- Next morning
Ryujin wakes up,"Arghh, this headache.." He looks around himself,'What am I doing in this hut!?'
He vaguely starts remembering about events that happened yesterday. It seemed like all he remembered was that he was attacked by few demons in the forest last night. He then remembers the face of the person who saved him.
'why did that person help me?'
"I guess I should be worried about going back. I remember that I live in the village of Rusa situated in the empire of theia."
Ryujin then returns to the village of Rusa. He walks towards his home.
An old man shouts from distant"Ryujin is that you? where were you my child."
"I am sorry father, I made you worry. But I am fine so do not worry and let's go back home together."
Ryujin and his father walk towards their house with happiness of seeing each other.
"Where were you for last 2 days? I was worried that something might have happened to you. Are you injured?"
"I am totally fine and healthy. And I am sorry for making you worry, father. I was just practicing my swordsmanship for the upcoming exam of our state's academy."
"haha, I was worried for nothing then. Do not scare you old man like this kiddo. And regarding the academy, I received a letter from academy yesterday."
"Where is it dad!!" Ryujin seemed very excited.
"here, I have not read it because it is protected by a magical barrier."
Ryujin the uses his magical aura to open the letter. This is a type of magic where a magical barrier is put on an object and it can only be undone by the one who made it or someone they allow. It does not require high level of magic as long as the one who casted it approves the magical aura of the person to access the contents of thing protected by the barrier.
Ryujin opens the letter,'Congratulations, you have passed the initial part of the exam, and you are invited to the academy for the exam. It will be held after 7 days.'
"Dad, I passed the first exam and now I am invited to the city for the final exam!!"
"haha, congratulations Ryujin. I'm sure you will pass the final exam and enrol at the academy. When is the exam starting?"
"It will start in 7 days."
"You should then hurry up! it will take 5 days to travel to the city, and you would not want to arrive there late."
"Yes, I will start my journey tomorrow. Let me prepare for the journey."
"Let me help you to pack things up for your journey."
"Thanks dad!, I will go out to buy some things for the journey."
"Alright, Let me know when you need any help."
Ryujin smiles at his dad and then leaves the house to go towards his village's small market.
'I guess I will get some food and water first.'
Just as he is walking towards the market someone said,"Is that you Ryujin?"
He looks back towards where that voice came from.
"It really is you Ryujin, It's been a while since I saw you last time. Have you got any letters from the academy?" It was his friend Akuma, He is a childhood friend of Ryujin, both of them had decided to apply to the academy together.
"Akuma, it's been a long time. Yes I have received a letter from the academy regarding the exam. I will be going to the city tomorrow."
"oh, great what a coincidence, I am also going to the academy tomorrow. Let's go together."
"That's nice. Congratulations for passing the initial exam."
"Congratulations to you for passing exam too. Let's do our best in the main exam at the academy."
"Yes, I am excited to see the city and the academy."
After that both of them went to the market together and talked for a while.
- the next morning
"Make sure that you haven't forgotten anything and do your best at the academy's main exam."
"Yes dad, I will miss you and this village a lot."
"haha, we will all miss you too. Make sure to come and visit us soon."
Ryujin and Akuma then sit in a carriage and move towards the city. The academy is situated in the city of Orville, also known as the golden city. It is the main city of one of 12 states of theia called Erzya. There are only 12 academy like this in the empire, each are situated in the core cities of the each state. These academies are to teach the newer generation about various fighting styles, magic and skills.
Both Ryujin and Akuma start their journey towards the city of Orville. It takes 5 days to reach the city of Orville from the village of Rusa.
- After 5 days
the carriage that both of them are traveling in arrives at the city of Orville. It is a huge city, a city that is filled with people and is the centre of the state's business, it is one of the largest cities in the empire. People come here from all over the empire, some come for business opportunities, some for the academy while others come here to live in the protection of imperial army.
"Look Ryujin, we have arrived at the city of Orville!"
"I have never seen a city this large, it is much larger than our village. And there are so many people here."
"We are finally here, now let's head to the academy and take a look at any information that we might find relevant to exam."
"That's a good idea, but how will we find the academy in this huge city."
"Let's ask someone."
they look around and then walk towards a man who looks like a merchant.
"Excuse me, Sir. Can you please tell us the direction towards the academy of Erzya?"
The man looks towards them,"Sure, if you walk straight ahead for 5 minutes and then turn right you will find the academy."
"Thanks a lot sir."
"Are you two by any chance here for the upcoming exam at the academy?"
"Yes sir, do you know anything about it?"
"Well, I have heard that the main exam is based on 3 parts. The first part of the exam is written exam. Second part is a test to see your magical proficiency and capabilities, third is to test your ability to use skills and weapons in combat."
"Oh, thanks again for the information. I guess we have to prepare ourselves for the written exam."
"No problem, good luck at the academy. And don't worry, the exam is not that hard."
"Thanks again."
both of them walk towards the academy after thanking him.
"I wonder how difficult the exams are.."
"Well, let's not think about that too much. We have to reach the academy first, and then we can think about how difficult the exams are."
"You are right, Akuma."
They arrive at the academy campus, It is a huge campus. It seemed to be even larger than their own village itself. There were already many students who had arrived before Ryujin and Akuma.
"Wow, there are so many students."
"Let's go and find out about the written exam."
"Alright, I wonder what type of questions are going to be asked."
"Let's try to first find the place where the written exam will be held."
They go towards the reception desk, where a receptionist asks,"What can I do for you two?"
"Hello, we are here for the academy's exam. Can you please tell us about the location of the written exam and the details of it?"
"Okay, the written exam will be held tomorrow morning at the classrooms all around the campus. Your written exam room number should be written on the letter that you received. You can find it easily by looking for signs. The exam will be 3 hours long and will have 50 questions."
"Thanks a lot. We will make sure to arrive there on time."
"Good luck at the exam. May the gods guide you."
"Thank you."
They then go towards the inn, where they would stay for tonight.
"I am so excited. We will be able to see the inside of the academy tomorrow."
"Me too, but we have to make sure that we arrive there on time."
"Let's eat and sleep well so that we are fully prepared for the exam."
"Yes, let's go and get something to eat. I am really hungry."