The next day, the first-year students of Arcadia Academy gathered on Ground Zero.
The morning sun had just begun to rise. It wasn't a running-lap day, so the usual grumbles about exhaustion were absent.
Yet, the student gathers there. Students whispered among themselves, glancing around, curious about what had prompted the gathering.
Kael arrived later than most.
Soon, Professor Sylvia appeared at the field, carrying a stack of papers in her hands, and the murmurs quickly faded.
"Everyone," she began, "there has been a report from the village of Blackstone Plaza. The villagers there were attacked overnight by a combination of escaped prisoners and local beasts. Some have been injured, and others are in danger of being captured."
Some of the students were shocked. "Prisoners? Beasts? That sounds dangerous!"
Professor Sylvia raised a hand to silence them.
