Ok, I REALLY need more reviews. I just got 1 review and a bunch of hits. Oh, and I'm not having Rock be Saito. He isn't Netto's brother in this one. He has always been a netnavi.

Begin Chapter

It had been three days since Forte, Blues, Searchman and Gutsman had gotten a call from Roll in Windurst saying that she was fine and asking them to come. They had packed up and left the next day, and were currently 50 miles out of the city. After all of their travels, they had gained 10 levels. Blues was currently level 13, along with Searchman. Forte was currently level 14, while Gutsman was level 12. "Ya think we could have gone any slower?" asked Forte.

"Yes, we could have stayed in Bastok for a few more days. They had this really awesome sword that I wanted," said Blues. Searchman and Forte sweat-dropped.

"I guess it's true what the mages say about Fighters. They really can't think about anything but swords," said Searchman with a smirk.

"Hurry up, de gutsu. Guts hungry," said Gutsman.

"What have I been telling ya?" asked Forte as he started walking faster. "I can't believe that I'm stuck with these idiots!"

"Halt! Who goes there?" asked a guard as they approached the outskirts of the city.

"Blues, Forte, Searchman, and Gutsman from Bastok. We're here to see someone," said Searchman.

"You may pass," said the Guard as he stepped aside.

"Thank you," said Blues as they entered the city. What they saw shocked them. The city, known to be the home of the mages, looked like a city built as a forest. All the homes were covered in moss, and were built out of wood. "Didn't someone say that black mages lived here?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked a young female black mage. "Not all black mages are pyros. Heck, this city was rebuilt by black mages. We told the trees to grow like this! You have a problem with that Fighter?" She practically spat the last word.

"Now you listen here," stared Blues angrily when an old black mage showed up.

"All of you stop fighting. Tensions are tight enough with Bastok as is, Sorano. We need to be getting to the school," said the old man as they walked off.

"Well, we sure got a warm welcome. Way to go Blues," said Forte.

"Find Roll-chan, de gutsu," said Gutsman.

"Yes, we need to find Roll. She said that she was staying with someone named Gin. We'd better find out who that is," said Searchman as he started to walk down the street.

"Hello travelers," said one of the merchants that had a shop set up. "Do any of you need some help?"

"Yes, do you know of a Gin? One of our friends is at her house," said Blues.

"Well, there's Gin Lian who lives down the street. She's a white mage, and I heard that she took in a poor lost soul," said the merchant.

"Thanks," said Forte as they walked off. "Down the street, how helpful." But that description had been helpful. Down the street, there was a house with gigantic silver willow trees outside of it.

"Did anyone else notice that Gin Lian means 'silver graceful willow'?" asked Searchman.

"Yep, this is the place," said Blues as they walked up the front path and knocked on the door.

"Just a minute!" came a flowing voice from inside. After a few seconds, the door opened and a middle aged white mage opened the door. "Hello there. You must be Roll's friends. Come in, come in."

"Thank you Lian-san," said Searchman.

"Please, call me Gin," she said with a sweet smile. "Roll dear, your friends are here!"

"Already!" came an excited voice, followed by the sound of someone running through a hallway. "Guys!" she squealed as she went and gave each of them a hug. "Where's Rock?"

"Guts don't know, de gutsu," said Gutsman.

"We thought he'd be with you," said Forte. "We'd better go and find him."

"You all look so tired, you shouldn't go out right now," said Gin.

"And why not?" asked Forte, clearly annoyed.

"Because there's a storm coming. And not any normal storm," said Gin.

"What do you mean?" asked Roll.

"The school is about to be attacked." Everyone just stood in silence.

"Shouldn't we do something then?" asked Blues.

"No, this storm was created by Black mages. The battle is about to begin," she said, downhearted. "But they have Hideaki there. They'll be fine. Why don't we have some tea to calm our nerves?"

"Gin-san," said Searchman. "Why don't you want us to help?"

