《Sine Fortuna》 Prologue - Zyxyls Diary It was a great day to play a fun game of ¡®KILL THE OFFICERS!¡¯ The revolution went without a hitch - when bastards like them treat their soldiers that badly they¡¯re practically begging for someone like me to walk up and recruit them all. Of course, seeing the atrocities they did to my people almost recruited them without me. It started at the assembly in the camp centre - I watched it from up a tree tall enough to see over the camp but far enough away that onlookers would just think the crazy person is on his wander. Away from the civilians, the slaughter of the sergeants as they walked among their ranks would not cause much of a ruckus, or at least that ruckus will be soon over. Of course, we recruited some sergeants to our cause - they were still low enough down to be trusted not to spread it higher - but we also did not recruit every soldier. I enjoyed my viewing point as sergeants led companies against one another - dogs fighting like dogs. My time came soon enough, however much more I would¡¯ve enjoyed the festivities. I nocked an arrow, and letting go it sailed like one of the ships they forced themselves in on. It hit my target, a cloaked figure that stood to the side, screaming orders. The figure fell to the ground with an unceremonious thump, and beside her a man turned around and raised his staff. ¡®Ah. That¡¯s the guy I was meant to be aiming for.¡¯ I could hear his bellow from over the wall and across the field. ¡®Traitors!¡¯ I¡¯d say that his people were more apologising for their treason by joining us, but beasts think what beasts want - no need to try and explain it to them. I steadied myself to take another shot, but he got there first. With a flick of his staff, a bolt of fire shot out. ¡®Too easy,¡¯ I muttered. I shot my arrow through the heart of the projectile, and it exploded out to look like a flying campfire. Eager to finally have a challenge, I waited as another flick of his staff sent more delights. A barrage of similar firebolts shot out at me - a rain of fire. They spun in the air, swimming through the pretty non existent air current. ¡®Well that¡¯s even easier, I can fire my arrow anywhere and still get a hit.¡¯ I still shot for the centre one - you never see a cocky fighter with experience, they¡¯re all dead. My arrow struck into the centre of the centre bolt. I sat and watched from my tree branch as the fiery mist drifted with the momentum it gained from its previous form. The fiery mist rolled some more before it dispersed right behind me. I immediately ducked my weight onto my back and swung off the tree. I reached the ground just in time to see. ¡®An ice spike,¡¯ I said, watching the shard soar through where I just sat. ¡®Clever - for you guys. We here can actually react without waiting for the sun to go down.¡¯ I shook off the shot of pain up my leg as I ran forward to the camp. *** ¡®Get the general!¡¯ roared Talvan as I charged through the gate. I shot an arrow. Finally I shot at him, not the other way around. He ducked under just in time. ¡®Bastard.¡¯ I shot my foot out to the side. I heard a scream and the clanging of my boots off armour. If only their feet would rustle that loud, then everyone could hear them. ¡®Excuse me.¡¯ I ran up to the company blocking me and the general running to the portward gate. They raised their shields, and I kicked them down. I leaped from the shield I stood on, regretful of the crash I heard as I flew above the company. ¡®Aww, you even thought to catch me.¡¯ I landed on the shields raised upward, hearing them buckle between my boots. I dove over what remained of the now scattering resistance, and ran onwards. ¡®It just wasn¡¯t good enough to take the long route, was it?¡¯ called Yshav. ¡®Of course not! That¡¯s not my style at all!¡¯ I watched my next arrow as it tore through the air. The general spun, before blasting two rays - one at the arrow, one at me. I ducked, and heard the company chasing me explode behind me. Killing a bull with its horns is fun. The general was not far in front of me, and a stretch still laid before us to the port - ample time for me to catch up. I ran through the leafy undergrowth of the forest that swallowed the camp, thankful for the trees. ¡®Get him!¡¯ Talvan was a great man, loyal and honest, but never did that man seem to notice he may be stating the obvious. Out of the corner of my eye I watched him duck into the bushes as a mage shot at him. ¡®Guess I¡¯m back to my lonesome.¡¯ I watched as my organisers within turned around to face the mage situation. I ran on, pulling another arrow to my bowstring. ¡®Another shot missed?¡¯ The general was a very cocky fleer. ¡®Another shot not taken?¡¯ This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. ¡®You want me to take a shot?¡¯ He turned and fired a lightning bolt at me. ¡®Another shot missed?¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s just copying!¡¯ ¡®Oh I wonder where I saw copying before.¡¯ ¡®Your ancestors weren¡¯t the rulers, mine were.¡¯ ¡®In my name.¡¯ My next arrow hit his cloak, which is when I heard the clang of a breastplate. ¡®Like the armour?¡¯ ¡®Why are you wearing armour?¡¯ ¡®Seemed like a good idea, considering there were a lot of strange men in my garrison, and what do you know?¡¯ ¡®Just means I get a better target to aim at, really.¡¯ ¡®Lucky you.¡¯ ¡®Actually, I¡¯m close enough I should really use my dagger.¡¯ ¡®And I¡¯m far enough away that I don¡¯t care.¡¯ And so I slung my bow over my shoulder and unsheathed my dagger. I was catching up with him, though you would assume any melee fighter could far outrun a mage. He ran fast, though - you do everything well at that high a level. ¡®So, plan on catching up with me?¡¯ ¡®My dagger¡¯s just nearly in range.¡¯ ¡®Good, with your bow gone I can have fun with these. He spun around, and forth came a ball of fire. I really need to use my bow for this one. My bow¡¯s slung over my shoulder. How do you shoot an arrow from a bow over your shoulder? And so, in a very humiliating fashion, I was forced to roll to the side of the ball as it hurtled towards me. ¡®Tired of your mimicry of actions from the epics?¡¯ ¡®No. There will be an epic written about this fight.¡¯ Or at least a very epic diary. ¡®I don¡¯t think the Imperium needs to write an epic about yet another quelled rebellion.¡¯ ¡®Well, first quell the rebellion and then we¡¯ll have a talk about its possible narrative feature. Until then, I¡¯m sure the Zyxian history books will say a lot about this.¡¯ ¡®Oh yes, the Imperium will be sure all scholars need to know of your failure today.¡¯ ¡®They¡¯ll include that line, right above the notice that says you die today.¡¯ ¡®Those are good last words, Rebel.¡¯ ¡®You just said what I said but slightly differently.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m a priest.¡¯ ¡®Of death!¡¯ ¡®Have you ever met a priest that¡¯s not?¡¯ ¡®No, but it¡¯s still strange. Almost as strange as how you forgot I have arrows.¡¯ The general turned around to see my arrow fly at him, but with a swish of his staff the arrow was drowned by a current striking into it. The general fired the line of water at me, and I pulled up my cloak. The water spritzed me, and my hair clumped down into my eyes. ¡®I¡¯m getting closer!¡¯ 50 feet or so. ¡®I guess you are.¡¯ Getting closer. ¡®I won¡¯t even need my arrows soon.¡¯ ¡®Thank Iphan!¡¯ ¡®I still have room for one more.¡¯ I shot the arrow, but he turned a corner. ¡¯Tyldon!¡¯ The port was much closer than I expected. Lying now just down the hill the general ran down, it couldn¡¯t have been more than 100 metres. ¡®I can still catch you in that time.¡¯ 40 feet between me and him. I was much faster than him, though now the general began hurling more spells at me than before. My eyes were split between him and his creations, and I had to try and shoot arrows at both. 30 feet. ¡®The view always was great from here, wasn¡¯t it.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s the last time you¡¯ll see it!¡¯ ¡®Oh, I don¡¯t think so.¡¯ 15 feet. ¡®Well I do.¡¯ ¡®Too bad my ancestors will write the history of this one.¡¯ 5 feet. ¡®Right behind you!¡¯ ¡®Not for long.¡¯ The general swung at my feet with his staff, and I jumped. He pulled his staff around in the follow through, and once again I felt a force of wind hit me. The gust slammed me to the ground, and I lost my footing as I rolled down the steep hill. I swept at his legs, but the general was too far. 40 metres to the port, 10 feet to the general. I jumped to my feet, nocking an arrow and firing it. The general ducked, but did not fire back. Instead he fired a shot at the port. Unmooring the ship. ¡®Captain!¡¯ What little forces I had outside the garrison all stood in the port, which they seized while I was meant to be seizing that bastard¡¯s head. They strung arrows from behind the boxes of grain they must have taken from the men filling the ships for the next journey. ¡®Fire!