The acceptance announcement went quick, but Hyro could not pay attention knowing that he, of all people, was going to be an adventurer, or at least he got accepted into the Academy. He did pay attention to hear that five total applicants were being accepted, somewhat of a record apparently. Acadeles, Brutey, Cynthia, Gribby, and of course, Hyro. Hyro was happy to hear that he would get to see more of Cynthia. The five were shown to their respective rooms where their belongings were waiting for them. Hyro was glad to see that not only did he have his own room but it was bigger that his room at home by far. Each student at the academy started in their own room, eventually they were told that they would share rooms, but when or with whom they were never told, or Hyro was not listening if they were. For now Hyro fell onto the most comfortable bed he had ever felt in his life and fell asleep for as long as the cosmos would allow him.

  Sunlight shone through the window in Hyro’s room, as it hit his face his slumber finally came to an end. He sat up in bed trying to remember where he was and piece together what was real and what was a dream. Was he really accepted into Terraqua academy? Did he really use magic? It was all a blur and unbelievable to him. As he sat in the bed a voice could be heard in his room. It sounded like Buck but Hyro could not tell for sure as no one was in the room but him that he could see and the door was still shut. The voice almost sounded like it was being amplified. “Acadeles, Brutey, Cynthia, Gribby and Hyro, make your way to the outdoor arena as soon as you can.” Hyro did not know what to expect but quickly started getting dressed, luckily he had some of his alchemically treated bandages hidden in the bags that were brought to his room so started wrapping his hands quickly before going out, just in case. It did not take Hyro that long to get ready, but he was still the last of the five to step outside, and he was greeted with many new faces.

  Standing in the center of the area was a mixed group of people about twenty or so, all different ages and races together, applauding the five as they made their way to the arena. All of the staff they have met up to this point were there as well. Hyro has never been the center of attention before so it took him by surprise. Most of the others seemed to be used to and liked the attention, but Cynthia seemed to be shocked as she stopped in her tracks at the applause, causing Hyro to bump into her. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Hyro trailed off as he noticed Cynthia’s whole face was bright red, a stark contrast to her usually rosy pink cheeks. “Are you okay?” Hyro asked, concerned she may be sick. “Y…yes thank you.” She replied, “I’m just not used to this.” Cynthia quickly shook herself back to attention and continued walking forward to where the other three from their group were standing.

  Buck was at the front and center of everyone in the area and he spoke up in a loud voice, “As is tradition, the current members of Terraqua academy are here to welcome you into their ranks, so let us officially say,” Buck paused as everyone there in near perfect unison said the next part, “Welcome to Terraqua Adventurers!” Buck then continued, “All current students, you may now be dismissed to go back to your normal duties for the day.” Without missing a beat all of the other students left. As they were leaving Hyro got a better count and there seemed to be eighteen people, with his group it should be twenty three now, a lot for an adventurer's academy from what Hyro has read. After only a few moments the area was left to just the five new students and six staff. “Now it is time for you all to learn a little more about being an adventurer, please follow Hurly back inside he will begin today's lesson with you all.” As Buck concluded, he and the other four stayed back as Hurly walked to the doors that led inside, followed by the new students. They took one of the first doors on the right after walking inside, the same room that they were in yesterday. Hurly stood at the front while the five grabbed seats.

  “Alright ye youngins, let's begin. First, I know you all are bright from the exam, but since much of what I have to share is secret knowledge I will be starting from the beginning. First, however, ye be needing to sign this with a small prick of blood.” Hurly held up five pieces of paper that were sitting on the desk and handed one to each of the five. When Hyro was handed the paper he read over it thoroughly, though there was not much on the page.

  Terraqua Academy Opening Contract

  I, Hyro Selk, swear to keep all knowledge learned at the academy to myself and only discuss with other adventurers. Should I leave the academy for any reason I agree to have all knowledge and items gained stripped from me to preserve the integrity of the Adventurers. If any knowledge is shared with an outsider I agree to face the same consequences, and any entity that I share information with will be subject to the same fate. It is with sound mind and judgment and without corrosion that I sign this document and bind my soul to the will of the contract.

