Lucky for Pico however, he found a room last night. But, what if he wasn’t so lucky tonight? He couldn’t go back to his parents’ house after his mother tossed him out on his can. Pico smiled. “Maybe I could shack with a cute feminina...”. He thought. Pico grinned. He knew he had ladies eating out of the palm of his hand last night at the tavern. One particular one caught his eye. Besides the fact he wanted to let Annallee have some time by herself, he knew that being seen with Annallee would not be good if he was looking for any females.

Pico continued to walk the city as he had been for the past hour. Along the way, he saw women checking him out. Finally, however, he decided top sit down. He took out his guitar and began to play some instrumental music. After a while, a small crowd gathered around him. He played many songs, and when he was finished with his little street concert, people rewarded him handsomely with potch, a lot of it from cute girls who obviously had a crush on Pico. When the girls were finally drug away by their parents, Pico counted up almost 10,000 potch! “Damn!” he thought, “There must be some rich girls in this town!” After pocketing his money, he decided to walk around town again for a while.

After a few twists and turns, Pico had come across a Runemaster Shop. Seeing the insignia on the sign outside the building reminded Pico of his days as a student in Greenhill…

A young Pico ran through the streets of Greenhill. “I’m gonna be late! I’m gonna be late!” he was yelling to no one in particular. After a couple minutes, he barged into the classroom just before the teacher could shut the door. Almost knocking her down, Pico ran by and sat in his seat. The teacher regained her balance, and glared at Pico. “That was close, Pico.” She said.

“Sorry Miss Oloponami…” Pico said, bowing his head.

Miss Oloponami frowned for a moment, and then smiled. “It’s ok Pico. Just try to be on time from now on OK?” She said. She made her way up to her desk and addressed the students of her Runemaster class. “Ok students, today is test day. Come up here and pick a Rune off of my desk. Then, after my assistant attaches it to your hand, head outside one by one so I can test what you learned.

The students rushed up to the desk to pick out their runes. Pico picked out a shiny red rune. As the assistant attached it to his right hand, she remarked. “A good pick, Master Pico. That is a Rage Rune. With it, you can cast high-level Fire spells. It is rare indeed.” She said. As she finished, Pico felt a burning sensation in his right hand. The assistant looked at him in pain. “The feeling will pass in a moment. Go on now, your next.” She said as she gave him a slight nudge towards the door. Little Pico ran towards a young girl named Marlena. “Look Marlena, I got a Rage Rune.” He bragged.

“Oh! Your so lucky Pico! I just got a plain old Earth Rune.” She said, looking at him. Marlena had a crush on Pico.

Pico smiled. “I gotta take my test now. See ya!” he exclaimed as he ran out the door to the outside. Marlena watched him go.

Pico found Miss Oloponami waiting for him outside. “Don’t keep me waiting next time Pico.” She said. She led him away from the buildings into a little clearing away from trees and foliage. It was the magic testing ground. “Ok Pico, what rune is this, and what spells can you cast with it?” she inquired.

Pico grinned. “This is a Rage Rune, and you can cast high level fire spells such as Fire Wall, Dancing Flames, Explosion, and Final Flame.” He finished.

Miss Oloponami was impressed. “Excellent Pico! Now, what’s the highest spell you can cast?” she asked.

“I think I can do Explosion.” Pico replied. He concentrated real hard for moment, and then the Rage Rune’s insignia appeared in the air as a column of fire descended to the ground, which was followed by a rising fireball that engulfed a major portion of the test area. Pico was exhausted and fell to his knees, but was still conscious and was smiling a little while breathing heavily.

“Good job Pico! You’ve past today’s test. Send the next student please.” Miss Oloponami said after she let Pico recover. Pico returned to the classroom and had the rune removed. He then proceeded to do what he did every day: flirt with his feminine classmates…

Pico was snapped out of his reverie by a bird flying overhead. Shaking his head, he realized that he still remembered a lot of his training at the Greenhill Academy. He might have to stop by there someday; it’s been a good while since he was there.

Looking at the rune insignia, he realized that purchasing a rune might be a good idea. Maybe now he could protect Annallee and Alberto if monsters ever attacked them again. He headed into the shop to find a young girl behind the counter. When the girl saw him enter, she remembered him from the previous night at the tavern. “Oh hello there!” she greeted. “You did a good job last night.” She added, grinning at him with stars in her eyes.

Pico smiled back and winked at her. “Thanks. Is this your Rune shop?” he asked.

“No, my parents own it, they are out having breakfast so I’m running it now. Do you need anything?” she asked.

Pico looked at this girl. Almost 18, she had a nice body and a beautiful face. Long blonde hair down her back with deep blue eyes. She wore a burgundy dress with gold trim. “She’s quite the looker.” Pico thought.

Pico replied. “Do you have any Rage Runes?” he asked.

“Oh yes sir! I have one right here!” she said. She reached behind the counter and pulled it out. Seeing the reddish rune brought back memories for Pico.

“How much?” he asked.

The girl saw this chance. “Mister…”

“Pico,” Pico interrupted.

“Mister Pico,” she continued. “I’ll let you have this for 1000 potch, IF you would like to accompany me to a play this evening?” she asked, smiling.

“Say, that’s a damn good deal!” Pico smiled. “Deal.” He put out 1000 potch. “What time should I be here?”

“Around 7:00. I’ll have my parent’s engrave the rune for you tonight if you stop by early.” She added.

“Ok, I’ll be here at 6:30. By the way, what’s your name?” “Jackpot!” he thought.

“It’s Lori, pleased to meet you.” She said.

Pico winked at her. “I’ll see you tonight Lori.” He said. Pico walked out the door, while Lori swooned behind the desk. “My friends are going to be so envious.” She thought.