- 7th August 2138, Early Morning, GCA Campus Apartments -
Beeping... Constant beeping piercing my ears. Rising slowly out of bed, I could hear the audible sound of my InfoComm blaring off. It was a call from Warmund... Why would he be calling me so early?
"Erik, It's time I take you into the Field." He announced, the sounds of people going about their daily business forming a layer of noise behind his speech.
"The field? What are you talking about?" I was confused. Did he have some sort of job?
"I'm a member of the Order of Judicators. We sort out any problems in the city." He continued, in a hopeful voice. "I want you to join as my apprentice; it'll be great training."
With the way he worded things, I felt like I didn't have a choice in the matter. There's no doubt this would be great for my training. Nonetheless, wouldn't I just get in the way?
"I don't know," I mused. "I don't want to be a burden."
"Nonsense, You've got more potential than you think. Shimp" he said. Chuckling gleefully to himself. "I've sent the location to your InfoComm"
-------:-
This was my first time leaving campus since I'd arrived. The main streets felt like a alternate world to me, workers in suits and such uniformly walking to their designated buildings. Monolith skyscrapers towered over me every step I took, with occasional empty city blocks designated as parks. These parks bustled with life, a complete reversal of their surrounding environment. The energy was palpable as people jogged, walked dogs, and read on benches.
I spent a while walking around, losing myself in myriad side streets and alleys. Until I eventually found the location Warmund had sent me. It was a large building with stylised text reading 'Order of Judicators'. According to some reading I'd done while walking, the Order were one of many agencies responsible for properly maintaining the status quo in GEI Central and surrounding territories. This specific agency was very big on the concept of 'justice'.
They eagerly accepted any job they deemed good enough. Whether that be saving somebody's cat from a tall tree or cracking down on local organised crime. Rather admirable. This place would give me many an opportunity to get stronger.
Making my way up to the heavy duty front door, I opened it and walked inside. Warmund was sitting on one of the many couches that dotted the spacious room. Black walls with gold-coated lights embedded within like the paths you'd find in a circuit surrounded me on all sides.
Two sets of grand stairs leading to a balcony and what looked like an office of sorts. Despite it being so early, there were a few people milling around, some chatting and laughing merrily while others were hunched over desks with papers and laptops strewn about. There were others, a more rough-looking sort. These were probably the people who actually carried out the requests.
Warmund was dressed in a high-tech armour that gave him a completely different feel to when he wore his uniform.
The suit was made of a lightweight metal that looked like it'd put up a fight against anything trying to hit him. It had a sleek, streamlined design that made it look more like a work of art than a piece of armour with OJ emblazoned on the front in stylised characters. A helmet covered his entire head, with a visor that protected his eyes from the bright sun. He carried a his ornate violin on his back, the bow at his side. All in all, it looked protective, yet flexible.
Now sat next to Warmund, I asked in awe. "This place is amazing! How did they afford it??"
He chuckled and took his polished helmet off before answering, "My father, he's a pretty strong Caster."
I nodded, understanding now why the place was so nice. It must have cost a small fortune in GEI Coin.
"So," I smilingly remarked, getting down to business, "What do you need me to do?"
"The Order uses a series of tests to see if you have what it takes to become a member. Even as your training master, I can't help with that." He replied, looking down at the ground rather sadly.
He then perked up. "Go to the front desk, talk to the receptionist. If you're up to it."
I was most certainly up to it. Approaching the front desk, I rang the bell. Rather primative technology. It must have been an antique from the old age of humanity. To my glee, somebody arrived quickly to serve me. She wore a black and yellow business suit, akin the colours of the very room we stood in. Her dusky hair and petite frame seemed oddly familiar to me.
In subtle shock, I asked. "Wait.. Is that you Catherine? From the test?"
She seemed reasonable amounts confused and amused. "Yes. This is my new job. I got fired for getting too friendly with people like you."
This may have been my fault. Paying it no mind, I politely requested to join the Order. Brimming with confidence, I signed the papers provided and sat back down with Warmund.
