"Avon, a small island in the North Antler sea. The Kingdom that rules is also named after the island. Beyond the boundaries of this island lay ten other continents, each harboring multiple kingdoms.
The names and histories of these continents are as such; Redeal, also known as the old land, is a ruined continent. Believed to still be overrun by demons and monsters. Redeal is seen as the birth place of humanity. Garnem was the greatest of all cities, given the nickname The Great City. It is from here, scholars speculate, where man started and spanned out. Then, two thousand years ago, the Great Demon War swallowed the continent of Redeal, and mankind abandoned it. Surrounded by ocean, the demons on that land could never escape beyond.
Alveyon, was the first continent to be discovered. There, Mankind met Elvenkind. Then a ten year war waged between the two before a peace was settled. From there Haeldon was discovered. The land of Orcs.
The orcs were not fond of other races and yet another furious war began, but this one only lasted four years, and the orcs were all but extinguished.
Kilosom wasn't discovered for another twenty years after Haeldon. Kilosom was a very mountainous and forested region. Rich in precious stones and metals. As well as Dwarves. The Dwarves were very happy to establish trades and peace with the humans. In fact, Kilosom is the most prosperous continent to this day.
Connected to Kilosom by a land bridge, is Veladon. A uninhibited land also filled with precious resources. From here we discovered many uninhabited lands, Dristol, Zealton, Savinia, Badon, and Frealton."
This is the story about a boy by the name of Mason Carter, and he lived on Avon. That excerpt was from the history book sitting in front of him, and he was sitting in the only school on Avon. It was a general education school, split into two seperate classes. A class and B class. The only difference was simply status. A class was for the nobles and B class was for the commoners.
Mason was in the B class. He flipped to his favorite category of the history book. Standard Classes of mortal races, and their positions in society.
'The standard classes of the mortal races and their positions in society.
The highest of these classes is reserved for Noblemen and women. Mage. A person with magic capabilities. Mages hold the highest positions in society.
Knight, a person with elite battle capabilities and an unwavering loyalty to his or her master. Knights hold the second highest authority, as they are most likely acting upon their masters wishes.
Archer, a scout or foot soldier. Typically gains prestige through deeds done for a King. Highly trained for stealth and operates directly under the king. Holds no authorities.
Hunter, lives for the Kingdom. Fills in ranks of a kings army. Basic combat training and understanding. Also can be mercenaries. No authorities. Abundant assets.
Merchant, very smart individuals. Works as a staple for the Kingdom and sells its wares to other kingdoms. Holds low authority within any kingdom.
Laborer, the lowest and most common asset in society. Holds absolutely no power or authority. Works in trades such as carpentry.
The way these classes are determined, is by the aptitude test. Once an individual has reached the age of fifteen, they will be examined by the classing crystal-'
"MASON!" The history interrupted Mason's reading with a mighty roar.
"Yes sir!" Mason responded hurriedly slamming the book closed.
"What was I saying just now?" He demanded.
"Uh... I'm sorry sir, I don't know." Mason replied honestly.
"Pay, attention! As I was saying, next week is your aptitude tests. You will, in front of six representatives from six academies, stand before the classing crystal. As you know, classing comes in six different colors. Purple for the Magic affinity. To receive this, would be impossible, but nonetheless, I must tell you about it. If you have a magic affinity, you would proceed to the Magic Academy. Green is for the Knight affinity. If you have a loyal, unwavering heart, you will proceed to the Knight Academy. Red is for the Archer affinity. If you have a mysterious aura and light step, you will proceed to the Archer Academy. Blue is for the Hunter affinity. If you love battle, and seek the thrill, you will proceed to the Hunter Academy. Orange is for the Merchant affinity. If you are smart, and know how to bargain, you will proceed to the Merchant Academy. Lastly, yellow for the Laborer affinity. If you have no abilities or specialties about you, you will proceed to one of many Laborer Academies. That's all there is to it. So today, I'll be letting you out early. Your homework is to think of what your skills are, and write them down. Dismissed." The students were finally dismissed.
Mason picked up his history book and stuffed it in his bag. He then joined the throng of students pushing their way through the door.
"Mason, come here for a second." The teacher beckoned Mason. He looked up and let out a sigh inwardly. Begrudgingly, Mason trudged over to him and looked at him.
"Yes sir?" Mason asked.
"Mason, you need to pay more attention in class. You can't just pass the days lost in your head. I fear for your test results. You have an outstanding affinity for the Archer. But, you continuously throw it away by ignoring everything around you. That's all I wanted to say. See you tomorrow." The teacher told him.
Mason bade him goodbye and, with some thought to what he said, headed home. Mason lived in the lesser plagued of the commons, which was around ten miles from school. So, as he had been doing for eight years, Mason sprinted home.
"Mason, how was school?" Mason's Momther asked as soon as he burst through the front door panting. She was a lovely woman, with a somewhat noble like appearance. Long deep red hair with bright blond highlights, eyes that shone as blue as the ocean, a figure like a goddess and skin as fair as fair can be. Though she was in her fifties, she never looked a day over twenty.
"It was okay I guess.... Ah, there is supposed to be an aptitude test next week." Mason replied slightly winded. He had silver hair with streaks of black, eyes like a storm and tanned skin.
"Oh, I see. What are you hoping for?" Mom asked him as she took a bite of a tart she just baked.
"Hmm, I really want to be a Knight. As you know, I've been practicing and training non stop for the past eight years." Mason answered as he too took a piece of the tart and took a bite.
"Hmm, you always have had quite the unwavering heart. Speaking of training, one of your friends is waiting for you out back." Mom told him.
"Okay, thanks mom." Mason managed to say through a mouthful of tart. He turned and grabbed his wooden sword as he walked out the back door. Sure enough, there Sam was.
