"NO." A flat rejection.
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"Sorry." Fake sympathy
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"Forty thousand isn't even half of our starting cost." More rejections.
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"Kid listen, no school worth their salt can accept someone from god knows where, without the backing of a big family or the cash to enter. But between you and me there's a school up north and one of the teachers there is a childhood friend. Supposedly they are going to accept based on talent first and money later, so if you get in it could allow you to earn a scholarship." A breeze of hope.
William walked through the cluttered streets, his head a blaze with thoughts. He went to six schools up to this point and was rejected by each and every one. His options have become slimmer and slimmer. Did his master know that he would be rebuffed. Perhaps he did, perhaps he was none the wiser. William entered a shop, the bell on the door rang with joy.
"Coming." A woman's voice yelled from the back.
On the walls are images of former customers, some with big names, others William hasn't heard of. A man with a buzz cut, and a body built like a tank sat relaxed on a chair with a sword resting on his lap.
"Howdy." The man that was no older than nineteen greeted.
The shop itself is an armorer and bakery mix, an odd sight within the bigger cities. However in small towns it isn't the least bit uncommon, for space reasons.
The man taped the seat next to him, and William took the offer.
"Y'all leaving town too." He asked.
William scratched the back of his neck. "How could you tell?"
"Simple, your age, no one young stays in the big cities, too caught up in the idea of adventure."
"Does that include you?" William asked.
The man smiled. "Fuck yeah it does. Heading to new Clarc, the second most northern city. Heard it's way better than that shit hole of Last Honor (the most northern city). I'm going to the school up there. According to the rumors, Saints Hand is the director or something like that."
William looked on with entertainment. "What a coincidence I'm heading there too."
"No shit, really? Fuck man, how about we head there together. I'm just getting my armor repaired, so I'll be ready when you are."
William nodded and stuck out his hand. "Names William."
The man took the hand. "John."
A woman who looked to be in her forties stepped out from the back room. "What are you here for, bread or armor?" She asked william.
"Bread," he replied with a smile.