Arius

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Hourglass News

September 15, 15 UE

Following the release of details 5 years ago, the council has formally started implementing the first step of their project, The Euqolian Higher Academy. With construction already underway, this haven of development brings all the finest students from academies across the nation to push themselves and achieve greater things. The first students are expected to arrive within just 10 more years many different nobles and clans have begun focusing more on their young blood. Many academies are increasing the number of freshmen admitted and opening more to the commoners.

This is what Alexander Leo, the head of the demi-onic Lion clan, has to say:

"We have greatly increased the resources given to our young. WE will have many young enter the Higher Academy to display the might of our Clan."

"I don't care that more commoners will be accepted. Our young, especially my daughter Adrea, are guaranteed to enter will their talent and lion's might!!"

...

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There have been sightings of monstrous beings reported by adventurers near the Great Runic Graveyard. Titanium Rank Envoys have been sent to investigate the situation. Follow for more developments to come.

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In an orphanage far from town, a cute little boy with light creamy brown skin, silver eyes and beautiful black hair was sitting on the window in his room. Thinking to himself with eyes gleaming in anticipation, looking across beautiful fields of crops and over the forest to try to see the town on the other side.

[Arius POV]

Hi, my name is Arius. I just turned 5 years old. I live in a biiig house with big big sisters Arielle and Lisa, and many other big sisters and brothers. My favourite colour is red and I love eating grapes. Yesterday, I played with sister Lorraine by catching slimes in the garden. It was sooo much fun!! Today, big brother Jaque promised to bring me to the town for the first time. I'm sooo excited!!

"Arius, come down from there!"

I turn around to see a pretty young lady with blond hair in a nun outfit. She just opened the door and had a very angry face. Scaryy!

"Big big sister Lisa!! Uh... I was just trying to... umm... say hello to the little birdy outside..."

I spoke with a smaller and smaller voice.

"Really... Arius, how many times have I told you not to do that and do you have to say hello every single time I see you in this room? Come on, it's time to eat."

With a frustrated look on her face, Big sister Lisa grabs my hand and starts bringing me downstairs. Sister Lisa is always no fun but I love her along with everyone else here. Big sisters Lisa and Arielle even told me my name! When I asked, they said that it was written on the back of the pendant I have on my neck.

Once I got downstairs, I saw sister Lorraine sleeping on the table with a carrot still in her mouth and Big Brother Jaque was also there drinking a cup of coffee. I don't why he drinks this every day. I tried it once and it was disgusting. YUCK!

Big brother Jaque was wearing some worn-out jeans and a grey shirt and vest. On his arms, you could see red and yellow spots. A long time ago, I asked him why he had them and he said that he was part of the demi-onic salamander clan—having both human and salamander characteristics.

Seeing me and sister Lisa coming down the stairs, Big Brother Jaque gives me a toothy smile and Sister Lisa a nod.

"Mornin' Arius, Sister Lisa. Arius! You ready to go to town?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes"

"Jaque, I know you have the money but are you sure you want to bring Arius to town? Can you not wait another year or two?"

"It's fine Sister, since the coming-of-age ceremony and moving to town three years ago, I became an apprentice blacksmith under Master Doherty. He's a 3-star silver-ranked craftsman! I'm already a 2-star copper-ranked craftsman in blacksmithing!"

Big Brother Jaque pulls up a white screen out of thin air to show Sister Lisa. It's his info sheet. After your coming-to-age ceremony at 10 years old, you are given your info sheet. It tells you general information about your skills and stats. You can even show other people some of the info! I even hear rumours that really talented people gain extra things along with their info sheet.

<------------------:+:------------------ >

Name: Jaque

Race: Demi-onic Salamander

Age: 13

Official Titles: 2-star Copper craftsman, 4-star Copper Adventurer

Titles:???

Stats:???

...

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After carefully looking at Brother Jaque's info sheet, Sister Lisa leans back in her chair.

"Fine. You can take Arius along. Just make sure he's safe."

Brother Jaque gives her a nod with a serious face. Sister Lisa just sighs and turns around noticing Lorraine still gnawing on the carrot while slowly waking up.

"Bring Lorraine with you. She needs to learn about the world before her coming-of-age ceremony in a few years."

Sister Lisa picks up the drowsy Lorraine and put her into the hands of Brother Jaque.

"Of course, I'd love to bring along another one!"

"Let's gooo!"

I quickly run out the door to be greeted by a horse attached to a wagon. I quickly ran and jumped into the wagon, it was soft because it was filled with hay. Big Brother Jaque arrived behind me and he placed Lorraine next to me before getting on the horse.

Neigh!!!

The horse started to move, startling Lorraine awake.

"Ummm.. hmm, where are umm we?"

"Lorraine! Lorraine! We're going to town!

"Huuuun? Town? ... Really! Really? We're going to town. I can't wait to do....."

As I listened to Lorraine tell me all the things she wanted to do, I looked back at the orphanage to see Sister Lisa waving to us with a smile on her face. I waved back to her with a bright smile. This trip to town is going to be so much fun!