As the afternoon sun sets, casting a golden dawn over the kingdom of Okou. In the back corner of the inn. Sen and Gordon sat in silence eating,the food provided. A bowl of thick cream soup filled with carrots and chunks of meat. 

“So you decided that you're going to be my squire?” Gordon questioned lifting a spoon of soup to his mouth. 

“Yeah, following my mother's dying wish to look after myself, this is the best option.” Sen answers back.

“ Well now that you said that, I should probably tell the details for the academy so you're prepared.” Gordon replies

“The academy is basically a school that trains and teaches how to be a knight. The academy has the knowledge and resources you’d need. The classes are curated after your results during the entrance exam but you could also pick and choose classes if you see fit.” He says, taking a sip of ale from his mug. “And due to how well known the academy is, people from all regions try to get in. Even some mages that would normally go to the mage tower.”

“Wow so it’s that big of a deal then.” Sen said sarcastically.

“Very much so. And it’s even more of a big deal when some of the heirs from the royal family and houses and other nobles attend. And that makes the competitive environment even more intense.”

“Wait a minute,if the kids of nobles and royals are attending, then who’s in charge? Some of them might get arrogant and think they outrank everyone.”

“That’s the least of your concerns,” Gordon replied. “The headmaster’s more than capable. He’s one of the strongest knights alive and possibly the only one who can actually wield magic.”

“Only one?” Sen asked, furrowing his brow. “Why’s that?”

“Well that’s because it’s already rare for someone to be born with magic and trying to do both magic and swordsmanship don’t mix. A person born with magic uses the Lux core in their body to use magic and some knights develop an aura we call Surge. Both of them help a person defend themselves but  due to the vast difference in properties, lux coming from within and surge being applied around the body. There's been countless people that have tried and died horribly”

“That still doesn’t explain how he’s the only one and seen as the strongest.” 

“Well he was lucky enough to be born with magic, but he was born in the lower region. And at the time the separation between the regions weren’t that prominent so he thought he had a chance to be in the magic tower. But he found out that the amount of his lux wasn’t up to standard and his magic was different from the standard magic. So he became a knight even after knowing the danger, and since his magic was different and his lux wasn’t that much. So he  decided on a technique that allowed him to become one of the strongest.” Gordon explained sipping the last of his drink.

“How do you know all that?” Sen pondered.

“Well we did train and become knights together.”

“Oh wow so you have a special connection. So it should be easier for me to get in.”

Gordon slaps his hand on his forehead, sighing. “Even if we were brothers he wouldn’t let you in just because you're my squire. If anything, he’d expect more from you.” 

“Well then how do I get into the academy?” 

“You have to pass the entrance exam.”

“There’s a test? Ah crap, I was never really good at exams.” Sen says, scratching his head. 

“Not that kind of exam. It’s just an exam to test the skills of each candidate.

“Do you know what the test is?” 

“The test consists of 3 trials, agility , mental strength and combat in that order.”

“That doesn't sound too bad actually.” 

“Don’t get too confident. Remember, that you're going up against nobles that have been training for years.” 

“Yeah but how many of them are in the entrance exam?” Sen asked. 

“100.” 

“So I only need to place into the top 50.” 

“30. You need to place in the top 30.” Gordon said sternly 

Sen became quite at hearing how many candidates would be accepted 

“It’s not easy getting in.” Gordon said with his arms folded. “Before the 100 candidates there were 200 that applied and were rejected. So that should put into perspective how it really is.” 

“Wow, so it’s really not that simple.” Sen said in amazement. 

Scraping the chair against the hard wooden floor, Gordon stands up putting a silver coin on the table next to his empty bowl and cup. Walking past Sen “Go get some rest. In the morning we’re heading to the shopping district in the middle region. So be prepared in the morning.” 

The morning sun rises, symbolizing a new day. Walking in his silver plated armor, Gordon walked through the lower region, his armor clanking with each of his heavy steps on the hard ground. As the inn comes into view Sen is standing outside ready and packed.

“I see that you're ready.” Gordon says walking towards him with a smirk on his face.

“If I need to place in the top 30, then I need to take this as seriously as I can.” Sen replied, tightly clenching his first.

“Well lets get going then, we have a busy day ahead of us” 

The duo made their way toward the towering gate that marked the entrance to the Middle Region, its presence looming like a silent wall dividing two different worlds. Arriving at the gate the contrast between those allowed through and those left waiting became starkly apparent. Merchant carts, polished and well-guarded, rolled past the checkpoint with ease, their drivers flashing stamped papers or tokens of entry. While the people seen as lower struggle to get in due to the guards stopping them from passing. Gordon strode through the checkpoint without hesitation, his steps confident and sure. The guards didn’t so much as glance at him, and as he crossed. Walking past the gate was like entering a completely different world for how the atmosphere shifted. The air, no longer thick with smoke and grime, carried a crisp freshness scented faintly with blooming flora and baked bread. The cobbled streets beyond were clean and well-maintained, free of the litter. Children laughed nearby, and adults moved with a calm ease, smiling, chatting, living without the constant weight of survival on their shoulders. For Sen, the transition was jarring. His body reacted on instinct, muscles tensing as if bracing for a threat. He scanned every corner, every passerby, alert for something.

“Easy kid,” Gordon said, placing his hand on Sen’s shoulder. 

“Sorry. Just so used to always being on edge when I lived here.” Sen said, sighing, loosening the strain on his shoulder. 

