Tales Of Gridarnia

Ray

Ray woke up early on Monday just before sunrise. Out of habit more than necessity, Ray went through a routine of stretches and calisthenics before dropping to the ground and performing his usual two hundred sit-ups, fifty push-ups, and a hundred squats. Ray followed this up with a light jog around the roof of the building before cooling down with a light stretch and meditation. He opened his eyes just as the sun began to rise over the tree line. It was going to be a wonderful day. The young lord got dressed and went down to the market for breakfast. He had a cheese omelet, bacon, and two biscuits with coffee before heading toward the blacksmiths. The village was already in full motion of preparation for the winter festival set to begin in just a month’s time. The festival would bring people from all over to see many different performers, games, and parties. This was a big money maker for the village as the travelers would come from miles around bringing different goods to trade, buy and sell. Ray reached the blacksmith and inquired about an order of practice swords he had placed. The pledge checked the books and advised that they were ready for pick up. Ray paid the pledge and walked up to the boxes. Placing his hand on the, he muttered a small command and the shipment teleported away. Ray then went over to the leather smith and repeated the process with a box of leather armor and clothing. Finally he stopped at his mom’s shop and teleported a box of first aid provisions before heading back to the academy.

Collin

Collin woke up just after sunrise. He got dressed and ate a honeybun before heading out into the village. Collin’s house was to the west of the village near the school. He passed by eager five to ten year old's waiting in line to go in for lessons. Collin made a left at the next street and met Ray as he was entering the building. Ray told him about Dayton and Theo as they climbed the stairs to the training center. Collin had never heard of someone so young already showing magical abilities. They couldn't decide if it was due to something Mace did or if it was a separate ability that the two children had.

“Maybe they are siphons?” Collin suggested. “They learn abilities after seeing them a couple times.”

“Mace’s mana was normal, they would have drained him if they were a siphon and they wouldn’t have been able to continue doing it now. Siphons take the power temporarily.”

“They killed thirty-five goblins, could they have naturally figured it out and then began performing it themselves” Collin stated “also what about the daggers, What were the other runes on them?”

“Maybe and I don’t know. I have never seen runes like that before. There should be a specialist in the library up in Manchester. They might explain the runes. Let’s test the kids today and see if they are adept or not first. What is first on the agenda?” Ray asked side stepping a pledge that was running down the hall.

“First is orientation and equipment distribution. They will then separate into smaller groups for Mana Control, Magical theory, and Elemental magic. They will have an hour lunch followed up with weight lifting, endurance training, and sparring. Tomorrow the Adventurers guild will get them for survival training. Thomas is supposed to get me a syllabus for that by tonight. Wednesdays will be Mathematics, Writing, Literature and History with an afternoon of free time.”

“How many Magically Adept do we have to train?” Ray asked

“Of the fifty applicants that tested last week, only fifteen showed to be adept in magic. The rest were dismissed. If we add Dayton and Theo, we will have seventeen students. Of the seventeen, five will be shipped off in six months. The other ten are only nine years old so we have more time to get them ready.” Collin answered

“ And I am to personally train the five plus Dayton and Theo?”

“Yep. Here is the dossier on each” Collin said, handing a packet to Ray. If all goes well, and we can continue to do this next year, you will get the other ten for a full year. Unfortunately, we only have six months with these five. Ray opened the envelope and scanned through each:

Name: Dimitri Boyer (Male)

Age: 15 Years old

Pledge level: Intermediate

Intelligence Score: Advanced

Physical Score: Intermediate

Personality Score: Intermediate

Original Career Path: Mining Guild

Magical Affinity: Earth, Fire

Mana Score: 525/1000

Name: Sasha Morrison (Female)

Age: 11 Years old

Pledge Level: Intermediate

Intelligence Score: Advanced

Physical Score: Advanced

Personality Score: Basic

Original Career Path: Adventurer Guild

Magical Affinity: Nature, Wind

Class: Tamer (Birds)

Mana Score: 570/1000

Name: Jacie Godwin (Female)

Age: 12 Years old

Pledge Level: Intermediate

Intelligence Score: Advanced

Physical Score: Basic

Personality Score: Advanced

Original Career Path: Adventurers Guild

Magical Affinity: Earth

Mana Score: 400/1000

Name: Akota Godwin ( Male)

Age: 12 Years old

Pledge Level: Advanced

Intelligence score: Advanced

Physical Score: Advanced

Personality Score: Advanced

Original career Path: Adventurers Guild

Magical Affinity: Fire

Abilities: Body Enhancement

Mana Score: 350/1000

Name: Yugi Creedmond (Male)

Age: 13 Years Old

Pledge Level: Advanced

Intelligence Score: Advanced

Physical Score: Basic

Personality Score: Advanced

Original Career Path: Research/Scholar

Magical Affinity: Shadow

Abilities: Telepathy

Mana Score: 430/1000

Ray entered the first class room on the left as Collin proceeded to the one next door. He looked up from his sheet and took a seat in a chair at the front. The room was well lit with wooden floors. Five pledges and two younglings stood in formation as they have been taught to do since grade school. Each wore regular street clothes and a bag lay at the right by their feet. When they reached the compound, they would be given standard issued uniform, armor and a choice between a sword, dagger, or collapsible spear. They would be able to specialize in other forms of weaponry later on as they progressed. Ray took a look at each one and made note of their details.

