Ascar sat in his room, staring at the amulet that had brought him to Brindlemark. It had been a few days since his last visit, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was calling him back.
He looked around his room, feeling a sense of restlessness. Everything seemed so ordinary, so mundane, compared to the magic and wonder of Brindlemark.
Ascar's hand reached out, and he touched the amulet. It felt warm to the touch, and he could sense a strange energy emanating from it.
Without thinking, Ascar closed his eyes and focused on the amulet. He felt himself being pulled through space and time, the familiar sensation of traveling to Brindlemark washing over him.
When Ascar opened his eyes, he found himself standing in the middle of a lush forest. The trees towered above him, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze.
Ascar took a deep breath, feeling the cool, clean air fill his lungs. He was back in Brindlemark, and it felt like home.
As he looked around, Ascar noticed a figure walking towards him. It was Thorne, the wizard who had trained him in the ways of magic.
"Ah, Ascar, welcome back," Thorne said, a warm smile on his face. "I see you've returned to Brindlemark. I must say, I'm not surprised. You have a certain... affinity for this place."
Ascar grinned, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. He was back in Brindlemark, and he was ready for whatever adventures lay ahead.
But as he looked at Thorne, Ascar noticed a hint of concern in the wizard's eyes. "What's wrong, Thorne?" Ascar asked, his brow furrowing with worry.
Thorne's expression turned serious. "There's something you need to know, Ascar. Something that could change everything. You see, I've been thinking, and I believe it's time for you to take your training to the next level."
Ascar's eyes widened with excitement. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Thorne smiled. "I mean that it's time for you to start hunting beasts in the dungeons. It's the best way for you to get stronger and to learn how to control your powers."
Ascar's face lit up with excitement. He had always dreamed of going on a real adventure, and now it seemed like that dream was finally within reach.
But Thorne's expression turned serious again. "However, before you can start hunting, you'll need to get a license. And to get a license, you'll need to prove yourself worthy."
Ascar's eyes narrowed with determination. He was ready to do whatever it took to get that license.
Thorne nodded, as if he could see the determination in Ascar's eyes. "Very well, let's go. The licensing office is located in a part of Brindlemark that's normally off-limits to visitors. But don't worry, I'll be with you the whole time."
Ascar nodded, and together they set off towards the off-limits area. As they walked, Ascar couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. What would the licensing test be like? Would he be able to pass it?
After a few minutes of walking, they came to a large sign that read "Off-Limits" in bold letters. Thorne nodded, and they walked past the sign, entering a dense thicket of trees.
As they emerged from the thicket, Ascar saw a small hut in the distance. Smoke was rising from the chimney, and Ascar could hear the sound of someone humming a gentle tune.
Thorne nodded, and they walked towards the hut. As they approached, the door opened, and a woman stepped out. She was tall and statuesque, with long silver hair and piercing green eyes.
"Ah, Thorne," she said, her voice low and husky. "I see you've brought the young one."
Thorne nodded, and the woman's eyes turned to Ascar. "So, you're the one who wants to get a license," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "Very well, let's see if you're worthy."
Ascar's eyes narrowed, and he clenched his fists. He was ready for whatever test the woman had in store for him.
The woman smiled, and drew a sword from her belt. "Let's duel," she said, her eyes glinting with challenge. "If you can defeat me, I'll give you the license."
Ascar's eyes widened, and he felt a surge of adrenaline. He had never dueled anyone before, but he was determined to win.
He raised his hands, and his gauntlets appeared, glowing with a soft blue light. The woman's eyes narrowed, and she smiled, clearly intrigued by Ascar's unique armor.
"Very well, let's see how you fight," she said, charging at Ascar with her sword flashing in the sunlight.
Ascar raised his gauntlets, and a burst of energy shot out, deflecting the woman's sword. She was fast, but Ascar was faster, dodging and weaving around her attacks.
The duel raged on, the two combatants exchanging blows and parrying each other's attacks. Ascar's gauntlets glowed brighter and brighter, as he poured more and more energy into the fight.
The woman was a skilled fighter, but Ascar was determined to win. He focused all his energy on the duel, using every trick and technique that Thorne had taught him.
As the fight wore on, Ascar began to gain the upper hand. The woman was tiring, and Ascar's gauntlets were glowing brighter than ever before.
Finally, with a burst of energy, Ascar landed a decisive blow, striking the woman's sword from her hand. She stumbled backward, defeated, and Ascar stood over her, his chest heaving with exhaustion.
The woman looked up at Ascar, a hint of a smile on her face. "Well done," she said. "You are indeed worthy of a license."
Ascar grinned, feeling a surge of pride and accomplishment. He had done it! He had passed the test and earned his license.
The woman stood up, brushing herself off. "My name is Eira," she said. "And I am the one who issues licenses to hunters. You, Ascar, are now a licensed hunter."
Eira handed Ascar a small, intricately carved wooden box. "This is your license," she said. "Keep it safe, and remember that with great power comes great responsibility."
Ascar took the box, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. He had done it! He had earned his license and was now a true hunter.
Thorne appeared at Ascar's side, a smile on his face. "Well done, Ascar," he said. "I knew you had it in you."
Ascar grinned, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. He had done it! He had passed the test and earned his license.
Eira nodded, a hint of a smile on her face. "Remember, Ascar, your journey is just beginning. There will be many challenges ahead, but with your skills and determination, I have no doubt that you will succeed."
Ascar nodded, feeling a sense of determination and purpose. He was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. He was a hunter now, and he was ready to take on the world.
Thorne placed a hand on Ascar's shoulder. "Let's get back to my house," he said. "We have a lot to prepare for tomorrow's hunt."
Ascar nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. He was ready for whatever lay ahead. He was a hunter now, and he was ready to take on the world.
As they walked back to Thorne's house, Ascar couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. He had done it! He had earned his license and was now a true hunter.
Thorne smiled, as if he could sense Ascar's pride and excitement. "Tomorrow, we'll head into the dungeons," he said. "We'll hunt for beasts and treasures, and you'll learn the ways of the hunter."
Ascar's eyes widened with excitement. He couldn't wait to see what the dungeons held. He was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. He was a hunter now, and he was ready to take on the world.
As they approached Thorne's house, Ascar felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. He was ready for whatever lay ahead. He was a hunter now, and he was ready to take on the world.
"Get some rest, Ascar," Thorne said, as they entered the house. "Tomorrow will be a big day. We'll head into the dungeons at dawn, and we'll be back by nightfall."
Ascar nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. He was ready for whatever lay ahead. He was a hunter now, and he was ready to take on the world.
As he lay in bed that night, Ascar couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. He had done it! He had earned his license and was now a true hunter.
He drifted off to sleep, his mind filled with visions of the dungeons and the beasts that lay within. He was ready for whatever lay ahead. He was a hunter now, and he was ready to take on the world.