“So you used to live on the streets in the middle region?” Gordon asks. 

“Yeah. But because of a certain fight I had to move to not be caught.” Sen says pointing to his hand. 

“Well you won’t be empty handed anymore. You need a weapon for the entrance exam.” 

“So we’re going to a weapon shop?” Sen asks with excitement shining in his eyes. 

“Not a weapon shop. A blacksmith. If you want a fair chance in the exam then you need a good weapon. And I happen to know a really good one.” Gordon says as the keep walking 

The two made their way through the bustling heart of the shopping district, where the streets pulsed with life and noise. Every corner was alive with color tents and stalls bursting with goods, spices wafting through the air, and voices shouting over one another in a constant attempt to draw attention. Street vendors lined both sides of the cobbled road, waving trinkets, food, fabrics, and charms in the faces of anyone who passed by. 

“Fresh fruit! Straight from the Elven kingdom”

“Handcrafted blades, sharp enough to cut through the toughest armor.”

The streets were so crowded as people tried to get the best deals and items from the vendors. It was so crowded that it made it difficult to walk. Gordon, a towering figure in his weathered armor, cut an imposing path through the crowd. His very presence created a ripple of people instinctively parted to let him pass.

“You there, warrior! Care for…”

The vendor’s words would catch in their throat as soon as Gordon turned his head, eyes like steel narrowing beneath his helm. No words were spoken, no threats made, just a look. That was all it took. Their confidence would falter in an instant, and they’d quickly turn their attention back to the less intimidating customers shuffling past. Beside him, Sen watched the exchanges in silence, mildly amused by how quickly the merchants retreated from Gordon’s presence. In a place so alive with sound and movement, it was rare to see silence commanded so effortlessly.

“Wow, I never seen a merchant give up that fast before” Sen said

“Well that's because I know what these items are worth.”

“And how much would they be worth?” 

“Not what they claim it is.” 

“So then where are we going to get my weapon?” Sen asked 

“A blacksmith friend of mine. I only go here to get my sword and armor repaired.” 

“Then that most means they're good at it.” 

“ I would say that they’re one of the best that I know. Although her personality is questionable.” Gordon says with a look of worry on his face. 

“ What does that mean?” Sen asked confused

“You’ll see.”

They approached the weathered wooden door of an old, timeworn building, its surface scarred with deep scratches and faded paint peeling from neglect. From the other side, a burst of noise erupted loud, guttural yelling mixed with the sharp, jarring clang of metal striking metal. Gordon let out a sigh as he opened the door. Stepping in a wave of immense heat hits Sen forcing him to flinch, closing his eyes. Slowly opening his eyes the sight of different weapons from swords, daggers and spears are all scattered across every corner of the room. 

“Wow this place is filled with weapons.” Sen said in astonishment

“Yeah, but why is it always like this?” Gordon sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Hey Resha are you here?” Gordon shouted 

“Hey is that you Gordon?” a voice  called out 

“Yeah. Can you come out?” 

“Yeah just give a sec.”

Coming out from behind another door, a tall slim muscular woman with bright red hair with cuts along her arm. 

“Long time no see Gordon!” She shouted, showing signs of constant hearing damage from the prolonged exposure of the loud noises. Her voice, raspy and low yet clear enough to understand. 

“Yeah it has been. Don’t need to shout though.” Gordon responded. 

“Oh sorry. So what’s up, it’s a lil bit too early for your sword maintenance. Unless you wanted to get early for the academy exam.” She said walking up to him. 

“I’m actually not here for me. I’m here for him” Gordon steps back moving Sen in front of him. 

The woman abruptly stops mid-step as her eyes widened and face twisted with bewilderment and shock. For a moment, she just stared, silent and unmoving. Sen offered a sheepish smile and gave a small, nervous wave. “Hello…” he said, voice unsure.

“Umm, Gordon.” She said slowly, glancing at him, "Did you have a secret kid that we didn’t know about?” The woman asked. 

“What?! No. He’s not my…” he says letting out an exasperated sigh. “He’s not my kid.” 

“Oh. You could’ve said that.Instead of making me look…”

“He’s my squire.” He said cutting her off

“Oh, well I would say that’s almost as important.” she says scratching her head. 

 “Resha this is Sen. Sen, Resha” Gordon says

“Nice to meet you kid” Resha say extending her hand to Sen 

“Nice to meet you too.” Sen says, grabbing her hand for a hand shake.

“So I’m assuming you brought him here to get a weapon before the entrance exam.” She says, crossing her arms. Her arms seemed to double in size as she folded her arms. The muscle bulging out symbolizes  years of hard work and dedication. 

“Yeah, I wanted him to have a good chance during the exam.” 

“Well you come to the right place.” She said smiling putting her hand on her hips “So, Sen, what kind of weapon do you use mainly?” She ask 

“He’s good with a blade.” Gordon answered for him

“Actually I’m good with whatever is easier for you to make,” Sen answered back. “I’ll take whatever you give me.” 

“You don’t have to be like that. I like making weapons so you don’t have to worry about making it easy for me.” She said smiling. 

“Well I can use whichever one I get” 

Both Gordon and Resha look at each other with a puzzled look then back at Sen. 

“Are you saying that you can use whichever I make you?” Resha asked Sen 

“Yeah.” 

Gordon and Resha stare at each other, remaining silent, not moving or saying anything. 

“Follow me.”Resha said