'Aimee, aren't you forgetting something?' her mother cried, as her daughter was about to lower herself down the ladder rungs.

'I don't think so?'

'Of course you are, you always do. It's the starter kit I prepared for you!'

Aimee stepped up back onto the wooden landing, 'They'll be giving out freebies anyways. I'm new and fresh to the game!' The young blonde haired girl flashed a big smile. 'I'll pick it up later!'

'It's better to take it-'

'Where am I going to put it? I need space for potions and books. I promise I'll pick it up, so hang onto it. When I'm done receiving the medal, I'll come straight back!'

'You better. Or I'll give it to somebody else.'

Aimee got herself back on the ladder and only when she shouted her goodbyes was when her adventure would begin. She'd been eyeing returning Explorers from her window and saw people who she thought she knew, return great and mighty hereos. But she would do better than them. Once she received the okay from Grendel and whacked enough monsters, she'd be greater by a landslide, even the greatest. But fantasy could not intervene with her trip to the Ellinia Library, where Grendel was sure to be found. There she would receive a wand carved from oak, and a starter guide to magic. With the help of those two items, defensive and offensive spells would be easy matter to her. She came across another person on her way, in Aimee's eyes getting their bearing. She thought to call out to them; give help along the way. It wasn't long before she put her plan into motion.

'Hey! Are you lost?'

The person in question turned around, and it was revealed to be a boy. He was around her age, ten centimeters taller than her at the most, and had black hair and silver eyes. By his clothes alone, he wasn't a Magician. Or a Warrior, even.

'Where do you need to go? I'll help you, free of charge!' she lightly joked with the stranger, hoping he'd show a smile.

'I'm not lost. I was on my way, until you came along.'

'Hey, I'm just trying to do my bit as the good Explorer I am! There's no reason to take offence.' She eyed his outfit for a second time, 'Say, you're not from around here, are you?'

'Congratulations on working that out. I'm a Thief.'

'A Thief?' Shouldn't he be in the shadows, unbeknowst to most, hopping from rooftop to rooftop like in the movies her father often rented? Why was he out in the open?

She said to his annoyance, 'I don't have much on me! I only get five hundred mesos a month!'

'If I had to steal from somebody, it wouldn't be from a lowly citizen like you. You haven't reached your first advancement to begin with.'

'Some kids get parental permission first! Looks like you just went on your own. And decided to be a Thief, no less. They must have thrown you out once you told them!'

He finally pushed her aside, 'Get out of the way, I'm done talking to you.'

'And I'm done talking to you. Acting so high and mighty for a new recruit.'

He scoffed at her remark and was gone in no less than ten seconds. She put aside her bad mood in the prospect of meeting one of the greatest magicians to be, and went about on her journey. She'd prove him wrong in time. She'd by known by face and name, through the continents on the Maple World, envied by people of all job classes. The Warriors would envy her magnitude of spells and the Bowmen would appreciate her ornate wands and staffs. The Pirates would praise her majesty when in action, and the Thieves, they would be outmatched in power and skill and slink away in shame. Now at her destination, she opened to find a vast, open space filled with books, scrolls and tapestries. Other libraries could not contend on the knowledge availible, that had been penned from years before to this current day. She found a nearby clerk dealing with papers and got their attention.

'I'm looking for Grendel. Could you show me to him?'

'Ah, yes. You wish to become a Magician. Your parents sent in an inquiry not too long ago. Follow me.'

Aimee tagged behind the fast paced clerk, whose heels clacked against the floorboards. She became nervous as the moment approached, and her heart rate was a clear indicator of that. She clutched both hands over the area in response.

'This room is where Grendel meets all prospective students. He'll be here soon enough. He's already aware of your presence.'

A surprised Aimee asked, 'How is that possible?'

'Being alive for so long does have its perks. There he is now.'

Hovering before them both he said 'Welcome. I suppose you wish to become a Magician?'

'Y-Yes!'

'Good choice. I am always eager to see a young mind partake in the magic arts. We will start the process immediately.'

A faint glow grew into something much bigger, and enveloped Aimee whole. Through the brightness and overwhelming warmth, a figure was visible. A distant figure, wavering and shimmering, a total wonder to her eyes. She decided to outstretch her arms, in attempt to close in on it. It was then when the ceremony concluded and the light faded. Aimee, now a little skittish place her hands round her back, 'So I'm a Magician now?'

'That is correct.' Grendel replied, 'This clerk here will deal with the necessities. For now, I expect to see you grow; to be proficient in wizardry. And for your character to also in turn benefit from thus.'

There came a crashing sound, the fluttering of age old fallen pages and the denting of age old book covers. 'Seems like there's trouble.'

The clerk unsheathed a wand, 'I'll attend to it straightaway.'

Aimee saw an opportunity in this and jumped at the chance. She rushed to exit the room first, swiftly turning around and said, 'Let me assist! Two hands gets the work done quicker!'

