Klarion stood there a moment, staring at the closed door before turning back to Hatsune. Her breathing remained steady, her chest rising and falling in a rhythm that, while fragile, was a small comfort amidst everything that had happened.
Turning away, Klarion went back over to his own bed. It creaked softly under his weight, the mattress nearly as soft as the one back in Blacksword Manor. His mind flashed back to the rough terrain of the Dungeon — the cold, unyielding stone, and the constant stench of rot and damp earth. Compared to that, the infirmary bed felt, and smelled, like a cloud.
He laid down under the sheets, staring up at the whitewashed ceiling, but the comfort of the bed itself, and the admonishment by the nurse to get some sleep, did nothing to ease the restless churning of his thoughts. Sleep simply refused to come. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw flashes of the Dungeon—the Boss towering over him, the desperation of the fight, and the moment the chains had ensnared it. He remembered Hatsune’s wounds, her pained expression as she fought to stay upright, and the blood that had soaked into the floor after he had defeated the Boss.
No. He pushed those thoughts away. They were safely out of the Dungeon and there was no point worrying about what had happened in there anymore. He turned his attention to the more pressing issue: why had those other scions acted so boldly against them? How could they risk attacking an archducal heir without fear of consequences? Turning over the issue in his mind for several long minutes, the only explanation Klarion could muster was that there was something going on with House Blacksword’s position that must have eroded their power enough that even scions from lesser houses might be tempted to act against him at the Academy.
It was an unsettling thought. From what he knew based on context and observation of the other archducal scions on that first day, he expected House Blacksword to be a source of unyielding power and influence that, even without direct assistance, would still be enough to shield him somewhat from the court politics he assumed to be an important part of the Academy experience. But apparently that was too naive. Finding out more about his House and its relations with the rest of the powerful Houses and factions in this part of the Empire jumped higher on his ever-longer list of things to do. Perhaps the Coins of Knowledge he had now would be useful in that regard? If he could figure out how to redeem them, perhaps he could learn the truth about House Blacksword, its recent history, and maybe even the political alliances and grudges that had led to that group of scions trying to get the Dungeon to do their dirty work. But that would be an issue for tomorrow.
He groaned and sat up, deciding he needed a distraction. Something else to focus on, something that would take his mind off the skills in intrigue he would quickly have to master in the coming days. His eyes caught on a flashing icon in the corner of his vision. That is right, he had a number of notifications he needed to deal with after having escaped The Pit. If he wasn’t able to get to sleep yet, he might as well deal with them. Focusing on the first notification, Klarion willed it open. A sem-transparent screen appeared in his vision.
The sheer number of details immediately overwhelmed him. There were more than a dozen categories displayed, each with a number of subcategories, all given their own grades, percentages, and metrics that were almost comically meticulous. There were scores for everything from Environmental Adaptability to Tactical Decision-Making, and even something as granular as Ranged Accuracy. Needless to say, he had scored badly in everything except for the subcategories based around defeating the Boss. Which made sense. They hadn’t had time to explore the Dungeon properly, uncover any hidden secrets, or even fully clear it of monsters.
He groaned, rubbing his temples as a headache threatened to emerge. Part of him admitted how this could be useful, especially if he had his eyes on improving a specific set of skills or approaches in a fighting style, but there was no way he could process all this right now.
He almost closed it out when his eye caught a heading at the bottom of the report: Commendations. Intrigued, he selected it, and the screen shifted to display a separate section. This report was far more concise, displaying specific commendations that seemed to reflect exceptional actions completed in the Dungeon itself. He examined the three that were displayed.
Commendation Received: “No Class, No Problem”
Kill the Dungeon Boss without having a class.
Reward: New Trait - Regeneration (Minor) I; Seal of Brutality (2)
Commendation Received: “Unyielding Spirit”
Complete a Dungeon without using a rest zone.
Reward: Seal of Valor (1)
Commendation Received: “Whispers of The Pit”
Pass the whispered doubts of The Pit
Reward: Seal of Valor (1)
He had a hard time controlling his excitement as soon as he saw that the commendations came with rewards and that not only had he earned two Seals of Valor and two Seals of Brutality, but even better, he had been granted his first new trait beyond the Greater Soul Oath. A genuine smile broke out across his face. Regeneration. The word alone was enough to stir excitement in him. Based on what he could guess about the trait, it would allow the holder to shrug off injuries that would otherwise have crippled them, as well as perhaps help improve their stamina. Even if this was only a minor version of regeneration, his mind still raced with the possibilities. He would have to do some tests with it though to be sure of how it actually worked. For example, did it work passively all the time, or did it only activate under certain conditions? He couldn’t wait to test it out, though given what had so recently happened with the Dungeon, he had no intention of recklessly throwing himself in danger to do so. For now, the idea of healing faster than normal — of being able to endure more without succumbing — was thrilling. And it would probably be a major help with training going forward as well.
