Crimson & Light

Instructor Seth stood before the group, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Well, here are the rankings for the first exercise, and oh boy, do you guys stink," he announced, his laughter echoing through the training hall.

He held up a parchment, the names and ranks clearly listed:

1. Aria Levillion

2. Thorne Hitchie

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...

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15. Changra Leville

Changra's heart sank as he saw his name at the bottom of the list. Last place? he thought, a wave of disappointment washing over him. He glanced at Thorne, who stood tall and proud in second place, and then at Aria, who maintained her serene composure at the top of the rankings.

Thorne noticed Changra's disheartened expression and gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "Dun worry, mate," he said, his voice a comforting rumble. "We all start somewhere. Ya did good fer yer first try."

Aria, sensing Changra's unease, offered him a gentle smile. "Progress takes time," she said softly. "Keep pushing forward, and you'll find your stride."

Instructor Seth's laughter subsided, and he addressed the group with a more serious tone. "Remember, this is just the beginning. Rankings can change, and improvement comes with effort. Don't let today's results define your future."

Changra took a deep breath, absorbing the words of encouragement from his peers and instructor. I may be at the bottom now, but this is just the start, he resolved. I'll work harder and climb my way up.

With newfound determination, he looked ahead to the challenges that awaited, ready to prove himself and rise through the ranks.

Instructor Seth's expression turned serious as he addressed the group. "Next, we'll assess your magical abilities," he announced. "This exercise will help us understand your affinity for different types of magic and your current proficiency levels."

He gestured toward a series of stations set up across the training area, each equipped with various artifacts and tools. "You'll rotate through these stations, each designed to evaluate a specific aspect of your magical potential—such as elemental manipulation, energy control, and spellcasting accuracy."

Seth's gaze swept over the group, his tone firm yet encouraging. "Approach each station with focus and an open mind. Remember, this assessment is not about showcasing mastery but about understanding your innate abilities and areas for growth."

He paused, allowing the information to sink in. "Begin at the station that aligns with your known strengths or interests, then proceed clockwise. Instructors at each station will guide you through the tasks and record your performance."

With a final nod, Seth concluded, "Let's begin. Show us the magic within you."

The group dispersed toward the stations, anticipation and determination evident on their faces.

Changra's heart sank as he anticipated the upcoming magic assessment. There's no chance I can produce magic; I'm an F rank, he thought, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach.

He glanced over at Thorne, who sat with a sullen expression, his broad shoulders slumped.

"Are you alright?" Changra asked, concern evident in his voice.

Thorne shook his head, his rough voice tinged with frustration. "I ain't do magic," he muttered, avoiding eye contact.

A mix of relief and sorrow washed over Changra. At least I'm not alone in this, he mused. But the thought that Thorne, who had been so supportive, might also struggle and potentially fall through the ranks, weighed heavily on him.

Determined to offer some comfort, Changra placed a hand on Thorne's shoulder. "We'll get through this together," he said, trying to inject confidence into his words. "Let's just do our best."

Thorne glanced at him, a flicker of appreciation in his eyes, and gave a curt nod. "Aye, we'll see," he replied, his tone softening slightly.

As they awaited their turn, Changra couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Thorne. No matter the outcome, at least we have each other's backs, he thought, steeling himself for the challenge ahead.

Changra stood before the magic assessment station, determination etched on his face. Recalling how Berethia had effortlessly conjured flames to cook breakfast, he attempted to mimic her actions. He focused intently, willing energy to manifest in his hands. Minutes passed, but no spark appeared. His breathing grew labored, and sweat beaded on his forehead. Finally, exhaustion overtook him, and he collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

Nearby, Thorne faced his own challenge. With a furrowed brow, he concentrated intensely. After several moments, a faint spark flickered at his fingertips before vanishing. Thorne exhaled heavily, his expression resigned. He had anticipated this outcome and showed no sign of disappointment. It was simply a confirmation of what he already knew.

As Changra lay on the ground, catching his breath, he glanced at Thorne. Despite their efforts, both had failed to produce any significant magic. A sense of camaraderie formed between them, born from shared struggle and understanding.

At least I'm not alone in this, Changra thought, finding a small comfort in their mutual experience.

Instructor Seth addressed the group, "Alright everyone, take a break while we finalize the rankings and prepare for the last two exercises." As he walked back through the tunnel they had entered from, he exchanged a brief glance with Berethia.

Changra felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach. Dead last in the first assessment, and probably the same in the magic test, he thought, frustration gnawing at him.

Thorne approached, his usual gruff demeanor softened slightly. "Let's eat, ya?" he suggested, nudging Changra toward a tunnel on the opposite side.

