As Floris and Alvis walked down the stairs to the main room, they were fighting a battle of mixed emotions. On the one hand, they were both excited. They were eager to learn about this new world of magic they had stumbled into; learning how to cast fire from their bare hands, breathing underwater, flying through the air like a bird. It was almost too much for the two of them to keep concealed, especially for Alvis. However, they were both very nervous about what would come in the coming days. For Floris, it was a given he would enter the ranks of the guild. But Alvis had a grim future at best. He didn't know how to read or write and knew basically nothing about the magic world. If he were to fail the tests given to him over the next few days, he and Floris would be separated for the first time in their lives. It was a thought that terrified them both, and neither of them were sure if taking the tests was really in their best interests. But with little choice, they faced the reality of the situation and made their way to their classroom: a large spacious room hidden away in the back of the first floor. Multiple rows of desks that stretched from one wall to the other with walking paths going along the side walls. The room was big enough to house at least one-hundred people and was already full of young Mages who were likely new students just like Floris and Alvis. The sight made the boys feel a little uneasy, but it only worsened once almost everyone in the room looked at them. At the front of the room stood a podium, where a man dressed in dark red robes stood with his hands behind his back. Before either of the boys could take in any more of their surroundings, the man looked at them and proceeded to speak,
"Ah! There you are! I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever make it. Please, find your seats and we'll begin."
Floris and Alvis both nodded and proceeded to find their way to some seats in different parts of the room. The man waited until both the boys were seated, then proceeded to speak,
"Now that we're all here, we will begin the orientation. First off, let me welcome you all to the Mages Guild. The seat of all magic in the known world and the capital of knowledge itself. The Mages Guild has existed for tens of thousands of years and has a rich but bloody history. This is one of the few places in this world where those who have the talent can learn and study magic freely. As Initiates, you have all taken the first step to pursuing your magical careers, be it Battle Mages, Staff Makers, Mercenary Mages, Alchemists, Enchanters, or maybe even joining the ranks of the Elemental Guard, you have all taken the first step on a long and perilous road that awaits you. For the next few days, you will all be under my supervision and that of the senior staff here to see if any of you show you have the skills that are required to enter the ranks of the Guild. Not just anyone may enter. You must show you have competent skill with at least one of the following skills: spell casting of any magic, alchemy, staff making, enchanting, or even creating spells. Those who fail will not be allowed to join the guild and will be removed. But with that being said, do not let my words frighten you. You will have plenty of time to hone your talents and prove to me that you are worthy of joining the ranks of the Guild. But before we do that, it is time for you to meet your teammates. As new initiates, your ultimate goal should be to gain access to the Arcane University, the capital of the Mages Guild, and the home of the most powerful wizards in all of the Northern Continent. But in order to gain access, you will have to journey all across Fiorra and receive recommendations from all of the guild halls. Once that is done, you will be able to enter the University and truly earn the title of a Mage. However, for the time being, I and some of the senior staff here will test you for your skills. Any form of magic, be it Elemental Destruction, Alteration, Necromancy, or even Conjuration will be allowed. We will also assign you to teams in order to balance individuals out. We place new initiates in teams or squads to help balance their skills. One Mage may be talented with Destruction Magic, but lack any skill when it comes to Alchemy. But that other teammate may suffer from a lack of control with magic, so we'll place someone on the team who has mastery with their magic. Your teammates will be the greatest strength you have as a Mage. Use each other to hone your skills and drive the best out of each other. Etrix, the head of this Guildhall, has already given the list of squads, which I will address now."
Floris and Alvis watched as he walked back to his podium and started reading through the list of squads, starting with Squad One.
"Squad Seventeen... Floris Fetcher...Alvis Era...and Kathrina Katherine. You will be assigned to Flare, one of the Elemental Guard who will act as your mentor for the time being."
Some relief came over Floris and Alvis both. They were going to remain on the same team, so they at least had a chance to improve their skills with each other. However, Floris couldn't help but wonder who their other teammate was going to be. He quickly glanced around the room, hoping to get a clue in the sea of people surrounding him, but couldn't see any sign of who it would be on their team.
It took some time for the man to read through his list of squads, and when he had finished, he looked up at the class and smiled, "We will begin your first lessons after lunch. Meet with your teammates in the meantime and learn each other's skills. We will meet back here at 1:30 in the afternoon. Until then...dismissed!"
With that, the class stood up and slowly walked out of the room.