Closing out the screen, Klarion focused on pulling the next one up, which turned out to be his character sheet. The smile on his face got even larger at what he saw displayed: he had gained two levels. He’d expected that killing the Dungeon Boss and escaping The Pit would bring a boost to his experience, but two entire levels at once? That was beyond what he had dared to hope for. He focused on the sixty unspent points that he now had. It didn’t take him long to make a decision on what to do with them.
Strength. Dexterity. Vitality. Endurance.
Klarion split the points evenly across the four attributes since they made the most sense based on everything that had happened up until now. He had no class, nor any specialized abilities that meant he needed to guide his growth in a particular direction. Until something happened to change that, his best choice was to stick with what had worked for him so far: close-range combat. Strength would ensure his attacks would carry more weight, and make it easier to break through defenses when brute force was needed. Similarly, Dexterity would help improve his reflexes and the precision of his strikes. Lastly, both Vitality and Endurance would bolster his health and stamina for any fight that ends up finding him, which he expected was going to become even more important in the weeks and months ahead if his enemies among the nobility strike out against him again.
He looked at his character sheet one more time, just to be sure.
Name: Klarion von Sturmwacht
Race: Human (Noresyn)
Class: TBD - Level 3 (Free Points = 60=>0)
Profession(s): TBD
Essence(s): TBD
Faction: Treverorum Empire - House Blacksword
Rank: Scion - Unlanded
Aura: -
Majesty: -
Eminence: -
Strength: 74 => 89
Dexterity: 49 => 64
Vitality: 75 => 90
Endurance: 73 => 88
Intelligence: 57
Wisdom: 47
Charisma: 40
Luck: 16
Traits: Regeneration (Minor) I; Greater Soul Oath (Unknown - Hidden)
Skills: Greatsword Mastery (Novice)
Abilities: N/A
Imperial Academy Currencies:
Seals of Valor (2); Seals of Cunning (0); Seals of Brutality (2); Seals of Discovery (0); Seals of Arcana (0);
Coins of Knowledge (15); Coins of Service (30) *Mark of Bonds (1)*
Happy with what he saw, Klarion confirmed his choices. A subtle warmth immediately spread throughout his body. At first, it was a reassuring sensation, as though his attributes were gently adjusting and settling into place. But as soon as he flexed his fingers, seeking to test the changes, the warmth rapidly increased, quickly moving past hot into searing. Gripping the sheets so tightly his fingernails cut into the fabric, he pressed his body back down into the bed as his muscles locked up. Klarion’s jaw seized like a vice, a trickle of blood emerging from his lip in the spot where he accidentally caught the inside of his mouth with one of his teeth.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.
The burning pain felt like it went on for at least an hour, though he suspected it was less than a minute. Perhaps it had felt so long because, unlike the first time, he wasn’t tense about potentially heading into a fight and instead was safe in a bed at the Academy infirmary. Too sore to move, he closed his eyes and did his best to relax, knowing that he needed the sleep.
Next thing he knew, a nurse was entering the room. She was different from the one who had been there the night before. Middle-aged with a kind face framed by a short bob of graying hair. Balanced in her hands was a tray with two steaming bowls, slices of bread, and a pitcher of water. It looked a lot like breakfast, so it must be morning now. Looking up from the food, the nurse had draped over her other arm their clothes from the previous day, neatly folded and looking much cleaner than they had been when they had escaped from The Pit.
“Good morning, Scion Blacksword,” the nurse said, using her toes to pull a table on wheels away from where it stood against the wall. Pushing it, she brought it to a stop between the two beds, then using her heel, she locked the wheels. Setting the tray down on the table, she turned to him, tone cheerful yet brisk, “How are you feeling today?”
Klarion sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Better, I think. Thank you.”