They emerged into a bustling dining hall, the air thick with the mingling aromas of various dishes. The scene was chaotic, as if a recent skirmish had taken place, with food strewn across tables and floors.

"Get the hell over here!" a voice shouted. A stocky man, about 5'7" with a mop of unruly hair, was chasing the young girl from earlier. Her emerald hair streamed behind her as she darted away, laughter bubbling up despite the man's apparent irritation.

As Changra and Thorne navigated through the commotion to gather their meal, they encountered unfamiliar fare. The greens resembled spinach but had a peculiar, iridescent sheen. The accompanying beverage was a murky brown liquid, its surface swirling with hints of amber.

Changra hesitated, eyeing the food warily. "What is this stuff?" he muttered under his breath.

Thorne, already digging into his plate, shrugged. "Dunno, but it ain't killin' me yet," he replied between mouthfuls.

Summoning his courage, Changra took a tentative bite. The flavors were surprisingly rich, a harmonious blend of savory and tangy notes that danced on his palate. Encouraged, he sipped the brown liquid, discovering it to be a hearty ale with a nutty undertone, reminiscent of the Pulsch Brown Ale he'd heard about, known for its pleasant, nutty flavor.

As they ate, the dining hall's lively atmosphere provided a welcome distraction from the earlier assessments. Changra found solace in the camaraderie, the shared experience of navigating this new world with its peculiar customs and challenges.

The black-haired girl from earlier took a seat beside Thorne, her attention focused on her meal.

"Didn't think I'd see ya this year," she remarked without looking up.

Thorne continued eating, his tone nonchalant. "Gotta try."

Her gaze shifted to Changra, assessing him briefly. "You're not from here, are you?"

Changra shook his head. "No, I don't really know where I'm from. Lost my memories a few days back."

"That sucks," she replied, her interest seemingly minimal. "I'm Aria, by the way. Remember that. I'm going to be the best Hunter this world has ever seen."

Confident, isn't she? Changra thought.

"Seems like it. You're just good at everything, huh?" he asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Aria's eyes narrowed slightly, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Better to aim high than settle for mediocrity."

Thorne chuckled, breaking the tension. "She's always been like this. Ain't that right, Aria?"

Aria shrugged, unbothered. "Confidence gets you places."

Changra couldn't help but admire her self-assuredness, even if it bordered on arrogance. Maybe I could learn a thing or two from her, he mused, returning to his meal.

The trio continued their meal in silence until a young girl approached, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Hi!" she exclaimed, locking eyes with Changra. "You're kinda cute!"

Caught off guard, Changra hesitated. "Thanks?" he replied, unsure how to respond to a child's compliment.

The girl tilted her head, studying him curiously. "You're the guy at the bottom of the rankings, aren't you?"

Changra sighed inwardly. "How'd you know?"

Leaning in, she whispered conspiratorially, "I think I know why."

A shiver ran down Changra's spine. "Why?"

She leaned back, her expression serious. "You have no training at all, don't you?"

Changra nodded slowly, realizing the truth in her words. She's right. I came into this unprepared.

The girl smiled sympathetically. "Don't worry. Everyone starts somewhere. With practice, you'll get better."

Her unexpected encouragement lifted Changra's spirits. "Thanks," he said, offering a genuine smile.

As she skipped away, Thorne nudged him. "Smart kid," he remarked.

Changra nodded.

Changra attempted to lighten the mood with a self-deprecating joke. "She knows just how useless I am," he quipped.

Aria's response was blunt. "Yeah, you are."

Changra eyed her, thinking, This girl is kind of a jerk.

As they finished eating, Instructor Seth entered the hall. "Okay, everyone. I need you to get in pairs," he announced, a grin spreading across his face.

Thorne turned to Aria. "Aria, you and me?"

Aria hesitated but eventually nodded.

"See ya 'round, kid!" Thorne said to Changra as he and Aria stood up and walked away together.

Great, Changra thought, just left alone.

As the hall began to empty, panic set in. Everyone was pairing up, leaving Changra scrambling to find a partner. He approached several people, but they either ignored him or brushed him off. In the end, only he and the young girl from before remained unpaired.

She looked disheartened until she spotted Changra. Her blue eyes lit up as she skipped over to him.

"No one wanted to be my partner," she said softly. "Do you mind?"

Changra had no other choice. But something felt off. Weren't there fifteen contestants? There should have been an odd number, leaving one person without a partner.

Pushing the thought aside, he smiled at the girl. "Of course, let's be partners."

Her face brightened. "Thank you! I'm Jane, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Jane. I'm Changra."

