Victor, Gwendolyn, Amara and Tyrian sat in the dining room. Xylus had wandered off back to the couch, falling asleep. The four looked at each other with serious expressions.

  "I just have to get him prepared for the Academy exam?" Victor asked.

  "Yes." Gwendolyn responded. "We need to make sure Xylus is ready for what's about to happen."

  "To think a major god would make themselves known now of all times…" Victor sighed.

  "If the vision is correct, Xylus plays a large role in this Hero that's supposed to stop the evil forces from taking over our world. He'll have to be trained and ready to aid the Hero."

  "Do you know who the Hero is yet?" Victor asked.

  "No, we don't." Tyrian shook his head. "We've searched far and wide but they haven't revealed themselves."

  "A child who is blessed with all five elements. Could someone like that really exist?" Amara asked.

  "It's very, very rare for something like that to happen, but when it does, they usually come in a time of need." Victor responded.

  "It's been over three centuries since the last one appeared. And that was when the whole world fought against each other to show who's god was the best." Gwendolyn sighed. "And now some dark force is coming here? A Dark Shade has appeared like the vision stated and soon after that, the Hero will appear."

  "Do you know how long we have until the vision's events happen?" Victor asked.

  "No, we don't." Amara shook her head. "I think that's why Father Westhall is adamant that you train the boy now. He must be ready for what's about to occur."

  Victor and the group let out a collective sigh. He didn't think the boy would be an "omen" of sorts for what's to come. He scratched his head and blinked a couple of times before looking up at the group.

  "I will do my best to train him, but are you sure you want an 'exile' from the Order to do this? Wouldn't it be better to have him trained under the watchful eye of Palia's Light?" Victor asked.

  "Most of the Order would slander the child before he could even train. Once they see Dark magic, they'll fear him and want to execute him because he doesn't bear the Shade mark." Tyrian rubbed his neck. "That's why the Fathers and Priestesses agreed to this. They know the dangers and views of the others within the Temple."

  "We've dealt with problems like this in the past. We've tried to understand why there are Dark Spawns who are born into the Darkness Attribute. It's brought nothing but misunderstanding and hate." Gwendolyn glanced at her hands. "I have my doubts about the kid but he's passed the Hand of the Elements test without fail."

  "This is a leap of faith we must take." Victor sighed, leaning back into his chair. He folded his arms and nodded. "I will do my best. I will look out for him as best as I can within the confines of my exile. If he wanders past those confines, I can't guarantee his safety."

  A silence fell between them. Tyrian's Adam apple bobbed up and down with a pained face.

  "Are you sure you're okay with your exile?" Tyrian asked with a small voice. Gwendolyn's face was pained, too. These two obviously knew something Amara didn't. She quietly watched her seniors and ex-teacher wear the same pained face.

  "I bear the mark because I'm responsible." Victor finally broke the silence after a while. "I know you two are very mixed about this. I know you two want to trust me, but it's the choice I made." He lightly pounded his shoulder as if to get rid of the ache of the past. Two white sigils appeared. One on his shoulder and one on his tongue. "I'm okay being excommunicated and exiled."

  Tyrian stood up. His fists were balled. He was shaking. Gwendolyn stood up and turned to Amara. "Come, Amara. It's late. We should leave Victor with the child."

  "Yes, ma'am." Amara stood up.

  "I know you'll do well with Xylus. Please train him as best as you can." Gwendolyn turned to Victor and gave him a bow. She motioned and both Amara and Gwendolyn started towards the exit. Tyrian didn't move. Victor slowly stood up and met Tyrian's eyes as they turned.

  "Don't prove them right." Tyrian's eyes shook. "Do well with Xylus. Prove yourself and get your status reinstated. Come back when you're done with him. Please."

  Victor gave a small nod and Tyrian turned. He started towards the exit. He stopped at the hallway and wondered if he should say bye to Victor. He decided against it and continued. The door shut and Victor let out a sigh. He looked down, shaking his head.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  'Guess he's still the same.' Victor let out a small smile.

