Inside Chaos Ridge Mountain....
At this moment Velex was meditating nearby a river, Currently his clothes had many spots with dried blood and as was torn in many area's. Yet he was calm and steady, he had been in the forest area of the mountains for more then a year now. He had advances his strength at a steady pace, Although he was able to hunt Green snake beast they only gave his body slightly less nourishment then when he eat his first Grey wolf beast. He had run into the Brown bull beast again during this time, But although he could wound the beast he would be exhausted way sooner then the brown bull would show it's fatigue.
The reason his appearance was such a mess at this moment wasn't from the constant battles with the beast's in the forest, but that he had just 2 days ago battle a new beast that he had just barely escaped. It was a Giant Hawk like best, It wasn't much bigger then the grey wolf it was 9ft tall with a wingspan of 20ft. But it's black feather were as strong as the Brown bulls Fur, the ability to fly down at high speed made it very dangerous, Velex had been unable to land a good hit on the Black hawk. Instead the beast dealt small but precise wounds to him almost every time it would swoop down. Dodging was not easy, the hawks maneuverability was surprisingly amazing when on a dive when paired with its speed it was a dangerous enemy. Velex did not wait long to decide to flee, Although the Hawk was fierce and fast, using his lightning to sidestep and the trees he was able to stay alive. he made it to his Cave within a few minutes, Although he was wounded they weren't too serious to impede his battle prowess. The black Hawk had waited a few minutes circling his cave, but it decided not to engage inside the cave as it would lose its flight advantage.
It took Velex the last 2 days to recover from his small wounds, It was time to return to the Sha Castle now and prepare to leave for the recruitment grounds. His actual time in the Mountains was about 1 year and 2 months, added to the time he spent inside the Sha castle, he still have roughly 3 moths before they needed to leave. It took him about a week to return to the Castle outer gates at first the guards would not let him enter, his bloody and torn clothes paired with his savage appearance made then wary of Velex.
But not a few minutes later a guard from the castle came and quickly recognized Velex, and they hastily apologize. Although this guard had only seen Velex 2 times his appearance was unique added with the fact that the Sha family head had announced that this young lad was adopted into the Sha family about a year ago. It had surprised all of the guards that had seen the young lad, he looked no different from a wild fierce beast. looking at the blood covered young man in front of him, he show his most courteous expression. This young man was truly terrifying.
Velex ignored all of the guards expressions, he moved towards the castle. when he entered the main hall Denis, Robert and Lybert were already waiting there for him. They were worried over his long stay in the forest and although they wanted to look for him, knowing he had travel through half of the Chaos ridge mountain before meeting him they let it go and decided not to bother him.
He greeted them as he sat at the Square table the 3 greeted him warmly. Denis as always spoke first "We thought the worst for a time that you might not return, you have come in time we have finished all the preparations for the journey. We will depart in 1 months time to make sure we have time to spare"
"Sounds good, I will need a few things before we leave"
Denis quickly replied looking at Velex bloody and torn robes " This is no problem, we have prepared several robes of our family for you to wear, and I also have what I promised" He said taking out a small pouch from his robe and moving it towards Velex.
He opened the pouch and found a small black ring with golden runes covering its surface. Looking at his puzzled expression Denis explained to him "That my young lad is a Storage Ring or how many called them space rings, they are used by acolytes and mage's alike too carry their materials, weapons, clothes and more. I'm sure you can see its usefulness and before you think that just this is not so appealing let me tell you in our family we have 2 such ring. One is our family passed down relic and the one you have was obtain long ago by our mage ancestor during a battle. It's worth more then our family's full fortune. We passed down the other to Lybert, we also have these" he handed Velex a folded cloth with 5 dark blue stones.
Without waiting he explain further "These are Magic stones, They contain the pure energy of the world. An acolyte or mage can use them to increase their magic power or to restore their magic energy, they are aslo used by weapon Smith's and to power formations but that you will learn more at the academy. I'm sure as someone that spends his time fighting you can clearly see their usefulness. Sadly what we have are only low grade Magic stones, they are better used to replenish your magic energy or you can save them as they are common currency among acolytes." He further explain a few other small details and soon they agreed to leave 1 months later.
Velex went to his room to inspect the space ring, he entered his magic energy into it and he stored the clothes and other essential items the Sha family had prepared in his room. He spent the rest of the time reading inside the Sha family library, soon 1 months went by and Everyone assemble in front of the castle. Velex was wearing a White robe with red stripes it had a black flower on his chest, Lybert wore the same robe as him.
