As I stepped out into the bustling market, the cobblestone streets were slick with early morning dew, the buildings cast long shadows that danced in the flickering light of the gas lamps. The air was alive with the chatter of various species, each speaking in their own unique tongue, yet the universal language of excitement and anticipation could be felt in every syllable. The Empire of Arcadia was a place where dreams were woven into reality, where the impossible was a mere challenge waiting to be conquered.
The Adventurers Guild, a towering structure of gleaming steel and enchanted glass, loomed ahead, its spires piercing the dawn sky. The line of hopefuls stretched out from the grand entrance, a rainbow of species and cultures all eager to prove their worth. I took my place among them, my heart racing as I felt the energy of ambition and hope. Each face in the crowd held a story, a reason to seek the thrills and dangers beyond the city walls.
As I approached the entrance, a receptionist, a statuesque elf with hair that shimmered like moonlight, greeted me with a nod. She stood before an archway that looked more like the gateway to another realm than a mere doorway. The air around the arch crackled with magic, a force that seemed to pulse in time with the beating of my heart. As I stepped through, screens flickered into existence around us, casting a soft blue glow that illuminated the elf's features, making her pointed ears seem to glow.
"Welcome to the Adventurers Guild, everyone," she said, her voice melodic and formal. "The test begins promptly at dawn. Please follow the instructions given to you on your wrist device."
As she spoke, a small holographic screen popped out from the leather band around my wrist, glowing with an eerie blue light. The device looked almost organic, a blend of metal and some kind of crystalline material that I couldn't identify. It was a piece of technology that had been developed in the upper districts, a symbol of the advancement of Arcadia's society.
The screen flickered to life, displaying a simple interface. "Welcome, Echo," it said in a pleasant, robotic voice. "Please provide your full name and home district for registration purposes." I leaned closer to the floating image, feeling a slight tickle as it scanned my retina. The glow from the screen reflected in my red and black eyes, giving them an otherworldly glow. "Echo, District Twelve," I murmured, the words barely audible over the buzz of the surrounding conversations.
The next question on the screen read, "Do you possess any spells, affinities, or magical skills?" I paused, considering whether to lie or not. Magic was a rare gift, and admitting to any kind of proficiency would surely boost my chances of acceptance into the Guild. But it was also a double-edged sword. Magic could be both a weapon and a crutch, and I didn't want to rely on it unless I absolutely had to. With a flick of my ear, I decided to answer truthfully. "yes, shadow affinity, dexterity skill, and minor strength skill" I said firmly, watching the screen as it processed my response.
As I waited for the next instruction, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness. The scythe on my back was a comfort, but it was a tool, not a crutch. I had learned to hunt from a young age, mostly to keep our table filled and to pay for my schooling. The streets of District Twelve weren't always safe, especially for a half-breed like me. I had encountered more than my fair share of unsavory characters, but I had always managed to come out on top. Whether it was the swiftness of my claws or the cunning of my mind, I had learned to survive.
The question about fighting experience made me think back to the nights I spent training under the watchful eye of the local guard captain. He was a gruff human with a heart of gold, and he had seen potential in me that others often overlooked. He had taught me to use my agility to outmaneuver larger opponents and how to use my wits to anticipate their moves. We would spar in the moonlit streets, our shadows dancing on the cobblestone, our breaths steaming in the cold night air. Those sessions were grueling, but they had honed my skills and instilled in me a fierce determination.
The robotic voice interrupted my thoughts. "You may now head to the training grounds where the first and second part of the test will be conducted." I felt a surge of adrenaline as the crowd began to disperse, heading in the direction of the grand coliseum that lay at the heart of the city. The coliseum was a marvel of arcane engineering, a place where the strongest and bravest of Arcadia came to test their mettle against each other and the monsters that roamed the lands beyond the city walls.
The sun had fully risen by the time I reached the coliseum, casting a warm glow across the arena. The stone benches were filled with spectators, a mix of families, friends, and the simply curious, all eager to witness the trials of the hopefuls. Above us, floating screens broadcasted the event live, ensuring that every corner of the empire could tune in to the excitement.
As I approached the training grounds, a new receptionist caught my eye. She was a bunny-kin, with long, floppy ears and a fluffy tail that twitched with excitement. Her name tag read "Vinyl," and she wore a headset that was obviously a part of the advanced communication system that kept the Guild running smoothly. "Welcome, Everyone!" she said with a smile, her teeth pearly white against the soft pink of her fur. "I'll be your announcer for today's test. Remember, stay safe and show us what you're made of!"
Her cheerful voice echoed through the coliseum, and I took a deep breath, my heart racing. The first test was a simple obstacle course, designed to test our agility, strength, and endurance. It was nothing compared to the dangers that awaited outside the city walls, but it was a necessary step.
the receptionist voice cheery and full of life announced for everyone in the coliseum and everyone watching the broadcasts " hello! everyone! my names vinyl and i will be your announcer for today's event" she says while on a floating platform hovering above the whole center of the coliseum. " for todays event we have a test for our new comers and fledgling adventurers. its an obstacle course maze!" she says as a huge wooden structure appears around the middle of the coliseums as all of us that are participating gets teleported to the outer rings of the maze course! " the first 500 to get to the center gets to continue for the next test! any spells or skills our test takers have for teleporting will be disabled to avoid any cheating and unfair advantage. the rules are same as always! the leather bands act as a way for us to track their progress and a failsafe so that if they are about to be hit with a spell or skill considered fatal a ball of defensive energy will appear around our test takers and teleport them out the coliseum and consider them failed until 500 are left! on which they will continue to finish the maze and see who can claim 1st place!"