  The Next Morning

  The sun was barely up by the time Xylus woke up. He had fallen asleep on the couch after dinner. Xylus grabbed the blanket on him.

  'This wasn't on me when I fell asleep, I think…' Xylus pulled the blanket off and sat up.

  He could smell something delicious lingering through the air. He stood up stretching as he moved over to the kitchen-dining room area. Victor was shirtless and in shorts.

  "Oh, you're awake?" Victor asked.

  "Yeah…" Xylus yawned.

  "Take a seat. We'll eat breakfast and you'll start your training with me."

  Xylus did as he was told and sat in one of the chairs.

  "Did you sleep well?" Victor asked.

  "Mmm. I did, Mr. Victor." Xylus rubbed hands together.

  "I'll have to take some time to set up the spare room for you. It's been a storage for awhile now." Victor told him as he pulled the pan off the fire and slid the eggs off the pan and onto a plate. He set the heated pan off to the side and waved his hand over the fire, extinguishing it.

  "Well, let's eat. We got a long day ahead of us." Victor motioned.

  Xylus grabbed some eggs, meats and some fluffy pancakes. He began to carve a piece of the pancake to eat when Victor grabbed a glass container filled with brown liquid.

  "Drizzle this on top of your pancakes. It'll taste better." Victor handed Xylus the container of syrup.

  "What is it?" Xylus asked.

  "Maple syrup. It's sweet syrup made that makes the pancakes taste good."

  Xylus poured the syrup. He watched as the gooey syrup covered the pancakes. He watched them cover most of the pancakes before Victor pulled the container away from him and set it down.

  "That's enough. You have a lot of syrup." Victor motioned at Xylus' pancakes. "Try it now." Xylus took a carved piece of pancakes with syrup and took a bite. His face instantly lit up and he turned to Victor.

  "Wow, this tastes so much better." Xylus beamed. He carved another pancake and grabbed some eggs and stuffed his face. "Is sho good. (It's so good.)"

  "Glad you like it. There's enough food for the both of us so eat up. You're gonna need all the energy for today." Victor told him. Xylus happily nodded and started to wolf down the food.

  "Train him as you see fit, alright?" Gwendolyn told Victor. "It doesn't matter if he walks the same path as you. I know you mean well and you'll do your best to prepare him. Don't worry what the Order thinks. Father Westhall and all of us stand behind you."

  The previous night flashed back in his head.

  'Train him as I see fit… Do you really trust me with this task, Father? Gwen? Tyrian? Everyone?' Victor sighed as he took a bite of his food. He looked over at Xylus. The kid was lively. He was happy with having food.

  'I hope he can keep up and learn fast. If he's truly the catalyst that starts everything, we might not have enough time. I should train him thoroughly and well.'

  [Xylus, just a reminder you have unused Ranking Points.]

  'What's that?' Xylus asked.

  [Ranking Points are points you gain when you level up. You are currently level 2 with 4 unused Ranking Points. You should increase your Ranking stats, so you may grow stronger.]

  'Hmm…' The screen changed in front of him as he continued to stuff his face. To Victor, he looked like a kid who was spacing out. He didn't think much of it.

  The System showed him his current Rankings.

  [4 unused Ranking Points

  Health: 10/10

  Strength: 5

  Dexterity: 9

  Intelligence: 7

  Charisma: 8]

  'What would I do well with? I'm quite quick on my feet. I'm also curious about Dark magic, but I should probably be careful with that… Even if I have my Shade mark it could cause problems… What should I do?' Xylus thought.

  [Would you like me to make a suggestion, Xylus?]

  'Sure.'

  [I recommend you make Dexterity and Intelligence your main stats. Your strength and Charisma can be added later on.]

  'Ah, well, if you're recommending it then okay. What would you recommend for each though?'

  [Xylus must make that decision.]

  'Hmmm…' Xylus lifted his hand up and tapped the plus signs.

  When he finished, he grabbed more food and stared at his new stats.

  [Current Rankings:

  Health: 10/10

  Strength: 5

  Dexterity: 12

  Intelligence: 8

  Charisma: 8]