Aiden was between classes in the Combat Institute when he overheard a conversation between Professor Renner, a wizened old strategist, and a group of students huddled around a table in the institute's lounge. Aiden recognized the rogue-looking man among them as Kael, a well-known figure in Tirovna's seedy underbelly.

As Aiden listened in, he heard Kael explaining the growing rat problem on the south side of town. The rats were becoming more aggressive and had even started to bite people. Some had even managed to steal small objects like jewelry.

"People have found a hidden entrance to an old sewer system," Kael said. "But the rats inside are numerous and vicious. We need a team of adventurers to go in and investigate."

Aiden's heart raced with excitement. He had always dreamed of going on daring missions like this, but he knew better than to interrupt the conversation. He listened intently as Professor Renner cautioned the group about the dangers of the sewer system, warning that it was a treacherous place for even the most experienced of adventurers.

"It's too dangerous," the professor said, shaking his head. "I can't in good conscience send anyone into that kind of situation."

But Aiden couldn't help himself. He stepped forward and cleared his throat, hoping to catch the professor's attention.

"Excuse me, Professor Renner," Aiden said tentatively. "I may not have much experience, but I know I can handle myself in a fight. And I really want to help with this mission. I'll do whatever it takes to prove myself."

Professor Renner looked at Aiden with a mixture of concern and admiration. He knew that Aiden was a capable young man, but he also knew that the mission was dangerous and would require experienced adventurers.

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Aiden," the professor said. "But this is not a job for the inexperienced. There are other adventurers who are better suited for this mission. And besides, I need you here to help the other students with their horses."

Aiden's face fell. He knew that Professor Renner was right, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was meant to be a part of this mission. He watched as the group gathered their things and prepared to leave, feeling a sense of disappointment wash over him. But he also felt a spark of determination. If he couldn't join the mission now, he would work harder than ever to prove himself and earn a spot on the next one.

As Aiden made his way back to his small apartment in the Knowledge district, he couldn't shake the excitement of the rogue's invitation to investigate the rat problem. He couldn't wait to get his hands dirty and prove himself as a capable adventurer.

But for now, he had to focus on his studies at the Combat Institute. As he passed through the bustling halls, he saw familiar faces and heard snippets of conversation about various tactics and strategies. He stopped to chat with a few friends, discussing their latest lessons and the challenges they faced in their training.

As Aiden entered his small, sparsely furnished lodging, he couldn't help but think of the horses he had left back on the farm. He knew that they needed his help, and that he had a responsibility to care for them. He had promised his parents that he would return home frequently to help with the stables, and he intended to keep that promise.

Aiden's family had been one of the first to reclaim an abandoned farm on the outskirts of Tirovna. They bred and raised horses, a valuable and rare commodity in the town. Aiden had grown up helping with the stables and assisting adventurers and fighters who came to purchase or rent horses for their quests. It was his love of the animals and his desire to help others that had led him to pursue a career in the Combat Institute.

Aiden sat at his small desk and lit a candle, the flickering flame casting shadows on the walls of the room. He pulled out a thick, leather-bound book and began to study, reviewing the combat techniques and strategies he had learned in class that day.

As he studied, he thought about his friends back home, the ones he had grown up with on the farm. He imagined their faces and the sound of their laughter, and a pang of homesickness washed over him. He missed the wide open fields, the smell of hay and the sound of the horses' hooves as they galloped across the pastures.

But he also knew that he was where he needed to be. The Combat Institute was his chance to hone his skills and prove himself as an adventurer. He would work hard and train diligently, and someday, he would make his mark on the world.

As the night wore on and the candle burned down, Aiden continued to study, his mind focused on his goals and the challenges that lay ahead. And when the morning sun finally rose, he would be ready to face them head on.