Lucas went back home earlier than his sister who was busy with the horde of villagers congratulating her on topping the list of winners.
There was something important that he had to do everyday to ensure he keeps on living in his body. He had to keep on taking revenge. Revenge wasn't always done in a day or a year. Especially his, he did not even think it was going to end soon.
Each day, he awakens memories, each day, he reads memories of others. Last night, he read from a memory that his commander also had something to do with his death.
Last night, he began his ritual of the past. It was the means he used to memory travel to the past.
Back up a minute....
Miles (Lucas) was born into a fairly well-to-do family. All he ever wanted to be was a mercenary. His father was one, though he fought against his own country making it impossible for him to return to his birth country. It was that feeling of freedom he was searching for, that was the adoration he had towards his father.
"If that's what you desire, my son, then I'll take you to our secret training ground." his father told him tenderly.
The secret training ground was a training ground that all mercenaries brought those close to them to train. That day, Miles (Lucas) was sent there by his father.
A small black gate appeared in front of him as soon as his father cracked a black token. "Enter it. This is the last time we would ever meet before you are done with your training, son. Make me proud." His father's almost non-existent eyes creased further into slits.
Miles nodded and opened the gate, walking right into it. His father sighed in worry. 'Jace's son is there. There will surely be a feud. Or a quick death. Either way, I hope it's my son.'
.....
The area all around him was sandy and dusty. Little sandstorms were in the distance kicking up dust into his eyes.
Miles covered his face and wondered were he was. He remembered entering a black gate and seeing his father's worried, yet proud face. Then how did he get to this godforsaken place.
He kept on walking and pulling himself forward. Ten minutes to his journey, he noticed a black spot in the distance. He increased his speed and started hearing voices from the distance.
When he was closer to the spot, he noticed that it was actually a huge building that housed plenty of people. Around it were teenagers and young adults meditating, mixing medicines, training with tools such as daggers or guns, and exchanging blows with each other.
"Wow." he breathed out revelling in the scene before him.
The building had no fences but Miles didn't expect this place to be attacked by anyone with the sheer amount of skilled people in here.
He walked with his heart in his throat towards the building. Those he passed by did not even bother looking at him. They all radiated auras of calmness and epiphany.
As he reached the building, a slim but well-proportioned man walked out of one of the doors towards him.
The man had deep amber eyes and his light brown hair flayed in the wind as he walked. He radiated the aura of a well-skilled master. Miles felt like bowing down at him.
"Good day Miles. This is the Secret Mercenary Training Ground." he introduced and Miles looked on in awe.
"I believe the person who sent you here must have briefed you on what this place is all about. But I'll give you a briefing itself."
He nodded, his eyes shining with excitement.
The young man continued with a stiff face.
"The Secret Mercenary Training Ground was founded by a group of friends who wanted to pass down their heritage. It had to be a secret as few countries enjoyed seeing people who fought for money, nurtured.
Therefore, a very powerful wizard was met and told to make a spatial dimension and token which was how you got here."
He started to walk leading Miles along with him.
"That was how this place was created. The only people you can find here are those related to the four friends who formed this place, or to mercenaries who have earned themselves a place on the board ranking. Your father is the latter."
They walked until he reached a small building that had a sign; The Administrative Building.
Inside, there was nothing but a single table and chair and a man sitting lazily on it.
"There's a new student." the slim man who introduced himself as Don Esau said in his usual straight tone.
The lazy looking man looked up at them and motioned at them to come closer.
"What's your name and your origin?" he asked when they did.
"Miles Redhead, Fanas."
"Fanas country, eh? Then you must be a rich boy. But let me warn you. There is no preference given here no matter who or what you are. You become the best with your own skills, do you understand?"
"Yes, sir!" Miles said.
The man waved his hands. "Okay, okay, you can go. There isn't a particular schedule in this school. You train when you can. Don Esau is your personal trainer so we won't worry about you slacking off."
The lazy looking man leaned his head on the table which was a cue for them to leave.
Outside, Don Esau didn't say much and simply showed Miles his room. "Meet me downstairs once you've settled in."
He shared the room with three other people and his bed was the upper bunk on the left side. He dropped his bag and looked around. There was a person on the lower bunk in the right side.
"I don't like being disturbed in the afternoons, so finish your business quickly and leave." a mellow voice sounded from under the blanket.
Miles was a little shocked. Then he snickered inwardly.
'With this tiny voice of yours, you expect me to just walk out at your orders? Ha!' he thought.
The person on the bed shifted and laid still again.
"Aaaaaaaah!" Miles' piercing scream rang in the air. He felt something pierce his feet and he looked down with great pains to see what it was.
Under his fair feet, there was a thin worm like organism whose head was stuck to his feet.
Miles held it with the intention of pulling it out when the voice of the person on the bed stopped him.
"Do not, if you still want to live. That is a black striped worm that attacks stealthily. Pulling it out would make it release a poison that it's antidote can be found in only one place in the world.
So let it be and excuse me. It'll go away on its own."
Miles almost cursed. He limped out of the room and down the stairs to Don Esau whose face looked like he had facial paralysis. His expression did not even change when he saw the worm wriggling, it's head stuck to Miles' feet.
"Let's go. Your first lesson."