Chapter 13: Raiding School
Laying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, a mix of anxiety and excitement buzzing in his chest. How did I end up here? he wondered with a nervous chuckle. Adventure had always been the dream—something to escape into. Now, here he was, in the middle of it all, about to start his first day at The Dragon of Time School of Raiding, the place where his parents were trained. It was hard to believe. His heart raced with the thought of it, a strange blend of fear and anticipation.
He sat up, shaking off the nervous energy. Today was important. His first day of class. He quickly went through his checklist—gear, potions, the usual stuff—making sure everything was packed and ready. A sense of pride washed over him as he strapped on his belt, fully equipped for the day. This is it. I'm really here, he thought, his anxiety mixing with a surge of happiness.
First on his schedule was: The History of the Dragon of Time, an introduction to the guild, its structure, and the different opportunities that came with joining, covering ethics, codes of conduct, and the various personnel of the guild.
Next came Stealth 101: The Basics of Stealth. As a rogue, stealth wasn't just a skill—it was survival. The idea of moving without being seen, blending into shadows, and becoming a ghost in plain sight sent a thrill through him. This was what he was waiting for, he'd get to be taught by the best in Noviak.
Following this was, The Profession and Responsibility of a Rogue, a class he assumed would go deeper than just technical skill. It would likely cover the philosophy and moral weight of being a rogue—something Ryuichi knew was just as crucial as being good with a blade, being a rogue often meant that you had to risk pulling mobs and this could mean the death of many. Precision, strategy, and the ethics behind tough decisions in raids would no doubt be part of the lessons.
The rest of the week was filled with solo fighting technique and teamwork exercises, along with classes on healing and how to support healers in battle. There was also Tank Combat Strategies, focusing on how to work with tanks, and Demonic Biology, a fascinating class on the weak points of demonic creatures, revealing their vulnerabilities in battle. It would focus on the Demonic Kingdom and how to exploit the demon anatomy to survive encounters.
As he packed his things and took one last glance at himself in the mirror, a nervous smile crept across his face. "I've got this," he thought, feeling the swirl of excitement and nerves bubbling inside him. "I've dream of this for so long... and now it's happening."
Ryuichi started walking down the hallway toward his first class of the day, his mind still buzzing with nervous energy when a familiar voice called out.
"Hey, Ryuichi!" Niyane greeted him cheerfully. "You made it! Not too stressed, are you?"
Ryuichi couldn't help but notice her carefully selected mage outfit for the first day of school. It clung to her athletic figure, showcasing her toned legs and bulging chest. Intricate rune tattoos adorned her back, glowing softly under the magical threads that dangled from her tank top. Her albino skin shimmered in the light, her white hair and bright blue eyes adding to her ethereal beauty.
"Yeah... a little," Ryuichi admitted, still a bit distracted by her appearance, "I'm kind of excited about everything" he added.
"Yeah, me too" Niyane responded, "I've got so much hope riding on this. What if I'm not as good as I think? Scary!" She trailed off, nervously glancing away. "I guess I'd end up doing rune crafting or something…"
A man then interrupted their conversation. "Hey, Niyane! Who's this?" he asked, glaring at Ryuichi.
Ryuichi could feel the tension immediately. He looked up at the guy and saw the jealousy burning in his eyes. "I'm Nathan" he said, extending his hand with an overly confident smirk. "Nice to meet you."
Ryuichi hesitated but reached out, shaking Nathan's hand. "Ryuichi. Nice to meet you," he replied.
Nathan's smile faltered as he turned his attention back to Niyane. "So, how about dinner tonight?"
Niyane rolled her eyes, clearly done with this. "Ever heard of not asking a ladies more than once? I said Nooooo!" Her hand glowing with frost magic as she froze his hand mid-air which was attempting to get around her waist.
Nathan winced and shook his hand, pretending to laugh it off. "Ouch. Frostbite beauty, dont be so mean, give me a chance!"
Niyane turned back to Ryuichi, smiling brightly. "Catch you later, Ryuichi. I've got to go"
"Yeah, see you later!" Ryuichi said, watching her disappear down the hall. The second she was out of sight, Nathan's fake charm dissolved into anger. He grabbed Ryuichi by the shoulder and slammed him hard against a nearby locker. "Listen here, little boy" Nathan growled, his eyes burning with possessiveness. "You stay the fuck away from her. You hear me? Don't fuck with me, man—she's mine."
Unfazed, Ryuichi calmly shoved Nathan's hand off his shoulder and met his glare head-on. "I don't know who the fuck you are man but I ain't here to please you man." Ryuichi said, his voice as cold as the frost Niyane had conjured moments earlier. He really could care less about some rich boy who's only suffering had ever being not having cake for breakfast.
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Nathan fuming, his fists clenched.
As Ryuichi disappeared down the hall, Nathan muttered under his breath, "Oh, so you're a little punk, huh? We'll see about that. You'll learn who's the boss around here. You're gonna regret messing with me, new guy. Think you can just steal my girl and walk away… not a chance."
Arriving to class, It was time for the presentations. The grand hall buzzed with anticipation as one by one, members of the administration, teachers, and guards took turns addressing the newly gathered recruits.
Then, a figure rose that drew everyone's attention—a mage whose very presence seemed like something from the heavens themselves. His gear shimmered with a radiant glow, frost orbs of energy hovering around his shoulder pads adorned with small icy bug-like horns, and his eyes flickered like a never ending blizzard, exuding a power that was both cold and fierce.
He stood tall and confident as he began his presentation, his voice calm but commanding. "Greetings, everyone. My name is Mage Inivolve of the Royal Council of Noviak. I am honored to be here today to greet the new recruits joining the Dragon of Time's guild." He paused, scanning the room, as if measuring the worth of each student in a single glance.
"I look forward to seeing each of you grow in strength and ability," he continued. "Our world is under siege by demonic creatures, and it is through our combined efforts that we stand a chance at defeating them. Someday, perhaps together, we may even raid the Ice Citadel and defeat the Demonic Prince who plagues this world. That is the dream we hold dear."
The room was silent, hanging on his every word.
"Thank you, and I wish you all prosperity, strength, and above all else, to have fun. Fight hard, study well, and remember—this world is a battlefield. So savor the moments of life, for they are precious in between the chaos of war."
With a final, respectful nod, Mage Inivolve stepped down from the platform, leaving a lingering chill in the air, his words of both hope and battle echoing in the minds of every recruit.