As Gryff walked into the now empty building, those who had once been occupying it leaving after receiving their severance, he heard Brenn marching down the stairs, likely waking as early as Gryff had.

  “So, you've returned, everyone else has left, no doubt due to your “generous” payment. Though many did say they eagerly awaited your return, probably hoping to catch while I'm still gone… except Kat she hasn't been seen in days.” Brenn said with a rather calm voice, the anger from last night hopefully disappearing after a night's rest.

  ‘Did he really forget? He's not known to be a calm and reasonable person’ Gryff thought suspiciously. Of course that was only because Gryff always pushed him too far.

  “I sent Kat on an “important” mission. I couldn't stand the constant wailing any longer, but enough about that, what are we learning today?” Gryf asked with a genuinely excited look.

  He didn't force his hands off of the beautiful woman’s legs this morning simply because he promised to come back in time, though he did hate breaking promises. No, Gryff had a deep desire to learn, his body may have been stronger than most in the outer districts but any who had properly trained in mana or any form cultivation would not have trouble splitting him in half.

  “I think…” Brenn paused with a look of serious contemplation, before glaring at Gryff with a smile “we’ll start with a light spar.”

  “You're not still mad about yesterday are you…” Gryff muttered, beginning to question whether his severance joke was worth it. ‘Though making him mad was pretty funny.’

  “...” Brenn only gave a silent response before walking away from Gryff.

  Gryff quietly followed Brenn towards the back, leading them into an open area outside. There was nothing but dirt for flooring, but it provided enough space for people to be thrown around without damaging the building.

  Brenn always carried a blade with him, a bastard sword sheathed in a scabbard at the right side of his hip and a knife hidden on the left side of his lower back. He was skilled with both weapons, despite only being 15 cycles, there were few in the outer districts who could fight him.

  Gryff on the other hand carried no weapons, his inability to channel mana outside his body making them too fragile, prefering to use his hands for combat. For most this would be an idiotic way to die, unless one had proficiency in mana or cultivated a technique, fighting armed opponents with bare hands was suicidal. But Gryff had no need for cheap steel, his flesh was as durable as condensed stone, hardened by his persistent training and the blood flowing in him.

  As Brenn began to turn towards Gryff, preparing to announce the start of their training, a foot came flying towards his face. However, with a slight tilt to his body, Brenn avoided the attack, proceeding to unsheathe his sword while jumping back to avoid another kick. With some distance between the two, Brenn raised his hand and began to draw the rune of fire in the air, using the mana within him.

  Gryff decided to rush him before Brenn could complete the symbol, digging his feet into the dirt and compressing his muscles before unleashing a powerful leap into the air. Unfortunately the rune casting had been a feint.

  Gryff had propelled himself into the air leaving no room to maneuver, he followed through with his attack. Despite the speed at which he flew, Brenn managed to turn his body and deflect Gryffs fist. Anticipating this Gryff followed the inertia of his fist to launch a spinning kick.

  ‘Ah, that was a mistake…” Gryff thought, making peace with his actions.

  Before his kick could land, a counter kick from Brenn launched him into the air. Brenn grabbed Gryff's ankle and rotated his body spinning Gryff upwards in the other direction before slamming him into the dirt. Still a bit dazed from the sudden impact Gryff heard a loud shout piercing his ear.

  “Did you seriously think a surprise attack would save you!”

  ‘Hmm.. honestly I was indeed hoping it would.’ Gryff thought silently, not wishing for the incoming beating to be worse.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  ***

  Sitting at a desk, Gryff keenly followed Brenns lecture, uncaring for injuries. His body was different from its usual appearance of a polished stone statue come to life, it was more reminiscent of the roads near him. His arms were covered in cracks and his chest spotted with deep marks, fractured veins spreading from points of impact.

  Despite this Gryff had a placid smile on his face, Brenn’s lectures on proper mana flow were a bit dry and his education on the old languages incomplete, but the knowledge was still valuable. Though it could not compare to the school the privileged went in order to prepare for the moon’s coming trial.

  The academies humanity had established to protect its borders were a sight to behold, grand libraries filled with the knowledge humanity had gained about their new world, vast training grounds and mentors who prepared students to survive the lands outside the safety of cities, and vaults filled with treasured items, grimoires, and even cultivation books.