"I don't understand what you're talking about," said Gin. "All I know is that the test for the new batch of Black mages is coming up, and that they don't like interference. It just makes me sad when I think of all the mages that will get hurt. When I was younger, they used to let the white mages heal the rejected mages, but now, they hardly ever let anyone other than blacks there."

"What do you mean by 'rejected'?" asked Forte.

"Only mages worthy of fighting to protect Black Mage City are selected," said Gin. "The rest are forced to live somewhere else for the rest of their lives. They are never allowed to visit loved ones, or friends who were selected, unless they come out of the city."

"Guys," said Roll in a soft voice. "How many groups of people are there in this world?"

"Um, nine," said Blues.

"And none of us are from the same group, are we?"

"No, de gutsu."

"That means that Rock has a one in four chance of being a black mage," she said.

"And he has a one in four chance of being attacked today," said Blues.

"We have to get over to the school right now!" said Roll starting to freak out.

"No!" said Gin. "They'll kill all of you! When they say 'no interference' they mean it!"

"So, we're just going to wait till the fights over," said Forte. "Sounds good to me. Gin, could I have some of that tea?"

---

"KEEP FIGHTING!" yelled Hideaki through the smoke. "That's just like these people. No respect for what anyone might be doing at the time."

"Hello commander. This is a nice bunch you have for us," said the General who was in charge of the test.

"Well, I still could have used one more day. Rock, the one in the blues, came three days ago," said Hideaki.

"He's one of the one's we're considering taking even if he falls in the battle. I have heard that you've been training him personally."

"Yes," said the instructor with a small smile on his face. "He's one of my best fighters. He has the most heart. Apparently, Sorano found him on the battlefield protecting a white mage. He was going to go to Black Mage City even if you didn't choose him. He was going to trek there."

"Let's save him the trouble then. Call him up here; I want to see how well he obeys his superiors."

"ROCK! GET UP HERE NOW!" yelled Hideaki. Rock looked up at where his instructor was, and saw the leader of the "enemy" cornering his friend. Running through the battle, dodging fireballs, ice bombs, and javelins, he made it to the top of the tower.

"What do you want with Hideaki-sensei?" asked Rock to the general.

"Rock," said the teacher. "This is the head of security for BMC. This is how he chooses who is going to go there, this is not an attack. He wanted to have a word with you."

"Yes, and I see that you already obey without hesitation. I am twenty levels above you, and yet you were ready to attack me. Very good. I want you to come with us. The test is over, and you passed," said the General as he offered his had to shake. Rock smiled and shook it. "Time for me to call off the rest of the troops." The General then pulled out a black whistle, and blew one note. That one note was enough to bring everyone still fighting to their knees in pain.

"What the hell was that?" asked Rock as he stood back up.

"It's a special whistle that emits a high pitched sound that only black mages can hear, I use it to get everyone's attention," he said as he pocked the small item and addressed the rest of the congregation, "Everyone, congratulations. You have passed the test. You are all accepted into the Black Mage Military. Will you all please step into the air-ship and wait for further instruction."

"Rock," said Hideaki, "That means you too. It's been an honor to train you. You have grown considerably in these three days. Level 15, I can't believe it." The two shook hands, and Rock and The General walked onto the ship.

"General, I have a question," said Rock.

"Yes."

"I need to find a way back to my home, and I need to find the rest of my friends. I have a good feeling that one is a white mage, but I don't know about the rest. When I get to the city, could I have permission to search for answers?" The general thought for a moment before answering.

"That would be for or leader to decide." Rock nodded his head as the ship took off.

---

Back at Gin's, Roll watched as a black airship took off. "Gin, I think the examiners are leaving."

"Well then, we should get going," she replied. "Ok everyone, up. Time to go."

"Yes, Gin-san," said Searchman as they gathered their belongings and started out the door.

"Roll, did you get your scrolls?"

"I almost forgot. You go on, I'll catch up," she said as she ran back into the house.

"What does she need scrolls for anyway?" asked Forte.

"White mages study the scrolls so that we can cast spells. We're not very good at combat, but we heal those who are so they can keep fighting," said Gin as they stared towards the school.

