The sound of a bustling street could be heard in front of Damien. He and Shade had just queued up behind a long line of people all waiting to make their way inside the walls. Many of them were those like Damien who were excited to go inside for the first time, while others were returning from long trips like merchants.

  In the line were many races Damien had never seen before, after asking Shade about them he learned about quite a few different races. Jasps were one such race they were originally insects but had long evolved to have human forms, they had miniature wings on their back that could be expanded to a bigger size allowing them to fly at speeds over one hundred miles per hour.

  Another race Damien was interested in was one called Uantuhina, apparently the name stood for “Kings lion” they were a race of felines that like the Jasps had long evolved to have human forms. Unlike the Jasps, however, they were made for combat. Their bodies were extremely robust and were able to withstand insane amounts of force not to mention each time they attacked something claws would extend out of their hands punctruing their target with ease causing massive amounts of blood loss in seconds.

  As they were waiting in line people also began to queue behind them and before long some sort of flying carriage appeared. Many people upon seeing this adopted respectful/fearful expressions and quickly made way while Shade pulled Damien to the side.

  “What’s going on? Is that carriage carrying someone important?” Damien asked in a whisper to Shade.

  “Those carriages are only used by the royal family, while you will see many similar to it you can usually tell which family the carriage belongs to by the emblem on its side.” Turning his head to see what Shade was speaking of Damien saw a giant star on the side of the carriage.

  Once everyone made the way the carriage moved forward, as it passed by everyone bowed their heads out of respect. The only expectations were those who believed they were strong enough not to do so.

  Shade glanced over at Damien and said, “I'd advise you to bow your head, only those who are strong enough have the right to not do so. Should you refuse to bow and you are deemed weak you may be executed.” Seeing the serious look on his face Damien could only reluctantly follow his words.”

  Once the carriage was gone everyone stayed bowed for a couple more minutes before finally raising their heads and looking in the direction the carriage went, many had warry expressions showing that what Shade had said was true. Reforming the line everyone began to move toward the giant gate once more and the guards went back to checking over everyone to make sure they were good to go inside.

  The next person in line was a youngster, looking to be in his twenties. “Oho we got a challenger today it seems, are you sure you are ready kid? If you fail to defeat one of us you will not be able to take the test for another year.”

  Damien’s ears perked up at those words turning his head to Shade he could see a surprised look on his face as well, “You did not know about this?” Damien asked with a curious look.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  Shaking his head no shade turned to the person behind him A dwarf, “Since when did they start doing that?” he asked the man assuming he heard the conversation ahead.

  The dwarf man looked up confused at first before realizing what he was asking about. “Ah, yer talking about that? It Must have been some time since you were last around, they started doin that at the start of this year. Said it was because too many people who failed kept trying over and over.”

  Shade thanked the man before turning back to Damien who had heard the dwarf's words, “Shade you never did answer my question about why I can understand you and everyone here or how you can understand me.”

  “Oh that’s right you did ask about that, It’s simple really.” Shade said before pointing to his wrist. “Everyone on the planet or at least those who have passed the test and made their way inside the city walls will be given this bracelet, it has a few features one of which acts as a sort of auto translater. Anything I say will be translated into a language the person I am speaking to can understand unless that person already speaks my language. It will also translate anything you say so that I can understand, pretty nifty huh?”

  Damien’s eyes brightened with enlightenment, “You said it has other features?”

  “It does, not only can it translate any language it also serves as a map of the world, A spatial pocket for items you can put in the system storage, and lastly as an identification.”

  Hearing this Damien adopted an intrigued expression, having such a device even without the other benefits was already extremely fortunate. He had to get his hands on one and luckily all he had to do was pass the test from the guards and they would give him one for free.

  Suddenly a loud clash was heard at the front of the line, turning his head in that direction Damien could see the young man from earlier lying on his back looking up at the sky before the voice of the guard rang out. “Good fight kid, however, you are too weak as of now. Take my advice and train for the next few years before you attempt the test again understood?” His tone was firm while looking at the man.

  The young man quickly stood up before bruising the dirt of his clothes and bowing. “Yes sir, thank you for your guidance!”

  “Good now make way for the next person in line.”

  Quickly moving out of the way the young man set off away from the kingdom walls to a location unknown, probably to train for the next few years before trying once more. “Shade,” Damien said aloud making the man look over with a questioning expression. “What is the passing rate for this test? How many people make it threw?”

  “Mmm, on average I’d say about 30000 a year pass the test out of the millions who attempt it.”

  Damien’s expression turned a bit sour before quickly returning to normal, no matter how hard the test he had no choice but to pass as he did not have the time to be slack off and needed to find a way to get stronger quickly after all he only had four months to get c rank along with awakening his bloodline to 50 percent.

  Thinking about this he decided to ask Shade in case he should fail, “What are the best places to level up on the planet?” Hearing Damien’s question shade smiled, “Do you think you will fail or something?” he asked in a slightly teasing tone.

  “No, however, it’s best to prepare if I do since I am kinda on a time crunch. I can’t give you too much of an explanation but I only have four months here and during that time I need to level up as much as possible.”

  Shade became interested in his words but decided not to pry, “Hmmm If I had to say It would be a place called “The Drop” It’s to the south of the kingdom and is a zone completely untouched by civilization leaving it to be ruled by monsters along wanted criminals who escaped from the clutches of the kingdom.”

  While he and Shade were speaking Damien had failed to notice his position in the line leading him to be surprised when he heard the familiar voice of the guard ring out once more.

  “ Oh? We got another one boys!