Ethan stood Infront of the cottage, to his back was Anya, Leah, Jax, Kian, Nole and Donald who sat atop Nox. His leg seemed to have magically healed after yesterday as everybody's eyes were on Ethan as he faced Atlas and jasmine.
Davina was nowhere to be seen. Ethan looked around still not finding her. He sighed as he looked at his mother. Her eyes were teary as Ethan approached her for a hug.
"I will be okay don't worry." Reassured Ethan
Atlas shoved his hand to the pocket on his farmer overalls. He pulled out a black storage ring with the inscription of the image of a nine headed dragon, the same as the one on the back of both Atlas and Ethan.
"Take this, you'll need it where your going." Atlas handed Ethan the ring. "Oooh! Take this too."
Suddenly a familiar black sword appeared on Atlas hand.
"It's called Voidhowl." explained Atlas. The sword vibrated when Atlas spoke its name.
Atlas clicked its blade twice as rune inscription started to appear om the blade. Then it suddenly became docile.
"Take it."
Atlas threw the sword at Ethan who caught it and started to analyze it.
"Remember when you reach spirit body stage, you have to comeback home first. I have something to give you." Said Atlas, his voice more serious than usual, he then smiled and started shooing Ethan away.
"Now go before your mom changes her mind."
Ethan turned and walked to the others as they entered the path for exiting the forest. From time to time Ethan looked back looking to see if he could see Davina only to be disappointed every time as he continuously sighed.
"It's okay, I'm sure she's watching from somewhere." Comforted Anya as they walked away disappearing into the cover of trees.
Davina appeared from one of the trees near the cottage, her eyes red as she wiped her nose. Atlas looked at her as he sighed gently then turned to his wife.
"Now that he's gone, what about working on that daughter I always…"
Before he could even finish speaking, he felt a strong punch to his stomach. Atlas bent as he held his stomach as he watched the culprit walk away, he could swear he saw hot steam coming out of Jasmine's head and ears.
"Hmph! Davina let's go."
As both Davina and Jasmine entered the cottage Atlas looked at them as he smiled then he turned to the direction Ethan went. 'Don't disappoint me son.'
Ethan walked on the path, his mind wondering, his heart pounded, his imagination raced. To his side the others looked at him, then each other, then they all smiled. Ethan's excitement was just contagious. Donald on Nox looked at Ethan as he sighed.
'I hope the world you meet out there doesn't disappoint you.'
As the oldest one here, as he seems to eclipse all of them by an age of almost thirty five tears, Donald knew that life had away of crushing your expectations.
As they approached the gates of the Evergreen town no. 3, Donald ran on ahead on Nox. The guards on the wall immediately recognized him as opened the gates. They all walked down the streets as all eyes were on them. It was understandable as Anya and her companion had the bearing of nobles, they were all beautiful and powerful people, not to mention that Ethan himself was a local celebrity in the town.
"Looks like this is where my adventure ends." Smiled Donald as he bowed towards them. "Next time please come to me with your real faces."
They all laughed as they bid him goodbye. They moved deeper into the center towards the academy. The towns are run by a council with the aristocrat families being it's member and the mayor being the leader. The mayor also acts as the headmaster of the academy.
They arrived Infront of a large mansion. The gates to the mansion were simple design, not overly luxuries but that didn't mean a lack of appeal. This mansion also seemed to have a seemly blend of nature into its ecology. The guards at the gate immediately bowed upon seeing Anya and the others. This scene caused Ethan to rethink their identity.
They ignored the guards as they entered the compound, their attitude regal as they walked in.
"Young masters, welcome I hope your journey was fruitful."
A butler came out of the front door of the mansion as he moved to the side greeting them. His eyes fell on Ethan, staying at him longer than the others before he ushered them inside.
"Why are we in the mayor's mansion?" asked Ethan as he felt a headache coming.
"It will be faster if he organizes our travel back to the city." Answered Jax as he looked at Ethan confused at Ethan's distress.
"What's wrong?"
"it's just that …"
"Young masters, welcome, how may I be of assistance?" interrupted the mayor, as he entered the living room. He looked at them, a respectful smile on his face. He turned to look at Ethan and immediately his smile turned to a frown. Ethan looked at him then smiled awkwardly.
"Hello Ethan.: said the mayor with an irritated voice.
"Hello mayor, I see you've been healthy." Said Ethan his smile still awkward.
"You know each other?" asked Anya sensing an interesting story coming.
"Yes, we know each other." Said the mayor. "How can I not know the boy who made the town's ranking rise to number three."
The mayor sat as he gritted his teeth. This seemed to confuse everybody as they could not understand the cause of his anger if Ethan did the town such a service.
All the towns under a city organizes a tournament between the academies under them. This is used to scout for talented children to be recommended to the institution in the city. The tournament is also used to determine the rankings of the towns. The town at top has the highest priority during resource allocation thus it continued like that down the line in the ranking.
"I'm sorry okay." Sighed Ethan as he said.
"Your apology helps nothing, you're the fault we ranked third." Said the mayor clearly angry at Ethan.
The other looked at them clearly confused at what was going on. Ethan looked at them and sighed.
"It's all because I quit during the finals of the tournaments thus, they lost and were also penalized." Explained Ethan as he returned to the mayor. "It's not my fault it was so boring. I couldn't stand it."
"You! ...You!" The mayor pointed at Ethan his hand shaking from the anger meanwhile Anya and the other were on the floor laughing.