Opportunity

As Zhao Lin got home, his parents were at the dining table waiting. The house was not big, so just him entering was visible from the kitchen and dining room. His mother was wearing an apron that's stained, she must have been cooking a moment ago. His father was at the head of the table reading something on a tablet. While his sister was starting to stuff herself with food.

Seeing the little rascal eat, he went up to the table smiling, and shuffled her hair. Seeing her son laugh even though he should be in trouble, she began to nag.

"How many times have I told you? The wilderness are not for children, you're only 16 for god's sake. Can't you act your age and just party?" She said as she pretended to faint here and there.

His father sat there still reading not partaking in the lecture. It wasn't until the mother turned and nagged him.

"You're his father, he'll listen to you better. Say something will you!" When she shouted it actually shocked the husband a bit.

"Uh ahem. Going out is dangerous, from now on, after school you will come straight home after school, for an entire week." After that, he turned back down to read. The mother sat there completely dazed.

"That's it? He goes out to who knows where and could have gotten himself killed, and all you say is, that?!?!" She shouted at him. The husband cave a helpless look as he went back to reading while eating now.

The mother was speechless as she gave up as well.

"Don't worry mom. I'm careful, I always put caution before risk. You know that." He said reassuring her. He stood behind her and messaged her.

The mother began to calm down and took one of his hands into hers.

"Promise me you won't take things too far? Please?" She said looking up to him.

"I promise! On my life and my childrens!" He said while hugging her.

"And look what I got." He turned and took out some surviving eggs and the chunk of meat. The family was in awe at the sight.

"Wow Big brother! You got so much food!"

"Lin'er where did you get this?" His mother asked suspiciously.

He sweated a bit before saying with a smile.

"I caught a really big beast." He said. He soon told his family what happened to him, but made it so he used a bait and trap. Then he explained he had a little tussle, explaining the wounds on his body.

While he was a filia child to his parents. He loved the excite from the wilderness. He couldn't tell that the dangers he faced, or else they be too scared to let him leave the house. But maybe if he showed some skill and results, his parents would be more lenient. This way, he wouldn't have to go to school, and become a Warrior.

Seeing their son bring back such amazing things, the look in their eyes eased up. Soon the the family sat down and ate together. The food was the best, but were some of his favorites. Home food.

During the meal however his parents would often cast each other looks while making gestures to him. Be made it so he looked like he didn't notice. The

After dinner his father had called him into his office. Usually when he did it was for something important.

The office wasn't grand, just a separate room for a work computer and other office things like printers and such. The desk was in the middle, while a small memorial shrine sat above in the corner on a shelf. Behind the chair of the desk was a window that let some outside light, but as it was dark, he had it closed and covered. His father sat and took out a cigarette and smoked. It was his office, so he was allowed to smoke in it.

"Do you like fighting?" His father said. Zhao Lin froze a bit and hesitated to answer. But instead of speaking, he just nodded once. The father sat awhile before pulling a draw and taking out a letter. On it was a seal with a sword with wings. As he saw this seal he was shocked. He knew what this seal was, it was the seal to the Warrior Academy!

In the city that he lived in, there were people called Warriors. Warriors were city guards, hunters, protectors, and so on. They are the reason how humanity came to survive. The possess strength and abilities no one could ever imagine.

The Warrior Academy was a training school for young students who showed potential as Warriors. They would be nurtured by the Warriors Organization, and when you are ready, you would join the organization. It was there that you would be part of the fight for mankind. Against the beast that have become predators.

Joining the academy would also give much benefits as well. If you took on missions while in the academy, you can get paid. Such missions consisted of killing some beast causing trouble, or a delivery.

Zhao Lin looked back up to his father in Anticipation. Seeing his son so yearning when he showed the letter, he could help but feel helpless. Just that look was enough of an answer than the nod.

"It came in the mail yesterday, but your mother and I wanted to discuss it before showing you. If you really want, we can let you enroll in the academy."

"I do! I'll do it dad! Let me go!" He said excitedly. He always wanted to be a Warrior. Everyone born into this time age wanted to be one. They were the most respected, wealthiest, most influential, and most powerful kind of person humanity had. Just thinking about being able to become one made Zhao Lin ecstatic.

His father nodded then said he would take care of the forms. His mother had been listening on the outside and came in a moment later. The 3 had a deep discussion about Zhao Lin's future. It was agreed, that as long he did not take missions where he could die, or even get injured immensely. If he were to come back in such a terrible condition, they would pull him out of the Academy. If he were to graduate, then it would be his decision from then on. His punishment was also removed, meaning he could go out as long as he was safe.

Gaining approval after being lectured, Zhao Lin could not be any happier. So happy he wanted to thank his family, and went into his room to his personal computer. He looked up several stores that traded in beast parts. After researching, he found one that felt the best. It wasn't a large store, but those who went always said it was always a fair price. Only to beware the shopkeepers attitude.

After getting the address and he turned it off and went to bed. As he lept on his bed, he felt a hard sharp stab in his back. Looking through the sheets, he found it was the strange gemstone he had found in the chicken nest. He found it had pierced his back from the small blood on it that was fresh.

-Damn it. I should've toss this on the table instead.- he said complaining. He was about to toss it before he found the blood slowly fade away, to be precise, it looked like it absorbed. He rubbed his eyes and looked more closely. Clean, but he clearly saw blood before. Curious, he went to his desk and pulled out a small box cutter, and cut his index finger. As the blood started dripping, he placed his finger above the stone, and let the blood fall on it.

