The sun had vanished beyond the horizon, leaving the arena bathed in the soft glow of the enchanted lights strategically placed throughout the stands and even embedded in the arena's floor. The air was crisp, carrying the collective breath of thousands of spectators. Duncan, now freed from the line of prisoners, stood with uncertainty. Tork, his cellmate, had regained some of his composure after their recent ordeal.

“Good luck, mate. The O’Leon family, huh? Looks like things may be looking up for you.”

Duncan managed a fleeting, uncertain smile. “Thanks, Tork. I’m not entirely sure what's happening, but I suppose I’m in a better position now than I was this morning… I think. Good luck with that new ability of yours. If I ever need some stonework done, I’ll come see you. That is, if you manage to stay out of trouble.”

Duncan and the guard left a chuckling Tork behind. They walked to the center of the arena; then, the guard left him there alone. From their section of the stands, the masters watched him. Most of them had impassive expressions, while others were wearing their disapproval on their faces. A couple, like Cinder O’Leon, showed interest.

The announcer spoke as soon as the guard was back in place alongside the prisoners. “Who will choose Duncan Tell?” Those words had been used for every participant that day. Now, apparently, it was his turn.

The moment the question had been asked, Cinder stood. The smile Cinder had been wearing since he had returned to his place in the stands was gone. He once again exuded the feeling of power, as though his desire was the only thing in existence that mattered.

“I, Cinder O’Le…” It seemed the man had been too hasty because he was now looking down at another master, who was also standing. Just like that, the aura of power fled, and Cinder, his voice laced with annoyance, became just a man again. “Jen. You can’t be serious. This one is mine. Shove off.”

The woman who had stood along with Cinder smirked through his scolding. She was a beastkin. Her high, pointed ears covered in the same white hair that flowed halfway down her back made Duncan think she was a wolfkin. She looked young, maybe in her late twenties, but he knew that meant nothing in the face of how much a person’s lifespan could increase at higher tiers.

“Come on, Cinder. Now that he’s eligible, you didn’t expect me to pass on the boy after the show he put on. Plus, if you want him, that means Master wants him, too. I’m not going just to roll over and let you take someone with the talent to catch her eye without throwing my name in the mix.” The woman’s smile had only grown as she spoke. Cinder, on the other hand, had only grown more annoyed.

“You are messing with my vacation, Jen.” He was standing on his seat now, looking down at the woman with a look close to desperation. “Tell you what. I’ll duel you for him. We haven’t fought for a while. We won’t use abilities. We can give these people another show.”

“Mister O’Leon. I’d like to remind you that this is the Choosing.” The announcer’s statement allowed for no argument. “Once every master that wishes to choose Mister Tell has had their chance to do so, it will be his turn to do the choosing.”

“Ah. Yes. Of course. My apologies, arbiter.” Looking suitably chastised, Cinder spared one last glare for the other master, then calmly hopped off his chair.

The entire exchange left Duncan feeling a little uncertain. On the one hand, Cinder O’Leon was the reason he had a chance at freedom. On the other, the man was a little strange. What did he mean by vacation?

“I ask again. Who will choose Duncan Tell?” The announcer’s repeated question brought Duncan’s attention back to the masters. Cinder and the wolfkin were still standing. Seconds passed, and Duncan was relieved that no other masters decided to stand. He knew almost nothing about anyone there. More choices would only make things more confusing.

Once it was clear no one else would stand, the wolfkin woman spoke. “I, Jenilla Carston, choose Duncan Tell for instruction.”

It only took a moment for Cinder to once again say, “I, Cinder O’Leon, choose Duncan Tell for instruction.”

Then, they stood… and waited. Waited for Duncan. Waited for his choice.

Duncan was… confused. Not long ago, he was a prisoner. He supposed he still was, but now he had a way out—and not only that, a way to get what he thought might be what he wanted. But he lacked information and suspected asking questions at this point was not an option.

