Before Rick knew it he and Marcus where standing out in the middle of a small garden. It wasn't very spacious but was enough for a mock fight. They each readied fists up to each other and prepared to fight.
Rick threw himself at Marcus only to find that Marcus remained still. As the fist reached Marcus time seemed to slow down as Marcus gently dodge and reflected the attack back at Rick! He threw him over his shoulder and laughed as Rick found himself coughing from the heavy impact.
"You over extended yourself." Marcus stated simply.
"Try again."
Rick stood up and simply ran at him again. A simple punch and a shoulder toss later he was coughing once more.
"You over extended yourself again. Don't throw too much force into a single punch, you can't let your enemy use your own force against you."
Rick stood up, still coughing before waving his hands in the air in surrender. Marcus nodded before motioning them to head inside. He turned around and before he knew it Rick had moved as quick as possible kneeing him in the back with the brute force of his entire body but end the end it was all for nothing. He was the one who fell to the ground while Marcus stood with his hands raised in a blocking manner.
Marcus laughed slightly as he remained unmoved to even the mightiest blow Rick could muster.
"Good job. You learned about the tactic of Surprise. You would make a great assassin or perhaps even a thief. " He said softly before walking inside without further words.
---
After a few minutes of rest both Marcus and Rick found themselves in front of a strange chess board. It was incredibly similar to the chess that Rick had, had at home but different at the same time. There where strange runes carved into the tops of each of the pieces and they each seemed to say something different on them.
"This is a simple game called wizards chess. It is played not with our hands but with our minds. We move the pieces with our will and magical force. This is a chess board set to it's lowest settings allowing even peasants to play. So let's test your intelligence."
Rick nodded in agreement after the incredibly complex rules were slowly explained.
Marcus then started first as he made his front line tighten it's ranks in a fashion that meant it would be hard to cross later down the road. When it came to Ricks turn he sat there in dumb silence as he realized he couldn't move a piece.
Marcus seeing that something was wrong spoke up.
"What's wrong Rick?"
"I can't move the pieces."
"You can't move the pieces. That would mean you have zero magical power whatsoever. Try moving your mind towards it and attaching to it." He said in a worried voice.
"..."
Nothing happened as Rick stared intently at the chess pieces willing them to move but they simply wouldn't budge. A small 0 slowly appeared at the bottom of the chessboard as the readings became clear. His magical power was zero, which he already knew since the system had told him.
"Well it seems like you are not a gods chosen one or a mage of any sort. Then that brings it down to two options. A rouge class or a warrior class. What do you think?"
Rick remained silent for a period of time.
"Rouge fits me the best. Specifically thief." He answered with certainty. The system couldn't lie could it?
"Then I'll contact some old friends and get you trained right away. I hope you know that you owe me one for this though I don't expect you to help me out until much into the future."
Rick answered with a look in his eyes that said 'I already knew this was coming'
The rest of the night went by uneventfully almost as if it was too peaceful. The only thought that filled Rick at that moment was 'How can I even get over 950 gold by stealing?'. Which was a valid point sense it was such a large quantity of money. He would definitely have to do it after he got trained.
----
The early morning was uneventful but the sleep he got was probably the best of his life. It was strangely peaceful as he calmly chatted with Marcus over a humble breakfast of eggs and bacon.
"Rick... The guy I got in touch with is a little weird. If he ever tries to go and do anything dangerous with you make sure you come to me and I'll put a stop to it. He is a true master of his craft but.... he's dangerous. "
"Understood. It seems like he is someone who has passion for his work but that passion is a double edged blade. Am I right?"
"Sort of.... your on the right track."
Breakfast continued peacefully for roughly ten minutes afterword until a loud thudding noise could be heard coming from the front door. Marcus's face turned sour at the very strange sound that appeared.
He stood up suddenly and went to open up the door. As he opened up the door a man who had been laying on the door slammed to the ground as the backing got moved. His eyes stood straight up at Marcus's eyes.
"Are you drunk again Lucas? You were meant to have been here an hour later."
"Early as always I is." The man slurred drunkingly.
'This isn't gonna be fun' were the last thoughts that went through his mind before a dagger was plunged toward him.