Soon Denis, Velex, Lybert and a few guards in 2 carriages left the Sha family castle. Robert as the family currents head could not leave. Although the Chaos ridge mountains were dangerous with Denis present following the road they made quick progress, although he never revealed his personal power level to Velex.
The trip was rather uneventful, although Velex felt disappointed he didn't see Denis fight he was still very excited for soon he would begin his magic training.
As they reached the outskirts of the Dark forest, Denis gave Lybert a few reminders and made sure he did as Velex told him even if he was older then him. Lybert didn't feel anything bad about it, although he was a descendant of a mage family and Velex was only a mountain clan warrior, the iron clan rule of their world was power. Velex had already saved his life once and relying only on his meager strength, don't mention joining a good academy even making it alive to the recruitment site was a harsh dream. For this trip his family had given him the best crossbow they had and a strong new sword, so he could still be off help to Velex.
Soon both Velex and Lybert began their journey through the forest, Lybert was using a map to navigate the path. Velex had asked him about his battle prowess, Lybert didn't hesitate to answer. Sadly, although he could use 2 of his family spells he could only use them 1 time each or 2 of one. Then his magic energy would dry out, if it wasn't for this how would he of possibly be in such a bad position against those grey wolfs. Although Velex was a bit disappointed, it was still good enough. He would have Lybert attack from the back with his crossbow and use his spells when the situation would get out of control.
They made good progress through the Dark forest, using his body's instincts they were able to avoid high dangerous areas. Lybert had no idea how Velex knew there were dangerous beast in those areas, and although they would stray of route a few time. He never disagreed with him and just made sure to get back on route. too his surprise this journey was a bit rather, EASY. 'Wasn't the Dark Forest the vain of an acolytes start' he couldn't help but think, he slowly formed a higher form of respect for Velex in his mind.
About a months into the Dark forest, they suddenly heard the sounds of a battle. They look at each other and move towards the battle. They came to a field were With no surprise they found a group of 3 humans who by the robes they wore and energy Velex could feel he was sure they were acolytes. On the middle of the field were 2 bodies rip apart, opposite to the 3 acolytes were 6 black hounds. They were roughly 7ft in height and 8ft in length, they had some wounds on their body and there were 2 dead on the field with a charred hole through their bodies. Lybert whispered to him "Those are shadow hounds, they aren't very strong but their bite is poisonous and are very agile."
Although he had yet to fight those beast, if these weak acolytes could slay 2 of them with him and Lybert acting together it should be fine. During thier journey he had Lybert use his spells, 1 was a small fireball it was not very fast but was deadly to a grey wolf beast, his second spell was a small fire shield that could block a few hits. If he could save these 3 that would bring more security to his group and he would not have to worry about Lybert as much. he quickly made the decision " Hold from here and use the first opportunity I give you shoot and take one down" without waiting for a response he move. Lybert didn't hesitate and brought his crossbow out and took aim.
The 3 young acolytes ready themselves for the incoming assault, although they had being able to kill 2 black hounds with the group of 5 of them, these beast were fast and they could not land all their spells. They ready their swords and held their positions, just as the shadow hounds split up and charged at them, One of the hounds let out a pitiful screech as it toppled on the ground. Blood came out of its neck as its body squirmed on the floor, the other 5 hounds quickly regrouped. But before they could position themselves, 2 were pushed back. A human silhouette had appeared in front of them and slammed their chest with great force. Velex had aimed for thier heads but the beast were able to slightly react in time and raise their heads away from this claws direction. Just as the other hounds ready themselves an arrow landed on one of the hounds that was pushed back it fell to the ground lifelessly, an arrow was imbedded into its head. Lybert had made his first shot couny, their were only 4 hounds left. Although the 3 acolytes were stunned for a moment over the sudden development they soon sprung into action seeing the chance to survive in front of them. Together they held down 2 of the shadow hounds, Velex did not stand idly he moved towards the other hound near the 3 that had grouped. He left the other hound he had stabbed to Lybert, who didn't waste any time he came out charging from the woods and activated his fire spell. As the hound dodge he was able to shoot a crossbolt at it, he wasn't able to hit its head but he landed a clean shot on its leg hindering its mobility. Velex easily used his on mobility to deal with the hound he was facing. As Lybert didn't need help, he went and made quick work of the other 2 black hounds with the help of the 3 acolytes.
Soon the battle ended the 3 acolytes sat down on the ground exhausted, Velex and Lybert came up to the trio they wore light blue robes with a grey hawk symbol on their backs.
"The mountain SU family" said Lybert as he recognized their background