<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 24pt;"><strong>Falling Leaf Academy</strong></span>, one of the most respected combat schools in the world. As clandestine as the profession it teaches, the academy itself sits off the main content on Hanging Neck Island, situated just inside the Sea of Storms. Falling Leaf has enjoyed hundreds of years of tradition and relative peace. Unlike the Mage's Consortium, which is constantly mired in politics, or The Blackwood Company, the fighters academy run by said mercenary troupe, Falling Leaf teaches it's students in a relatively drama-free environment. Various ninja clans do try to get their way from time to time, but there are really only so many ways to wield ninja magic, or to slit a man's throat, so the same ways have proven to work since the founding of the place.<br/><br/>Falling Leaf has more in common with a small village than some bustling city. It eschews most new technology invented by the dawarves, refusing modern buildings made of brick, long-distance communication devices, or electricity. The only exception are simple refrigeration systems; metal boxes fitted with ice crystals kept from melting by an attached mana battery. Building design is just as rustic and traditional, forsaking modern comforts and making students get used to sleeping on straw mats. The Academy has it's share of facilities; dorms for upper and lower class ninja, classrooms, a temple, a cafeteria, an infirmary, blacksmith (run by the island's only dwarf, Lysander Bronzebraid), and a formal meeting hall.<br/><br/>Said meeting hall is where we currently find ourselves. The large, open building sports a smooth stone floor, tall red columns, and seating all around the edges. A set of stairs leads around to the upper floor, which has additional seating. A massive stone statue of the three founders of the academy stands at the far end of the room. Hyuga, Koga, and Raizen all stand next to each other, looking stoic and ready for battle. The stone figures of the three are adorned with bits of bronze that accent certain features on their outfits or weaponry, giving the statue a more varied appearance. It is under this statue that Dao, one of the teachers, stands. He is tall and lean, as is the norm amongst his elven people. Clad in red and white (which students surmise he keeps impecabbly clean at all hours of the day), he stands out against the cold bronze and stone statue behind him. He surveys the gathered students, these Chunin. They've all come here to begin the process of graduating from low ninja to high ninja.<br/><br/><strong>"This is the mid-point of your education. From here, you go one of two ways,"</strong>he begins, gathering the attention of the crowd of students,<strong>"You can either fail and be expelled. Or you can continue on, and begin to learn the arts and skills that will make you truly great. Many graduates from this academy go on to serve Lords, Generals, or even Kings and Queens. Still others make a name for themselves as famous adventurers. I'm certain you've all heard of Imari bint Fasad, the ifriti that discovered The Sands of Time and used them to change the course of history, literally, at the battle of Red Cliffs. She graduated from this academy many years ago. Many paths lie open to you all if you succeed. So, do your best today. Do not give up, no matter how hopeless it may seem. We see success in every one of you."</strong><br/><br/>The crowd erupts into excited chatter. It goes on for a moment before Dao raises a hand and silences the students.<br/><br/><strong>"The first step is seperating you all into teams. Like it or not, ninja do not often work alone. Teamwork is vital and so, during this phase of testing, you will be grouped into teams of three. Now I will not repeat myself, so listen up. Drask, Taki, and Nam...."</strong><br/><br/>Dao speaks, going through the crowd and pairing everyone up. Team after team is formed until, at last,<br/><br/><strong>"Next we have... Temujin, Riko, and Tengu. Next, Ryujin, Mizuki, and Nara. Quiet in the back, please! Moving on..."</strong>