Jax sprinted through the cobblestone streets like a man possessed, his lungs burning, his legs screaming in protest.
'Why the fuck is this island so big?! Who designed this shit?!'
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the massive academy gates came into view. Towering iron bars adorned with intricate runes, flanked by two stone guard towers.
And standing directly in his path were two academy guards.
Both were dwarves. Short, stocky, armed with enchanted spears that crackled with faint blue energy.
Jax skidded to a halt in front of them, panting like a dog.
"Move," he gasped. "Professor. Late. Class."
The first guard, a grizzled dwarf with a braided beard, crossed his arms.
"Professor?" he said, his tone dripping with disbelief. "You?"
The second guard, younger but no less skeptical, squinted at Jax.
"You look like a student who got lost on the way to the tavern," he said.
Jax straightened up, wiping sweat from his brow.
