Anticipating for Lorelai's score. Jon could not help but remember how far he had achieved. He came from an ordinary background. No father but a mother to support him. He remembered the scene from his childhood several years ago. He was eight at the time.
10 years ago
The weather was gloomy as it was grieving. Rain poured from early morning. Before the statue of a hero named Lady Sentry, a boy and his mother stood. They visited to pay respect to the hero that saved their world. Lady Sentry as portrayed was a fierce warrior, likened to that of the goddess of war.
She was one of the four heroes to fight Autumn, an entity that caused catastrophe around the world. They said Autumn was a beast of natural wrath. Others say it was a formless adversary. The sacrifice of the three heroes; The Dominion, Ageless Sorcerer and the Nameless ended Autumn. Lady Sentry was the only one who survived.
The boy and his mother offered red flowers to the statue of Lady Sentry. The boy saw the plaque on the statue that reads: "To those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, you are not forgotten even after Autumn's fall!" The words engraved in dedication of nameless heroes who fell fighting against Autumn.
After giving their offering, the boy glanced at his mother while holding her hand. "Mom, will I become a hero like Lady Sentry and the others?"
The boy's mother paused and hesitated to answer. She smiled as she faced him and said, "Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, my son. You'll become one someday, in your own right. Jon!"
Jon noticed the hesitation on his mother's words. Nonetheless he replied with a smile. After their talk the rain stopped and the sun shone over the statue of Lady Sentry as if signifying a hopeful and positive sign.
"One day I will be a hero! Someone you could be proud of!" Jon thought, holding his mother's hand as they left the commemoration statue of Lady Sentry.
8 months from Present
Ten years later, Jon woke up and rose from his bed. Two weeks had passed after his birthday. He was living alone in his apartment. Living with discipline, his room was clean and orderly. Beside his bed was his study table with a desk lamp and chair.
Jon fixed his bed after he looked at the alarm clock. It was 4:30 in the morning and he woke up thirty minutes earlier than the alarm. He didn't bother to snooze and grabbed the towel from his cabinet.
Jon headed to the bathroom and took a bath with cold water. After washing body, he shaved his facial hair and washed it with water. He dried his body with a towel and then wore his favorite shirt, trousers and his red hoodie.
Jon didn't have the time to cook breakfast. The day was special to him and he had to hurry. It was his schedule for the admission for Nexlark Regional Academy's entrance exam. That was his first step in becoming a hero like Lady Sentry and the others. Nexlark was the only way to achieve it. Just as he promised his mom earlier he did not have plans to back down.
On the study table, Jon kept a picture of him and his mother with the statue of Lady Sentry behind them. Before trying to leave he said, "I will make you proud, mom!" After that he kissed the picture, turned the lights off and left his apartment.
The cold wind met Jon's face as he walked outside. It was 4:50 in the morning and he was headed to a nearby restaurant. It opens at 5:00 in the morning and Jon has to hurry or he will be late. The restaurant was famous in the town and a lot of people lined up even early in the morning.
When Jon arrived, he suddenly felt a chill on his spine. The presence was ominous and was filled with ill intent. It must have come from a dangerous person. Jon thought as he froze in place.
Someone called Jon's attention. It was a middle aged man in his mid thirties. His hair was gray and was wearing a suit and tie. His smile was sharp and he looked intimidating despite looking like an academy professor.
"Excuse me, young man."
Jon looked at the person and still felt uneasy about him. He began sweating on his forehead and his hands shook. Observing Jon being tense towards him, the person said.
"There's no need to be tense around me young man." He said, maintaining his smile and then walked past Jon. "To be able to notice my aura is something. You must be someone out of the ordinary young man. I hope we'll cross paths again, in the future."
Jon was relieved after the man left. After the short pause, Jon went in line to order his favorite breakfast. He chose a light meal since he doesn't want to be late for the admission.
After his meal, Jon hurried to the Nexlark Regional Academy. As he approached the gates of the academy, a guard stopped him. "Are you a student or an enrollee?"
"I am sorry… I have a special pass, sir."
Jon said and reached for his special pass and showed it to the guard. Seeing this, the guard allowed him in and Jon went inside the academy. Inside the hall of the campus, Jon was amazed. In the hallway, gold plated sculptures and engravings decorated the walls. Paintings of important people were displayed.
Entering the Nexlark Regional Academy was Jon's dream. He trained from ten years old and worked hard to sustain himself and even take part time jobs. After his mom's death three years ago in an accident, Jon was living alone. That day, he knew that his life had changed. He was no longer an ordinary boy from the countryside. He was to become a hero, one day that would change the world's fate forever.
As Jon arrived before the information window. Someone called his attention. It was a skinny young man in glasses wearing a cotton jacket. He looked awkward but Jon knew he was no ordinary person.
"Hello…" the young man greeted Jon.