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

Universal Hatred

Sin felt something smash against his shoulder and though it wasn't something that was painful to his unconscious mind; it was something that he was finding annoyance in. By the third strike that he felt, Sin snapped his eyes opened and readied himself to pounce on the individual who was bothering him.

The moment that Sin opened his eyes, he saw the face of a middle-aged male standing before him and though he wanted to punch the man for bothering him; this urge quickly vanished when Sin noticed that the man was dressed in the same fashion that Mages would be in.

Sin immediately jumped to his feet and was about to give the Mage a bow; though before he could make his body get into the motions, the Mage started speaking. "You're not supposed to be sleeping here. If you need a place to stay, there is an inn a few streets away!" the Mage spoke out and though Sin couldn't hear any malice in the man's voice, he knew that the man meant what he had said.

Even though Sin didn't want to anger someone who had the abilities to light him aflame with just a few words, he didn't want to give up either. Sin could tell that the Mage was wanting him to leave so he could return to whatever business he had before waking him from his slumber though from how serious he was taking his vow; Sin knew that he had to say something to this stranger. "I wasn't trying to break any rules sir! I just wanted to be the first one here to enter the Academy in the morning." Sin explained as he held up his hands in a placating notion and thankfully due to how dark that it was; his tusks were hidden from view which gave Sin the courage to speak in the first place.

Upon hearing Sin's explanation, understanding dawned upon the Mage. "You must be here to sign up for the Academy...you should have just come inside instead of sleeping out here. There are plenty of others just like you inside the Academy right now." The Mage responded before waving for Sin to follow him.

Since this man has been the most pleasant individual that he has met so far on his journey to this city; Sin was quite pleased to do as he suggested and started following behind the man. Sin watched as the Mage pushed a button on the side of the door which soon started swinging the object out.

As soon as the Academy entrance opened, both the Mage and Sin made their way through it and the moment that they did so; the door shut once again. Though Sin wanted to spend some time marveling at the wonders he was seeing within the building he was unable to since his guide didn't give him time to. Wanting to keep up with the older male, Sin immediately started walking once more.

While they were walking, Sin could hear the Mage speaking though it seemed like it was nothing important, so he wasn't paying much mind to what the man was saying though suddenly the Mage stopped and turned back to face Sin which startled him from his mind and as such he started paying more attention to the Mage. Whether or not the Mage was able to tell that Sin wasn't paying much attention to what he had been saying was unknown to him since the Mage continued speaking as if he noticed nothing.

"Where are my manors...I believe that I didn't introduce myself." The Mage stammered out and though he paused for a short breath, his words came out quite quickly once more which made it seem as if he didn't pause at all. "My name is Sten Cusha, and I am one of the faculty members here at the Academy." The now named Sten informed Sin.

Now that Sin was surrounded by a lit hallway, he was wearier of speaking back to Sten though since the Mage up to this point had given Sin no reason to fear him; the younger male decided that he would risk it. "It is a pleasure to meet you Sten. My name is Sin Estiri." Sin replied to the older Mage.

This was something that Sin would later wish he hadn't done since the moment that his tusks were revealed, Sten revolted away as if Sin had the capability to infect him with a plague of unknown origin. As Sin stood there, it seemed as if everything was happening in slow motion which caused his own movements to be slow as he watched Sten's hand descend to a blade that he had just now noticed sheathed on his hip. "Your name is quite fitting for filth like you! How was it that I was tricked into allowing you to enter this beloved place?" the man snarled as he started to unsheathe his sword.

Since Sin had been expecting something like this to happen once his half-blooded nature was discovered, he had come prepared though due to his shock at Sten's sudden hatred for him; Sin wasn't able to get his body to move towards the dagger he had hidden in the small of his back.

As if granted a one time wish from some unknown God, Sten didn't have much longer to draw his weapon which was soon proved by the voice that called through the hallway. "Sten! What is taking so long? They arena fights are about to start..." an unknown male voice called through the Academy hallways and though the voice stopped, it started back up again. "...look at you. You are always bringing late comers to these initiations. Come this way boy and we will get you signed up for the Academy tests." The newcomer called out which gave Sin cause to hurry past Sten.

Using every ounce of his strength, Sin sprinted down the hallway and arrived at the individual who had saved him within a record time. The moment that Sin arrived, the newcomer turned and made his way towards a side hallway which gave Sin the time he needed to see what Sten was doing. Turning back, Sin saw that Sten's eyes have never once left his body and from the daggers that were glaring at him; Sin knew that Sten was telling him that he wouldn't allow him to be here long.

Not wishing to dwell on the man who was just about to end his life, Sin turned away from Sten and followed the other man to where he was supposed to be getting signed up at and as he was doing this; Sin was thinking on the interaction he had just had with Sten. "Am I always going to have to face this hatred? Is there anywhere in this world that is designed for those like me or is hatred for half-breeds a universal attribute?" Sin asked himself as he came into a room that was flooded with figures who were vying for a position within the Academy.

*

Just like the man that had saved him from Sten had said, the arena fights started ten minutes after Sin had been signed up to participate in the Academy selection ceremony. Since he had signed up later than most people here; Sin had to wait until they called his name to fight and though he thought at first that they would allow those not watching to see what was happening within the arena, Sin learned that those who were not currently fighting were locked inside a room with those that they would be fighting.

To Sin it seemed as if this were supposed to make those partaking in the initiation uncomfortable which he would inform them worked if he were ever asked about it though since he was trying to ensure that he passed these trials; Sin decided to focus on the others that were within the chamber with him.

Besides Sin himself, there were three others within the chamber; one was female while the others were male. The races of those within the room were strangely outbalanced if you asked Sin since there was only one full human which happened to be one of the males. While both others were elves which though Sin found it odd that they would seek admittance into a human run academy; it wasn't abnormal since the war ended for other races to become citizens for another kingdom.

As Sin was analyzing his opponents, he noticed that the human that was within the room was eying him with the same disgust that Sten and so many others have showed too him. Though Sin was tempted to reprimand the other male for the way he was staring; Sin decided that it wouldn't be wise to cause tension between another combatant who may decide to specifically target him through the battle that was surely ready to come.

Thankfully, Sin didn't have to worry about this issue for long since a few moments later; the door to the chamber that kept them locked inside opened.