  Gryff hoped we would be able to visit such places, not as a student, more of a…

  ‘WIth such a large collection, surely they could afford to part with a few grimoire and cultivation books. The knowledge was meant for humans after all, so taking a few items wouldn’t be considered stealing. ‘ Despite his looks Gryff presumed he was half human, the nature of his lineage still somewhat of a mystery to him.

  Gryff was mainly after the cultivation books, most greatly improving combat ability. Unfortunately cultivation had been one of the few subjects Brenn knew completely nothing about, the techniques of his family only available after the age of 13.

  If mana flow was the practice of absorbing the ambient energy of the world, cultivating was the practice of using a technique to enhance oneself, either developing a special ability or a general improvement to the body..

  Although a few cultivation techniques were available in the outer districts, the knowledge easily accessible for the right price, such techniques were unstable or had low potential. Practicing them would only leave a poor foundation for the future, limiting your potential, leading only the desperate to learn them.

  “Thus the runes of fire and ice, while closely related are distinct in a few key ways, both relate to the vibration of the world but while fire enhances those vibrations, ice slows them down.” Brenn calmly finished, his rage leaving him during their spar.

  Gryff was fascinated with learning more about runes, the more insight one had in a rune, the more powerful its invoked effects and efficacy would be. Though it was a shame he could not use any of them, it wasn't for lack of knowledge, rather the problem was mana could not leave his body, presumably a consequence from his absent father’s bloodline.

  Mana allowed for interaction with the world itself without it another medium had to be used, Gryff still paid close attention to Brenn, after all, all knowledge is useful, its value only determined by the user.

  “And that wraps up today’s lesson”

  Brenn ended his lecture as evening began to approach, the celestial body high above growing dimmer in its abundance of light and more crimson. There was no sun up above, only a constant moon that changed its color and brightness, its final change leading all those who had turned 15 this cycle, transported without anything to accompany them.

  ‘If im to appear without clothes, I should at least have a reason.’ Gryff thought with a nod.

  “Brenn get your things, tonight we spend our last moments in good company.”

  “No.” Brenn had not hesitated to answer.

  “Alright you drive a hard bargain, let's go to the Wild Boar, women for me and good meal before we disappear for you.”

  “No.”

  “Fine, only meals... and a bit of gambling.” Gryff said, It would be a boring night if he only had his quiet companion for entertainment.

  “You're not gonna take no for an answer are you?”

  Brenn’s question was met only by a wide smile by Gryff.

  ***

  Gryff and Brenn walked along the streets, unlike this morning, faint wails and cries could be heard. Whether this was due to people preparing to part with their loved ones or just the atmosphere of the neighborhood was of no consequence to Gryff.

  ‘Tonight even the cries of the city seem nostalgic.’

  Gryff wondered if he would miss even this somber atmosphere once he was gone, probably not, but the thought alone surprised him.

  The pair walked through the Wild Boar’s doors walking to the seemingly only empty table, its lively atmosphere in complete contrast to its outside environment.

  The Wild Boar was a popular tavern, one of the only places around offering a good meal, managing to obtain decent enough ingredients despite the shortage of supplies. It was a neutral territory, where all sorts tended to visit, the first floor was a decent enough place to have a drink with the two floors above providing privacy for those who sought it.

  “Sorry Gryff, all the girls are occupied, ya gonna have to suffice with just a meal and for the last time i'm not available.”

  Nat said, walking towards Gryffs table with a lovely smile.

  Nat, the daughter of Sven the tavern owner, had short Black hair and brown eyes. An air of naivety and playfulness surrounded her, however she had survived being teleported and even managed to travel back home not too long ago. Most were unable to travel between cities, the cities they found refuge in usually becoming their permanent residence, meaning she was more dangerous than she let on.

  “No, I'm simply here for a meal tonight, 4 large roasted chickens, 2 bowls of soup, a loaf of bread and 3 cups of your strongest drink.” Gryff replied

  “I’ll have the same but replace the drink with milk.”

  Though Brenn did not have a fondness for the cheap drinks served at the tavern, he was not opposed to them. However, tonight alcohol would be a poor choice, even within higher society, surviving the coming ordeal would not be easy.

  Brenn looked around the room, many were here to forget their coming departure, drinking and sleeping in order to abandon their worry. Brenn looked down on them, not only were they not preparing for the coming ordeal, they were worsening their chances by dulling their senses. They were no different from dead men walking.

  “Really milk?” Gryff scoffed.