The nurse nodded approvingly before setting the folded clothing on an extra chair in the room. She then turned to Hatsune, who lay in the bed beside him. Hatsune hadn’t moved yet, but her nose twitched as the aroma of the food wafted toward her. Klarion chuckled softly, the sight oddly endearing. He was about to say something when Hatsune’s eyes fluttered open, and she sat up abruptly, her gaze locking onto the tray. Her cheeks flushed as she noticed Klarion’s amused expression, but rather than comment, she reached for one of the bowls and began eating with single-minded determination.
Klarion shook his head, smiling. “Good morning to you too.”
Hatsune didn’t respond, focusing entirely on the meal.
As Klarion picked up his own bowl, he realized how hungry he was. The food was simple — some sort of porridge that was slightly sweet — but it tasted wonderful. He savored each bite, his body seeming to absorb energy with each spoonful. It might very well be the case, given the nature of the infirmary and the Academy. While he took his time, Hatsune polished off her bowl quickly and eyed the bread on the tray before taking a piece and nibbling on it.
While they ate, the nurse busied herself with checking them over. She examined Hatsune first, unwrapping the bandages and, after some gentle prodding to get the Leporine to pull it free of the sheet, the one around her leg. “Looks like you healed up as well as the trainee healer expected.”
Hatsune mumbled something unintelligible around a mouthful of bread, her blush deepening. Klarion pushed down his amusement as the nurse moved to him, her hands gentle but firm as she checked his pulse and the lingering bruises from the Dungeon.
“You are also looking well,” the nurse said. “Just remember, Dungeons, even the relatively safe ones on campus, aren’t to be underestimated. I don’t know what possessed you to push yourselves so far, but you need to be more careful. Next time, you might not be so fortunate.”
Klarion nodded in response, but he considered what she said. It was clear that she, and likely by extension those who had treated them here at the infirmary, assumed that he and Hatsune had willingly entered the Dungeon, driven by ambition or recklessness. Or perhaps the truth was known, and they simply were ignoring it for some reason.
Regardless, Klarion intended to leave it alone for now. From where he stood, letting the truth slip would only complicate matters. Indeed, the more he thought about it, accusing other scions of such an underhanded act against him without proof could easily backfire. Worse, should the knowledge that someone had already acted against him get out, it could make him and Hatsune even bigger targets. Still, the injustice of it gnawed at him.
“We’ll be more cautious, I promise.”
The nurse studied him for a moment, her sharp gaze softening slightly. “Good. Well, you’re both fit to leave at any time. You’ll find your equipment and any items you had with you at the security desk at the south entrance on the first floor. Have a good day, Scion Blacksword.”
With that, she gathered up the tray, gave them both a parting nod, and left the room. The sound of the door clicking shut left the room quiet, safe for the faint rustle of movement as Hatsune swung her legs over the side of her bed. The silence stretched between them like a taut wire. She shifted on her feet, staring first at him, then the floor. Klarion wasn’t sure what to say. He made to break the awkward silence, but Hatsune beat him to it.
“Klarion,” she began before pausing. She lifted her gaze to meet his, her vivid green eyes shimmering with emotion. “I… I wanted to thank you.”
He blinked, caught off guard. “Thank me? For what?”
“For saving my life,” she said, her words steady despite the slight blush that lingered on her cheeks. “In the Dungeon… when I landed in that pool… I thought it was over for me. That I’d never see another sunrise, that I’d never make it back home. But you… you didn’t abandon me, even when it might have been easier for you, given your stats. You brought us both back alive.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, unsure how to respond to her earnest response. “Well… you are my bodyguard, and even more importantly my friend,” he said finally. “Besides, you helped save us too. I’d not have been able to defeat the Boss had I needed to hit the runed pillars at the same time. You did that. So, really, we saved each other.”
Her ears twitched, and the blush on her cheeks deepened. “Still,” she insisted, “thank you.”
Klarion looked at the Leporine and then offered her a warm smile. “You’re welcome.”
The moment hung between them, charged with unspoken emotions, until Hatsune suddenly turned away, fidgeting with the hem of her infirmary gown. Klarion glanced at their folded clothes, realizing that the time for sentimentality had passed — they needed to get moving.
As he picked up his school uniform and began dressing, Klarion couldn’t help but feel a wave of embarrassment. There were no privacy screens like there were in the hospitals back on Earth, leaving them to awkwardly turn their backs to one another as they changed. Even so, he couldn’t help but feel the occasional glance that Hatsune threw his way. Or at least that was what he assumed was happening, given her frequent pauses as briefly struggled with his own infirmary gown.