¡¯ They took their shots. As the arrows flew, so too did the wave the general pulled to his staff. They crashed harmlessly into the water, and were soon wrapped into its depths. With a twist, the wave snapped back at my men, and with a roar they were tossed away. They do not deserve to be forced to fight men like this. Near gods. The wave crashed through all the defences, striking off the ships. They soon pushed out into the sea. ¡®Bastard!¡¯ ¡®What? I cannot kill two pests with one spell?¡¯ The general burst through the wide open gates of the port, and I followed soon after him. He pranced onto the gangplank, and quickly disappeared over the edge. He tried to raise the board, but my boots slammed upon the planks just in time. The oaken planks played like drums as my feet pounded up their length. I paused as I stepped over the top. ¡®And so this is, Rebel.¡¯ ¡®You finally have to fight me in a duel.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m the one wearing armour here.¡¯ ¡®You don¡¯t even have a suitable weapon.¡¯ ¡®Sure I do!¡¯ As if this chase could have gotten any stranger, the priest whipped his staff, and a blade of flames burst from its tip. ¡®Of course!¡¯ ¡®Now we get to put that reputation you think you have to the test.¡¯ ¡®I hate proving my combat skill, though. The whole point of my mastery is that no one who sees it lives to tell the tale.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be able to give an account.¡¯ ¡®Well then, let¡¯s start.¡¯ I sprinted at him, and he fell into stance. He swung his staff, and I held up my elbow to block it. I hit the wooden part of the staff, as such I was not hurt. He could not hurt me with bludgeoning damage, though it was quite forceful nonetheless. He pulled his staff back, but I avoided his blade. I struck at him with my own blade, my dagger unsheathed again. He jumped back. He turned, sending a gust of wind at the sails. With a jump the ship began off. ¡®Already planning your trip?¡¯ ¡®Yes, I¡¯ll be finished with you soon enough.¡¯ He swung at me again. ¡®Maybe you should¡¯ve just stuck with magehood.¡¯ ¡®Maybe you should¡¯ve just stuck with - oh yeah you¡¯re only a fighter.¡¯ ¡®A fighter who¡¯s about to kill you.¡¯ ¡®Just a fighter.¡¯ The ship separated from the shore, and we rocked with the falling waves. I ran at the priest again, and we swung at each other once more. I ducked beneath his staff, and landed a foot upon his chest. He fell back. And to the floor. I began to near. ¡®So, your occupation was great, please don¡¯t come again soon.¡¯ ¡®Sorry, duty calls.¡¯ ¡®We will repel you.¡¯ Five feet away from the priest, and he still knelt on the floor, held up only by his staff. ¡®You most certainly can try.¡¯ With that he swept his staff up, and it roared against the wind. Or with the wind. The staff pointed at me, and I felt a blowing strike similar to rocks under a wave pound against my chest. I lost my footing, and was tossed through the air. The wind now screamed in my ears, drowned out only after I plunged into the icy depths of the sea. The cold water paralysed me for a long moment, my breathing hard and fast. ¡®Goodbye, Rebel. Till we meet again.¡¯ Soon a boat came out to get me, and the men who were thrown into the sea by the general¡¯s other wave. I was pulled ashore. ¡®Where is the general?¡¯ I jumped to my feet once again, ignoring the pain. I could see the ship in the distance, disappearing over the horizon. ¡®He¡¯s too far away, now,¡¯ said Trephon¡¯s voice. ¡®None of our ships could go that fast, even with an army rowing them.¡¯ ¡®He will starve, surely.¡¯ I couldn¡¯t have just failed my one job. ¡®Those ships are packed for a voyage back north-east, Sir, he has rations for an entire ship.¡¯ ¡®He will be driven mad by the loneliness.¡¯ ¡®He already is mad.¡¯ I swore. ¡®An army comes,¡¯ I stated in a low voice. ¡®We must prepare.¡¯ Sine Fortuna Gahl did not see the point in picking luck. Everyone told him to. ¡°Pick luck,¡± they said, ¡°It¡¯s the only attribute you can¡¯t earn yourself,¡± they said. Was there any point in picking an attribute that no one really knew the use of? These thoughts flooded his mind as he strolled through the great elm doors of the temple. He was twenty-one tomorrow - as such the Imperial Society obliged him to a feast in his honour with his parents and the parents of all those also to make the Choice Ceremony the next day. He took a seat at one of the edges of the temple, his position at the circular table provided an excellent view of a single grand wall of the great grand hall, and as such did not see much. He still turned his head to see the altar. Laid in all its beholden glory, the Choice stone glowed atop its pedestal in the centre. ¡®Beautiful, isn¡¯t it,¡¯ the voice of a stranger flowed as a whisper into his ear. He spun to face them. Looming high above everyone else, with a cloak that hung off his comparatively slim shoulders, the stranger seemed no older than Gahl - obviously another about to make their Choice. ¡®Mhm¡­¡¯ Gahl sighed in distracted agreement. If someone chose to forsake luck and faced bad repercussions, surely he would have heard about it. It would be, at least for a while, the talk of the town. Everyone heard horror stories of people who picked a null stat that lost the ability entirely, but was luck a stat of which there was an ability? He could not trust convention on this, but perhaps the reason no one ever told him of it was that no one ever did it. I guess I just have to be the first. ¡®What do you plan on choosing?¡¯ The stranger emanated an excitement Gahl lacked. While Gahl shivered at the thought of yet another combat in arms class, the excitement he felt for his soon to be budding career in magic was muted in comparison. Gahl handed over his Choice Card, the card given to him by the Imperial Society to list his preferred stats on. Gahl of Freitfa Race: Human (Tordana) Class of Wish: Mage (To-Be wizard) Strikestone of Wish: Elemental/Force Human Average: 2 Strength: 1 Dexterity: 1 Vigour: 1 Knowledge: 6 Wisdom: 4 Charismatic Charm: 1 Luck: 0 ¡®There is no way! Has no one told you to keep luck at two?¡¯ ¡®Oh, people have, it¡¯s just where did they get that knowledge from?¡¯ ¡®People much smarter than you currently!¡¯ ¡®They won¡¯t be much smarter than me after I start out with 6 knowledge.¡¯ ¡®Maybe then you will recognise your mistake! Look at my sheet!¡¯ the stranger forced his own sheet into Gahl¡¯s hands. Yl of Hanun Race: Human (Siscon) Class of Wish: Fighter (To-Be Adventurer) Strikestone of Wish: Piercing Human average: 2 Strength: 3 Dexterity: 2 Vigour: 3 Knowledge: 1 Wisdom: 2 Charismatic Charm: 1 Luck: 2 ¡®An adventurer, eh?¡¯ ¡®You know it! Adventurers are paid so well, just to be out in the countryside enjoying life.¡¯ ¡®Only dying five times out of six.¡¯ Yl scowled at Gahl but could not retort in the wake of a calling voice filling the room. ¡®Children of the Empire!¡¯ The officiating priest was an older man. His white robes flowed off his tan skin, and the stained oak staff in his right hands shone a flickering orange in accordance with the dancing flames of the candles around. ¡®Today is a day of great joy. The Choice Feast dates back hundreds of years - you can tell as I still have fond memories of mine.¡¯ A chuckle sounded from the tables around as the priest took a breath. ¡®But this day also marks a very serious point in your journey into the Empire. This is, by most accounts, the last day of your childhood. This is the day when you set aside your passions, your fears and your fortune, for the sake of our dear Empire. ¡®In case anyone is unaware, perhaps a parent with a low knowledge, the day that comes when the sun next rises, we will meet here. I will call up the newfounds and they will present to me their statistic sheets. ¡®They will then input their sheet¡¯s information into the Choice Stone, and their abilities will shape to their choice. ¡®Once you input your choice, you keep those statistics. For life! Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! ¡®Your child will then spin two wheels. One, to determine their class and one to determine their strikestone - what form of attack they can use to damage others. Thankfully, due to the prosperity faced by our New Age of Empire, the latter will not be needed, unless you get called into the conscription notice, but reserved only for tradition¡¯s sake - and your class of choice is nearly guaranteed. With those formalities aside, I wish you all a merry feast and you are expected at noon tomorrow.¡¯ A cheer rose from the crowd as all turned back in to face their family, and their feast. ¡®Wow, I almost forgot.¡¯ Everyone turned back to face the priest. ¡®Perhaps the single most important fact about stats is how we in the Grand Imperium use them to make efficient use of all our children. How could you ever know how best to make use of one of our Iuvenes de Imperio without being able to see stats.