As expected the blood was indeed absorbing it, but this time at a faster rate. The moment blood dropped it was sucked in by the stone. After a couple of drops, he started to shake a little. Stopping the blood feeding he watched the strange gemstone in his hand shake. The shake became a bit more violent before a light shot from the gem and into the center of his head.

At this moment, Zhao Lin felt a massive pain in his head, and blacked out immediately. As he fell on the bed the stone in his hand did not drop. Instead it had disappeared. Zhao Lin entered a deep sleep, and a strange dream.

In the dream he saw a giant ball of light, surrounded by stones, water, and fire. Within the light, was a green gem stone. It glowed and floated within. The dream like Zhao Lin was so immersed by the energy it gave. Moving towards it. The glow of the gem glee brighter before blinding him.

——————

Zhao Lin woke up abruptly, as he shot up from his bed. He looked at the time, 6 am. He had been out cold until morning, how convenient. But what he found strange was that he felt more energized and well rested. He had completely forgotten about last night. He did not even notice the small symbol on his back. It was the shape of a tree, not very large on his back.

-Wow, its been pretty nice lately. My luck must've gone up.- he joked to himself as he got ready for school. Though he hated it, he had no choice. Though tedious, school had become a true nurturing place for children. As life was at its most dangerous time, humanity need them to be ready quickly, meaning the younger, the better future Warrior.

Education was reshaped, focusing on quick though and calculations. Math, English, History, they were all done differently now. Each was used in a survival form. Deciphering, understanding, quick thinking, and so on. Of course, one thing did not change. Classrooms. There was always a lecture and studying to do. But the assignments, were much more physical.

Zhao Lin was in a pretty good mood so he didnt really care today. He liked to walk, even though it was far, but this way he could also walk his sister to her school as it was on the way. The two siblings had woken up, and had eggs and toast breakfast. And out the door they went.

Zhao Lin dotted on his sister, she was the family princess. The Zhao Family had always been close, relatives were just a couple of steps away too. Life was peaceful in the city. He knew it was only to the Warriors, and that outside the city, something darker and more dangerous lurked.

He wanted to protect this happiness of his. Since fighting just happened to be his hobby, being the Warrior was the best choice.

———————

When Zhao Lin dropped his sister off he went on his way. Schools held the different types of preschool to high school. He was in his second year, and would graduate his third. High School was quicker as it made you ready for the real world immediately.

On his way, he saw 2 familiar faces, a male and female.

"Zhao Lin! Hurry up already or we're gonna be late." Said the girl. She had long blonde hair that reached down to her lower back and was straightened. She wore black jeans and a t-shirt. She spoke rather rudely and was unfeminine. But, her beautiful features with her attitude and blue eyes, made her seem like a beautiful cake that bit back.

The boy by her was taller than her by a head. Compared to Zhao Lin, he would be slightly taller. Only difference was he body was more built. He had a strong jaw, blonde hair, and blue eyes. His muscles popped from his shirt.

"Zhao Lin did you get the letter?" He asked immediately. The question surprised Zhao Lin.

"Tang Shu, you got a letter from the Academy too?" He asked.

"Yup, even Shao'er got one too." The large Tang Shu said while pointing to his little sister. Zhao Lin looked at her in shock.

"You too?!"

"Hey. What's that tone? Besides you two, I'm considered the a prodigy in fighting." Tang Shao said while putting on a haughty act.

"Aaah. And here I thought i was special." Zhao Lin said while continuing to walk. The Tang siblings. The trio have been friends since young. Even their families were quite close. They wrestled, fought, and explored together. In fact, it was Tang Shao who told him about the chicken nest. Out of the 3 she was the fastest and smartest. An S class scout. And his life long crush.

The 3 were chatting away as they went to school, but stopped when they saw a large suv like vehicles parked in front of the building. A large group of students and photographers were taking pictures and waiting. The most noticeable thing wasn't the size however, but the symbol on the car. Two wings sword crossed behind an open hand. The Warriors Organization symbol.

The 3 saw the symbol and were excited, though they had no idea what for. They joined the crowd to see what the commotion was about. Soon, a gorgeous woman wearing a red dress stepped out. Her hair was a deep red like velvet color, she had browns eyes and her figure was the perfect hourglass. When she smiled it was to charm a million men. Her figure wasnt short either making her long legs look incredible. She was absolutely stunning, so much so all the boys from the school couldn't stop drooling. Surprisingly, even the girls felt a little hot. She waved and smiled at the crowd that cheered her. Shouting her name.

"Kyaaaa! Its Goddess Velvet!"

"Its the Goddess, The Goddess!"

"Mom? You need to come to school, Goddess Velvet came to visit!"

——————

Students were going out of their minds as this woman walked in. She was about to walk in the doors before she took a glance at Zhao Lin. No one noticed, not even Zhao Lin. But the her eyes showed a strange look at that moment.

She turned her attention back to where she was going, and headed straight to the head office, followed by her fans.

Tang Shu was one of them, and he excitedly shook Zhao Lin's arm.

"Did you see her? Did you see?!?! Beautiful is what i saw." He said as if he had just fallen in love.

Tang Shao only laughed lightly at her brother, she was a fan, but not compared to her brother.