The Next Day...
Code woke up as early as 9 AM, even though they were supposed to meet by two.
The joy of finally showing off his "sorcerer" skills wouldn't let him rest.
He finally got ready, and boarded a train, from the Hazen Central Station to Sylva. His wallet was empty, but he had hope that it would be full on his way back.
Before entering the train, he checked to be sure he had his most prized possession - his dagger - in hand. It was what he used to ward off stray dogs at night.
The train marched forward with a loud screech, ejecting thick smoke into the air, as Code settled into the worn seat beneath him, which cried intently for maintenance.
Gradually, the train passed through, leaving behind the soot-covered rooftops of Hazen.
Code stared out the window, watching the city dissolve into green hills and rivers. Every bump of the tracks reminded him of his memories, fears and hopes.
All his life, he'd always been known as weak. Rejected from guilds, laughed at, mocked out of jobs. Being a 9th-grade sorcerer wasthe worst thing that could happen to anyone.
However, a fire lit within him, that maybe... just maybe, this mission was a way out. A single step toward something greater and better.
He closed his eyes and whispered to himself,
"I'll make them see me. No matter what."
***
Sylva
The train pulled into Sylva, and made a loud screech before coming to a final halt.
The doors flung open, and people poured out, heading to their different directions.
Code stepped out of the train, and the moment he did, a cool breeze hit him.
A smile crept to his lips.
"That's a good sign," he whispered, and walked out of the station.
He took a taxi, yelling the driver the directions to the mission site - Teron Forest, on the outskirts of Sylva.
The city passed by, giving way onto a rural terrain, filled with trees, and finally, the car pulled to a stop.
Code stepped out, eyeing the large expanse of trees far in front of him.
His eyes scanned the forest, and as he turned his gaze left, he saw them.
Ran and the others.
They were already there - about nine in number.
Code walked up to them, and they all sized him up. Code wanted to ask why they were all looking, but he quickly realized:
He was the only one without a badge, because for some reason, 9th-grade sorcerers weren't certified.
"Right on time," Ran said, as Code joined the group.
The people spoke to each other, each mumbling words.
"I couldn't believe it when Ran said we could do this with fake badges," a man next to Code whispered to hean beside him.
"They're both specialists in this types of business," the other man replied, nodding towards Ran, and the other guy next to him.
They seemed close.
"I'm going to make a killing off of this, and get me a good wife and house, after which I'd quit this job," another man whispered, grinning.
Code looked around, feeling awkward. There wasn't anyone he knew among the group.
His gaze turned right, catching that of another man, who stood at the far end. He was average height, but what was most devastating was the man's appearance.
He was literally pot-bellied, and his physique didn't even give vibes of a 9th-grade sorcerer.
As the man's gaze met Code's, he whispered something to lady next to him.
"What's a 9th-grade sorcerer his age doing here?" He said.
"This isn't a place for kids," he added.
However, the man didn't know his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
'Everyone can hear you, bastard!' Code gritted his teeth. He felt like landing a good punch into the man's skull, and telling him he wasn't a kid.
The woman whom the man was talking to didn't seem to be interested in what he was saying. She raised her head, gaze catching Code's hate-filled eyes.
"Uh?" Code exclaimed, his eyes widening immediately.
"She's beautiful!" Code muttered under his breath. She had beautiful black hair, and her angelic eyes were too much.
She darted a slight smile at Code, waving her hand.
Code instantly felt like he was in heaven. His heart threatened to implode from thee impact.
But the feeling was short-lived.
Clap!
The whole group turned their attention to Ran...
"We're all here," Ran said, looking into their eyes.
"This is a mid-class rated mission, with an A.T.R of minus twenty four point two percent," he added. His tone seemed very much seriouser, than when he and Code met the day before.
"Let's start with the introductions!"
"I'm Ran Cowell. Mission leader. I specialize in demonology and combat specialization."
The towering man next to Ran took a step forward. He had a great build, and cold blue eyes. "Kael Jensen, battle and strategy."
The man next to Code spoke next.
"Alric Screedinger, battle and stealth."
And the next:
"Dane Mikas. Health."
The woman next to Dane spoke:
"Lyra Evermere. Support."
Then, the beautiful woman from earlier:
"Elara," she spoke, tone detached and emotionless. "Support and healing."
Code's eyes narrowed. 'Why is somebody so beautiful doing this kind of illegal job?' Code asked himself.
Then others did their intros:
Darian Soudra. Battle. Sword wielding, and his twin - Darian Tenò.
Finally, it got to Code's turn.
He swallowed, gulping repeatedly. When it got to his turn.
"Err...uh...Code Weber," Code turned his gaze to the ground.
"I'm, uh... I'm good with a dagger."
A silence passed, as Kael raised an eyebrow, and the rest of the group turned their gazes to Code.
"Ahem!" Ran cleared the awkwardness in the air.
"Let's get into formation!" He commanded, tone authoritative.
Swordsmen took their places at the front. Sorcerers formed the rear, and healers took the center.
Code wasn't sure of where to go, since Ran didn't specify, so he stayed with the healers, next to Elara - the beautiful woman.
The group did their last preppings, getting ready.
Code took in a few breathes, eyes narrowing, as he scrunched his face.
"This isn't a war, dude, it's just a mid-class raid," Ran said, as he tapped Code's back.
Code flared a slight grin at him, as Ran, alongside Kael walked forward, to lead the march.
"Okay, let's get this mission done!" Ran shouted, as the whole group entered into the forest.
The march began.
***
To Be Continued...