  Signed: Hyro Selk

  Under the signature was also a small square box where Hyro followed the others lead of pricking his thumb and leaving a bloody thumbprint in the area allotted. After everyone was done Hurly went around and collected the papers and took out a small wooden box with a slit on top. He put his hand on the box and it started to glow faintly, getting brighter as he inserted the five papers one at a time. After the final one was put into the box and the glow was at its brightest Hurly put his hand on top of it again and the light was extinguished, that is when he finally spoke up again. “Now ye will all hear of Thomas Hestron, the first adventurer. Our Best records be suggesting he lived around a millennium ago, everything suggests that he was not from our world and he brought his own style of magic that he called technology. Many things have adapted from this so-called technology, the lights ye be seeing in many cities for instance are a mixture of Thomas’s technology and our world's magic. The most important piece of technology however, was something old Thomas had inside of him that made him a true adventurer, the Adventurers System. Before he disappeared, Thomas found a way to take the system from inside of him and create the small spheres that give adventurers access to the System. Now no one be knowing where the system is really from or who controls it. There are theories ranging from deities to advanced beings from another plane to the System just always being around, but as Adventurers it allows one to hone skills, learn more about themselves and even unlock greater potential.” Hurly paused for a moment to let this information set in. Some of this information was speculated or available to some extent but to have everything confirmed was a bit of a shock. After a short time Hurly continued, “By all accounts everyone sees the system slightly differently, as it molds with yur being and provides the assistance to best suit its wielder and their intelligence. My system, for instance, takes the form of Stone tablets in my mind, the information mine provides is specific to me, ye may be having a more modern or futuristic look or something different entirely but it will always be suited to you.” After another short pause, “Now I know that be a lot of information, but I will allow each of ye to ask one question if ye wish.”

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  True to his nature Gribby spoke up, ignoring the other hands raised in the air, “What happened to Thomas, he just left one day?” Hurly nodded in response, “Aye, from what we know one day he was making a bunch of the Adventurer Systems and the next, vanished. Due to the system’s enhancements, an Adventurer who gains great power can live a remarkably long time, but most suspect he was reaching his end and wanted to go on his own terms.” Hurly looked around, everyone had a hand up at this point, “Brutey.” “How are there still System Spheres available? Surely Thomas did not make that many a millennium ago.”Brutey asked, lowering their hand. “Aye, the original spheres ran out long ago, the Adventurers Council has a method to create more, the secret is guarded within their ranks only. Acadeles, yur question?” “Yes sir, I know much is not known about the System itself, but how does it connect to and enhance our abilities, is it possible for someone already strong to lose power?” Hurly thought about his question before responding. “Good question lad. While there is no record of anyone being weaker in the long run, there is almost always an adjustment period so you may seem weaker as you learn how the System works. Hyro, yer the last one with a raised hand” Hurly called on Hyro as Cynthia’s hand lowered after Acadeles asked his question. Hyro had a million questions running through his mind, some answered from the questions the others asked, some he would not dare ask anyone, let alone in a group. Hyro decided to ask a question he had been thinking about for a long while, “As far as I could tell, Adventurers are the only destiny to have a class system, though I could not find much information on them. Are those classes related to the System, and if yes, how so?” Hurly smiled at one of the best questions he has heard in quite a long time, he liked this kid. “Aye lad, the system will give you a choice of classes once you hit a certain… threshold. It is usually based on what the System senses from your innate abilities and how much you impress the System in the early stages. That will be gone over in more detail after ye are all introduced to the System yourselves. Cynthia, ye be the only one not asking a question, now is yer chance.”

  Cynthia’s face went bright red again as the spotlight was shown on her and she started stammering. Eventually she collected herself and asked a coherent question, albeit quietly “Have our world's Deities ever shown an issue with the system?” Hurly shook his head in response, “Quite the contrary lass, many that are connected to such deities say it has brought them closer than ever before, Cleric of sorts is even one of the classes of the System.” Cynthia seemed to relax upon hearing that, Hyro was never that religious himself but did research the Deities as he did with almost everything, he tried to speculate which one Cynthia would be aligned with but there were so many it was too hard to tell without knowing more about her. Hurly continued speaking, “Now that everyone had a chance to ask their question. Each of you follow me, you will all be placed in yer own room with one of us teachers, it is time to introduce you to the System.”

