"Hey, Stell. Are you going to that 'thing' that they are saying? It's about like a group or something or some training." Nile asked.
"Hmm... Well, I've heard about it from my father last week, but he didn't really tell me anything about how they work. I'm completely clueless about it." Stell answered.
Both of them are enjoying the view from the top of the hill just a couple of miles away from their home. The air is exhilarating and it's blowing really hard making them feel so fresh.
"What about you? What do you know about it? Did Uncle Martin told you something?" Stell asked as well.
"Well, I've heard about his conversation with that old dude. They said it's an organization that will help us or the kids to nurture our abilities and develop some skills. I'm pretty hype about it, but I'm worried about how I'm going to spend the rest of the year without Uncle." Nile stated with a smile while looking down.
"Woah really? We're going to spend the rest of our lives there? That sounds so amazing, Nile. But yeah, without our parents supporting us, It's going to be difficult to handle it by ourselves. But I think it's part of that 'training' they're talking about." Stell jumped suddenly as he heard the information about the organization. He seems to be more excited, unlike Nile who's feeling a bit negative about the decision.
"Also Nile, get this, if we go there, maybe we can explore the other part of this country. Don't you want that?" Stell asked Nile with an excited tone.
"Well yeah sure, I really want to explore the outside world. It's just, I'm feeling a little bit hasty about it. I wanna think about it more but I guess time's run out."
Nile's feelings were genuine. The idea of wanting to work hard to get what they want and to meet and explore the nature of different things is pretty heavy for someone who grew up in a lonely area. They're much more used to living underneath that fact, but the harsh reality prevents them from continuing on that path.
Stell's pretty much the same but he doesn't understand the idea. He grew up with a complete family but he's always locked down with a strict rule that prevents him from exploring and finding his own true nature.
Nile wants to stay with someone he can be with all while finding his own capabilities.
While Stell wants to break free from it and find his own path with himself only without any strict guidance.
The two are the polar opposite. But that's what makes them special at the very least.
"Anyway, we should go out for it Nile! I want to meet some other people as well and I wanna learn more skills about my element. Oh and by the way, did you activate your powers already? It's been a while since we met." Stell blurted out following by a large breeze that rustled their clothes and blew their hair.
"Yeah, when I was in the cave, my powers suddenly came out. I don't know why but I'm happy that I can use it now. Wanna see it?" Nile excitedly said.
"Ohhh? Sure, let me see it." Stell responded.
Nile stood up and he fixed his clothing. The wind is still blowing hard but he didn't really pay any attention to it. After a while, he started raising his right hand and closed his eyes for a bit.
A small water ball filled with a slight luminosity came out of it, and when he opened his eyes, his left eye was tainted by blue again. He exudes a short aura but it's not that really strong and he cannot really continue to contemplate because of the wind that's disturbing him.
"Wow! What the hell? You didn't even have to chant it! That's so amazing." Stell was in awe when saw Nile in the move.
"Yeah, but this is the only thing I can do for now. I don't know how to release a large scale spell like what you do, but I'm not complaining. I can boost my body though, and it automatically heals my injury." Nile explained to him the basic function of his elemental power.
"That's cool enough for me! Well anyway, here's a new spell that I picked up from my father. It's not that really strong but it will somehow help us if there's any trouble." Stell stepped back for a little bit to feel the flow of his mana. He tried to fight back the wind as he concentrates.
"Earth Magic Skill: Flock of stones!" He chanted.
A small group of rocks began to float in midair. Stell did a little bit of dance with his arm waving around and as soon as he stopped, he shot it really far away. It gave them a little bit of an impact from the air rippling. The shockwave is really powerful for that spell by chance.
"That's fantastic. I wanna learn how to shoot something as well, but maybe soon enough I'll study it." Nile said while brimming with a surprised expression.
"Well, all the more reason for you to go to that system they're talking about! Maybe we'll learn something even more powerful from them if we go to it." Stell faced him with a confident tone.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Nile responded.
"Oyyyyyy! Nile! Stell! We're going now!" A shout coming from below the hill.
"Oh look, that's Uncle Martin. Let's go Nile!" Stell said.
"Yeah!"
An hour has passed since they've left the town. Ever since the Deirdre incident, more people from the capital came with more things to aid and support those who got affected by it. It is supervised by Arthur.
Some villagers tried to rebuild their home, while the other soldiers and miners decided to close off the hole from the cave and rebuild the platform for them to continue mining with ease.
"Sure is pretty busy today..." Stell blurted out.
"Can't help it, the affected area caused a lot more damage. Also, the soldiers that they deployed for this one are pretty inadequate." Uncle Martin said.
"Anyway, Stell. Where's your father? Wouldn't he guide you for this? I haven't seen him for a long time."
"Oh well, my father is too busy. But my mother and I will meet at the entrance."
"What? You didn't even say goodbye to him?" Nile asked.
"Hmm well I'm planning to, but he left really early. I guess I'll just have my mother tell my goodbye message to him. Anyway Nile, what did you bring for this trip?" Stell answered then afterward he saw the bag that Nile is carrying.
