The sound of blades clashing could be heard coming from training yard of the capital’s barracks. It was not any soldiers, for it was their day off. The two sparring were locked in an intense fight, but it was clear the older one far outclassed the young boy he was fighting against.

‘faster’ the father yelled over the clacking of the wooden blades. The son did not reply, too engrossed in making sure his strikes hit. Which they did not. Every time the training sword got close to his father, it would be blocked effortlessly, showing the gap in skills.

Sir Leon was proud at the improvement of his son Jason. When he had first started training him he had being less interested but ever since his tenth birthday and his gift of a real sword Jason had thrown himself into training, and much to the surprise of the guards insisted he train with them. And now with nearly four years later he could hold his own against his father, the captain of the guard.

Seeing no reason to continue Leon called for a halt. ‘enough’ Jason stopped attacking and pushed the sheathed his sword onto his hip.

‘you did well son’ Leon told him doing the same to his own sword. ‘I can’t wait to hear what they say at the Knight Academy’. When someone turned fourteen in the Northern kingdom, they had to choose their profession and apply. As the son of a respected knight, Jason would be expected to follow in his father’s footsteps as was the tradition of the kingdom.

Jason’s blue beamed at the praise, which his father rarely gave out.

‘you think I can get in?’ Jason asked, The Knight Academy had a high reputation of taking only the best of the best.

His father nodded ‘you are as bout as good as a second-year recruit’ he shook his head ‘they would be mad not to take you’. The scars on his face squeezed as he smiled. Leon tapped his nose, knowingly, ‘and I have a bird in the council that said you are all but accepted’.

‘come, put away the gear, I have a present at home for you’ Jason’s eye gleamed at the mention of a gift and hurried to stow away the training equipment. His father tisked at his haste ‘stow them properly and do the normal warm down then meet me at my office’ Leon making sure that Jason knew not to hurry and clearly put away the equipment. He turned away and strode off, leaving Jason to his tasks.

Jason bent over the sword letting his black hair fall around him as he polished it. After several times when he was younger where he brushed aside maintaining his sword his father had punished him by making him polish all the swords in the armoury before letting him come home.

Having shined the blade enough. having returned it to its place hanging on a rack with the rest of the training swords. He made his way to main keep where his father’s office was.

The main keep was a large stone building that was situated in front of the castle, forming a gate that anyone with business with the royals would pass through and be checked. The large gate that opened onto the entrance of the castle was open, as it always was. And a steady stream of servants and officials passing though made his journey slow.

After being waved in by a familiar guard he strode his way through the long halls lit buy small windows. Knocking on his father’s door he was let in with a grunt of acknowledgment.

‘father, I have finished’ Leon cut him off, waving his hand. Jason walked in and sat on one of the chairs that where littered around the room. Seeing his father deep in reading he knew not to disturb him. For now, he waited by watching the flow of traffic throw the large window.

His father’s sigh brought him back to the office, ‘Jason it seems I will not be able to see you off, duty calls’ Jason looked up confused. Leon tossed the papers he had been reading down and got up and stretched with a yawn.

‘what’ Jason also got up and rubbed his stiff arms, still sore from earlier.

Leon snorted softly ‘there seems to be a large organised group of bandits down South, I’m being sent tomorrow’ Jason gasped ‘will you be alright?”

He frowned at this ‘I’m not the captain of the guards for nothing son’ he stuffed the documents down his shirt, ‘come on best be home now, I’ve got to get thing sorted’ he walked to the door and opened it with a flourish. ‘will talk in the carriage’. This ended the conversation for now.

The Northern kingdom’s capital Nova was built much like any other capital. Large stone walls, enchanted with Runes, surrounded the city. With four gates spread evenly around the wall. Just inside them was inns and houses for the commons. The inner part of the city was split into five parts. The Southern part was the merchant district, where shops and manufacturing happened. To the East was the Noble’s quarters, The Northern area was left to the Knight’s and Mage’s Academy’s. Then to the West was the Main keep and diplomatic lodging. In the centre was the Castle where the Royals lived and conducted themselves.

