Sly Foxx took a deep breath after taking the first step through the gate as this was what Ayana wanted for him so each step was full of determination.
He followed the cobble pathway that led through perfectly manicured gardens facing Sly was a beautiful flower filled paradise-esque scene.
Followed by the backdrop of a powerful three tiered waterfall that flowed into a river complete with its own water wheel.
Sly was tempted to wash his bloody knapsack in the pristine clear waters of the river.
But then he would have to wait until the bag dried and quickly changed his mind since Sly didn't want any more delays.
The steady hum of the water wheel as the blades rotated through the water sounded surprisingly pleasant to his ears.
As Sly followed the river bend the further he progressed the closer it felt like he was getting to a towering mountain.
At the top of the mountain was probably where the compound for the school lay but he couldn't tell because it had a thick cloud cover that concealed the peak.
The path twisted and snaked its way up that mountain and Sly gritted his teeth and continued going uphill as the incline was getting much steeper.
Another hour making his way up the uneven stone steps and Sly avoided looking down; he could not escape his fear of heights.
Sly felt like the slightest mistake could make him slip and slide right back to the beginning if the fall didn't kill or cripple him first.
He was forcing himself to go faster because Sly didn't want the night to catch him halfway up the stairway to hell.
If the school was so harsh to newcomers on the first day Sly could kiss all his freedom away.
That arrogant guardian master knew what he was doing when he asked Dr. Jennings to leave.
The boy would have definitely pleaded with the doctor to make him his apprentice and take Sly with him.
"Somebody…Anybody… save me!" a youthful shrill voice cried out from up above.
Sly tried to look up in the direction of the voice but the sun shone directly in his eyes forcing him to squint.
"Whoosh!"
He heard the sound of someone falling from up above before he could gradually make out the body plunging downwards Sly.
"Bang!"
Then the poor accident prone young man banged his head against a rock before continuing to fall whilst unconscious.
Without thinking twice Sly pictured Mimosa's vines leaving his body and wrapping around his waist.
Unprepared for the full weight of the boy it almost made him lose his balance.
Sly stumbled around for a bit until more vines shot out from his body and wrapped around sturdy stones securing both their weight and anchoring them to the steps.
Once the vines released the boy beside Sly they retreated inside his body.
"Thank you Mimosa."
No answer.
Sly tried to do it again, release the vines but to no avail would it only answer his call in a time of crisis?
He tried prodding the sleeping deity for a reaction but Mimosa just rolled to the other side, ignored Sly and continued to snore peacefully.
Even though his new companion had been knocked unconscious Sly didn't think it was right to leave him alone by himself so he hoisted the comatose figure on his back.
Now he had to continue climbing uphill with his own body weight on his back as the sweat poured down his spine and soaked through his already pungent clothes.
The boy's blood was seeping out from his head injury, he needed medical attention and fast.
He wished he could help the unconscious lad but Sly also felt a bit guilty towards his guardian deity.
Today just reinforced how much stronger Sly needed to get so he wouldn't feel so useless without Mimosa.
Sly's vision became blurry but he didn't give up, just kept taking his time and walking up the steep stone steps.
Another two hours and he could make out various bodies up ahead in different stages of exhaustion and dehydration.
Finally he was almost at the top and his legs felt weak like they could give out any second.
Sly ignored the cramping pain in his thighs and continued pushing himself further.
Now the sun started to go down and he still hadn't reached the top yet!
Was it a mirage, why did the last step seem so close but was still unattainable?
Talk about back breaking, his feet were swollen, his heels were raw and bleeding.
Now he felt painful stinging in his steps but he persisted.
If his feet gave out he would use his hands, if his hands gave out he would use his tongue if he must no one else would die under his care.
"Time is up, only fifty-five out of two hundred have passed today. Not bad this number will definitely dwindle by the end of the week. Take the unconscious ones and those still stumbling around in the gardens of illusion back to the metallic ate. Send those that don't have enough spirit essence or simply gave up back to their families. We have no use for them at Paradise Military Academy."
One more step then he would collapse but before he could touch the ground a group of older boys decked out in dark grey uniform rushed to his side and released Sly from his burden.
Two of the eldest boys wisely held Sly up by the shoulders and one of them instinctively slapped Sly's face when it looked like he was about to pass out from exhaustion.
Respectfully the boys lowered their heads when a middle aged man walked towards them and stood facing Sly.
"Interesting…little one, tell me your name?"
"Sly Foxx," Sly replied weakly.
Of course, without permission the powerful spirit beast master entered Sly's spirit landscape.
Then the officer said, "It's a pity he showed so much bravery and potential only to have such a useless spirit plant, more's the pity."
"Take him to the infirmary to recuperate for the night tomorrow he will join the others for placement into servitude."
Before Sly could rebuke the officer he lost consciousness but not before hearing the middle aged man emphasize quietly.
"I'm afraid this little one is going to have a rough military life ahead of him. Especially with that ridiculous plant. No trainer worth their salt is going to want to mentor someone like him, who will probably be more of a liability than an asset on the battlefield."