Faron finished his morning routine and went to the kitchen to help prepare breakfast for all of the kids here at Mables Orphanage. He saw Mrs. Mable working on the food early in the morning, Porage and cheap meat for everyone. It wasn't a lot but it would keep them alive, it was more than what most people would offer. Mrs. Mable took up the job of running an Orphanage in her mid-thirties when her son and husband died in a tragic car accident. This was her way of making sure people wouldn't be alone like she was. She was a rather plump lady now in her late fifties getting on in years, Faron often wondered how much longer she could keep going but she always said "God wants me to keep this home going so I will" Her faith was her conviction, While Faron did not share in her faith he did respect her for her actions immensely. She was like the granny he never had.

"Morning Mrs. Mable, Here, let me help you set up the table." Faron grabbed a stack of plates and silverware went around the tables and placed them at each location, He then did the Juice and water for everyone and waited for the food to be done so he could go and serve it. The 8:00 AM bell rang and everyone rushed to the bathrooms or kitchen. Living at the orphanage one often had to weigh the choice of early relief or the best food of the day. Mable placed a hand on Faron's shoulder giving him an encouraging smile. Showing him that she placed the best piece of meat to the side so that he could get to it after everyone else was taken care of. Faron was the oldest here by 2 years, So Mable developed a close bond with him over the last 17 years, being one of her first children to be a long-time stay.

The children came in like a swarm of locusts taking everything in their sight, Luckily Faron was long used to this as was Mable. That's why they set the tables with empty plates. Faron took up the large tray of meat as Mable followed closely behind with porridge and they began to serve each person. After close to an hour, Everyone had eaten but Mable and Faron. The children ran off for their daily activities since school was done for the time being, some of them would be going to summer school, some would go to work, and some to a study program. Faron was free to do as he wished as he was finished with required school now, but he wanted to get into college, Learn more about the world. Why was the golden figure hidden from children, what was the blue claw? So many questions he couldn't get even if he were to devote everything to clearing the Protocol. Legally he had to go register for his license and undergo a psych evaluation now that he was part of the protocol. He would get to that later, for right now he wanted to eat, Tonight was the graduation ceremony at his school which he was warned not to go to, but he still wanted the diploma to show off to Mrs. Mable.

"What's on your mind Faron, You know I can tell when you are angsty. You have been staring at your food for the last 5 minutes and based on the sound of your stomach I know you are hungry. So, Out with it. What's got you down, more bullying?" Mable was sitting across from Faron enjoying her breakfast. She always could tell when something was on his mind, she knew he would be leaving soon, and his school life wasn't the best. She had tried to interfere a few times but that boy Jason's father just had too much connection with the school board. there was nothing she could do she could only be there for him when he needed to talk.

"No, No bullying, well yes, but that's not why I'm kind of in a strange head space today. There is a lot on my mind, but ultimately it's good news. Last night when I went to sleep, I was selected to join the Hell protocol, it's not my birthday yet so I'm not sure what that means other than I'm going to have to leave sooner than expected. However, maybe ill be able to financially support myself now. Who knows maybe ill be able to help out here financially as well" Faron gushed out his feelings, he didn't have the same restraint with Mable as he did with almost everyone else.

Mable had a shocked expression on her face and looked at Faron briefly before laughing out loud.

"Honey, You have been given the opportunity of a lifetime. But also you have always had a frail body. Yet your first instinct was to help us when you felt safe. We will always love you, Faron. You do not need to worry about us. I also will not offer any advice. I have no idea what the Protocol is like, I also will not recommend anything to you other than to stay safe and I will always be here to support your decision." Mable reached across the table and held Faron's hand, her wrinkled and rough hands were reassuring to Faron as he seemed to release a lot of pent-up tension.

"Thank you for everything, Mrs. Mable. I guess I should finish my meal and head to the Protocol Society to register. I'll be coming by later tonight with Pie for everyone as a celebration. I know Apple is your favorite so ill makes sure to get one with ice cream" Faron stuffed his face like he had never eaten before and took both plates to the table. As Mrs. Mable left the dining room Faron put the dishes into the washer and went to catch the bus to the Protocol Society Local Headquarters or PSH for short. Faron made a quick stop on his route and ordered 6 pies at a bakery. The cost was a little under $100 but it should be enough for all of the kids to have a slice. The windfall from the Tutorial helped out. Faron also decided to treat himself to some of his favorite fast food before finally arriving at PSH at around noon.

In front of Faron was a silver and red building that seemed to reach into the sky, the top couldn't be seen as the clouds were obfuscating it. There were hundreds of people milling about. Some with large swords, some with futuristic weapons, and some with strange animals that seemed to have been tamed by them. However all of them had a ranking badge that displayed what they were allowed to do, and the freedom they had. Not everyone followed this rule which resulted in many criminals being born but the PSH was a place that was filled with people that had a certain type of attitude. Whether it was getting stronger or simply wanting to earn money, All of these things could be accomplished if they were to hunt down the criminals that decided to use the powers of the Hell Protocol to their advantage and take away from those less fortunate. There was almost a civil war shortly after the initiation of the Protocol but that was quickly subsided by some of the people that were more powerful stepping in to stop those that were throwing everything away. Faron made his way to the side where there was the reception room for first-timers, there was a small line of about 20 people there, so Faron didn't have to wait long. In only about an hour, with more branches opening up around the world, people didn't have to all congregate in a single one. And this was a small local branch anyway.