When they were both dressed, Klarion checked himself over one more time before turning to Hatsune. She had finished getting dressed first, though she was still working to smooth the padded jacket she had worn under her armor, which was still at the security desk according to what the nurse had said. It was hard not to stare at the way the clothing gripped her curves.
“Ready?” Klarion asked, his voice slightly hoarse.
Hatsune nodded quickly. “Yes, let’s go.”
They emerged into an empty hallway. Not sure initially where to go, Klarion was somewhat bemused to find that, much like the hospital he had spent so much time on back on Earth, the Infirmary of the Imperial Academy had adopted much the same approach to directions for visitors and patients. Arrows under clear signs stood out on the wall near where the hallway branched in four directions.
As soon as Klarion knew which direction they needed to go, he began to pay more attention to the Infirmary itself. Much like he had expected, given many of the buildings he had seen so far, the Infirmary combined the functionality of a medical facility with the elegance of the Academy’s architecture. Polished marble floors gleamed under the light of some sort of magical lamps evenly spaced along the wall. After several minutes of walking, they followed a new hallway that happened to be along the exterior wall of this side of the Infirmary. Arched windows let in soft golden light, casting a warm glow that made the place seem almost welcoming.
Almost.
For all that the design was nice, he had spent too much time in a hospital when he was sick that, even this place, was not comfortable for him. Especially given that the air was filled with a faint, medicinal scent of some sort, for all that it was mingling with the subtle aroma of fresh flowers placed in the occasional decorative vase set along the walls.
“What’s the plan now?” Hatsune asked as they walked.
“We’ll pick up our gear and the loot from the Dungeon at the security desk the nurse mentioned,” he said, then sighed. “As much as I might want to take it easy today, I can’t. I’ve got to head to my Etiquette and Courtly Manners class.”
Eventually, they came to a wide staircase that led down to the first floor, and the grandeur of the Infirmary became even more apparent for those areas where patients were not being treated. Coming down the stairs, Klarion slowed as he saw that the central atrium was vast, a domed ceiling painted with a depiction of a group of legionnaires triumphing over a wave of monstrous beasts.
Hatsune gently nudged him, and Klarion realized he had stopped to stare in the middle of the last set of steps. Moving again, he sought out the first-floor security desk. He soon found it. A sturdy wooden structure was set against the far wall next to the entrance, and it was manned by a stout dwarf who was grumpily filling out some paperwork. Behind him stood rows of locked cabinets that undoubtedly held the equipment and possessions of the patients who came into the Infirmary’s care.
When they reached the security desk, the dwarf looked up from his writing to greet them after darting a quick glance at the markings of his school uniform. “Good morning, Scion Blacksword. Here to retrieve something?”
“Yes,” Klarion said. “My bodyguard and I came in late last night after delving The Pit.”
The dwarf’s eyes widened fractionally at the mention of the Dungeon but said nothing as he turned to unlock a cabinet behind him. Klarion was confused at first when the dwarf pulled out a small bag, but when he reached inside to pull out the old greatsword he had found in the Dungeon, he realized it was something like a bag of holding, not unlike the storage rings that Alesin and Rolfun had shown him a few weeks ago.
Beyond their weapons and armor, the dwarf set the same pair of leather bracers, the silver ring with an emerald set in it, and the pouch of gold coins that he had looted from the Boss’s chest back in the Dungeon. He also placed a small bag next to the items, which would make carrying them a bit easier.
“Here you go,” the dwarf said, sliding the pile across the counter. “Try not to visit again for a while, Scion Blacksword.”
Klarion chuckled wryly. “We’ll do our best.”
With their gear reclaimed, the dwarf returned to his paperwork. After giving Hatsune a few minutes to get her armor back on, they made their way out of the building. Though still in the morning, it was clear from the few students they saw hurrying around that classes were soon going to start. He must have been making a face because she stepped up to his side with an expression of concern.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just not looking forward to class,” he admitted. “Etiquette isn’t exactly my strong suit.”
She giggled, her earlier shyness having faded. “You? Struggle with manners? I can’t imagine.”
“Laugh it up,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Meanwhile, you get to relax while I suffer.”
Hatsune smirked, hoisting the bag of loot onto her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll find somewhere near your class to wait for you to finish. Just try not to embarrass yourself too much.”
Klarion ignored her teasing, instead leading the way in the direction of the building that J-65 had told him would host his Etiquette and Courtly Manners class. While he did not yet know what to expect, he was absolutely sure of one thing.
It was going to be his least favorite class.