"Oh, this... Just a bunch of clothes and a few potions to help me in the way. I wish they have a laundry system there as well." Nile said.
"Same, it's going to be a pain in the ass if we're going to wash the clothes ourselves while training."
Another half an hour has passed and they finally reached the main entrance. By the time they lined up, the gates opened and the exquisite buildings and distinct designs of the capital came into view. It was really beautiful. Both Nile and Stell dropped their jaw when they saw the capital in front.
"So this is what the capital looks like..." Stell whispered while looking around.
They entered the gates and proceeded to follow the path leading to the central park. There's a lot of people coming by and visiting. The smell of street foods and smokes coming from the other buildings dispersed around them.
"Oh! My mother is out there! Well then, Uncle, Nile! See you guys later!" Stell noticed his mother waiting for him in the corner near the park as he gave his regards to the two.
"Bye Stell! See you later!" Nile responded and returned the wave to him.
They continued to walk until they reached the fountain where there are so many paths out going on it. On the front which is north, is where the palace or the castle is located. It is also the place where rich people and royalties live. Their houses are fancy looking with some exquisite designs from the outside and they're mostly tall.
Nile took a while to fully submerge himself into the beautifulness of the capital. Every time he saw something that is not that prominent from his own town, he can't help but smile and get excited. Other than that, the amount of transportation and horses on the capital is 10 times more than the transportation they have on the field.
"So... Nile, how does the capital look for you?" Uncle Martin placed down Nile's bag and asked him a question.
"I don't know what to say, Uncle. It's just too beautiful. The capital is larger, cleaner, more people, more horses and there's so many awesome buildings and taverns to stay in." Nile briefly explained the view he's not really seeing in his everyday life. Considering that Nile lived across the capital, it's pretty easy to determine that those people who lived there won't be able to recognize such obvious things. But that's not the case for Uncle Martin who always works inside.
"Yeah, it's beautiful indeed. But hey, you'll be now living here. Verdana is far larger and vast than the outside field and town. You're going to spend your time here and hopefully adapt to its environment. Oh, and you'll be able to eat the foods you wanted to it."
"It sounds so exciting but I'm not really into that at the very least. I still want to spend my time here while seeing you, Uncle."
"It can't be helped, but I promise I'll try to visit you if there's no duty for all of us. Then maybe we can eat together."
"Really!? That's a promise, right?" Nile exclaimed.
"Yeah, that's a promise. Now then, let's go. We're going to watch the announcement."
The two continued to walk with a positivity displayed on their faces. Nile can't get enough of the excitement he's feeling as of now. The drastic change of his emotion from worriedness to the excitement is pretty quick considering his condition but that doesn't matter, now that they're decided. There's no other choice but to do it.
"Nile, look over there." Uncle Martin said.
"Woah, there's a lot of people. Could it be the thing?" Nile asked.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's it. There's a lot of kids on it with their parents. Let's go before we miss anything." He answered.
They both ran as quickly as they can get to follow up in the announcement that Captain Lennon commenced. There's a lot of people gathering and that includes the young teens that they want to enroll for the system as well as the parent who was with them.
"Whoo! We made it somehow!" Uncle Martin panted really hard as they stopped their momentum. They scootched a little bit to see what is going on. The information they have gathered said that the announcement will start on the tower near the castle to cast a large scale magic spell to communicate.
"There's a lot of people here, they're not that excited though," Nile said.
"Well, that's really expected. It is a sudden mass invitation without any further details. They've been secretly working on this for a long time now without giving any news nor information. This is the first time that they're going to hear something either interesting or spectacular, or maybe something that might cause a lot of trouble." Uncle Martin responded with a little serious tone.
After waiting, a wide magical circle appeared in the sky. The murmurings that are scattering across the land dissipated and people became quiet.
It's time to announce what's going to happen.
"Eh... Erm... People of the world. My name is Shen. I'm a supervisor that is made out of mana with magic. I came here to tell all of you about the organization that we are implementing this year that will change the lives and routines of various children." A monotone robotic voice can be heard causing a little bit of panic and tremble.
"Before I get into details, I just want to let you know that this program is only for those who want to volunteer only. As you guys have known in the previous seminar, we will use this opportunity to upgrade the system of how we work as an individual being and as a magic elemental user. Those who wanted to have their child grow stronger, get well developed, and matured in a small amount of time, this is the perfect advantage for all of you."
"There are 4 terms that your child will have to undergo for these procedures. The first term will last for about 6 months and we will use that time to educate them about the expedition of Raiterra and how magic in this world, works. Aside from that, we will give them all of the things they've wished as an exchange for the tests that they're going to do. We will give them shelter, food, and some important things that will keep them active."
"Nonetheless, if you don't want your child to undergo the tests, feel free to decline the invitation. The main purpose of this program is to prepare for something that is currently unknown. I don't mean to scare all of you but it is something that will be dangerous. And if you want to survive that upcoming future. We will use the remaining term to make your child grow stronger."
"Welcome to... The Mana Zone."