"Welcome to the Protocol Society Local Headquarters. Are you here to file a complaint or are you here to register as a new Protocol member?" A beautiful woman with long blond hair tied into a ponytail was standing at the reception. Her insignia marked her at the Rank of C or Warrior as Humanity deemed it necessary to rename the basic ranking to sound more heroic to the general public. Faron could be considered in the Novice rank or Class E. Faron reached into his wallet and pulled out his ID card and handed it over.

"Hello, My name is Faron Alveron I awoke to the Protocol Last night I am here to register myself." The receptionist took his ID and brought him to another room that seemed to have some state-of-the-art computers and medical equipment.

"Strip down fully. Sit on the table, Fill out This form. Welcome to the Protocol Mr. Alveron" With quick well-rehearsed movements she handed a form to Faron, stepped out of the room, and left. Faron stripped down and sat on the cushioned medical table as some machinery started making its way toward his body.

A new voice came from the intercom in the room. An older male. "Ok, Mr. Alveron. Please take a deep breath and remain calm, I know that this can seem like a lot to people on their first experience. This is a machine that was taken from the Protocol. It will register your abilities, current level of the protocol, and any medical issues that may arise. Do not worry this is all handled by the government and will remain highly confidential. No one but you can look at the report that will be generated unless they are one of the Ascended that lead the different Headquarter branches.

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A machine floated in front of Faron. "Please select what you wish to view while the test takes place, This can take up to two hours." Faron quickly selected to see how the ranking and value for beast cores currently was. He had a general idea but nothing concrete. Suddenly a list appeared in front of him.

Name

Total Score -No Luck -Early/Medium/Late

Beast Core Value per 1

Novice- F

.5-10

$500

Rookie- E

11-25

$1000

Warrior- D

26-50

$1800

Champion- C

51-75

$5000

Legend- B

76-150

$20,000

Ascended- A

151-500

$50,000

Sage- S

501-5,000

$100,000

Overlord - S+

5001-15,000

$12,000,000

Faron looked around at some news lamenting that with the over 40 cores he had he could have made a large sum of money, but they went towards upgrading him instead.

"Oh well, can't spend money or help the kids if your dead" he muttered to himself.

After a while, the same voice came back on in the room. "Thank you Mr. Alveron, Your data has been received. It will display to you, Please make sure everything is ok."

Strength

1   

Fortitude

1.5 (+1)

Mana

4

Speed

2

Intelligence

2

Soul Sworn Items

Hardened Grell Armor (Fortitude +1).

Skills

(Novice, Anima Magic 22.5%), (Rookie- Elemental Magic 2.5%),

(Dormant, Bloodline 2.01%), (Novice, Spear proficiency 88%).

"Growth through adversity" Body Cleansing (1/10)

Total

10 - Grade F+ (Obtain 1 point to ascend from Novice to Rookie)

Evaluation Good. Current Location Tutorial Grade C, Stage 1/10 completed.

Faron looked over everything and took note of three things quickly. One the blue Heart was not detected by this state-of-the-art medical system. Second, his fortitude seemed to have increased while he was meditating in the morning. it raised by an entire .5. But this didn't surprise Faron, it seemed like as long as he continued to meditate with his newfound ability he would be able to fix all of the problems with his body, making him start at the same point that others did. and Lastly what scared Faron, was the fact that his tutorial grade was listed as C, When he knew he was given C-. he wondered if the tutorial was accommodating his current physical changes in the real world. if so, This was going to be one hell of a time.

"The test is over Mr. Alveron. Please get dressed, I will show you around the facility as well as the accommodations we have for you. We haven't had a C ranked tutorial taker in about two years."

Faron quickly got dressed and made his way out, to see an older man. Long grey hair and a long beard tied into a knot at the bottom. he wore a fancy suit that probably cost more than Faron had seen his whole life. There was a wooden pipe with something that was not tobacco in his hand and he seemed to be smoking it without producing any smoke. As soon as he spoke Faron realized this was not the man in the room. There was a presence to this man that could not be explained by words, The closest Faron could think to describe it was drowning and pressure. despite his normal appearance, Faron knew that this man was someone important.

"My name is Ascendant Marzan, I was notified of your evaluation and skills. So I have taken over for Harmonys job momentarily. I would like to welcome you too the Headquarters. I don't often come out to greet new joiners, but you just passed enough to get me out of my office and take me away from my nap." there was a bit of a playful angry grin on Marzans face. "Let me introduce your new life"