¡¯ With this the priest pulled up his staff, grabbed a bucket of water from the altar and tossed it upon the Choice Stone. Radiants beams were cast from the Choice Stone onto the walls, bearing the same wavy disclarity as the sun¡¯s rays through a waterfall. Collecting some water runoff within the hook of his staff, the priest flung some water into the crowd. He swung it a few more times, droplets flying through the air. A droplet hit Gahl in the forehead, and the strange sensation of his eyes filling with water made them shut instinctively. When he opened his eyes again, everything was different. Or, well, much in fact was the same, it was just Gahl was unaccustomed to the blue boxed windows that opened when he focused on someone, or something. Sarembai of High Race: Human (Saran) Class: Mage (Wizard) (Priest) Strength: 1 Dexterity: 1 Vigour: 1 Knowledge: 6 Wisdom: 5 Charismatic Charm: 4 Luck: 2 Skills: requires understanding of listed skills to view Speech: 4.8 Inventory: requires knowledge 4 or above, or for entity to share their inventory list with you Abilities: requires knowledge 6 or above, or for entity to share their ability list with you Why does he need such a large Charismatic Charm attribute, Gahl wondered. He was able to see the speech skill due to his father¡¯s training as an orator. Shrugging the abnormal attribute off as just good public speaking skills that come with priesthood, Gahl then peered at the staff. Mindflare Material: Oak, Psychstone Class: Staff Material Average: 2 Physical: 2 Mental: Force: 3 Elemental: 2 Psychic: 13 Durability: Physical: 5 Mental: 40 Holy Stone, that is a lot of stats. I guess that¡¯s what you get after long days toiling hard, working to climb the ranks. He glanced at the to-be adventurers. Yl of Hanun Race: Human (Siscon) Class: Yet unknown Strikestone: Yet unknown. Newfounds brave and newfounds tall All are beckoned to the call Stats to be revealed when chosen Gahl didn¡¯t know why he planned on checking the stats of someone who hadn¡¯t picked their stats yet. He turned over to his father. Freitfa of Sheitfal Race: Human (Tordana) Class: Bard (Wordsmith) Strength: 1 Dexterity: 1 Vigour: 1 Knowledge: 3 Wisdom: 2 Charismatic Charm: 4 Luck: 2 Skills: Speech: 4.4 Wit: 4 (4.5 Charismatic Charm + 3.5 Knowledge / 2) Inventory: Speaker¡¯s robes Fallscroll and Quill Abilities: Invigorate (mana cost revealed upon study of spell) Zone of truth (mana cost revealed upon study of spell) Envision (mana cost revealed upon study of spell) ¡®Can you see my stats?¡¯ Gahl¡¯s father asked. ¡®Yes.¡¯ ¡®They¡¯re not as good as the priest¡¯s, but they¡¯re something.¡¯ Gahl could never understand how his father could stay so humble, considering he was a speaker of such renown. ¡®I mean the priest has studied for years.¡¯ ¡¯He has. He officiated my Choice Ceremony - didn¡¯t look a day younger while doing it.¡¯ Gahl¡¯s family shared a chuckle. The night wore on at a pleasant gait, and Gahl forgot about his conversation with the to-be adventurer. Of course, he gave his parents a fake stat sheet, so he need not worry about their disapproval. It will be all too late for their input when the altar shines with his stats. ¡®Hey Gahl,¡¯ a soft voice spoke close to his ear. He shot around. Stood at an average height, with her lute slung over her cloaked shoulder, was Ana. ¡®Hey.¡¯ ¡®Is that a proper way to greet the only friend you¡¯ve ever had on the day of your big feast?¡¯ ¡®Well¡­¡¯ ¡®Well?¡¯ Ana was smiling, her dark tan skin pulled into laugh lines around her mouth. Her wavy black hair was pulled and tied in a style Gahl could only really describe as ¡°fancy¡±. Her eyes were still the dusty grey of all people who hadn¡¯t taken their Choice yet. Not for long. She gave Gahl a hug and sat down next to him. Ana kept talking, but Gahl¡¯s eyes affixed upon his stat sheet. Soon, he could hear Ana¡¯s voice trail off, and her eyes slowly trail to where his lay. ¡®You¡¯re really trying it, huh.¡¯ ¡®Yeah.¡¯ ¡®Well, it¡¯s your funeral.¡¯ ¡®It could also be my transcendence.¡¯ ¡®And which do you think it¡¯s going to be, big guy?¡¯ ¡®One of them.¡¯ ¡®So, you are completely happy with the odds you¡¯ll either be the smartest person in Pirn, or dead at the bottom of a lake or something.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯d say so.¡¯ ¡®Gahl, you know you¡¯re crazy, right?¡¯ ¡®Either crazy smart or crazy dead by the looks of it.¡¯ ¡®No, just crazy.¡¯ They shared a laugh. ¡®I¡¯m sorry for not talking in a while.¡¯ Gahl was so consumed by his research the last few weeks that even when Ana sat in his room, staring at him work, he didn¡¯t even so much as regard her. ¡®It¡¯s okay. As long as I can run your funeral.¡¯ ¡®In fifty years you can write my obituary and read it out to the town council for me.¡¯ ¡®I know that you like things to take time, but fifty years between death and obituary writing? At that stage you¡¯d be about as obsolete as you are now!¡¯ ¡®Can we talk about something else?¡¯ ¡®Your last thoughts want to be of pleasantries. Good thing you¡¯re with me.¡¯ They laughed and the night continued, the topic of conversation sailing hastily away. *** By the end of the night, Gahl barely remembered he was choosing tomorrow, a matter of both confidence and weariness. A brief lapse in conversation allowed him to sit in silence for a moment. A much needed moment. Gahl didn¡¯t need to be entertained, and as such spent most of this moment staring at the wall in front of him. He watched as his vision slowly lifted itself along the stone wall, until it was just under the stained glass windows. With no more sun, the stained glass now showed flatter pictures - though still beautiful. The tables on which families ate their feasts shone now with the orange hues of flickering candles upon them. Gahl¡¯s own table shone with an amber light that resembled the evening sky he left earlier to join the feast. In place of the light of stained glass windows from the roof, and accompanying the candlelight, staffs cast light upon the temple from the rings from which they hung - which themselves hung from chains bound to the ceiling. They were powered by Mana Stones, but Gahl could hardly see the translucent stones in the blinding light. Gahl traced the light of the staffs around the room. It landed on the people below, the candles and staffs casting a shadow outwards and downwards from the subject. The staff was the main illuminator of the walls, but as they rose the staffs soon became their only source of light, shining even upon the dimmed panes. Below the coloured panes, a set of murals caught his eye. Fine paintings done upon finer cloth, the murals were one of the many prides of the Imperium. Or, at least, they were part of the Artistic Liberty Imperii - Gahl had never actually seen those paintings themselves before. As the works fell over beams of polished iron, a tail of the same cloth weighed down on the other side of the beam. The light of the staffs barely penetrated the shadow cast upon it. The temple council, of course, tried to hide these sides - but they were always there. On every painting, no matter how bright and colourful the front was, the back was always visible in its cool dark monochrome. A cool dark monochrome, on which the once bright painting was cast by the light, and its brightness tarnished by dark, muted tones. ¡®Honey?¡¯ Gahl¡¯s mother¡¯s voice cut through his thoughts, and he snapped back to attention. ¡®Yes?¡¯ ¡®Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to startle you. I just wanted to tell you we¡¯re going to head now.¡¯ ¡®I will come with you.¡¯ His tiredness once again struck him, and Gahl wanted nothing more than to return to his bed. And so Gahl walked with his parents through the cool night air back to their home, and slept soundly for the last time in his life. The Tour of Glory Gahl looked forward after a while of gazing at the ground. Through the faint mist that covered the world at this early hour, he could see the wood in front of him. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Who would wait to do their research the day of the Choice Ceremony? ¡®Actually, if I may ask,¡¯ began Gahl¡¯s mother, ¡®why are there so many ships in the port today? Is there a parade on soon?¡¯ Gahl turned. He didn¡¯t notice while looking at the ships the sheer quantity of them. There was an entire fleet of military ships that floated upon the gentle waves. That is the way of priesthood, though. ¡°There are no priests who haven¡¯t killed more people than they have preached sermons¡±, as the old saying went. Sometimes saving meant killing, though Gahl hoped to avoid that in his scholarship. I will do anything to protect this landscape. This beautiful, beautiful landscape. To it I shall give my all. Nothing shall do harm to it. Invigorated with a passion for his country he never felt before, Gahl did not pay attention to anything but the landscape. Not the further conversation between his parents and Pel, not the beckoning of his parents to follow them back home, not the pain that shot through his legs with every step as they made the journey back. This better work out. The Choice Ceremony I¡¯m surprised he didn¡¯t just get his kid their own private Choice Ceremony.