He knew next to nothing about these people or their culture. If he accepted one of the offers, would that bind him to Kuno forever? He had spent his entire life preparing for a new life in Corvelin. His family would expect news of him as people returned to Earth through the Realm Shift. Marie and Wayne would expect him to be there waiting for them if they made their Realm Shift. Mikael was likely in Corvelin right now, as long as Duncan was the only one forced off course during the Realm Shift. Duncan knew his best friend wouldn’t give up on trying to find out what happened to him.

There was also his father. If he chose a master here, would he ever meet him? Would he ever find the answers he was looking for?

Then, Duncan remembered Uncle Matthew’s demand. You. Must. Survive.

There was no telling what would happen if he refused to choose one of the masters now. One thing was clear, though. All the participants had decided to risk their lives to go through the Choosing for the chance at what Duncan had just been offered. Instruction.

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These people could make him stronger. Strong enough to survive. Strong enough to thrive.

He had to accept. Which one, though?

His short discussion with Phevona O’Leon provided him with the answer. Her family was famous for their swordsmanship. And, according to her, Cinder hadn’t chosen him to take revenge.

Recalling the words spoken by each of the chosen that day, Duncan made his choice. “I, Duncan Tell, accept Cinder O’Leon’s offer for instruction.”

***

Duncan was impressed. He was currently being led through a city. That morning, he had only seen the couple of blocks that separated the prison he had been in and the arena. Even then, he was too distracted to pay close attention to his surroundings.

Now, though, he could see it all. It was no modern city on Earth. There were no skyscrapers made of seemingly unending metal and glass. Instead, most of the buildings were made of a combination of stone and wood. That, however, did not make them any less impressive.

Everywhere Duncan looked, he saw magic. Enchanted lights filled the night with life. Buildings made of high-tier materials blazed with mana. Stores filled with things as mundane as farming equipment to as magical as monster eggs lined the streets.

Then there were the people. Despite the cold weather and the late hour, there were people everywhere. Spectators had streamed out of the arena at the end of the Choosing, and those people were now looking for food and drink at the many inns, restaurants, and pubs spread among the shops. An enormous, snow-covered mountain was looming over every building and person in the city. Duncan couldn’t even make out the top through clouds in the night sky.

“This is the southern shopping district,” Phevona said from beside Duncan when she noticed his curious gaze. “The streets leading up to the arena from the south, east, and west are all busy because so much of the city’s entertainment is centered around the arena. Unlike the Choosing, most events in the arena have safety measures that make death much less likely, so there’s no shortage of realm delvers willing to take part for some extra coin.”

As Phevona continued to lead Duncan through the streets, their other companion, Cinder, walked silently behind them. Duncan couldn’t help but glance back at him every once in a while to make sure he hadn’t run off. He did this because the man had already done so multiple times in their short walk. He had said something about stalking the kitchen the first time he returned.

“What is the city called?” Duncan asked.

“Kunora, the same as our clan. You mean you came here to… spy… without even knowing the name of the city?”

“I’m not a spy. And I most certainly didn’t come here on purpose. It… It’s a long story.”

“Well, then why…”

Before she could continue to question Duncan, Cinder interrupted her. “Hold off on the questions, Phevona. He will have plenty of time to answer later. It’s late, and I still need to make dinner.”

“Dad. There is no way you aren’t as curious about Duncan’s situation as I am. Espionage? No spy in the history of the realm is stupid enough to forget to take off their uniform. And who would waste someone with his potential on something so risky.”

“I suspect the rest of the family will want to hear about our new friend, so let’s not make him explain his entire life story more than once, okay? Besides, the matriarch gave her consent to choose Duncan, and I don’t believe for a second she would risk taking in a former prisoner without some idea of his situation. Waiting a little longer for answers won’t do any harm.”

“Fine.” Phevona laid off the questions after that, for which Duncan was grateful. Not that he didn’t want to answer or talk with Phevona. He was just overwhelmed. A lot had happened in the few days since he had left Earth. The faulty Realm Shift. Prison. Being forced to fight in the Choosing. Being chosen himself. The Academy could only prepare Duncan for so much, and most of that preparation had been for life in the Corvelin military, not whatever he had been through the last few days.