'Very well.' Grendel added, 'You may lend your assistance. I will leave the two of you to settle the issue at hand.' With the wave of his crystal ball, he vanished.

'You heard him.' the clerk said, now investigating the empty halls of the library. The library is the least populated at these hours, so we often lose our guard. But rowdy monsters sometimes can wander too far from the forest and take residence in here.'

'My first monster!' Aimee nearly squealed, so delighted. 'I'll take it on!'

'That's a good spirit to have.' the clerk replied, stopping to examine the next turn before resuming walk, 'Be sure of your health, you are not equipped with the heavy armour of a Warrior.'

'I'll keep my distance. My mother was sure to advise me on that the other day.' Aimee caught a shadow in the corner of her eye, 'Something just moved.'

'I saw it too. First, let's seal the perimeter.' the clerk then whispered words unknown to Aimee and raising her own wand, a blue beam quickly rose to the ceiling and tinged the walls with a new tone. There came more movements after that, the hurried turning of a knob following by the banging of a door being wrestled with. Someone was actively attempting escape, and could in fact not. This was the chance for Aimee to cast a spell of her own, one that would put her in Grendel's good books. "Minutes from her advancement to a Magician, young girl apprehends unwelcome vistor in the Library" was the headline she had already conjured up so far on their chase.

'Do you have a wand I can use, Miss?' she asked as she was made to keep a faster pace as the search grew frantic.

'Yes, I do. And you are free to use it.' the clerk responded, pulling into her pocket and revealing an small, well carved wand. It reflected her current skill basis, although Aimee was immediately fond of it, making a note to nickname it down the line.

The passing shadow was eventually cornered, as it collided with another shelf and more books met with the floor. The two pursuers stood in the pursued's way as they both drew their wands out.

'Infiltrator! Reveal yourself!' Aimee said, a close mimick to what she witnessed on TV.

'So you've got a wand now, how good of you.' the once thought to be a monster person said, taking a book off their head. It was the boy from earlier, the Thief, still carrying two books under his arm.

'All you had to do was ask to lend them. Why resort to thievery?' the clerk spoke, reaching to return a few of the knocked books back to the shelves.

'It's in the name. Plus I have no wishes to put my name down here for reference.'

'For a Thief, you sure are easy to spot. I was bummed you weren't a mushroom so I could zap you.'

'Could you even accomplish that? You're holding it titled.'

'Now, now.' the clerk intervened. 'You both are starting out and there's no need to one up each other. Young man, I suppose you've been placed on your first mission?'

'What's it to you?'

'So I've guessed correctly. I think you've taken it into your own hands to take them, whereas you were merely told to retreive them. It's not good to set a bad precedent for others.'

'And I'll say it again, what's it to you?' the boy was incredibly furious.

'I had thought the issue was resolved at this point.' Grendel re-appeared in front of the three, not a worry on his face. He firstly turned to the boy, 'What brings you to the Ellinia Library?'

'None of your business, old man.'

'You don't speak to an elder like that! That's what my father always said.' Aimee snapped.

'Your father said wrong. I have no use in hearing useless prattle from all ages.'

'What? Do you really want to have it?' she targeted her wand back onto him.

'You two severely lack in patience, having so easily given into your emotions. To be skilled in whichever class they are, one must know their boundaries on the battlefield. Judging by your actions, if you continue like this your chances of survival out there will be diminished. And you will certainly have no chance against the Black Mage.'

The two young children stopped their bickering to tune into the words from the oldest human known alive. Their times were not a time of peace, and the increase of monster activity reflected this. Many villagers from many towns alike have had their fair share of run-ins with monsters. They had the responsibility to fight in place of the ones who couldn't, and had already put that to shame.

Grendel continued, 'It's much too early to let you two embark by yourselves. I suggest you travel together and handle issues that the clerk will assign onto you both. I need you both acting within the realms of the law, and to not trouble any you cross paths with.'

'Why with her?' the boy was quick to protest, 'She's threatening to attack me, she's violent!'

'Only because if I don't stop you, you'll be pilfering the whole of Victoria Island! It's in your nature!'

'What nature?' the boy growled. 'You're really asking for it.'

'Enough!' Grendel boomed, 'You two will comply with whatever the clerk asks of you. If you do not, I will be having a talk with the Dark Lord, and I am sure he doesn't want any of his disciples acting up on his watch.'

'Fine. Only if she agrees as well.'

'Of course, I listen well and respect elders. So when do we start?'

'Straightaway. You're accustomed here, as this boy is accustomed to Kerning City, so I'll have you both deployed in Perion. Gain the people's trust and you'll quickly earn a title for yourselves there. A taxi will arrive quite soon, so gather your things and report there once you're done.'

'Roger that!' Aimee said with vigour. She turned to the disgruntled boy, who was helping the clerk finish the job. 'You haven't yet said your name.'

'Kian. That's all I'm going to tell you.'

'Well, Kian.' she began, with a slightly sinister smile. 'Welcome to our new adventure.'