Tilyhan of Cilian
Human (Larina)
Bard (Salesfolk)
Strength 1
Dexterity 1
Vigour 1
Knowledge 2
Wisdom 1
Charismatic Charm 6
Luck 2
Gahl knew of Tilyhan far before he examined the profile. The wealthiest tradesman in Pirn, Tilyhan didn¡¯t even know carpentry. His father used to preside as the guild leader, gave it to his half-noble son without any experience¡­ And now he reaps the benefits of actually hard worker¡¯s seed. In a democratic guild, how is he allowed to be in control? Gahl knew the answer. None of the high buyers, priests and Imperial nobles, would buy from anyone without a noble¡¯s name. Tilyhan couldn¡¯t make the chairs, but he sure could sell them. The guild has to keep him because without them he¡¯s just going to find more makers, even if its not in Pirn, and they¡¯d all be out of business. ¡®Nothing¡¯s there.¡¯ You must only be able to see the shadows from the bottom. What if it all went away? What would happen to me then? Having a friend to make fun of you always does help ease your nerves. ¡®So,¡¯ said Ana. ¡®You¡¯re actually, actually going through with this?¡¯ Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. No, I am going to prove to everyone that you can do things without a luck stat. I will use my high Knowledge to become the greatest scholar in all of Halvanah, and then I will lift an ox¡­ maybe. For piercing damage? I wonder if he knows how useless that will be against anyone in armour. I suppose it doesn¡¯t matter for him, he will be off fighting rattlesnakes for the rest of his life.
Ana of Sara
Human (Tordana)
Bard
Psychic
Strength 1
Dexterity 1
Vigour 1
Knowledge 3
Wisdom 2
Charismatic Charm 4
Luck 2
It¡¯s not as if you could¡¯ve really messed it up, Gahl thought, and he knew Ana thought the same thing. Then she pointed at the fold of gown in which Gahl hid his real stat card. I could, though. All the people making their Choice today - who already made their choice. I suppose mine will be the finale, the great striking shock for everyone. If I can only submit my stats, then it¡¯ll be over. The wheels are practically impossible to fail at. The priest was right, everyone got their class and strikestone of choice. Gahl stared at Ana, the only person other than the priest who knew his plan. Ana stared back at him. Ana mocked him and made fun of his schemes, but deep within Gahl knew she worried - as is expected of a friend you¡¯ve known for your whole life. Good luck, her eyes whispered. This is going to work. Nothing anyone can do about it now. The Choice Ceremony Part II A fighter. How can I be a fighter - I have 1 in every damned stat that requires a smidgen of physical ability. What will I do to stop the enemies, start reciting poetry or philosophy? Tell them stories? Stories about why you shouldn¡¯t risk luck. None of it will be useful anyways. That¡­ That¡¯s it. That¡¯s my life, completely gone. Washed down the bank into the river. How can I do anything in my life, contribute to the Empire in even the smallest sense, if my stature is useless and my knowledge rendered void? The Choice Ceremony finished enough, although Gahl assumed the priest droned on about rights and privileges of the Imperium for years, and soon they walked out. Or, his parents walked out without him, and Gahl sluggishly crept out of the building, up to where Ana stood. I wish I hadn¡¯t done any of this. ¡®Do you need help?¡¯ asked a deep voice. Out of Gahl¡¯s peripheral vision he could see a man walking up to them. Short, yet sturdy, as soon as his hand grabbed onto Gahl he knew the man¡¯s strength.
Torv of Hestav
Human (Gavor)
Fighter (worker)
Bludgeoning
Strength 4
Dexterity 2
Vigour 3 (+1 Stature Modifier)
Knowledge 1
Wisdom 2
Charismatic Charm 1
Luck 2
They both hauled Gahl onto the green beside the temple, where they finally let Gahl¡¯s face hit the floor. Gahl did not stir. A heavy hand turned him over. knew¡±, he¡¯d have. And yet he strayed ever further in each wallowing minute. What am I even meant to do? The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. By forcing them out of their homes. ¡®When we run out of people to turn the lumber into ships, we make it necessary for young craftsmen to serve building boats. When we run out of people to fill those boats¡¯ - the soldiers appeared out from the room - ¡®we refer to this.¡¯ This wheel, carved in rugged patterns, mildly resembled an old shield. The axel jutted from the wheel, forming a quasi boss to the shield. Out of the ¡®boss¡¯ stuck spear shaped arrows. One pointing to each section, in which groups of names were emblazoned. Of course. This is truly a characteristically swift end to my tale. Why couldn¡¯t it have another group? Another group who could all actually defend themselves? Gahl was the first to sit down on the benches at the wall, but soon Yl arrived, followed by Torv - the man who held Gahl up - and Ana. They all sat, except for Tilyhav, who argued with the priest. There goes the chances of us just getting deployed into the city or something. The others seemed to be feeling the same disappointment, except for Yl.
Sarembai of High invited you to a party.
Accept/Deny
Gahl stared at the screen for a long moment. He whispered the command to himself.
