‘My shirt? Did I hear her correctly?’ Ryn was, flustered to say the least, caught off guard by Aspirant Claudia’s sudden request.

“It’ll only be a few moments, there’s no other way to confirm your words. You’ll just have to bear with it for a few moments.”

Aspirant Claudia’s soothing voice made it all the more difficult for Ryn, he was a sixteen year old boy, it was to be expected from a boy his age. He felt the tips of his ears go warm as he stood up, awkwardly taking off his black t-shirt. Ryn wasn’t fat nor too skinny, though his physique leaned more towards the skinny side, he was decently developed. Nothing amazing but not too bad either. One could make out some form of musculature on him, it was only natural of course, Ryn had always been decent at sports, being one of the fastest in his school, taking part in most physical education lessons.

“Not bad kiddo.” Aspirant Claudia got up from her seat, was her compliment merely a formality? Ryn couldn’t tell and nor did he want to find out. She briskly walked around the desk, coming to a standstill in front of him, she was slightly taller than him, by a few inches, Ryn had to slightly turn his gaze upwards to match hers. Aspirant Claudia gently outstretched her hand, the warmth of her hand merging with the warmth of Ryn’s chest. She closed her eyes and channeled her essence, from her hands onto Ryn to examine his Sword Heart.

Ryn felt something foreign circulating throughout him alongside his own essence now. Where his felt like fireworks, Aspirant Claudia’s essence felt like a calm river, gently flowing at its own pace. She kept this up for around a minute, before the foreign essence within his body slowly disappeared, a small frown on her face.

“Ryn Sylzar…” Aspirant Claudia’s tone had gone firmer, almost… displeased. Ryn felt his heart rate increase slightly, unsure as to what was wrong, just what had he done?

“I don’t take kindly to liars, Steeled Ryn, honesty is a valuable trait, one which you seem to be lacking.”

‘Wha- What’s she talking about? What does she mean lying? I’ve only spoken the truth since arriving here.’

“E-Excuse me, Aspirant Claudia but, I don’t understand what you mean?” Ryn felt a lump in his throat forming, struggling to let his words out, the palms of his hand slowly began sweating.

“Enough. Put on your shirt and excuse yourself through the door on the right, you’ll gain access to the Centre through there. Be grateful I’m not immediately kicking you out.”

Ryn felt a slight anger forming within him, why was she allowed to treat him like this? He’d done nothing wrong. But under Aspirant Claudia’s iron gaze, he couldn’t help but let his fear overwhelm his anger, slowly nodding.

“I… understand.”

Ryn quickly put his shirt back on, his head held low in shame. He was confused, angry, scared, but most of all, he already wanted to go home. He’d done nothing wrong yet here he was being scolded already. Ryn quickly put on his backpack again before heading to the exit, afraid to turn his head around.

“I wish you the best of luck in Anvil, Ryn, work hard to prepare yourself for the day you’re called there.” Aspirant Claudia’s tone was mostly monotone, with a slight nudge of genuine worry. Ryn slightly calmed down, managing to whisper out,

“Thanks.”

He exited the room and breathed in deeply before exhaling as much as he could. He rolled his stiff shoulders slightly before forcing a smile on his face.

‘I’m inside the steel fortress now, though my entry wasn’t as smooth as I’d hoped it would’ve been, I’m in… That’s all that matters. I need to focus as much as I can this next month, train hard and learn about Lunar Whisper, its abilities and how to utilise them effectively. One month. One month.’

Ryn felt an overwhelming force bearing down on him, one month? What was one month in all honesty going to change. He might have a sword of his own but he doesn’t even know how to use a sword properly forget learning its abilities. He knows next to nothing about surviving in the wild, which he’ll most definitely need for Anvil. Furthermore, he doesn’t even have a clue about the Forge Creatures he’ll have to face in Anvil, what to do upon certain encounters, best way to avoid fights etc. Ryn felt suffocated, unsure where to even start. He would’ve perhaps fallen into a small panic attack if not for his status suddenly appearing in front him, though this time different to the last time he had viewed it.

