Three years have gone by in a blink of an eye. Malik turned five a month ago, and can now read and write above his age range. Same goes for Nova and Ennio.

Today is the day that Malik can finally leave the house. Outside the front door waiting for him is Elizabeth and Victor. They have already gotten ready and they are just waiting for Malik, before they leave for the city.

As Malik gets to the door to head outside, the bright sun got into his eyes. 

Reflecting off the sunlight, were Malik’s eyes. His eyes were no normal eyes; they were dark jade eyes that he got from his father. 

But the thing that stands out most about his eyes are how deeply jade green they are. The reason why being his mother's genetics; because she is part of the iris race. It makes any eye color of the iris beautiful and rare.

Rubbing his eyes, Malik opens them slowly to readjust his vision, and sees Victor and Elizabeth dressed up to go outside.

Victor is wearing a white suit and green tunic with a green scabbard sword on his right side. He also put his hair into a small ponytail and a small part of his hair was braided to the side. 

Elizabeth on the other hand has on a yellow and tan outfit with white pants. She’s holding onto a bag with a flower picture on it. Her curly black hair is also down.

“Ready to go, Malik?” Victor and Elizabeth ask.

“Yes!” Malik says, containing how excited he is.

“You can hold my hand while we walk to the city. I'm sure bandits don't take the route we're going on, but just in case, stay close to me,” Elizabeth says, sticking out her hand for Malik to hold.

Malik, holding her hand and looking curiously at Victor, asks, “Is that why father brought the sword with him to deal with the bandits?”

“Partly, correct, I just don't leave the house without my sword on me.” Victor says as he walks to the gate with Elizabeth and Malik by his side.

When they got to the gate, Malik feels this sorta tingling excitement at leaving the yard.

“You ready, Malik?” His mom asks while holding his hand with a concerned smile on her face.

“Yes, mother, now let us be off to the city.” Malik, beaming, was now walking ahead to leave the gate.

Stepping outside the yard soil, Malik couldn't help but smile. Elizabeth, holding Malik's hand, is happy that her son is happy, but she can't stop worrying. Today was a big day, the day that changes many people's lives, for better or for worse.

They walk through a path in the forest to head to the flat plains to get to the city. The scenery around them was almost heavenly. It was early morning so the sun was rising for the day, and shining the morning glow onto the tree leaves, making for a stunning walk through the forest.

The morning light is also hitting the river water that runs throughout the micro forest, making the light out of the water reflect. It is currently the end of spring, so all the light from the morning sun is hitting the green leaves, creating a beautiful scenery.

Leaving the micro forest they walk on a flat path to head to the city which is now a 20 minute walk. 

“The forest we live in is right next to the city of labyrinths.” Victor explains to Malik, who is following him, with Elizabeth right beside him.

“You never told me anything about the city, no matter how many times I asked.” Malik pouts, kicking a rock into a bush.

“That's because you didn't need to know anything about the city until the time was right.” Victor says getting closer to the city.

“Then, can you tell me about this city father?” Malik exclaims asking a question.

“Fine. The city is called Verlies, and is known for its dungeons, ruins, and labyrinths. There is also a tower or two.”

Listening to what Victor is saying Malik nods picking up on something. “How many dungeon ruins and labyrinths are in or around the city?”

“An estimate of 200 or so, but only 60 are known.” Victor states in a matter of fact tone of voice.

“Aren't there monsters in them?” Malik asks.

“Yes. there are, but don't worry. Thanks to the God of Monsters, none will leave the area.” Elizabeth explains, still holding Malik's hand.

“It’s also a merchant hub for monsters’ items, crafting items, and blacksmithing. Also one of Heilen’s richest cities.”

As they kept on walking Victor explained more. The city was cut up into 3 parts: the outer part, residual part and merchant part. It seemed like 70% of the city was the outer part, where all the ruins, dungeons and labyrinths were located. The tall tower also stood there. 

The last 30% was what you would call the inner area, a walled off area where the residents lived, and the merchants and shops sold their goods. It was also where Malik and his family were heading.

“We’re here, the outer area of Verlies.” Victor announces. What surrounds them are areas where dungeons and labyrinths are, holes in the ground supported by staircases that lead to pits of abyss. What looks to be thousands of people going into these many different pits surrounding the area. Some of the pits are covered by buildings, some are just there on the ground.

“This city is mostly known for its labyrinths and dungeons, but there are rare times towers and ruins pop up in the outer area.” Victor explains. As they continued to walk further inside the outer area, they could barely make out a wall in the dissent. The whole city was huge, if you counted the outer and inner areas together, it was the second largest city in Heilen. 

After walking for an hour or so, and seeing what looked like many dungeons and labyrinths, they finally made it to the wall.

Outside of the wall there were two guards letting people into the inner part of Verlies.

They wore red uniforms with black helmets. 

Walking up to the guards Victor showed them a badge of some kind, and the guards let all three of them through.

Now inside the city walls, Malik and his family were meeting up with the others at the temple.

The temples were placed all over the world in major cities, once your kid turned 5 years old you take them to one of the temples to get appraised.

As Malik and his family made their way to the temple, Malik noticed that they were in the merchant/shopping area.

“Hey Mother, where is the temple at?” Malik asks Elizabeth.

“We’re almost there. It’s in the center of the plaza, do you see it over there? That big white building.” Elizabeth points to an old Victorian style building, it was the largest building in the vicinity and looked magnificent.

Around the temple is a plaza, it has shops in a similar style to the temple, but the shops in the plaza come in all different shapes and sizes.

The city itself was built in a Victorian style, mixed with medieval. All mixed together in one area.

The most interesting thing about the city is that the wall around it isn't some ordinary wall, it houses one of the largest populations of blue fireflies, and every night the city would light up.

Also, these types of fireflies keep pests such as flies, and surprisingly rats, away. It still does not explain why fireflies are keeping cities away from pests, but every major city in Heilen has them.

As Malik, Victor and Elizabeth walk up to the temple, what greets them are Nova, Ennio, Paula, Enzo, Amara, and Lars all waiting for them inside .

The temple looks completely different from the inside than it did outside. The whole room is made out of white marble with golden cracks around it, and a stairway leading up.

“You two seem to take your sweet time.” Lars says while biting into an apple that he bought from one of the shops.

“Why are you giving them a hard time? We just got here a moment ago. The same goes for Enzo and Amara.” Paula says, scolding Lars.

“I’m just messing with them. Anyway, when will the bishop be here?” Lars proclaims while eating the whole apple, core included.

A moment later a young looking man in white robes walks down the stairs. He has hazel brown hair with deep blue eyes. 

Walking down, the young man in a white robe smiles at the three children. 

Malik notices that the man's gaze is fixed on him and Nova, and before even a word can be said by anyone, the young man spoke.

“You two have more soul energy than most. Now I get why Victor told me to just be you three. Instead of the normal means.” As he says this, Malik, seeing as there is no one else around them, judges him to be the one evaluating them.

“Sorry to ask you to do this, especially in this generation.” Victor apologizes.

“That's fine, we knew each other for around 200 years now. And it's nice to see the rest of you. It's been awhile.”

“Yeah, nice to catch up with you Nico, even though we live so close we rarely see each other." Enzo says as he walks up and shakes Nico’s hand.

After having a conversation with the adults, Nico turns to the three children.

“Now, are you three ready? This evaluation is the most important event that is going to happen in your life, and will change the direction of your life.” 

As he says this a chill of excitement could be seen on all three of the boys' faces.

“Then shall you all follow me up the stairs. And we can start the evaluation.”