Name Location Status HP Mana
Gahl N/A Out-of-Combat 20/20 120/120
Ana Central Pirn (1m) Out-of-Combat 20/20 50/60
Yl Central Pirn (1.5m) Out-of-Combat 60/60 20/20
Tilyhav Central Pirn (2m) Out-of-Combat 20/20 40/40
Torv Central Pirn (1.5m) Out-of-Combat 60/60 20/20
The Journey to the Port A yell awoke Gahl that morning, in place of the gentle whisper he heard the morning before. The life before. ¡®GAHL OF FREITFA! PRESENT YOURSELF TO YOUR COUNTRY ON THIS, YOUR DAY OF HONOUR!¡¯ Gahl dressed into the most combat ready clothes he had - a tunic, breeches and the sturdiest boots his father had acquired. His parents hung at the door like ghosts, staring at Gahl as he left. They look dead, but soon I will be dead. Gahl stepped out of the door. The rain pattered off his hair, clumping it to his head, as he stood staring at the priest. ¡®Child of Glory!¡¯ the priest roared. ¡®Good morning, Brightener.¡¯ ¡®I am no longer to be referred to as a Brightener by you, for no longer am I to be seen as a priest. You may refer to me as you would refer to a general.¡¯ ¡®Good morning, General,¡¯ Gahl corrected. ¡®Has no one ever told you how to properly refer to a General, to one of the fine souls keeping the peace, and protecting our great island?¡¯ Gahl sighed. He looked beyond the priest, and could see that Ana stared at the priest with a similar annoyance. Her lute was still slung over her shoulder, though Gahl noticed now a sword at her belt as well. She turned to Gahl, her eyes newly turned pink with her psychic strikestone. Just do it, she mouthed. ¡®Good morning, World Giver, World Saver, and World Tamer.¡¯ ¡®While World Tamer is given mainly to those of a higher rank than you all are now,¡¯ began the general ¡®though I would be sure to expect that to change soon - we are all World Tamers here. Each and every one of us strives to pacify the barbarity that plagues far shores. Each of us will do everything to protect our own shore, and to do that sometimes we must embark on a journey to pull evil from its far off roots.¡¯ Yl, who stood silently beside Ana until then, cheered. I have never heard such a succinct and cohesive argument made for colonisation. Not as if you hear it every damned time you enter a temple. ¡®Though, for now,¡¯ the general continued, ¡®I would recommend calling me that and me only. That, or just referring to me as ¡°High Sarembai¡±. Yes, you do have a slight sense to you. With that Knowledge stat you¡¯d hope so, especially with what you put on the line for it.¡¯ Gahl winced, but Sarembai carried on. ¡®Now, join the other members of your party as we continue to raise the battalion.¡¯ Sarembai pointed his staff at Gahl, however Gahl noticed it was not the same staff as he used for the Choice Ceremony. ¡®Yes, Worldsmith!¡¯ Yl cried, despite the order barely relating to him whatsoever. ¡®That¡¯s the spirit, Glory Bearer,¡¯ Sarembai said, ¡®Thank you, Sir!¡¯ Gahl¡¯s tiredness prevented him from thinking of a retort in time to say it before he joined the group. He also had a faint indication that a quip may have his head blown off, however the tiredness seemed the primary factor in his mind. *** ¡®So, how are you, ¡°Child of Glory¡±?¡¯ Ana asked as they began walking. ¡®Tired.¡¯ ¡®How was your terrible night?¡¯ Ana asked as they began walking. ¡®My father tried to teach me all he knew about the army from friends.¡¯ Gahl¡¯s sluggish steps nearly caused him to fall into Ana as they walked. ¡®At least he wasn¡¯t talking that long.¡¯ ¡®Oh yeah, your parents must have had a lot to talk about.¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s what you get when you¡¯re born to two soldiers. The worst part is, I have this sword, but in no way, shape or form can I even use it. Since yesterday, I can only do damage with my mind.¡¯ ¡®They might not have noticed how your eyes are glowing pink. Y¡¯know, that¡¯s a very easy thing to miss, dusty grey to bright pink.¡¯ ¡®As if they looked into my eyes all evening.¡¯ ¡®You say that to me.¡¯ ¡®Oh, yeah. How did your ¡°genius innovations¡± and whatnot go down with your parents?¡¯ ¡®Let¡¯s just say it was a weird Choice Feast.¡¯ Gahl shivered at the thought of their disapproving glances at him the night before, the way they shifted their gaze directly after his eyes made contact with them. They soon collected Torv, and Gahl heard the entire extravaganza restart. This time, the screams and cries of Torv¡¯s children hurtled down the road. All could hear them, but no one could stop them. Just as no one can stop your fate now. One clung to his leg as he walked out, but after a quick hug and a beckoning from a mother that must have been behind the wall, the child disappeared. The child was pale, but not as pale as Torv¡¯s unusual complexion for Tordana. Torv gazed longingly back into his home, before he clutched a locket in his hand and joined the group. The day grew brighter as they walked, though the rain did not stop. The shower seemed to grow heavier as they waited outside the inn where Tilyhav was said to be staying. Gahl shivered in his angst, but quickly stopped when he noticed Ana looking at him. ¡®Hey, I can distract you?¡¯ she asked. ¡®How?¡¯ Seems pretty damn impossible. ¡®Look at me.¡¯ Gahl stared at her, and her stat sheet soon popped up. Gahl wasn¡¯t used to her stat sheet being bright green, but otherwise it was the exact same. ¡®What?¡¯ he asked. ¡®Maximise my stat sheet.¡¯ ¡®Okay.¡¯
Ana of Sara
Human (Tordana)
Bard
Psychic
Strength 1
Dexterity 1
Vigour 1
Knowledge 3
Wisdom 2
Charismatic Charm 4
Luck 2
ABILITIES: Persuade Entertain Intimidate SPELLS: Healing (10M) Force of Mind (20M) Motivate (30M)
¡®You have a spells list?¡¯ ¡®And just general abilities.¡¯ ¡®How did you get them?¡¯ You can¡¯t get spells, everyone knows you can¡¯t get spells. So why do you care? I care for my friend. Totally¡­ ¡®It¡¯s very hard for me to explain, but if you try to take a look inside you can see things about yourself.¡¯ ¡®Like your true intentions and life¡¯s true meaning?¡¯ Gahl remarked. ¡®Gahl, I¡¯m being serious. When you look into your heart, like into your soul, you can see this screen. You may as well give it a try.¡¯ A memory zipped to Gahl. The Level Screen is the subject¡¯s inner stat stone. There, you can find information about all of your attributes, skills, spells and levels. It is the main source of the subjects magical power, containing the spell select screen and ability replace hot action. ¡®That¡¯s so weird.¡¯ ¡®What is?¡¯ ¡®I keep getting these messages, like an inner voice in my brain.¡¯ The All-Knower is the colloquial name for the voice inside the head of subjects with a high knowledge stat. Using it, you can refer to any information you may query over. This, of course, is affected by level - with higher knowledges contributing to more knowledge from the All-Knower, with ten being access to all worldly knowledge. ¡®What is it?¡¯ ¡®The All-Knower, seemingly.¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s a real thing?¡¯ ¡®Seems so.¡¯ ¡®Wow, and yet still people don¡¯t put any points into knowledge.¡¯ ¡®The only people who do seem to put too many points into it,¡¯ Gahl sighed, just in time for his boot to sink into a particularly large puddle. Water sprung out in all directions, surging out into the mud around to form yet more puddles. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Guess this will be the last time I¡¯m even close to a path for a while, I may as well get used to this. ¡®Anyways, what did you want to know about spells again?¡¯ ¡®How many spells do you have, as a bard.¡¯ ¡®A fair few. I can¡¯t access all of them.¡¯ ¡®What do you mean?¡¯ ¡®It¡¯d be easier to show you.¡¯ ¡®Can you show me?¡¯ Subjects cannot convey Their Level Screen, as it is unique to each individual, however there are key items that are included within all Level Screens, such as an attribute, General Level, ability and spell screen. ¡¯Spell screen?¡¯ asked Gahl. ¡®What?¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s what the All-Knower said. It implied that all people have a spell screen. Do you think that includes fighters.¡¯ ¡®I mean so far as fighters are people, I suppose. I have talked to my parents, though, and all know they aren¡¯t human. In fact, anyone who willingly picked fighter should be up to scrutiny.¡¯ Ana glanced at Yl, happily jumping around beside Sarembai. ¡®If you don¡¯t remember, I didn¡¯t willingly pick fighter.¡¯ Hyuna, that¡¯s still weird to say. ¡®Anyways, yes, fighters are people - to some people,¡¯ Ana confirmed ¡®So we¡¯re sure fighters have spells, and if I-¡® ¡®OPEN THE DAMN LEVEL SCREEN!¡¯ Gahl jumped back, the other people on the path shooting around to look at Ana - though she seemed not to care. She is so quick to quip, and yet when she is serious she is so terrifying. ¡®How?¡¯ Gahl asked. ¡®Just look inside yourself!¡¯ ¡®How does one do that?¡¯ It is common knowledge that the easiest way to enter the Level Screen is to focus on one¡¯s breathing, and from there begin to focus on parts of their body individually until they find their spiritual core, usually located somewhat near either the heart or brain. ¡®Okay then,¡¯ Gahl said. ¡®What?¡¯ ¡®All-Knower.¡¯ ¡®This is starting to sound pretty passive aggressive.¡¯ ¡®DON¡¯T FALL BEHIND!¡¯ cried General Sarembai. Gahl and Ana rushed forward. Their company, now fully complete, was stretching out slowly into the battalion they were to ride overseas with. ¡®I have to try and find my spiritual core. From there I can access my level screen and from there I can see if I have any spells.'' ¡®I guess you shall have to try and do that while walking,¡¯ said Ana. ¡¯That¡¯s totally possible.¡¯ Okay, breathe in Gahl inhaled, focusing on the breath as it pushed through his throat and expanded his chest. He sighed, letting all the air barrel out again. In He breathed in again, focusing now on his heart. And out He examined his heart with his eyes closed. This will be spilled on the ground soon, as well as everything in you. And in He breathed in again, his mind focusing now on his lungs once again. He noticed their rapid expansion and contraction with his chest. Bobbing up and down like a ship. A ship I am soon to be sent on. He spent a few breaths thinking about his lungs. They may not work soon. I am such a positive thinker. And in. This time he focused on his throat. A darkness filled his vision, darker than the sight he could see with his eyes closed. He no longer knew if his eyes were open or closed. It would not have made a difference. Until he heard a rumbling. Up from the darkness he assumed was down rose a fluorescent light. Electric blue, it shone with a brightness that hurt to look at until his eyes focused.
