The cold breeze woke up the young man sleeping on top of a very large tree's branches. He looked startled feeling the extremely cold on his face.
"Gahh... I shouldn't have slept here." He rubbed his face as he stood up "I should prepare before meeting him. I promised i'd be there before sunrise... or was it sundown?".
He lightly jumped off the branch falling down to the ground at an alarming rate. However midway to his demise a dark rift in reality appeared mimicking a mouth, its jaws opened and swallowed the young man completely. After that it closed its mouth and the space where the mouth was closed and returned to its normal.
***
A few hours later, in the middle of a very large city, a tall burly man sat down and read the papers on his desk. A cup at his side filled with a warm morning brew, his glasses reflecting the rising sun.
"Another day, another time to solve problems. Let's see here-" His words were cut off by the sound of a tear in space forming right in front of his desk.
The tear widened like a mouth to show nothing but pitch black. But from that darkness came a boot taking a step out. And there was the young man, his black hair, brown and lazy eyes staring at the man, came out as if it was normal to arrive from whichever he came from.
"Ah! Tals! right on time. Come, have a seat. Ive gotten something we both would want." He gestured to the empty seat in front of his desk.
Tals, the young man, sat down. "It better be good, barnes. The mercenary jobs you've given me lately had low payments. I barely have anything left to feed myself." His deep and tired voice spoke volumes to Barnes, the tall burly man, about how fatigued his friend had been.
"Hahahahaha! My friend, i assure you this project is the biggest we've been apart in." His laugh lightened the mood but also stole Tals' curiosity. Big project equated to large sum of money, and he really needed the money. "Here's the deal. Have you heard of the White Crows before?" Barnes had a questioning look.
"Aren't crows black?" Tals gave a ahrug to Barnes.
"There was a story about a large boat, on that boat was two trusted birds, a dove and a crow. They were white which symbolized their purity. But the crow had lost its purity and turned black." Barnes gave a small summary of a lost story. "Black crows means betrayal, what do you think white crows mean?".
Tals sighed and rubbed his forehead. "You and your dumb stories. The white crows would mean purity, trust, and justice. I've heard that white doves mean freedom and peace, so i figure white crows would be something similar. How does this relate to the project?"
Barnes gave a small giggle and took out a book from his desk. Inside the book was a carved inside housing a medallion with a white crow. He placed it in front of Tals.
"Within the empire's circle of authority and control, a large portion of royalists decided to create a project. One that would enforce the laws to all magic users within the streets of the empire. They call it "White Crows". A secret task force designed to keeping the empires peace from the shadows." Barnes gave Tals a grin, this was a big project. Something that made Tals' anxious.
"And you're saying we're part of this project?" He had a tint of hesitation to his voice. As if he was afraid.
"Of course not. "We're" not part of this." This made Tals a bit relaxed "Its you who is a part of this.".
This made Tals stand up and slam his hands on Barnes' desk screaming "WHAT!?".
"Quiet down. Those royalist asses did a large review on all available mercenaries on the empire, and guess what? Your magic fit the bill on what they needed." Barnes calm smile made Tals relax for a bit.
"Barnes... is this even safe? They do realize i have high probabilities of screwing up, right?" The evident worried expression was painted all over Tals' face.
Barnes cleared his throat. He didn't just blindly accepted the offer, he had to work for weeks to dig up any other reason or hidden information the royalists had. It was safe and perhaps a very good opportunity for his friend. "Tals, i assure you this is safe. The file they used to survey your capabilities were given by me. I know you can do this, if things become messy then i can assure you that i have the capabilities to pull you out. Trust me on this." With one sharp and stern gaze from Barnes, Tals ended up giving in and reluctantly agreeing. "Good. I needed to force you into this since this might change you for the better. The first white crows recruitment event will begin at spring and last for 4 years. This is to know if you're trustworthy and loyal, during these 4 years they will monitor and give you simple missions every month." Barnes gave Tals a copy of the file he received from the royalists. "Once you finish the 4 years then you'll be officially the first batch of White Crows. You'll be payed handsomely every month and given the title of noble. Though its only up to viscount and the plot of land you receive will be small, however its still better than nothing. And as for the recruitment..."
"Barnes... I think im having problems reading. Haha, its something completely ridiculous." Tals gave a dry laugh and started scratching the back of his head trying to deny his reality.
"No, Tals, What your reading is right. You'll have to attend the prestigious academy Sarafan." Barnes gave Tals a stern look, as if he was looking at his child.
Tals had his lips curled up while raising his eyebrows. Sarafan wasn't some ordinary school, it was an academy for the gifted. His terrified and forced expression spoke to Barnes on how he was taking it. Afraid and reluctant but still accepting with no other choice.
"If i do this... how long do you think i'll last. We both know my academic skills are-"
"Tals, only one of us knows your true value. And only one of us lowers that value. I know you can do this. You're not the sharpest tool but your not dull either. We've talked about this, start believing in yourself. And then you'll finally see what makes life worth living for." Barnes face started to turn to a warm smile. One that Tals enjoyed being faced with, something that eased his worries and fears.
"You accepted this because of the academy didn't you?"
"I did. You've spent way too much time talking to washed up and futureless idiots. Its time you start being around people your age. Succeeding is just the the plus." Barnes tapped his temple while looking at Tals. "Remember that as long as you receive more or lost less, you've already won." He took another look at the paper "Oh yes. The tuition for the academy is perfectly handled. There will be no extra money to use as your allowance. So you still need me whenever you need to fill your pocket." Tals gave a sigh of relief after hearing that. He took a heavy breath and a slow exhale.
"Do i still need to apply to the academy or am already accepted?"
"Technically you are already accepted, im sure those royalists already informed the headmaster. However academy regulations require you to perform the entrance exam. So relax, you just need to do a few things. Now get ready, we'll go there in an hour." Barnes arranged his desk before leaving Tals all alone. A few minutes of space to himself. 'He's still a child after all. This should allow him to process it more smoothly.'.
Back in the room, Tals was in deep thought. This was his very first time going to a learning institution. He heard academy students were referred to as scholars, even being taught prior to the academy by their parents or private instructors. He felt out of place if he joined, but Barnes seemed happy that he was going. He was afraid of being looked down upon, disappointing gazes always made him feel uncomfortable. But disappointing Barnes might be worse than disappointing random strangers.
Can he even match the learning speed of other students or will he look like a fool, then there's his clothes, he had once gotten a glimpse of noble scholars dressed in an extremely nice clothing. He would stick like a sore thumb if he went there, but then again failing Barnes felt bitter. He was caught in a dilemma.
However he remembered a few words from the washed up colleagues he worked with, never throw away an opportunity. Seize it and make it your own.
Going back and forth between himself made him realize that he wasn't ready. He could accept and do order just fine, after all he was just following an already set instructions. But deciding for himself, choosing his future, he was lost. He didn't want anything, not even to live comfortably. sometimes he just wanted to stop existing. He was afraid, even afraid of the future to the point that he didn't want one.
Barnes returned a dozen minutes later and offered Tals breakfast. They enjoyed a meal together, though it was silent. Tals was still in deep thought.
When they arrived at the academy he was given a few small test. Barely an inconvenience, the written test was harder but it was still common knowledge. He was already recommend by a large portion of the academy's supporters so it was only a matter if time before he gets accepted.
Though he did enjoy the scenery.