  Hyro got in line, following everyone else, Acadeles taking the lead, followed closely by Gribby, then Brutey, Hyro followed them and Cynthia trailed behind the pack. At each door Hurly would pause and call someone’s name to enter that room. First was Gribby, Hyro saw Valda waiting in that room, Next was Cynthia, Helina was waiting in her room. After Cynthia, Acadeles was called to enter a room with Extrial, Hyro was somewhat surprised when he was called next to see Headmaster Buck waiting for him, Brutey presumably going to a room with Hurly. When Hyro entered Buck closed the door behind him. Each room appeared to be a similar layout, a bed like area, two chairs and a small desk. Similar to a simple examination room. Buck spoke up after the door was closed, “Have a seat Hyro, I decided to observe your System integration as a safety protocol. We have never seen a raw increase of power like you displayed without the System’s assistance before, so we are not sure if there will be any side effects. Not to worry though, I have reached out to the council of Adventurers ahead of time to explain a little and they agreed to give me this.” Buck held up a small empty jar, covered in illegible writing. “What is that?” Hyro asked curiously. “A contingent, if you start spewing lava uncontrollably or anything too dangerous, this will be able to remove the System from you. The council has only used it before to remove the System to those who fail the Adventurers academy or disgraced adventurers, but you appear to be a somewhat special circumstance.” Buck paused letting Hyro sit in his thoughts for a moment. “I know this is a lot to take in, and we usually do not offer this at this point, but given the circumstances, I am giving you an option. Take the sphere, and continue the path to be an adventurer, or step down, you will be given a job helping around the Academy, you will never become an Adventurer but your contract will still be intact and no memories will be extracted.”

  Hyro was shocked at the proposal, all he ever wanted was to be an Adventurer, because that is all he was ever Destined to do, but now another option was presented. What should I do? What would Mom and Dad do? Working at the Academy would be easier and safer for sure, but I have worked so hard to get to this point. What if the System rejects me due to my lack of magical aptitude? What if something worse happens? Those were just a few of the thoughts racing through Hyro’s head. As if knowing what Hyro would eventually decide however, Buck was already holding out an Adventurers System Sphere, available for Hyro to take if he wished. After some contemplation, Hyro knew he could not back down now, and he took the Sphere out of Buck's hand, Squeezed it tight and willed something to happen. Hyro never tried to activate any magic item before, his family could not afford it and he was afraid of what would happen since he had not magic his whole life, and as he willed and willed his power and being into the sphere, nothing happened. Buck spoke up “Have you ever used a magic item before boy?” Hyro answered somewhat ashamed and slightly scared, “No sir. My family could never afford them.” Buck nodded stroking his white beard in thought, “No need to fret son, sometimes it helps focus power by saying what you are doing out loud. In this case you are just trying to activate the Adventurers system, so you could try saying something like that. Do not focus any one spell but focus your whole being into the sphere. Try that.”

  Hyro tried again, hoping and praying something would happen, his knuckles going white from squeezing so tight. While willing all of his being, all of his thoughts, all of his will into the sphere he spoke, “Activate, Adventurers System. Activate Adventurers System! I COMMAND YOU, ADVENTURERS SYSTEM! ACTIVATE!” The sphere exploded in his hand, not causing Hyro any harm but engulfing him with a power he never felt before. As the power flowed through him all of his bandages wrapping on his arms and legs were engulfed in a heatless flame as they disappeared from his body entirely. His hands and feet started to glow, not just where lines should or could be, but the whole surface glowed multiple colors, then it stretched to his whole body. The glow emitted from everywhere, and when the multi-colored glow reached his eyes, the terrified Hyro saw nothing but black, he could barely hear Buck say a few words before Hyro did what he did best. Hyro heard, “What the Abyss…” and then he lost consciousness, lost to this world as he saw in the darkness, words appeared, accompanied with a soothing but powerful, slightly robotic voice:

  SYSTEM INITIATED, WELCOME HYRO, WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU. PLEASE STANDBY.