LEVEL FOUR 2/3 ATTRIBUTES GAINED FOR LEVEL UP
While that floated in the centre, rotating slowly around, more lights rose.
STRENGTH 1 LIFT WEIGHT: 35 KG CARRY WEIGHT: 50 KG DEXTERITY 1 SPEED: 0.75m/s VIGOUR 1 HIT POINTS: 20 KNOWLEDGE 6 MANA: 120 WISDOM 4 PERCEPTIVE TRADITION: 80/200 CHARIMSATIC CHARM 1 10% Persuasive Chance at Petty LUCK 0 FOR A FOOLISH FORSAKEN FORTUNE ONE WOULD WANT IT BE WORTH THE HAVOC IT WILL WREAK
As freaked out as Gahl was over that adage, he still managed to notice a strange lapse within the levels. The distance between Luck and Strength seemed much more than the distance between Charismatic Charm and Luck. Or any stat for that matter. Must just indicate the cycle resets. He was soon distracted by his primary concern.
ABILITIES: FIGHTER LEVEL 4: SKILFUL HIT (requires Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Weapon Type Level 2.2) QUICK RECOVERY (requires Dexterity 2, Vigour 3) BATTLE WITS (requires Wisdom 3) (Unlocked) Boosts Perceptive Tradition by 40 Points for 2 minutes
That seems mildly useful. Gahl quickly found what he was actually looking for.
SPELLS: STRENGTH: 1: REACH TWO STRENGTH TO UNLOCK LEVEL TWO SPELLS DEXTERITY: 1: ROUTE I - What does an arrow and its archer have in common?
¡®What?¡¯ Gahl hurtled back to the real world. He jumped as he noticed he progressed down the path, despite not moving on his own accord. ¡®You¡¯re finally awake!¡¯ cried Sarembai. ¡®Huh?¡¯ ¡®You collapsed to the ground back there,¡¯ Ana¡¯s voice said. ¡¯Poor Torv had to carry you here.¡¯ Gahl turned. He saw the farming village behind them, and looking down he saw they were ascending up a hill. They were nearly at the port. That in itself was enough to make Gahl nearly fall unconscious again, though as he slumped Sarembai caught him and shook him. ¡®I swear if you enter that damned level screen again I will shake you awake, and y¡¯know what happens when you¡¯re awoken from a slumber of that calibre? You die.¡¯ Death threats from your general always are great. Such a great start to our working relationship. As if it would ever last. Gahl jumped up again, almost shuddering at how his clothes stuck to him with the mud that clung to them. Once again, I don¡¯t think you can not like mud if you¡¯re going to be a damned soldier. ¡®Now, does anyone else want to try out the powers they don¡¯t have?¡¯ asked Sarembai. No one said a word. ¡®Now, let us go.¡¯ They began to walk once more, Gahl terrified to begin conversation with Ana once again. Until Ana walked over to him. ¡®So, what was it?¡¯ ¡®There was a riddle.¡¯ ¡®Oh yeah, there are riddles for the spells that you must figure out to unlock the spell. Like, for instance, my healing spell was ¡°I rhyme with an action you would do when you lose a duel, and yet this will win all battles¡¯.¡± ¡¯How did you figure it out?¡¯ ¡®I just sat there and thought about it for a while.¡¯ ¡®I don¡¯t really have time to think about this spell right now.¡¯ ¡®I mean you spent a long time looking quite dead.¡¯ ¡®Practice for our departure.¡¯ ¡®Anyways¡¯ - a bit of a subject change. Not as if I can hold the grudge for too long¡­ ¡®what was the riddle?¡¯ ¡®¡±What does an arrow and its archer have in common?¡±¡¯ Ana recoiled. ¡®Say that again, I couldn¡¯t hear it over the gust.¡¯ ¡®What gust?¡¯ The terrible day, while still very terrible, did not produce a gust at that very moment - at least not to Gahl. ¡®The gust of wind that just blew. Did you not hear it?¡¯ ¡¯No?¡¯ One cannot get help for their riddles. To unlock a spell, the subject must be well versed in their class, and as such have the knowledge necessary to answer. Teachers may teach their students how to answer those questions, and developing a knowledge in one¡¯s class will inherently boost their chances of comprehending the question and being able to respond, however one may not simply be taught the answer to a riddle. ¡®Oh.¡¯ ¡®All-Knower again?¡¯ ¡®Yeah.¡¯ ¡®What¡¯d it say this time.¡¯ ¡®Basically I can¡¯t ask for help.¡¯ ¡®So why were you able to know what my healing riddle was?¡¯ ¡®Presumably because you had already answered it, and as such I could not help you.¡¯ ¡®You couldn¡¯t help me either way, you would worsen my chances if anything.¡¯ ¡®I quite literally have a voice telling me answers in my head.¡¯ ¡®And? I¡¯d rather a very smart dumb person than a very dumb smart person as my advisor.¡¯ ¡®That makes no sense.¡¯ ¡®Of course it doesn¡¯t to you, you¡¯re a very dumb smart person.¡¯ ¡®Yeah¡­¡¯ ¡¯So, you wouldn¡¯t get it.¡¯ ¡®Of course I wouldn¡¯t.¡¯ ¡®Smartest thing you¡¯ve said all day.¡¯ ¡®DO I NEED TO START BLASTING SPELLS AT YOU!¡¯ Gahl and Ana sped on towards Sarembai, falling back in line just as his face mellowed back from the red it had just reached.The mud produced a new surge of water to fill Gahl¡¯s boot, and he groaned. ¡®I have noticed though that this spell does not seem to lead anywhere interesting.¡¯ ¡®I assume that the spells are class specific, and as such-¡¯ The only spells the subject can learn are ones that will come useful to them in pursuing their class¡¯ goals, whether that be a bard knowing invigorate to boost morale or a wizard knowing how to cast a ray to fend off attackers. A wizard cannot utilise the abilities of a bard, as a snake cannot fly like a bird, even if it would help them to catch prey. ¡®Every time you start being spoken to by the All-Knower, you stop,¡¯ Ana pointed out. ¡®I really need to stop being talked to by the All-Knower then.¡¯ To stop being spoken to by the All-Knower, say ¡®exile¡¯. To begin to speak to the All-Knower again, speak ¡®beckon¡¯. ¡®Exile.¡¯ Exiled. ¡®Okay, that should sort the problem.¡¯ At least that hadn¡¯t happened in the middle of battle. I would be even more certainly dead than I am now. ¡®So, I mean, that¡¯s one problem down, eh?¡¯ said Ana. ¡®I guess so.¡¯ *** With nothing else to really talk about, a rare occasion after the Choice Ceremony, Gahl joined the silence that had risen around the battalion he realised had risen in his unconsciousness. At least I have time to think more about this riddle. The pain in his feet partially took away from the fun he usually enjoyed while cracking riddles - that, and the looming death sentence he walked to - but he could still think about the riddle nonetheless. Hey, All Knower - is that how I¡¯m meant to talk to you - can you help me figure this out? Oh yeah, you¡¯re exiled. ¡®Beckon,¡¯ Gahl whispered, but only after making it far enough ahead in the line that he would not fall behind. Beckoned. Is there a way you can help me with this riddle? The All-Knower knows all, but the subject is not always entitled to its wisdom. To increase the amount of knowledge you can achieve through the All-Knower, raise your Knowledge statistic. Though, while Knowledge 10 subjects may know all there is to know, no other level of Knowledge may grant you access to the answers of riddles. You must verse yourself deeply within the question, and prepare your mind to solve it, for it to come to you - though some subjects never learn the answers to their riddles, and as such fail to unlock the spell. Gahl shuddered. Imagine how must it feel to never be able to unlock the spells you need to unlock to progress in your class, perhaps even your career of choice. Oh yeah¡­ Can you give me a hint, Oh Great Knowing One. The All-Knower is not to be flattered by titles, however I may be able to extend to you advice. Common Knowledge. It is common knowledge that to unlock a spell, you should first figure out what that spell may centre, and become versed in that craft, whereupon you can teach yourself the riddle as a result of your knowledge of its only possible results. Thank you. The All-Knower is not human. It does not pay heed to thanks. Thanks anyways. Exile. Exiled *** Gahl realised he was at the back of the line - a bit behind, actually - but, thankfully, the line had stopped. I never thought I would be thankful for the fact I am closer to death, but I suppose here we are. ¡®FORM INTO YOUR COMPANIES!