The Summoner's Mark (First Draft) (Book One)

Reaching for the Stars

"You can do this Sin...you can do this!" the young man that was known as Sin told himself over and over as he made his way towards the gates of the capital city of the Zesian Dynasty that housed the one and only Academy that focuses on training those with magical aptitude.

The reason for this mantra that he was repeating inside of his head was from the many disheartening comments that he had received when he told those who looked after him that he was leaving the orphanage that he grew up within. When questioned on the reason, Sin politely informed them that he was no longer waiting for the happy ending that they promised him and instead was going to secure his future on his own by entering a Mage Academy.

Sin who was currently miles away, could still hear the laughter that he was met with after they learned of his plans. "I am going to be accepted...and once I am I will go back and show them who was reaching for the stars!" Sin snarled to himself and from his frustrations at the reactions he received; Sin's mouth also opened which allowed his tusk like canines to become visible.

Fearing that he would draw the attention of one of the other passerby's; Sin quickly snapped his mouth shut which caused some shockwaves of pain to echo throughout his jaw. Since this feature that he bares is the one that has always drawn the most stares and the occasional violent act that was directed towards him; Sin has grown to despise this part of himself even though there isn't anything that could be done about it.

Casting his eyes around the area, Sin was able to see that no one was paying much attention to him which meant that his oversized canines weren't spotted by any of the other travelers.

Now that he had no current reason to fear those around him, Sin's fears began to calm, and he was able to feel his heartrate slow. By this time, Sin as well as many of the other travelers had reached the city gate. Since Sin had never had the opportunity to leave the city that he was raised in, he was unfamiliar with the ways that newcomers were treated in the rest of the kingdom and while the rest of the travelers waited for the guards to allow them to enter; Sin started walking through the gates which ended up not being the brightest idea that he had ever had.

The sound of metal scrapping on metal echoed throughout the area as the guards unsheathed their weapons though thankfully for Sin, these weapons were only used to block his path and not cause bodily harm to him. "You must wait at the back of the line before you gain entrance in the city!" the gruff voice of the guard growled out as he glared at Sin for trying to enter the city without their permission.

Turning to see where the guard was pointing, Sin saw that the other travelers that were with him when he had reached the city gates were formed in a straight line which told Sin that gaining entrance into the city will be a long process since he has now held everyone up.

*

By the time that Sin as well as the others who were trying to gain entrance into the city were able to, the sun had already started to set. Thankfully, Sin had been able to enter the city gates before then since the sun setting means that the city was closed to travelers until the morning since many within the empire feared what nightfall would bring with it.

Since many of the shops were closing for the night within the walls of Athesa, Sin assumed that the Academy he was trying to seek entrance into would be as well. Even with this thought, Sin vowed that he would be the first to gain entrance into the walls of the institute that he would be joining and as such; he pushed forward. Due to him being a newcomer within Athesa, Sin's eyes were drawn to everything that he passed which allowed him to see that much of the beginning portion of the city needed repairs which was clear from how many of the buildings looked as if they were about to crumble.

Besides the sights that he was taking in, Sin was also assaulted with the acidic scent of urine which seemed to coat every aspect of the entrance area of Athesa. "Why does the capital city smell so horrid?" Sin cried to himself as he brought the sleeve of his shirt to his nose to help block the smell that was intruding into his nostrils.

As Sin was doing this, he noticed a large figure standing off to the side of the cobbled road that he was walking across and though at first, he didn't understand what the from was doing; it soon became evident from the stream that blasted out of his groin to coat the walls of the building that man was standing before.

Not wanting to witness any more of this revolting public display, Sin turned his gaze and walked faster through the city streets.

*

Another hour had passed by the time that Sin had been able to get through the lower section of the and by this time; he was quite thankful that the air smelled more hygienic. During his travels through the city, Sin had been able to notice the handmade street signs that pointed towards important parts of the city and due to these signs; he was able to find the location of the Academy.

Besides the castle which housed the King and his family; Sin had to assume that the Academy was one of the best designed buildings within the city which was clear from how the building sparkled even in the darkness that had fallen upon Athesa.

From examining the area, Sin couldn't see one other individual that was currently outside of the Academy like he was. Sin assumed that this was because the Academy had closed itself from those who had yet to become students or those who didn't work in the Academy. Since Sin had vowed to himself that he would be the first to enter the Academy the next day; he made his way to the entrance of the institute and sat himself next to its doors.

Though Sin was a little fearful of being outside within this new city surrounded by shadows and the horrors that his mind was telling him were within them; he wasn't going to allow this to stop him. "I will gain entrance here and when I do, I will show everyone that my dreams are worth more than their petty ideas of what my kind are good for!" Sin snarled under his breath as he leaned his head against the walls of the Academy.

Within seconds after his head touched the walls, Sin could feel his eyes falling shut and though he tried to fight the sleep that was trying to claim him; he was unable to find success in this and eventually succumbed to his exhaustion.