For Little Nate—
may you always know that even in the darkest chapters,
light can learn to stay.
And for Mathew Dawson,
who taught me that stories are sometimes how we survive.
"I know this is a little different from my typical writing style but I thought that it would be best to have a little narration in this book. Don't worry most of this story will be written in the present but I thought it best for me to tell you how it all began."
"One day there was a couple who got a little carried away with some…extracurricular activities. Several months later the couple found out they were going to have a baby. Normally a couple would be joyful at such a momentous occasion but this couple didn't have the financial means nor will to raise a child. So one day they set the child up for adoption."
"And here is where our main character takes over have fun reader I'll be back soon."
My name is Aerin and I live in a small village of Assassins. I was adopted by my old man, his name is Arthur. He was once an assassin as well but he is too old for that now. He now works as the village cook. I know from assassin to cook, pretty dramatic change right? Well he's got to work somehow.
He adopted me when I was around 12 weeks old and has been raising me ever since. Oh I almost forgot our village is called Greywake we are next to Stillfen the village of ninjas. Both villages only have a population of around 200,000 people.
Tomorrow is my first day of assassin school I'm 6 years old now and can't let my old man take care of me forever.
Either way I hope I make some friends tomorrow.
The next day…
"Be safe Aerin and do your best on your exam." Arthur yelled.
I will old man. See you soon.
I'm finally going to meet some kids my age I wander what assassin school is like.
A few minutes later…
I finally arrived. Let's go inside and find my class.
6-B, 6-B, oh here it is 6-B.
Where should I sit every row has someone in it besides the back. Ehh I'll sit at the back.
"Everyone settle down it's time to start our lecture on the basics of being an assassin." The teacher said.
That must be our teacher. Boy he seems scary.
"Ok. Getting on with the lecture. Can anyone tell me what we call the power we all possess?"
"Aru." One kid said.
"Very good. Aru is in essence the natural energy of the universe everything that exists his some form of Aru fueling its existence. The more Aru you have the longer you can live and the stronger you become." The teacher replied.
"But Aru can also be used in a variety of different ways. For example, Aru can also be used as Kata, Ryn, and Rite. Can anyone tell me what those are?" The teacher asked.
"They are the Praxis." One kid said.
"Yes that is correct. In simple terms Praxis are the different ways to use Aru in combat." The teacher replied.
"Kaya is the form of Praxis that allows for the manipulation of elements like, fire, water, wind, earth, light, darkness, gravity, and much more. Ryn is the form of Praxis that enhances the body both physically and mentally. Rite are in short trickery Praxis for example, physical Illusions, mind illusions, traps, and much more." The teacher added.
"Tomorrow there will be a lecture on how to use each of these Praxis on the most basic level but as for today there will be a test on how much you know about Praxis." The teacher said.
"So look in your desk there is a sheet of paper with 12 questions on it there is also a pencil in the desk. You need to answer 10 out of the 12 questions to pass. Your time starts now you have 20 minutes." The teacher said.
At the end of the day after school was over…
That was a long first day of school.
A few minutes later…
I'm home old man.
"Welcome back. Would you like some noodles?" Arthur asked.
Yes please old man.
"Rough day huh?" Arthur asked concerningly.
Yeah. We just had a lecture and a stupid test today. Not much time to make friends.
"Ahh. Well there is always time but there is never a lot of time." Arthur said.
You're always so vague when you give advice old man.
"You'll understand my advice one day." Arthur said with a smile.
"Get some rest I'll clean things up here." Arthur said.
Thanks old man.
To be continued…