¡¯ Sarembai¡¯s voice boomed. Gahl quickly sought out the other members of his company. Ana found him first, though. ¡®We¡¯re over there, Gahl.¡¯ She pointed to the group, standing nervously at the front with Yl engaged in conversation with Sarembai. ¡®How did you find everyone so quickly?¡¯ ¡®Gahl, it quite literally tells us exactly where everyone is if you just think about the party.¡¯ ¡®Oh, yeah. That will come in handy.¡¯ ¡®It will, if you remember to use it.¡¯ ¡®WE ARE GOING DOWN THE HILL! FORM UP!¡¯ Gahl and Ana jogged over to their group, feeling much stiffer than they did the day prior. At least I have Knowledge and certain death now. *** ¡®NOW! WITH YOUR COMPANIES, FIND A SHIP! I DO NOT CARE WHICH, BUT IF YOU DON¡¯T GET ON WE ARE LEAVING YOU BEHIND!¡¯ ¡®Is that a bad thing?¡¯ Ana whispered to me. ¡®IF WE LEAVE YOU BEHIND, BE WARNED THAT I WILL ENSURE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU A DEATH RAY PERSONALLY ADMINISTERED BY ME!¡¯ ¡¯So get in your groups!¡¯ Yl screamed. ¡®THIS GLORIOUS CHILD IS GOING PLACES!¡¯ We are all going places. ¡¯Thank you, Sir!¡¯ Yl saluted. ¡¯NOW, BE OF INSPIRATION TO YOUR DESCENDANTS AND EMBARK! ON THESE SHIPS YOU WILL BE TRAINED, YOU WILL BE RAISED AND YOU WILL BE PREPARED TO DEFEND OUR GREAT NATION, TO DEFEND ALL WHO LIVE IN IT!¡¯ Can¡¯t wait. *** The company soon climbed aboard a ship on the dock, and from the seat Gahl took he stared out at the landscape of Tordana. ¡®This is a bad way to go,¡¯ said Ana. ¡®In what way? The way that states we are going to die, or the way that states we are just leaving the island.¡¯ ¡®Do you plan on dying?¡¯ Yl asked. He sat next to Gahl, though Gahl knew not why. ¡®Yes, actually,¡¯ Gahl replied. ¡®Well I don¡¯t.¡¯ ¡®Good for you.¡¯ ¡®I suppose it is good for me, I won¡¯t have to spend this 3 month journey sad all the time.¡¯ ¡®Three months???¡¯ Ana interjected. ¡®Were you not listening to the General?¡¯ ¡®We are going to Zyxix after all,¡¯ said Gahl. The farthest away you can be, in a place literally called ¡°The Outskirts¡±. Why couldn¡¯t we just have been deployed within the Belt, within our actual nation? ¡®It¡¯s going to be great going to the new island, isn¡¯t it?¡¯ ¡®We are going to die there.¡¯ ¡®You might, but I won¡¯t.¡¯ ¡®How come?¡¯ ¡®I will train.¡¯ ¡®So will I, I just doubt that any basic swordsmanship can prevent our death to the first spell that comes our way.¡¯ ¡®Then you duck.¡¯ ¡®Right¡­¡¯ ¡®YOU THREE! THIS SHIP IS NOT GOING TO SAIL ITSELF!¡¯ ¡®But we have no experience sailing,¡¯ Ana said. ¡®Did your parents not bring you out to fish?¡¯ asked Yl. ¡®I DON¡¯T THINK YOU NEED TO HAVE FISHED TO FOLLOW BASIC ORDERS!¡¯ ¡®Yes, Sir!¡¯ Yl screamed, running off. Gahl and Ana soon joined him. *** Despite Gahl¡¯s efforts to help, he ended up standing awkwardly until he was allowed to sit again, when the ship departed. He then sat, and stared once again at his home island, this time as it slowly shrunk and shrunk into the horizon. By the time they sailed out of view of the last speck of the island, night rapidly approached. The sun sets behind me now. When it rises, it will rise over the mountains, cradled in their midst once more, but not for me, not anymore. What have I done? Training under Twilight Gahl awoke without being called the next day. In his tiredness and his fear, the evening had been a haze, so he wasn¡¯t completely sure where he was. When his vision began to clear it soon became more apparent to him. He laid in a rather uncomfortable bed, the bottom bunk of three, and shared his bunk bed with Yl and Ana. He got up, surprised to see Yl¡¯s bed empty. He could not see the sky from where he stood, but he decided he may as well dress and prepare for the day ahead of him. He caught a glimpse of the pink sky overhead as he first walked up onto the deck. A pink sky in Autumn just away from Tordana? It must be really early in the morning. The deck seemed vacant to Gahl, besides the cartographer at the bow guiding the sails with her staff. The winds she sent were minor, ruffling the sails to align with the other ships in the fleet. Gahl took in a deep breath, but was quickly interrupted by a rummaging further down the deck. A figure popped out from behind crates containing armour, wearing the prizes of their search. ¡®Good monring, Gahl,¡¯ Yl said, walking towards him. ¡®Hello.¡¯ ¡®Are you also up early to train?¡¯ ¡®No, not really,¡¯ Gahl replied. ¡®Do you want to train with me? I found some good training swords in these crates. We can¡¯t hurt each other with them because they don¡¯t have a spike to pierce with.¡¯ Well, not really, but I suppose some extra training wouldn¡¯t hurt too bad. Make it harder for the enemies to slaughter me. A little bit of pettiness is always a bonus in war. ¡®Sure.¡¯ ¡®Great! How much experience do you have with a sword?¡¯ ¡®None,¡¯ Gahl admitted. I had a lot of experience with the art of spell craft. I knew exactly what staff to pick depending on what you wanted to do. I was very prepared to fight as a wizard, even if I never planned to. You never planned to be a fighter either. ¡®I guess that means I have to teach you, then.¡¯ Yl chuckled, but Gahl did not join his laughter. How can you be so merry in certain death? What ancient knowledge has given you this security. Can you teach me? ¡®So,¡¯ said Gahl, ¡®how do you sword fight?¡¯ ¡®Well, of course there are various different ways depending on if you¡¯re trying to hurt, kill or incapacitate, and what your strikestone is, but I assume for this army training we will be fighting to kill¡¯ - good first assumption - ¡®and your strikestone is also piercing, so I suppose I will just teach you the basic way to fight with a sword.¡¯ ¡®Is there a certain way I¡¯m meant to hold the sword?¡¯ Gahl asked as Yl handed him the blunted weapon. ¡®Yes, but it¡¯s kind of hard for me to explain now that I have a low knowledge and charisma. If you just look here¡­¡¯ Yl held up his spear with proper form, and Gahl did his best to copy it. Damned lack of dexterity. Let¡¯s hope this levels up soon. Otherwise I am very, very dead. ¡®So, you¡¯re doing it alright - this will come to you with practice, at least it did for me.¡¯ ¡®Okay.¡¯ Gahl¡¯s hands had already began to ache, but he kept on going. ¡®So, firstly, you¡¯re going to want to learn the most important skill in sword fighting - how to hit people and how not to get hit by people.¡¯ That does seem like a good place to start. ¡®Now, thankfully, these tend to interlock in areas, they often play into one another with fluid fighters. So, hold out your sword like this.¡¯ Yl pointed his sword forward, and Gahl copied to the best of his ability. This sword is quite heavy when its away from the body. ¡®Now, you are a piercing strikestone, so you have to learn how to thrust. Place your two feet like so, then when you want to thrust step forward and thrust like so.