Next to the city was the Tavian river with ship constantly ferrying goods up and down the river beyond that was farms and fields for livestock. On the other side of the city the Silent Forest lay. In the forest was one of the city’s main money making, a Dungeon.

Despite telling him they would talk; the carriage ride home was done in silence. His father deep in thought. He looked at the passing roads and the familiar signs of his approaching home. The Blackwood family had a modest house compared to others of similar rank, but they were not any less rich. Leon’s father had been a mercenary as well as a Dungeon diver, and despite not having talent for magic, did well enough. Leon himself was from being the captain of the guard paid well to keep the house and hire a couple servants and mange a small business on the side.

The house was split into three wings, the main one for guest and living rooms and two on the side for sleeping.  The house had a small garden with a fountain that was maintained regularly. But what only a few people knew, was that there was a Warded vault under the house, where a few choice items were kept.

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Many of the servants nodded their heads in respect when Leon entered, but he ignored them and hastily went to his room, Jason followed but not as quick as his father, nodding to the servants on the way as they were familiar.

Jason entered his father room and found him shifting the bed aside ‘what are you doing?’

He grunted as the bed finally slide free, ‘help me’ was the only answer Jason got.

Jason glanced over his fathers’ shoulder and his face widened. Under the bed was a trapdoor, which his father unlocked and pulled open. What should be a dark stairway was lit with light somehow. Leon jumped straight in, Jason was hesitant to follow, but a yell from his father made him willing.

‘what is this place?’ Jason had no idea that this was under his feet this whole life, he still could not find what lit this underground place.

His father’s voice came from a room only a little further down ‘a vault, built for my father’ then Jason finished coming down the stairs and found himself in a small room. It was the same size as his bedroom. The room was filled with locked chest and one metal safe, which his father was opening.

Turning around he held a small velvet box, which looked small in his blacksmiths size hands.

The box opened with a pop and in it was a ring. ‘this is the present Jason, happy birthday, since I won’t be hear’

Jason took the ring gingerly ‘what is it?’. Rings where something Nobles would ware and studded with gems. This was not that. It was obsidian black with a lustre that made it look like the night sky.

Leon was still for a moment, like he too was seeing the ring for the first time in his life. ‘truthfully, I don’t know’ he looked closely at it, like he expected it to show its secrets ‘all I know is that it has been in our family for a long time’

Jason was shaking a little ‘how long and does it do anything?’ he hoped it was a magic ring that would make him stronger and heal instantly.

He shook his head ‘as far as I know, it has no purpose other than a heirloom passed down from father to son for hundreds of years, I got it on my fourteenth birthday as well, and someday you will give it to your son’

‘but why are you giving it to me now, my birthday isn’t for months?’ Jason looked at his father with a frown.

He sighed ‘I have to leave tonight’ seeing the shock on Jason’s face he continued ‘things are worse than you think, the kingdom is nearly at war with the Western Kingdom and banditry is at an all-time high’ he spat on the floor, Jason shook his head, he hated him doing that.

‘when I get my hands on them’ he said with a growl.

‘come, best be off to bed, it’s getting late’ he ushered Jason out of the vault and off to bath.

‘the testing day is tomorrow getting some rest’ Jason nodded and was off leaving Leon alone. Leon thought back to the day his father had given him the ring and wished Jason’s mother could be here to see him become a young man. He went off to the table next to his bed and began gathering his supplies.

Jason woke at dawn and gathered his things. To day was his testing day and he needed to look the part. He chose a brown shirt and pants that would be easy to move in. Then he went out and joined his father in eating.

‘bring your sword that I gave you’ Leon was going to make sure that Jason had everything for the test. He nodded and went to fetch it.

Jason returned to his room and reached under his bed and pulled out his sword, which was wrapped in cloth. He slowly unwound the cloth and looked at the leather sheath. Grapping the hilt he pulled out the sword. With a soft whine it came out. It was a long hand and a half sword. Made from high steel and oiled. Sheathing it he looked at the second thing in the cloth, it was also a high steel dagger, meant for places where one could not where a sword. Wrapping the belt around his waist he placed the dagger there. The sword he strapped across his back. Looking back at his room for what felt like the last time, he smiled and closed the door.