They walked for close to 20 minutes before they reached the southern edge of the city. Most of their walk had been on flat, paved roads, but now the terrain began to slope upward with the mountain. They followed a path out of the city proper and into a wooded section at the base of the mountain, and soon, they entered the O’Leon estate.

Multiple stone and wood buildings were spread out through the trees and up the growing slope of the mountain. Each building had a unique charm and design. The architecture was mostly unlike anything Duncan had ever seen, but he could see minor similarities to ancient Earth architecture throughout the compound. In the center of all the buildings, one house stood out. It was primarily made of dark brown wood that radiated mana. It was clear that it was the main house of the compound.

A woman stood in the walkway just in front of the home. She was the same height and had the same chestnut hair as Phevona, but unlike Phevona, she was fully human—or at least seemed to be. She looked to be a similar age to Cinder, and the hug she gave Phevona when they reached her was full of affection.

“I saw your match, dear,” the woman said once she separated from Phevona. “You did well to stay out of melee range for as long as you did, and your control over your spells is as good as ever. It seems we need to work on building up your speed, though. Even with nature’s blessing boosting your speed, you weren’t fast enough.”

“Mom. I’m going to be at a disadvantage in terms of speed against almost everyone in the same tier as me. Besides, I seem to remember choosing Master Moretz today, not you.”

“There is nothing wrong with a few pointers now and then from an experienced nature mage. Besides, I’ve been training you since you could use a wand; the Choosing won’t change me wanting to help you.” One final smile crossed her lips as she looked at her daughter, then it was gone, and she was staring at Duncan.

Like her husband, the woman was strong. Duncan felt her power wash over him, leaving him almost breathless and struggling to stand.

“Pheobe, would you please stop trying to scare him,” Cinder said from beside Duncan. Suddenly, the feeling was gone. He could breathe again but continued to sweat as her gaze never left him.

“It seems you brought home a stray, Cinder,” Pheobe O’Leon said sweetly. “Well, nothing to be done about it now. Phevona, please show our guest to the apprentice quarters.” Then she walked back into the house without giving Duncan a second glance.

“Don’t worry about her, Duncan,” Cinder said, patting Duncan on the shoulder. “She is probably just a little sore about you beating Phevona today. She’ll get over it… eventually.” Cinder followed his wife into the house, leaving Duncan and Phevona alone.

“You’ll be alright,” Phevona assured him over at him. “Just be glad she isn’t going to be the one training you. She’s not a swordswoman. Come on, I’ll show you your room.” Phevona led him up a branching path away from the main house and further up the mountain. Less than a minute later, they entered a modest stone building with an extensive training courtyard surrounding it.

There were five rooms in the building. One was a central room that looked like a general living space despite the lack of furniture. The other four rooms were individual bedrooms with attached bathrooms. Luckily, Dintarnum had been able to achieve plumbing through various enchantments and other magics.

“It seems someone knew you were coming,” Phevona said when she saw that one of the bedrooms had a bed and wardrobe inside. “You’re the first person in my lifetime to use these quarters. There used to be no furniture in any of these rooms. Our family supposedly hasn’t taken on any outside apprentices for 50 years. Jen, the other master who stood for you, was the last one, and she is the best sword user on the island, maybe even the realm, outside our family.”

Duncan sat down on the bed. It was much nicer than his bed at the Academy. Then he thought about everything he’d been through the past few days and the clothes he had been wearing through it all. He stood, not wanting to get the bedding dirty.

“I need a bath,” Duncan said.

“There should be some soap in the bathroom, I would think.” She opened the dresser. “It looks like there are some clothes in here as well. Go ahead and clean up and change. I’ll come and get you when dinner is ready.”

“Thanks.” Duncan smiled at the girl, then rushed into the bathroom to take what he expected would be the best bath of his entire life.