As I walked up to the gate which was 20 feet tall. Made of wood with some spikes on the outside of it pointed at me. I wanted to make a good first impression and not seem weird.

“Who goes there? ” yelled the guard. He was taller, like 6 2”. Had a bald head and a big brown beard.

“I’m Tim and I would like to enter this great town,” I said. Maybe if I give him a half-truth then he will let me in.

“I’m Glorton the guard, why do you want to enter?” Glorton asked.

“I’m just a wandering traveler and would like somewhere to rest,” I replied. I hope this works. If not I guess I’m going back to the mountains.

“Let me see your adventure card.”

What in the world is that, maybe something like an id in this world maybe. “I lost in a fight with a lava bear.”

“You mean a magma bear.”

“Yep” Please don’t make me go back out there because I said the wrong word.

“Come on in but you better go get another adventure card.”

“Ok thanks, Glorton” What a weird name is everyone’s name like that?

I slowly walked through the gate, the street was blood red, maybe made with fire dust. The buildings were all painted red but made of wood. The buildings closest to the gate the wood looked younger than the rest of the town.

The temperature was way cooler here than in the mountains, there was even a nice breeze. As I walked through town I expected weird looks. But nothing it was like they were used to seeing a man basically naked with tons of scars.

“Sir, can you help me? I'm looking for where you can get an adventure card.” I asked.

The old man looked me up and down. Then he started laughing. He had some muscles and his white mustache was cared for.

“How can you not know? I mean you are a dumb brute. But that's dumb. Ha ha ha.”

“Sir if you can’t help me I will go somewhere else.”

“Where you can’t even find the biggest building in town. They did that so brutes as you could see it. Ha ha ha.”

After I left the old man, looking like a fool for asking. But it’s not my fault I just got here. Fuck I am going to look like a dumb brute that old man is right. I walked up to the huge building modeled after a giant tree. The old man was right. I am dumb for missing this. The first thing was the smell. As I approached the building, my nose was hit with the overpowering scent of cheap booze. It seeped through the walls and into the street as if the building was sweating out its drunken inhabitants. I took a deep breath and stepped inside, bracing myself for what was to come. The noise level was deafening. It was as if a rock concert and a wild party had been merged into one chaotic mess. The sound bounced off every surface, assaulting my ears with a barrage of music, laughter, and slurred speech.

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I had to shout just to be heard over the din. As I made my way through the crowd, the smell grew stronger. It was a pungent mix of spilled alcohol, sweat, and other unidentifiable substances. My stomach churned as I tried to ignore it and focus on finding a place to sit. But the chaos was everywhere. In the center of the room, a group of people were fighting, fists flying as they battled it out. The people in line for drinks didn't even seem to notice, or maybe they just didn't care. They were too busy shouting their orders over the din and jostling for position.

I looked around for the main desk so I could find where I could get my adventure card. I had to body-check people to move so I would have a way to the desk. This place was really barbaric and it seemed like the strongest rule of the place if you could even call it ruling.

I pushed and shoved my way through the sea of people, struggling to get to the front desk. Finally, I made it through, only to be met with a sight that left me astounded. The desk was cracked and chipped, with holes covering its surface. It was as if it had been through a war and had emerged battered and bruised. I couldn't help but wonder what sort of chaos had led to this destruction. Despite the damage, the desk still stood tall and proud, a testament to its resilience. It was a symbol of strength in the face of adversity - a reminder that no matter how battered we may become, we can still persevere. As I stood there, taking in the sight before me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence. This desk had been witness to so much of the comings and goings of countless people, the highs and lows of their lives.

“Hello, I would like an adventure card,” I asked. A small little girl, maybe around 13, popped up from the desk. She had long brown hair. Wearing a black dress like every other girl working here. She had the name Asclea on her name tag. Why does everyone have these weird ass names? Or am I the weird one? I mean I’m not in my world anymore. Of course, they're going to have different common names.

“Yes, I can do that for you. Have you had an adventure card before or is this your first one?” she asked.

“This is my first card Asclea,” I said. Will they not give me one? Will they think it's weird I don’t have one? Am I too old to get one? Does every kid have a job?

“I just have to ask some questions. Is that ok?” she squeaked.

“What’s your full name?” she squeaked.

“Tim Godwind,” I said. I mean my last name is kinda weird just like their names here.

“Oh, I’m so sorry Tim, that's a horrible thing your parents did to you. Why not change your name?” she replied with sadness.

“What’s wrong with my name?” I worried about what things called Tim were here. Was Tim a name for animals or slaves?

“You don’t even know I’m so sorry” she bowed “That name only goes onto bastards ”

Of course, my name translates to a bastard, whatever at this point.

“Ok thank you,” I replied.

“The only other question is what is your level?”

“I’m level 2.”

“Thank you, you are now a bronze-ranked adventurer.”

I walked away with a new id and now know that people see me as a bastard. God damn it. Then the door blasted open. Slamming in the walls.

“Everyone, it's time where you can sign up for the exams. Today is the day.” Some young man with short orange hair yelled.

The exams, if they're making a big deal about it, must be good. I go check it out it better be like any standardized testing. As I started jogging to keep up with the mob running to the sign-up area. The area where the line has had a glow to it. They were showing off their magic, if they could do this they could clean the streets. But they would rather the poor suffer. What assholes this is what the academy is all about. Having a big ass ego.

As people walked away sad. It seemed like nobody was getting in. This is what everyone was excited about, getting in line just to be denied if you're accepted it must be good but only them rich assholes can get in is my guess.

I finally reached the front of the line. With a man skinny build and wearing a blue robe.

“Ok sir, place your hand here on the stone.” the man said. I did what he asked and placed my hand on the ice-cold stone.

“No magic core, how is that possible, I mean you have to have a little magic, or else you die.” He asked. Will he think I am from another world?

“I’m just lucky. Can I join whatever this is?” I asked.

With a shocked face, he asked“ You don’t know what the academy is? ”

“Nope, I just saw everyone come over here and thought to join them,” I said. Hopefully, this makes him forget about the magic core, though with that shocked face it isn’t likely.

“The academy is where anyone can go to become the great heroes that will save us.” he preached. Is the academy so cult or church? Why does he sound like a preacher?

“Ok, what do I need to do to join?” I asked.

“Ha you couldn’t even pass the exams without magic,” he said while holding in a laugh. I knew it, these academy people are bitches.

“You want to make it a bet?” I asked. I hated when people said they were better than me, I could always work harder to beat them.

“I will let you take the exam, and if you win you get a favor but if I win then I get a favor,” he said with a grin.

“Deal,” I said. I will show this prick what a little hard work can do. I pass this exam, whatever it is, and show that even without magic. I’m not some trash that they can push around.