[Name : Ryn Sylzar]

[Rank : Steeled]

[Class : Steward of the Moon]

[Class Description : Destined for a life of loyalty to his Lunar partner, a humble steward, once worthless, had the flames of hope reignited in his heart. Protecting his partner’s secrets from those deemed unfit to unravel their meanings, a humble steward of immeasurable potential.]

[Scars : 0]

[Scars needed until class evolution : 1000]

[Sword : Lunar Whisper]

‘What is this even talking about?’

Ryn was surprised by this new class he was given. For starters he’d never even heard of anybody who’d awakened having a ‘class’ and now that he was given one, what did it even mean?

‘Steward of the Moon?  I mean sure it sounds cool and all, but how does this even help me? And that description too? Protecting its secrets? Does it perhaps have anything to do with Aspirant Claudia being unable to see my Sword Heart properly?’

Ryn was filled with even more questions now. When one appeared in his mind, countless others branched off of it. He slowly exhaled as he straightened his back, closing his eyes and looking to the sky. The chilly wind was surprisingly helpful, allowing him to keep cool, almost like a tether to his sense of self, inflicting him with enough discomfort to keep him aware of where he was. Who he was.

‘I promised my parents I’d survive… I have to. I will. It doesn’t matter if there’s lots to do. Anything. Anything is better than nothing.’

Ryn was about to start walking before he felt a hand on his shoulder, stopping him from going any further. A familiar voice rang in his ears.

“Ryn, it seems I’d forgotten to give you this earlier.” Aspirant Claudia held a piece of paper in her hands with what looked to be a time table written on it.

“Oh… Thanks, I had no clue where I was supposed to go right now so this is a lifesaver.”

Ryn tried to put on as nice a smile as possible, he hadn’t forgotten Aspirant Claudia’s displeasure with him already and first impressions really mattered. He’d need to get on her good side again as soon as possible.

Ryn gently outstretched his hand, taking the piece of paper from her, ready to leave. However she spoke up again, causing Ryn to stop dead in his tracks.

“Do you know how to use a sword Ryn?”

A question Ryn hadn’t really expected her to ask, though it was a sensible to ask.

“No, unfortunately my school gave us perhaps one or two lessons regarding preparation for Anvil, so I only ever had a couple lessons on it, never getting to actually learn how to use a sword.”

Ryn despised his school teacher’s at this moment. Had they just focused on teaching their students more lessons to prepare for Anvil many of his problems could’ve been avoided. He wouldn’t have to be so inferior to those noble children who had trained with swords all their lives. Sure he had fully awakened his Sword Heart and could manifest his own blade whilst most nobles couldn’t. But, what did that matter when he couldn’t even use a sword. Noble families would provide their children with sword Relics to store in their Sword Hearts, they could just use that temporarily until they got their own sword. Either way they were better off than Ryn, it was totally unfair.

“Ah that’s… a shame.” A despondent look appeared in Aspirant Claudia’s beautiful blue eyes.

“But Ryn, I have a suggestion for you.”

“A suggestion?”

“Focus on your wilderness training instead of learning swordsmanship at this very moment. It’ll better your chances at braving Anvil. If you improve with a sword.. Sure it would be marvellous, but what would it matter if starvation or the elements claim your life before you even get to use your sword?”

‘She raises a good point, it may be better for me to prioritise learning just basic survival rather than swordsmanship at this point. But I don’t know… I just don’t feel comfortable knowing I’d be going into Anvil with zero fighting capability. Ah… it’s such an annoying predicament. To hell with it…’

“I’ll do just that then, thanks for the advice Aspirant Claudia.”

Ryn slightly lowered his head in a sign of respect and gratitude, he was beginning to think perhaps Aspirant Claudia wasn’t as mad at him as he believed. She had shown him good will after all.

“That’s great, it’ll be much better for you.”

She flashed a warm smile at Ryn, before Ryn spoke up, asking,

“So… Where do I sign up?”