-------:-
After what seemed like an hour of waiting, chatting with Warmund. I was finally called to the practice room for my testing. Opening the door, I found it to be similar to the practice room back at the academy. However, the walls and floors were themed in blacks and golds like the rest of the OJ facility. Stood in the center of the room was a man of large stature, bulging muscles and long flowing auburn hair. It was as if I was stood before an older version of Warmund.
"Here for the test. Are you shrimp?" He asked, in a similar manner of speech to Warmund. "It won't be easy for you because you know my son." He continued, in a familiar gruff tone.
"Just let me show you what I can do" I said in a confident manner. I knew that I had to outmatch Warmund someday... This guy was just another practice run.
"Fine, but I'll be judging you on this." He said, pulling out a small device that appeared to be a watch. "The faster you can merely wound me, the higher your score will be." He continued, holding it out in front of him. "I'll of course be holding back"
"Fine, let's get this over with." I shouted, as I readied myself in a typical boxing stance. It wasn't perfect, but I much preferred ranged combat anyway.
He simply stood his ground as I slowly approached him, like an unmoving boulder. Summoning my singularity, I scanned him.
================
[Name: Wolfgang Doremetido]
[Age: 45]
[Mood]: Hopeful
[Singularities]:
-[Pugilism]
[Attribution]: Phenom
-[Rank]: S
-[Affinity]: Sound
[E-Signature]: 109S
================
"What's wrong, shrimp?" He asked in a mocking manner, "You're supposed to hit me!"
"Fine, let's see what you've got!" I exclaimed as began weaving multiple chants. Feeling a rather strenuous rush of energy flowing through my blood, I directed it into a set of 4 {Storm's Arsenal: Schwert} casts. A quartet of violet blades at my command, forming above my head. Pointed at Wolfgang's head. Each crackling with power, a set of four blades, forged in the violent storm and fury. I sent each one zipping toward Wolfgang. Consecutive sword-shaped lightning bolts striking against him without much of an effect on him. Damn it.
This time I charged at him, summoning another instance of {Storm's Arsenal: Schwert} to my hands. This cutting blade was different to the last four. In the heat of battle, I seemed to have formed a much more stable construct, not crackling anywhere near as much as the previous four. A single-edged of thunderous might, hued in amethyst. Holding it in my left hand, I sprinted at him, lightning beginning to crackle around me like an aura.
"Now this is something!" He said as he braced himself slightly.
Approaching him, he readied his fists. Was he going to punch me away before I could strike him? Diverting my path slightly, I now aimed to roll under his legs and strike him from behind.
"I'm not done yet!" I exclaimed as I charged furiously toward him.
This time I vainly attempted to leap over him, but to my pained surprise, he seized me by the neck and hurled me to the floor behind him.
"You're done shrimp!" He exclaimed as he stood over me.
As I lay on the floor, I tried to roll out of the way of him deftly.
"You're not the only one who can move fast!" He exclaimed as he suddenly spun around.
Hitting me with an overhand chop with his right arm to my left shoulder. It felt like being hit by a car. I was sent flying into a nearby wall with a crash. My sword fizzling out as fast as I'd summoned it. Yeah, couldn't even a move a muscle any more. He was far too strong.
"Oh, that'll teach you!" He exclaimed impatiently as he approached the wall. But then suddenly I'd vanished from his sight.
"What the?" He shouted as he turned around.
My perspective had shifted. I was now high in the air, levitating. My dull eyes leaking flames yellow in colour. my unconscious body was surrounded by a faint yellow and purple aura. Burning flames crackling with electric might. I couldn't control my own body... Was this some autonomous reflex?
"{Storm's Arsenal: Maelstrom}!" My voice shouted as I projected a massive, ornate spear shaped bolt of electricity hurtling down at Wolfgang, a flash of violet.
"Crap!" He exclaimed as he braced himself, enhancing his fists with waves of colourless energy, as the spear smashed directly into him, triggering a massive explosion, engulfing the entire room in a story of sparking magenta and white...