Every year anyone who had or was going to turn fourteen, could take the test for Academies for free. The test was administrated in one of the city’s open areas. The ones applying would first take the Knight test then the Magic test which Jason was less interested in, so he knew little about it. What he did know, was the Knight’s test primarily tested the fighting skills of the participant.

It was around midday when it was finally Jason’s turn to spar with a chosen instructor. Several of the instructors knew Leon and waved at Jason. The five instructors where discussing among themselves who should spar with Jason, who was stretching off to the side.

Jason noticed one of them coming towards him and greeted him

‘greeting sir’ he nodded his respect. The instructor studied him. He was a short man, who looked like he has seen his fair share of battles.

The man’s mouth twisted ‘so your Leon’s boy then’ Jason nodded ‘won’t go easy on yah’. Again, Jason nodded. Passing him a training sword he walked back ten meters. The four instructor and father looked on intently. Then with a wave the fight started.

The instructor walked forward with his sword raised ‘show me what you can do’ his eyes locked with Jason’s and they both dashed forward and clashed together. Jason was not going to let his father down and met the challenge headfirst. He focused himself and slashed at the man. The blow was blocked with almost too much ease. He frowned and attacked again using his fathers teaching. The man blocked it all and found an opening and lunged at Jason. Dodging away he knew that he was going to serious. Jason squeezed the handle tightly and use the sword stile Leon had taught him.

Seeing this the man stopped and said, ‘so getting serious huh’.

He ignored him and attacked using all his weight to hit the man’s sword out of his hands. The mans eyes widened and he jumped backwards, having expected this he sliced up and cut the man. The instructor clutched his cut in pain, but it was only a small one.

Jason stopped and bowed his head at the man who did the same.

‘it was better than I expected’ the man put his hand out to shake Jason shook it ‘thank you sir’ he blushed from the praise.

‘I think, I’ll be seeing you around’ he said friendly and walked back to the table. Jason went to Leon.

Leon, much to Jason’s embarrassment hugged him and nearly crushed his ribs

Leon smiled at him ‘well done, I’ve got to go now’ Jason looked at him ‘I’ve gotten you an account with a gold a month for expenses here’ Leon passed Jason a card.

Jason’s eyes bulged at the amount, ‘..dad… that’s… thanks’ Leon looked around and with some hesitation spoke ‘when I get back I think it’s time you knew about your mother’ Jason who was examining the card looked up. His mother was a taboo topic with his father, who immediately shut down all conversations about her.

‘that’s great dad’ Jason was looking forward to his return. Leon said his goodbyes and left Jason to the final test.

What Jason noticed about the second test was the significant lack of people taking it. And the remaining few were all nobles with their sons and daughters. He was called in to a room with only a table and two chairs, one of which was filled with a woman who looked board.

‘sit down please’ she smiles at him and looked at her list, ‘Jason is it?’

‘yeah’ he replied staring at her golden hair. He sat down and noticed that on the table was what looked like glass ball sitting on a tripod.

‘Just place a hand on it’ she instructed. Not thinking anything would happen, he placed his left hand on it. After a second, just before he took it off, he felt something stir in his body and the glass lit up like a sun. yelping he pulled away and the light went out.

Blinking his eyes, he found the woman standing up looking shocked and blinking.

‘was that supposed to happen?’ he asked with a sinking feeling in his stomach

Much to his surprise she shook her head, ‘yes, but not that much, there is no way it should be that bright, do it again’ she demanded staring hard at the glass.

Jason had little choice and could only close his eyes as he pressed his hand back onto the glass.

This time the glass lit up immediately with the light that Jason could see through his closed eyes. After a few seconds he took his hand off and the room fell into what felt like darkness. The woman was staring open mouthed at him like he had just fallen from the sky

‘how do you have that much and yet haven’t been detected before’ she muttered to herself

Jason watched as his life’s dream of becoming a Knight was destroyed because of a glass ball.

The Mage nodded her head ‘well there’s no mistaking it, your coming with me and going to the Arch Mage right now’ she left no room for protest, not that Jason has any, being shocked to the core with the results.

He was a going to become a Mage and learn Magic.