia) “What do you mean is it good?”

(Rayner) “I’m only asking because I didn’t know magic can be measured with numbers,” I said.

(Lady) “Well, we are not exactly measuring your power but rather the amount of mana you have. And from that, can we get the estimate of your actual power.”

(Rayner) “So you’re saying that you can only guess our powers from the amount of mana we have?” I asked, still confused.

(Sebastian) “Master Rayner, do you know what mana is?” he asked while putting his hand on the ball.

(Rayner) “Well, they taught us at the Academy about it. However, I couldn’t get a good grasp of the subject.”

(Sebastian) “It seems that I’ll have to start at the beginning. To simplify it, Mana is the foundation, the life force energy that permeates the whole world. It can be manifest in extraordinary abilities, powers, or, as we say it, magic. So every time you use magic, you are in fact using mana that is inside you.”

(Lady) “That is correct, and we are measuring our grades upon a person’s amount of mana. Here take a look at this,” She said while putting a piece of paper on the desk. “This is the grading system we use to decide a person’s grade after measuring his/her mana level.”

I looked at the paper and carefully examined it. On the paper, there were nine levels recorded from the top to the bottom of it:SS+, SS, S, A, B, C, D, E, and F. It also included the amount of mana or ‘mp’ each person needs to get placed in one of them:

SS+:1,000,000+

SS:500,000-1,000,000

S:250,000-500,000

A:100,000-250,000

B:70,000-100,000

C:50,000-70,000

D:30,000-50,000

E:5,000-30,000

F: 100-5,000

(Sebastian) “So means that mana is the fuel of the magic we cast. In other words, a lower grade magic spell like Wind-slash uses less mana than a higher grade spell like any healing or destructive magics like Fireball.” He finished.

Time skip:

After all the explanation it was finally my turn to get tested. Everybody got a good rank, Reiyi got a C, Sebastian an S that caused a little bit of commission, because apparently not a lot of people get S ranks. Moving on Vivian sadly got an F because she has very little mana in her around 2000 mps. And finally Emilia, Well she got a surprisingly good rank, rank A. However, it was time for me to get measured, so I walked up to the crystal and placed my hand on it. I closed my eyes and infused my magic into the ball but nothing happened. I tried again but with no luck.

(Rayber) “Why isn’t it working?” I was confused.

(Lady) “Try to focus and try to add a little bit more, sometimes it doesn’t work well,” she reassured me. I calmed myself down and released more of my power. The ball finally began to glow in purple. The lady wiped her eyes and tried to figure out why it was that color.

(Lady) “Fascinating! I’ve never seen this color,” she stated with an excited tone. However, all her excitement faded away when she went to check the ball. As soon as she touched the ball her face shifted into terror and began trembling. “Wh-what are you?” was the only thing she managed to say before her body collapsed onto the ground and passed out...

To be continued...

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