As they prepared for the next exercise, Changra couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss. But for now, he focused on the task at hand, grateful to have a partner, even if the circumstances were peculiar.

As they walked toward the training grounds, Jane turned to Changra with a serious expression. "Okay, I just want to make things clear before we begin," she said. "I am not 8 years old. I am 12, and I turn 13 next month."

Changra, puzzled by the sudden declaration, replied, "Okay. You're not too much younger than me; it's fine."

Surprised, Jane looked up at him. "Wait, I thought you were like 20."

Changra chuckled. "It's because I'm tall, isn't it? I'm only 14."

Jane's eyes widened. "Yeah, you are huge," she said, admiring him. "Well, that just makes you even cuter."

Feeling a bit awkward about the compliment, Changra smiled and continued walking with Jane toward the gathering group in the training grounds.

At least I have a partner now, he thought, trying to focus on the upcoming exercise.

They walked out into the group, with Seth at the front, looking like he was about to make an announcement.

"Okay! Here everyone else. But I'm sure some of you have questions, as to why there are only 14 of you instead of the original 15." He made eye contact with Jane, "There was a mix-up and one of our contestants had to leave."

As Changra scanned the group, he noticed the absence of the elderly man who had been present earlier. Perhaps his age and health caught up with him, he mused. Father Time remains undefeated.

This thought led him to consider LeBron James, the basketball legend nearing 40. Even LeBron will fade eventually, he reflected. Recent reports suggest that James is contemplating retirement, acknowledging that he doesn't have much time left in his career.

Returning his focus to the present, Changra couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for the old man. Time spares no one, he thought, steeling himself for the challenges ahead.

Instructor Seth continued, "But I also think you guys are curious as to why you are in pairs." He raised two fingers. "For the new ones here, I'll explain. For those of you who have been here before, you already know."

Thorne and Aria moved to the side, joined by a small group, leaving six contestants in the training grounds.

"This is a simple one. You are in pairs, and you are going to be fighting the other groups," Seth explained. Changra felt horrified.

What? Changra thought.

"But don't worry, there will be no death here. It'll be the first to concede or the first to be knocked out," Seth assured.

That did not make Changra feel any better. Fighting other people was not something he had anticipated.

Can I even win? With how weak I am? I also have to protect Jane. No chance she can fight, Changra thought, looking at Jane.

Jane noticed his concern and gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Changra. We'll figure this out together."

Her confidence was somewhat comforting, but doubts still gnawed at him. I need to come up with a strategy, he thought, trying to calm his racing mind.

As the other pairs prepared for the upcoming matches, Changra took a deep breath, determined to protect Jane and give his best effort.

Seth's grin widened. "Here's the schedule. There are seven teams total, divided into two brackets. You'll fight the other two teams in your bracket. A victory ensures you move on to the next stage of the evaluation. A loss means you fail and will have to try again next year. If you win, you get to fight the next group, and the final group remaining will be automatically entered into the draft."

Changra's confusion deepened. This is so confusing, he thought. Berethia didn't explain anything like this. I thought it was going to be simple evaluations.

He started to shake, but Jane grabbed his pinky, trembling even more than he was. He took her hand, trying to calm her down.

"Don't worry," he whispered. "We'll get through this together."

Jane nodded, her grip tightening. "Thank you, Changra."

As they prepared for the upcoming battles, Changra steeled himself. I have to be strong—for both of us.

Changra examined the bracket and noticed that one group was missing. I assume because they are the seventh group, they get a bye, he thought.

Scanning for his and Jane's names, he found them in the second bracket, slated to face two individuals named Rock and Roll. Okay. What the hell? Rock and Roll? Is this some kind of joke?

His question was soon answered as he spotted their opponents: one was a towering, muscular figure resembling a rock, while the other was a shorter, rounder man, aptly fitting the name Roll.

Great, Changra mused, we're up against a boulder and a bowling ball.

Jane's trembling intensified as she caught sight of their upcoming opponents. Noticing her fear, Changra gently took her hand and led her to a quieter corner of the training grounds.

"Don't worry," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "We'll come up with a strategy. They can't be that tough."

Jane looked up at him, her eyes wide. "Yeah..."

"Besides," Changra continued, "we're the third fight. We have some time to prepare."

Jane's shaking lessened slightly. "You're right."

Changra squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Let's do this. We will win."

As they began to discuss their plan, Changra couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility. I have to protect her and find a way for us to succeed.

The training grounds buzzed with activity as other pairs prepared for their matches. Changra and Jane stood together, drawing strength from each other's presence, ready to face the challenges ahead.