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‘They got on that fast,’ he thought.
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‘I really need to learn how to fight,’he thought as he heard the people around him talking.
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“Where have you been? You’ve had Nick climbing the walls with worry, he said that you’ve gotten into some trouble with the nobles and that you need clothes,” she said. Her tone reminded him of a mother probing for information, waiting for the chance to pounce on any perceived weakness.
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“Before anything else, please tell me if any of your messages need to be read. I have a massive backlog of pings, and I need to clear them out. I have orders to ‘read my pings’ from Captain Angelton.”
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“I don’t know what you still haven’t addressed in your link, you’ll have to deal with that yourself. Mr. Walker, please tell me what’s going on, and I’ll do my best to help you deal with it. I understand that you’ve only been in this world for 5 days, and helping people on their path is quite literally my job.”
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“Fine, but can you join Nick into our ping from wherever he is, I don’t want to tell this story twice,”he said.
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“Nero, I got some robes that should work for you. We don’t have time to get you a haircut or anything, but we’ll make do. What time are you being called to court?”
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“You got me robes already? You just believed what I told you?”
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“Hell no,” Nick replied. “I pinged Captain Angelton. He let me know the situation. As I’m currently your Center advisor, it falls to me to help you on your path. And it seems your path is leading you to the inner ring. Are you at your dorm room?” he asked.
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“Can someone please just tell me what’s going on?”
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“Nero, let me explain. You’ll just confuse her.”
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“Explain away.”
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“Last night, Nero chose to involve himself in the Noble War. He ignored the accords, and fought as an independent. The details are less important than the results. It seems that he fought five men in combat, including the leader of the mercenary force that assaulted the center. Nero killed all five, and aided in the liberation of the captured Cosgrave heirs. Due to the fact that his battles were the only actual combat that occurred during the entire war, he took the highest place in the rankings. If you don’t realize the implications of that, don’t worry, I had to have them explained to me as well.
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“According to Captain Angelton, since this battle resulted in the elimination of House Dorchen, it puts this Noble War into one of the higher award categories. When the points were tallied, it resulted in some serious consequences for Nero,” said Nick.
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“What kind of consequences,” she asked.
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“I’m going to be a noble. I’ve got to attend a dinner or something. The captain is picking me up in like an hour. You guys wanna come? I’m guessing the food will be good,” he said.
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“Hence, Nero needed some better clothes. We’ll also have to revisit his lesson plan, and schedule. All that work with the previous syllabus… what a waste,” said Nick bitterly.
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“Don’t worry old man, I’ll still keep up with my part in the deal. We’ll just have to amend the contract. We haven’t signed anything yet anyway.”
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“Nick, I’ll get you a change of robes and meet you at Nero’s dorm. We’ll not let that nest of vipers at Nero without representation. Bring his robes and meet me there,” she said and cut her connection.
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“She’s not a big fan of nobles, huh?”
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“The Salvatore’s are a noble family. Technically, I’m a noble. However, I gave up the game and am an independent branch house. I just never completed the noble rites to found my own house. My family and Vera don’t get along. She likes to focus on helping people with their path through the Center. Where my family tends to focus on advancing society''s path from a larger perspective; through business,” Nick replied.
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“I’m looking forward to seeing her give the side-eye to everyone when we get there. She’s an amazing woman Nick. Anyway, when are you getting here? I still gotta take a shower, so I’ll just leave the door unlocked. Wait, can I leave the door unlocked?”
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“You can change your entry authorizations through your room’s station. I’ll be there soon, and I’ll walk you through how to tie your robes. For once you might actually look like you know how to dress yourself.”
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“Hey, I followed the little diagram thing that was in the cabinet. Anyway, I’m almost there. The door will be unlocked, just come on in. It’s room 3.18 if you don’t remember.”
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“3.18. Understood,” Nick replied and cut the connection.
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‘So it looks like I’m going to the ball. I wonder if I’ll meet my fated enemy. Maybe some noble heir will be all offended at my being raised to nobility, and I’ll have to defend my honor. I bet I’ll be face-slapping some brats in no time.”