"And these are how she levels up then," said Blues as Roll came up with a bag of scrolls over her shoulder.

"Sorry about that. These are really good scrolls, and I don't want to have to buy some new ones. They'd be expensive," she said as she tried to catch her breath.

"Guts carry scrolls for Roll-chan, de gutsu," said Gutsman. Roll smiled and handed the bag to him. "These are heavy, de gutsu."

"Yes," said Roll. "I'll carry them if they're too heavy for you."

"No, I'm sure our little berserker friend can carry it just fine," said Forte.

"Forte, let's not start a fight," said Searchman. "You remember what happened last time."

""What happened last time?" asked Roll.

"Our little friend here was treed for an hour before Gutsman calmed down enough to think," said Blues with one of his famous smirks.

"Oh," said Roll with a smile. "I can't believe I missed that."

"If Forte keeps insulting Gutsman, you'll get to see it again," said Searchman as Gin giggled. "What?"

"It's just that this looks really funny. A white mage, fighter, dark knight, red mage, and a berserker walking down the street, chatting," she said. "This is a rare sight indeed."

"School, de gutsu," said Gutsman as they walked in.

"Ok, we're going to the black mage area. I'm hope that they're going to take some help cleaning up." They knocked on the door, and a middle aged black mage opened it.

"Ah, Gin," said Hideaki nicely. "How nice to see you. And I see you brought a pupil and some, er, other people. What do you need?"

"We were wondering if you needed any help cleaning up," said Gin. Hideaki stepped aside and let them pass. "And they are searching for one of their friends. They were separated in a battle."

"Well, you all need to help, and then I'll tell you everything I know," said Hideaki. The knights and fighter were assigned to help clear some of the wreckage, while Gutsman was told to move the large stone pieces. Roll and Gin were healing the rejected, and Hideaki was burning the remnants of the forest.

"What happened over there?" asked Blues.

"Oh, some of the examiners decided that it would be good to see how well they stood against the javelins. These come out of the ground and impale everything above them," said Hideaki as he finished clearing the area. "Ok, is everything ready?"

"Yes, we put everything where you told us too," said an annoyed Forte.

"And is everyone healed?"

"Yes," said Roll as she finished the last person.

"Everyone, it's time to fix this mess. Forest goes to your left, ice to your right, a lake right behind you, and don't forget to fix the tower. Just send the wood there, and it'll do the rest. Go!" Hideaki told the mages. All the others stood in amazement as the land became lush and fertile. The forest grew back, and the ice castle rebuilt itself. The lake refilled, and the tower was replenished.

"Wow," said Roll.

"Yes, this area gets better and better after every exam," said Gin. "I guess they had a higher standard this time. These are pretty good mages."

"The General himself came, and he even hand-selected one of my students," said Hideaki. "Now, who was it that you wanted to tell me about? Start with his name."

"His name is Rock," said Roll. "He's about as tall as me, a little taller, and he,"

"Was hand selected by the General," finished Hideaki.

"Wh-what?" asked Roll. "But, why?"

"Because he's a great fighter. He obeys instructions without hesitation," said Hideaki. "Don't worry about finding him. I have a feeling that he will come looking for you."

"We have to go and find him!" said Roll, who was on the verge of tears.

"No," said Gin. "He's going to be trained. You don't mess with a Black mage military officer when they're working with a pupil."

"Ok," said Forte. "I guess that we can just go and do quests until he comes back."

"Forte, do you have no heart?" asked Blues. "We need all of us together to get home. Our Op's are probably worried sick!"

"That's why I don't have one," said Forte. "I work alone."

"So why are you on a team?" asked Hideaki. Forte just snarled and pulled out his sword. "I wouldn't suggest threatening me. I'm fifteen levels above you."

"He has a point," said Searchman. "We should go and try to find out where the mages are, though."

"Ok," said Gin. "They're most likely in the badlands training."

"Badlands, de gutsu?"

"Yes, they're doing survival training. The badlands is just another name for an area with few towns that helps them gain levels faster," said the one of the black mages. "The mages are put into teams of four, and they have to make it to the city."