“Yugi Creedmond,” Ray called out.

“Sir!” Yugi responded.

Yugi was just under five foot and one inch tall with short dark hair. He was a bit paler than normal, prolly from being inside all of the time. He would need to grow a bit and gain some weight before they shipped him off, Ray thought.

Ray continued down the role. Akota and Jacie Godwin were twin brothers and sisters. Akota was four feet and one inch tall with medium dark hair. He was slender but muscular as if he spent his time running. He wore two swords on his backside. Jacie had long silver hair that she held in a tight braid down the middle of her back. She was similar in size to her brother. She wore a bow on her back and a quiver of arrows on her hip. Next up was Sasha. She looked very familiar.

“Sasha, do you have any older siblings?” Ray asked

“Yes sir, I have a sister, Simpy. She is in the adventures guild also”

Sasha was a bit smaller than the rest of them, four feet even. She had long red hair that was tied back in a ponytail. She had a bow and quiver on her back and what looked to be a falcon sitting on her left shoulder.

“What is your falcon’s name Sasha?” Ray asked politely “It is a falcon right? I am not as familiar with this breed.”

“Yes sir, it is a Grey Tailed Falcon. His name is Byrd.” Sasha said, slightly giggling at the name.

“You have a bird named Byrd.” Is there a story behind that” Ray asked with a smile

“I met him when I was very young and only knew how to say Bird. I am still learning how to talk and say big words sir.” Sasha said, slightly embarrassed.

Ray gave her a warm smile at Sasha before moving on. He stood up and walked over to each shaking their hands one at a time. Ray stopped in front of Dimitri ``Your father is a very old and dear friend of mine. I have not seen him since the war ended. How is he?”

“He is still over there fighting sir. I occasionally get a letter or two but not often. He is good. I have not seen him since I was very little.’ Dimitri stated.

Dimitri was the oldest of the group. He stood at about five feet eight inches. He shook with a firm grip and Ray could feel the calloused hands. He had already spent four years in the mines. His muscles and stature showed. Ray noticed how all the others looked at him. He was strong and had an aura about him. He had the makings to become a great leader like his dad.

Ray nodded and moved to Dayton and Theo who were having a hard time staying professional. Their daggers still holstered to their hips.

“Sir, why are there smaller kids in this class? If they are magically adept shouldn't they be in the other classes?” Yugi asked, giving a glare towards the two. Theo glared back and Dayton reached for his dagger.

Ray held up a hand and Dayton put his dagger back into its sheath.

“I promised these two’s parents that I would personally train them. They may not be going with you in six months, but everyone will benefit greatly with them being in this class. Dayton catch this!” Ray said, throwing an apple to the opposite side of the room.

Dayton teleported instantly, catching the apple mid air and landing his feet on the opposing wall before teleporting next to Ray and handing it to him. He then returned to his spot in the formation.

The five pledges stood there jaws on the floor and wide eyed in surprise.

“Now! My name is Ray Maximum. I am the Lord of this great village. You will address me as Sir, Lord, or Master Ray. Each of you have demonstrated an aptitude for Magic. The next six months you will learn to control mana, survive in the wild, and will be put through a series of mental and physical challenges to prepare you for the Academic Compound. In six months, regardless of if you are prepared or not, we will travel to region X and you will be dropped off at Compound Gamma. There, they will continue your training. Please take the next few months here as seriously as you can. Children die over there and we have had many over the years not make it home. My job is to prepare you and ensure that you have the highest chance to make it home after your service is completed. Any questions?”

“No Sir!” they all said in unison.

“Wonderful. System, please deposit training supplies.” Ray stated. Three large boxes appeared to the left side next to the wall.

“To the right, you will find a locker with your name on it. This is for all your personal items. Please go deposit your bags, weapons, jewelry, and any other non essentials at this time. Sasha, there is a perch over in the corner. Please have Mr. Byrd sit there while lessons are going on. He is welcome to join you whenever we go to other parts but you will need to use your full body when we are training.”

The seven followed his direction and returned to their positions. Sasha took Byrd and positioned him on the perch in the far right corner. He began chewing on an assortment of nuts and berries that were left in a tray next to the perch. Ray walked over and opened the boxes and began calling each pledge to come forward. Using the measurements on their charts, he reached into the first box and gave them a uniform that consisted of two pairs of brown pants, two short sleeve gray shirts, two long sleeve gray shirts, one black light weather jacket, and 1 brown heavy weather coat and 1 pair of brown leather boots. He also presented each of them with a set of Leather Armor inlay with thin metal plates. These covered the arms, legs, chest and back of the pledges and allowed for mobility which was important.

