Merc Academy: The New Generation

Rillo

Gunshots ring throughout the basement halls. One. Two. Three. All targets go down, each of them hit. I don't have to look to see if my shots are accurate, I already know they are. The smoking ends of my pistols signaling the end of my exam. I place my guns back in my holsters and turn my back to the shooting range. The other students look on in awe, some of them in anger, but I only stare back at them with my everyday bored expression. It wasn't difficult to see why Torchlight never had any legends of its own, the Academy's exams were far too easy. I could have passed it at age six, but that might have just been my upbringing. In the back of the room I see my mother, her arms crossed with a proud smile across her face. She had taught me well.

My mother was the renowned Jessica Marx. The Vanquisher that saved the world from an unspeakable horror inside Torchlight's very own mines. Once an adventurer, now a teacher for other Outlanders like us. People come from all over to seek her guidance, but fortunately, I have had it all my life. I was not going to the Academy to learn, but to prove what I already know so that I may walk in my mother's footsteps.

I stride out of the Exam room, my boots clicking on the stone floor as I walk. I pull out one of my pistols and reattach my Ember. There was no rule against using the powerful weapon enhancers, but in order to showcase my skill, I went without them. I do the same for my twin weapon as I step into the elevator. I pull the lever and the contraption lurches upward. Explosions rattle the building, bringing forth a deep sigh from my chest. You would think that they would hold the Mage Exams in the basement too, but that would be far too logical. Instead, they hold them on the roof. I just hope the Academy is built as strong as the mines. Exiting the building I return my mask to its proper place. It was a mask from Zeryphesh, this being made obvious by its stern expression and its bronze coloring.

Stepping out of the front door to the Academy, I am greeted by the sounds of combat. The hopeful Berserker's Entrance Exam was a tournament that takes place on the practice field nearby. Might as well take a look while I am here, no?