One evening, as Tobias and I found ourselves nestled in a cozy corner of the sewers, he leaned in and lowered his voice, as if sharing a secret. "You've heard the talk, haven't you, Alex? The rumors about the Adventurer's Academy?"

Curiosity piqued, I met his gaze with raised eyebrows and a shocked expression. It appeared like the news had gone public. I smiled at his excited expression - the old man seemed to be invested in helping me escape this life and genuinely cared for my aspirations, touching me deeply.

I decided to adopt a facade of ignorance – there was no need to reveal that I was already privy to this information, after all, he seemed enthused to tell me about the academy. And, maybe, I would learn something new. "The Adventurer's Academy? I can't say I have. What's that?"

Tobias leaned back, a glint in his eye. As much as I wanted to share my discoveries with him, I decided to let him lead the conversation for now. After all, there was a reason he had approached me with this topic.

"It's a new venture, Alex. The city is opening an academy for young aspiring adventurers in three months – its an opportunity for those who seek to explore, to challenge the unknown, and to make a mark beyond the city's walls. They say it's the first of its kind; they tested it in the capital, and it was a resounding success. It's a place where individuals can train, learn, and hone their skills to become true adventurers. They're going to have an entrance test in a month. It'll be a physical test and a written test."

Uh oh. My heart raced in a flutter with a touch of nervousness. A written test? I hadn't anticipated that curveball. I hoped my education from Subterra and Havenwood would suffice for that part of the examination; or worse, I was going to need to study, I thought to myself with a grown. I had to pass the exams.

"It's a chance to step beyond these tunnels and forge a path of your own." Tobias continued as he looked at me with a gentle expression, "I don't know if you're interested, but when I heard about it, I thought about you and your wish to adventure. If the academy calls to you, if you are feeling a spark of ambition and curiosity, then I think you should give it a shot. I'll do my best to support you."

I met his gaze, appreciating his thoughtful words. Tobias had become a mentor, a friend, and a guiding presence in my journey through my past month in the sewers. His approval and insight held significant meaning to me.

"Tobias, you've no idea how much your words mean to me. Becoming an adventurer, venturing into the unknown, has always been my dream. I want to take the test. I want to become an adventurer cadet."

The moment the words left my lips, I felt a surge of exhilaration, as if I had taken a step closer to a future I had always envisioned. Tobias' supportive presence only solidified my resolve, and I knew that I was making the right choice.

Tobias beamed with pride, his eyes reflecting the joy of a mentor watching his student take the first steps toward their aspirations. "I'm proud of you, Alex," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "You've got the spirit of an adventurer in you already, and I have no doubt you'll excel in the test. Remember, the journey won't always be easy, but it'll be worth it."

....

As the days melted into weeks, the whispers and rumors about the impending Adventurer's Academy continued to weave its way through the tapestry of our lives. The exam was no longer confined to our hidden corner of the sewers; the excitement had transcended these cobblestone tunnels, seeping upward and spreading like wildfire throughout the city above.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Children from all walks of life had caught wind of the academy, their eyes lighting up with dreams of what it could offer. Conversations buzzed with excitement, and anticipation hung in the air like an intoxicating scent.

For us, that meant we had a lot of competition. We would need to excel to stand out and be accepted. Fortunately, we had an advantage - we had already been preparing for a month.

....

Eliza, Jonas, and I gathered around the faint glow of a lantern one evening, huddled together in a cozy corner of our underground refuge. The twins, like me, had been captivated by the rumors of the academy and the new information that was spreading.

"Can you believe how quickly the news has spread?" Eliza mused, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of wonder and excitement. "It's like the whole city is abuzz with talk of the academy."

I leaned in, my own excitement evident in my voice. "And we won't just be adventurers; we'll be pioneers of this new academy. Trailblazers, showing everyone that we're capable of so much more than what we've been told."

But as much as we were prepared for the physical tests awaiting us, the written exam posed a different kind of challenge. None of us were strangers to hardships – we had faced them head-on in the sewers. Yet, the thought of proving our knowledge, of demonstrating our understanding of the world beyond these tunnels and my woods, was a daunting prospect.

"We can't forget about the written test," Eliza said, her brow furrowing slightly. "I've been trying to brush up on my reading and writing skills, but it's not easy."

Jonas nodded in agreement. "I'm with you, Eliza. I've been practicing, but I still feel like there's so much to learn."

I smiled reassuringly at them both, feeling a surge of camaraderie. "We're in this together. We've faced challenges before, and we'll conquer this one too. We'll help each other study, share what we know, and prepare ourselves to the best of our abilities."

Eliza's eyes met mine, gratitude shining within them. "Thank you, Alex. It's reassuring to know that we're not alone in this."

"No matter what comes our way," Jonas added, determination hardening his gaze, "we'll face it head-on. Just like we always have."

....

As we gathered around a small table in our corner of the sewers, our focus shifted to the assortment of dried herbs laid out before us. The lantern's warm glow cast flickering shadows across the makeshift study area, creating an atmosphere of quiet concentration. Our goal was clear: to study and learn about the herbs that could mend and soothe scratches, a practical skill that was sure to appear on the written exam.

Eliza picked up a sprig of lavender, her fingers delicately brushing over the fragrant leaves. "Lavender is known for its calming properties, but it's also great for healing minor wounds. Its natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities make it effective for treating scratches."

Jonas nodded in agreement, his gaze focused on the bunch of comfrey leaves he held. "Comfrey is another powerful herb. It's often referred to as 'knitbone' because of its remarkable ability to speed up the healing process. It contains compounds that encourage cell growth and tissue repair."

I held a small jar of calendula petals, appreciating the vibrant orange hue they added to the study space. "Calendula is an excellent choice too. Its petals contain soothing properties that reduce inflammation and promote skin regeneration. It's commonly used to treat minor cuts and abrasions."

As we took turns discussing the properties and applications of each herb, our shared knowledge grew, and our confidence in our ability to succeed in the written test deepened. We quizzed each other, challenged ourselves to remember the various names and appearances of the herbs, and engaged in lively debates about the best methods of preparation.

Our study session extended late into the night, the lantern's glow casting long shadows on the walls as we pored over notes and shared insights. With each passing moment, it became evident that our determination and teamwork were the keys to our success. We were no longer merely preparing for a test; we were embracing a path that would lead us toward our dreams of adventure, discovery, and a future beyond the sewers.