"Finally! God, we've been waiting forever. Are you ready?" Sam grinned. Sams been Mason's friend since he could remember.
"Yeah okay." Mason shrugged.
"Some other kids wanted to join today. The aptitude test is next week, and they all have hopes and dreams to make it in one of the top five academies. They just want to test their mettle." Sam stated.
"Ah, I see." Mason pondered.
"Ultimately, it's up to. What do you think?" Sam asked.
"That sounds like a good idea to me. It depends really, on their fighting style. Do you just fight it out? Do you prefer to fight one on one? Or do you prefer to sneak about and use agile movements?" Mason responded with questions.
The group of kids all looked around at each other.
"Let's see, let's just fight a free for all. The best training is sparring. But, I can't assess you all in just a week. So you'll just have to assess yourselves, with those three questions. Are you ready?" Mason readied his wooden sword. To his side Mason noticed Sam too brought his practice swordand had readied along with Mason.
The rest of them all got worried expressions and began scrabbling about, searching for sticks or anything useful as a weapon.
"As expected, none of them came prepared." Mason sighed inwardly.
Once they all had something to use as a defense, the free for all bout, began. Mason flew in and began a flurry of thrusts and slashes. Only Sam and five other kids blocked in time. Three more were able to dodge. The remaining four were doubled over and groaning in pain.
"I'm sorry to say this, but you four, are most likely Laborers, or Merchants. There's nothing we can do for you here, just go home." Sam said bluntly. Though Mason agreed, he remained silent and imposing, as if solidifying the verdict through presence.
They looked at the duo with pitiful eyes, but obliged, and left for their homes.
"Well, let's continue." Mason stated as he went back into the fray. This time it was a little livelier. Now, people were attacking right back. Mason received a wack on his leg and began limping.
"Nice hit! Come on Mason! You can't let a newbie get ya like that!" Sam exclaimed.
"That was a nice hit. But, if you insist Sam, then I suppose I can get serious." Mason shrugged. Sam's face hardened. He obviously didn't mean to stir him up.
Mason slammed his sword in one guys gut, hard enough to make him puke. He was definitely out. The next one Mason wacked his hand. He dropped his stick and ran off to soothe his hand. All within an instant after making his statement. This went on for another two minutes of Mason throwing onslaught after onslaught of thrusts and slashes.
Sam wacked Mason over the head in a frantic attempt to block his attacks. The ground rushed up to meet Mason as he had collapsed and passed out.
When Mason woke up, he was still outside, but it didn't seem quite right. The stars were vibrant, and abundantly clear. And in the night sky he could make out star clouds and multiple moons, only there were fewer moons here than he was used to.
Mason Carter. You are strong, brave, loyal, caring, and kind. Worthy.
"Who said that?" Mason asked as he looked around.
Worthy. Was the last word Mason heard before his body lit up like a firework.
"AHHH!" Mason screamed as he sat up... in his bed.
"I'm sorry baby, but you got hit pretty hard. Sam carried you in here." Mom hushed him. She was tending to his head.
"And you're burning up! You need to get some rest. I'll make some soup. Lay down sweetie." His mother forced him to stay in bed for the next week. Mason's body was constantly burning. Before he knew it, it was the day of the aptitude test.
"Are you sure you have to go to school. You're still burning up." His mom was still fretting over him.
"Of course, it's the aptitude test. I've been training for this." Mason smiled as he took off. About thirty minutes of pure sprinting, and he finally made it to school. Since it was aptitude day, everyone went to the gymnasium. Huffing and puffing, Mason took a seat in the back.
"Hey Mason! Looks like you finally woke up. Sorry about hitting you in the head like that man." Sam frowned.
"Its all good man. I just hope I get the Knight Affinity." Mason laughed.
"GOOD MORNING! How are we?" The principal bellowed to quiet all the kids. Mason immediately quieted, and Sam took a seat next to him.
"Now, we have representatives from all the Academies. Miss. Silverhorn, representing the Magic Academy. Mr. Michealson representing the Knight School.-" Mason stopped listening after that. Miss. Silverhorn was dressed in a lavish purple dress, which just reeked of nobility. Pretty? Yeah sure she was, probably could charm her way out of or into anything. Mr. Michealson wore the typical knights armor. And the longsword on his hip gleamed beautifully.
"I'm so making the Knight School." Mason smiled. Sam smiled as well at his friends excitedness.
"Now, without further ado, let's begin testing. Starting with Sam Aaronson." The principal called of Sam's name.
Sam stood up and walked confidently down the aisle and up to the aptitude tester. The aptitude tester was a magic crystal that seeks out the potential of a person. Magic glows purple. Knights glow green. Archers glow red. Hunters glow blue. Merchants glow orange. And Laborers are yellow.
Sam placed his hand on the crystal, and it immediately glowed red. Sam came barreling back up to where Mason was seated.
"Holy Crap! Yes! I made it! Fuck yes!" Sam was pumped.
"Nice job man! Looks like all that training paid off!" Mason whispered excitedly as he clapped him on the back.
"Mason Carter." The principal called out. Mason was so excited he almost fell over.
"Good luck Mason." Sam wished him luck.
"Nobody here is going to the Magic Academy. So why am I still sitting here?" Miss. Silverhorn commented as Mason was making his way up to the crystal.
He didn't even get to make it to the crystal. As Mason reached his hand out, it exploded in the richest purple he'd ever seen.
Immediately his heart dropped. Purple means... Magic!
Silence ensued, as he got closer, the brighter it got. And when he finally touched it, it made a reverberating hum, pure and musical.
"I... I'm not seeing things right?" The principal immediately stuttered.
"I take it back. Looks like there is one." Miss Silverhorn grinned.
"Mason Carter. Magic Academy!" The principal exclaimed. And his world turned upside down.