“There are bathrooms down the hall. Please go get changed and deposit your street clothes in your locker” Ray said moving toward the second box.

In the second box was an assortment of weapons and holsters. Each student was given one wooden training sword, one short sword and sheave, one short bow and quiver with twenty arrows and a shoulder holster with two knives going down each side for a total of four knives.

Opening the third box, Ray divided out seven small pre-packed bags." These packs carry basic first aid and survival tools such as matches, a compass, and a map of the area. You will learn to read a map in the next few weeks but go ahead and get familiar with it.” Ray instructed. Once everything had been handed out. Ray had the system transfer the large boxes back into storage.

A bell chimed signaling the end of orientation of the period. Ray instructed everyone to bring their wooden swords and to leave everything else in the locker for now. He opened a window and told Mr. Byrd that they would be traveling to the training room directly above and that he was welcomed to stay with Sasha or fly ahead to where a perch would be waiting for him up there. Ray directed all but Theo and Dayton out the door in an orderly fashion allowing them to join in behind the other pledges as they made their way up to the next floor.

“How come we aren’t going with them?” Theo asked.

“Yeah, I want to go learn to fight!” Dayton said, swinging his wooden sword left and right and stabbing an imaginary enemy in the gut.

“We will be along shortly but first I need to test your mana.” Ray started pulling out two crystal orbs from his pack.

“Each pledge did this test a week ago to gain entry into the academy. It would not be fair if we kept going without testing each of you. Now put your sword away, Dayton this is serious.”

Dayton holstered his wooden sword and stood at attention like Theo was. Ray handed an orb to each of them and then took a seat at the front.

“With both hands, I want you to hold on to that ball. I want you to focus really hard on it. Imagine yourself putting energy into the ball. Do not forget to breathe, breathing is important. Steady even breaths. Do not force it. Just let the energy flow into the ball at a steady, even pace.” Ray instructed as he opened the Lord system and advised it to scan the two.

Ray watched as Theo and Dayton did as he instructed. At first nothing happened, many minutes went by with each struggling to put their energy into the ball. Ray watched Dayton get frustrated and walk to the back of the room. Ray wasn't sure if he was going to pout or scream or throw the ball out the window. Dayton paced back and forth looking at the ground and then looked up and watched Theo.

Ray changed his focus to Theo who was taking calm steady breaths. His eyes were closed and he appeared at peace as the ball in front of him began to shine brightly. Small objects around the room began to hover and move toward Theo in an orbital manner. He continued this for many minutes and then with a deep breath, opened his eyes and looked up at Ray. The ball dimmed down to its usual appearance as the energy slowly dissipated. The many objects moved back to their original position as if they had never moved in the first place. Ray checked the screen.

Name: Theodore GrayScale ( Male)

Magical Affinity: Void/Dark, Water

Abilities: Teleportation, Telekinesis, ??? (Lord Level Inadequate)

Mana Score: 475/1000

Dayton returned to his position and began breathing slowly and steadily. He held lightly to the ball and stood there in silence for many moments. Theo stepped back to allow Dayton his space, joining Ray at the front of the room. The ball Dayton was holding began to shine a bright red color and then a blue and yellow. The colors began to change in a rhythmic pattern as lights flashed throughout the room. Everything went dark, so dark that Ray was unable to see his hand in front of him. Then the color returned and everything went back to normal. The ball that Dayton was holding disintegrated in his hands. Again, Ray Checked the screen.

Name: Dayton Ryan

Magical Affinity: Fire, Dark/Void

Abilities: Teleportation, ??? (Lord Level Inadequate)

Mana Score: 450/1000

Ray looked up from the screen. He was not sure what to think of this. Mana Score was above average on both for their ages. Ray wondered what the unknown skill was and why his Lord Level had anything to do with identifying it. He watched the two return to their positions. They were still just kids. Kids with less than three years to prepare themselves before they would be thrust into the world. Teleportation and Telekinesis were rare skills. They would be sought after by every branch of the military. They would have to perform amazing feats if they were ever going to be able to come home. Ray needed to ensure that every single one of them came home.

“Sir, I am sorry I broke the special ball.” Dayton said.

“Why did stuff fly around me?” Theo Asked.

Ray took a knee and got to eye level with the two. “Congratulations, You both passed the test. You will be allowed to stay and train with the others. I want you to do your best. Learn as much as you can. You will not be able to leave until you turn eleven and take the beginners exam for pledges, but this is a good thing. You will get more experience, training, and growth than any of the others that will come here.”

Ray shook each of their hands and advised them to take a bathroom break and grab their wooden swords. He waited for them to return and then they headed up to the training room on the next floor.