"I heard that there are high level monsters there, and that's why they don't go easy on us here," said another mage. "They want to make sure that we're strong enough."

"Well, those rumors are true," said Hideaki. "Now, who wants something to eat?"

---

"Ok Rock," said The General as their ship landed in the middle of a large field. "You will be teamed up with Min, Lykaios, and Tabor. Have fun." With that he and the rest of the examiners went back to the ship.

"Hey Rock, that's a cool name," said Min. She was around five foot five, with long black hair, which was pulled up into a ponytail. She was wearing a long-sleeve magenta and black shirt with black sleeves. She had a matching hat, and a black mini skirt. She was carrying a staff. "But you may want to choose a new name. That name is too easily recognized."

"Um, ok," he said as another member of his team walked up and shook his hand.

"My name is Lykaios," said the boy. He was built like Blues, and he wore black-plate armor. He carried no weapon. "And this is Tabor," he said indicating the other boy. He was five foot ten, wore blue-plate armor and carried a shield.

"Nice to meet you," said Tabor. "And Min is right, your name really sticks out. Almost as much as your armor." Rock looked at his armor. It was black with blue flames on the legs and arms.

"Hey, my armor is cool," he said teasingly. "And I think that Min will draw more attention to us than me."

"He's right guys," she said. "But we need to get moving. Rock have you chosen your new name yet?"

"Um, Lucio?" he asked after thinking for a few minutes.

"Why Lucio?" asked Tabor.

"It means light. Hikari was my last name, and it means light also, so why not?" he asked.

"Ok, as long as you have a reason," said Lykaios. "I chose my name because it means wolf. Wolves live in a pack, and that's what we're doing."

"I chose Min because it means cleverness," she said with a smile. "I'm very clever."

"Tabor means drummer," he said.

"What were your original names then?" asked Rock, or as we will call him, Lucio.

"Mine was Helen," said Min.

"David," said Tabor.

"Runako," said Lykaios. The other two snickered at his name. "And quit laughing. It's not my fault that my name means handsome."

"Hey, well, Rock is just a nickname I've picked up," lied Rock. "My old name was Brant."

"Ok, well, why don't we just keep our new names? They're much cooler," said Min as they started walking. "So, what level is everyone? Mine's 14."

"15, said Rock.

"15.5," said Tabor.

"14.5," said Lykaios. "So, are we going to try and rough it in the wilderness or are we going to go by the roads?"

"I say we level up in the wilderness," Tabor suggested. "I mean, we can get water whenever we want, and if we need to stop and get some food, we can always stop by the towns on the road."

"Ok," said Rock, "wilderness it is. And could we go by our nicknames if we want to?"

"Sure thing Rock, but if anyone asks your name, it's Lucio, not Brant," said Min.

--- Three hours and fifteen dead enemies later---

"Ok guys, I'm tired," said Min. "I think that it's time we set up camp."

"Sure thing," said Rock as he created four tents out of wood.

"Are you the one who was trained by Hideaki?" asked Tabor.

"Yep, how'd ya know?" he joked.

"Hideaki did that all the time," said Lykaios. "I'll get the fire started." He created a fire pit and blew the flames to life.

"Ok, do y'all still have the meat?" asked Min.

"Here it is," said Tabor as he handed her the steaks. They had found a wandering cow, and had killed and cleaned it for their meal. Min took the steaks and started cooking dinner.

"If you don't mind, I'm going to go and stargaze 'till supper's done," said Rock.

"Sure thing. We'll call ya when we're done," said Min. Rock walked over to an open area in the field and sat down.

"I can't believe this," he thought. "I have no idea where the rest of my friends are. I don't even know what dimension I'm in. I feel like I'm lost. The leader of the mages has to let me find the rest of my friends. Well, I have a feeling that I'm going to be the strongest when I get back. Two more levels under my belt, and I'm getting more control over my powers. I just hope that it's enough." He looked up at the moon, and saw that there were two. "I just have to get back."

End Chapter