After an hour-long journey filled with the sounds of the ocean and the sway of palm trees, Kyren, Hiro, Alaine, and Roland finally reached Sandhills Town. The town, home to the Heart Blade Guild’s office, was buzzing with activity. Sandy streets wound between charming wooden buildings that looked as if they’d grown straight from the trees. The wind carried the salty tang of the nearby sea, and the palm trees swayed gently in the breeze. Although the sun shone brightly, the heat was mild, and the weather pleasant.

As they made their way through the bustling streets, the four companions felt the rising anticipation of their next adventure. They were heading to the Heart Blade Guild’s office, a place that promised new beginnings.

When they arrived at the guild office, they were greeted by a modest yet well-maintained space. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the wooden floors and the neatly organized furniture. Sturdy desks were filled with parchment, quills, and books, while a large central table displayed maps and diagrams of various missions. On one wall, an impressive array of weapons hung, ready for use.

Behind one of the desks, a woman greeted them with a friendly, confident tone. Her voice carried a laid-back, rhythmic energy. “Yo, girl, they’re out on an E-rank mission, just started,” Patricia said with a nod, her casual yet commanding presence undeniable.

Alaine smiled. “I see. Well, Patricia, meet Hiro and Kyren,” she introduced the two newcomers.

Patricia’s eyes lit up as she turned her attention to the boys. “What’s up, boys? You new recruits?” Her demeanor was relaxed, but there was a sharpness behind her eyes that suggested she was sizing them up.

Alaine chuckled and shook her head. “Not yet, but maybe soon. They’re my friends.” She gestured towards Patricia and explained, “Hiro, Kyren, this is Patricia, the Vice Leader of the Heart Blade Guild. She’s one of my most trusted classmates from Sky Academy. We both earned 3-Star Fighter Badges.”

Hiro’s eyes widened in awe. “Woah! This guild is really strong. Nice to meet you, Patricia!” he exclaimed, clearly impressed.

Kyren offered a polite nod. “Nice to meet you, Patricia.”

Patricia grinned. “You too. So, what’s the plan, Alaine?”

“They’ll be staying in the office for a week until the Academy starts. I was hoping you could help me teach them a few things,” Alaine said.

Patricia leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “No problem, girl. When do we start? Today? We’ve got a short window.”

Kyren and Hiro exchanged a glance, grateful for the support. Alaine looked at them both, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Before we begin, though, I want to ask—what weapon do you prefer for combat?” she asked.

“I like fighting with a two-handed sword,” Hiro replied without hesitation.

Kyren, however, looked uncertain. “I’m not really sure what role I should focus on. What about you, Alaine? And Patricia, what’s your main weapon?”

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A confused expression flickered across Patricia’s face, but Alaine quickly explained, “By the way, Patricia, Kyren’s lost his memory. He’s been a bit lucky to find my childhood friend along the way. We’re trying to help him find his path.”

Patricia nodded thoughtfully. “Got it. Well, for friendly combat, I fight with my bare hands. But when things get serious...” She pointed to a spiked pauldron hanging on the wall. “I crush ‘em with my shoulder.”

Hiro’s eyes widened in admiration. “Whoa, you’re really strong, Patricia!”

Alaine laughed. “But I wouldn’t recommend using the same weapon as Patricia.”

“Why not?” Kyren asked.

“Because she’s physically gifted,” Alaine explained. “Patricia’s from the Imp orc. They’re built strong—physically superior to humans.”

Kyren thought back to his studies in Vermintown, where he had learned about the different strengths and weaknesses of races. “So what kind of weapon does the human race usually use? What role do we typically take on?”

Alaine’s expression turned serious. “Humans are better at critical thinking and accuracy. We aren’t suited to roles like Sorcerers, Healers, or Defenders. Our best fit is usually as Fighters or Shooters. Executioners can be an option, but it requires a lot of effort because we struggle to deal fatal strikes to certain races.”

Kyren frowned, feeling uneasy. “So we have to be smarter than other races to make up for it?”

Patricia and Alaine exchanged a glance before Patricia hesitantly answered, “Yeah, that’s right.”

Kyren’s frustration boiled over. “And if we can’t outsmart them, we are pretty useless….”

Alaine’s voice softened. “You’re not useless, Kyren. You’re smart.”

Hiro, who had been following the conversation with growing confusion, finally spoke up. “Wait, wait… what’s going on? I’m lost.”

Alaine sighed, her expression darkening. “The truth is, Sky Academy isn’t safe for everyone. There’s a lot of racial discrimination. Humans often have a hard time because no one wants to team up with us, especially if we don’t have prior experience as warriors.”

Kyren’s mind spun as he grappled with this harsh reality. Doubts flooded his thoughts, and a sense of dread began to creep in. The memory of the girl from his nightmare resurfaced, her voice hissing in his mind, "That’s….. Right…. You can’t..."

Before his thoughts could spiral further, Hiro placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Kyren,” he said with quiet confidence. “Remember what we set out to do? Let’s stay true to ourselves.”

Kyren felt a wave of calm wash over him. He nodded, his resolve slowly returning. “Yeah…. ..right.”

Alaine smiled, glad to see Kyren’s spirits lifting. “Anyway, let’s get back on track. I use a 2 handed sword, too, so I can teach Hiro how to wield properly.”

“Really? That’s awesome!” Hiro grinned, clearly excited.

Kyren, feeling more determined, added, “Maybe I’ll use a sword too. That way, we can focus on the same training.”

“Good idea,” Hiro agreed.

Alaine and Patricia placed three swords on the table. Hiro immediately gravitated toward the Claymore, a massive weapon that felt perfect in his hands. “This one suits me,” he declared, testing its weight.

Alaine turned to Kyren. “What about you?”

After a moment of thought, Kyren picked up the Gladius—a light, one-handed sword. “I’ll go with this one.”

Alaine frowned slightly. “That’s a single-handed sword. Maybe you should pair it with a shield?”

Kyren hesitated. “I don’t really have anything in mind to pair it with.”

Patricia stepped in. “That might not be a good idea. Humans rely heavily on their weapons, and you’ll have a lot of vulnerabilities if you’re only using a light sword.”

Kyren studied the Gladius in his hand, feeling the weight of Patricia’s words. “So, the human race really has a handicap in this world...”

He took a deep breath, trying to push aside the frustration. “I think I’ll figure it out along the way.”

Patricia clapped her hands together, breaking the tension. “Alright, boys, let’s head to the training hall and get started.”

With that, the group left the guild office, ready to begin their journey toward mastering their combat skills.