¡¯ Yl stepped forward, pushing his sword into the air. Gahl was slower to copy, but he eventually did replicate the action. If something stabbed with that speed, even I would live. ¡®Now, after you thrust, when you want to avoid the enemy, take a step back like so.¡¯ Yl took a careful but swift step back, his sword rushing up to another position. ¡®Is the position of your sword of any importance?¡¯ asked Gahl. May as well act like a fool, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s an easy way to phrase it without being overly aggressive. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡®Oh, yes, sorry. I should probably teach you about sword positions as well. This one is the guard position, it¡¯s what you do whenever you are fighting and you do not know what is to come of your opponents attacks.¡¯ Gahl copied the position. ¡®From this position, both parries and thrusts are very easy to perform. Like this.¡¯ Yl stepped forward, and initiated a spar with the air. His sword zipped around, blocking swords from all directions, with each block accompanied by a thrust soon after. This is who I am going to be up against, Gahl thought, watching Yl. And he hasn¡¯t even done any training yet. ¡®Is this actually going to be applicable?¡¯ asked Gahl. ¡®With all of the mages and spells flying over the place, is this more sword on sword duelling style going to work?¡¯ ¡®I hadn¡¯t actually thought about that,¡¯ admitted Yl. ¡®Though, the general and our trainers will tell us how best to attack the enemy wizards. They¡¯re not going to just let us die.¡¯ Of course they¡¯re not¡­ ¡®Anyways, these swordsmanship techniques will work well as a foundation, even if they aren¡¯t actually going to be used in battle. That¡¯s what my father said anyways. I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m really bad at teaching. Perhaps if we started having spars now I could show you where I forgot to teach you.¡¯ That seems like a pretty bad idea considering right now I only know how to hit things in one way, but I guess the only way you learn is through failure. Embarrassing, painful failure. ¡®Sure.¡¯ Why am I sounding so happy-go-lucky all of a sudden? ¡®That¡¯s great! Let me set up.¡¯ Perhaps it¡¯s him. Perhaps his stupid optimism is contagious. Yl moved some small boxes to make a ring, and beckoned Gahl over. ¡®You should take one of these.¡¯ He tossed a shield, which Gahl barely managed to catch. ¡®I haven¡¯t taught you how to use one of these, but hopefully I¡¯ll be able to give you a few pointers as we spar.¡¯ Great. Gahl took his shield, and barely managed to figure out how to put it on him before Yl approached. Gahl readied his sword in the guard position. He lasted a whole five seconds. Who knew that when people thrusted at you, you kind of had to block that or kind of run away in a way in which you didn¡¯t get hit by the blade. I never realised it, but I guess that¡¯s the whole point of swordsmaship. These thoughts filled his head quite rapidly as he sped towards the deck, landing with a thud. The strike did not hurt, Yl could not hurt him without a weapon capable of piercing, but the forceful nature of the thrust combined with the additional force of falling onto his back jostled Gahl. In a real battle, you¡¯d be dead right now. Very dead. Very, very dead. Gahl attempted to get up, stiff from the pain, the early morning and the low dexterity stat, when he saw Yl¡¯s hand shoot to him. ¡¯Need a hand?¡¯ I don¡¯t need a hand. Gahl struggled to get up by himself, groaning with the pain, before finally resigning to taking Yl¡¯s hand. Yl tugged, and within the moment Gahl was on his feet once more. ¡®Thank you,¡¯ Gahl murmured. ¡®No problem. Now, where you went wrong there is that you weren¡¯t expecting me to make the first move. I probably should have been clear about this. Unless you are in a duel with someone where you are made to take turns, anyone can hit whenever they want.¡¯ Am I seriously being lectured to say that you are not meant to wait for your turn in fighting. I suppose I did bring it upon myself, almost like my death when I decided I was too good to choose luck - my jokes are so original. ¡®Thank you. I will be sure to look out for that next time.¡¯ ¡®You don¡¯t need to thank me, I should really be saying sorry for not teaching you that. Anyways, do you want to try again?¡¯ And so they tried again, Gahl this time waiting for Yl to make a move. Yl was stationary for a while, just out of range of a good thrust. Gahl stepped forward, and was immediately sent to the ground. ¡®Whenever you¡¯re thrusting,¡¯ Yl said as he pulled Gahl up once more, ¡®remember that the opponent can still hit you - in fact, will be waiting to hit you - while you are moving or while you are focused on offence.¡¯ ¡¯Thank you.¡¯ A bit frustrating, but I can get over it. They formed their duelling circle once more, and Gahl this time tried much more to be careful. If I can just bait him into striking, I can hit him. After I hit him, I win. And so Gahl waited, preparing for Yl to strike. Yl stepped forward, and Gahl tried to thrust at him, but was struck in the process. *** They continued sparring for a while longer, each time Yl giving another snippet of advice. Couldn¡¯t he just have told me this, instead of waiting for me to crash down every single damned time. Despite the amount of times Gahl had been knocked over, no progress seemed to have taken place in Gahl¡¯s efforts to knock Yl over. A complete beginner fighting his teacher is not fair in the slightest. I guess this is just the way, you will soon be fighting a lot more skilled fighters than Yl. Some will even have spells, and you will most likely have no real way to counter them. Yl pulled Gahl up again for the time Gahl did not know the number of. Gahl was sore from all of the falling, and felt about as weak as he ever was, much more so with the hunger that now filled his body. ¡®Are we going to be able to eat soon?¡¯ Gahl asked. ¡®I don¡¯t know, depends on when everyone else is awake.¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s a good point.¡¯ Why did I think he would know. I mean, he talks with Sarembai a lot, but enough to know the meal schedule? Honestly, it kind of sounds like Yl. ¡®Hopefully it¡¯s soon.¡¯ ¡®Why so? I¡¯m having a lot of fun.¡¯ You¡¯re not falling on the floor every two minutes. ¡®I¡¯m just hungry.¡¯ ¡®Yeah, I can get that sometimes.¡¯ Sometimes? ¡¯Anyways, let¡¯s continue on.¡¯ Hyuna, if Ana knew how much this is getting on my nerves. Maybe she¡¯d understand. I¡¯ve been knocked down over and over again, and every single time am just meant to pick myself up and go again? Can¡¯t we just stop, before this wears on my nerves until I am ground into dust? Yl offered him a hand every time he fell, despite its frequency probably serving as an arm workout in and of itself. Is that just your way of trying to seem kind? You knock me to the ground over and over again, and then you smile about it? You lend me a hand, as if you weren¡¯t the one to force me to need a hand. Gahl fell to the floor again - a misplaced guard capitalised by Yl to force him to the ground - and he snapped. ¡®Why do we have to keep on doing this? What sick joy are you getting of this? Do you just enjoy watching me fall over and over again. Does this boost your ego? Does this make you feel better than me? It¡¯s quite sad you need to compare yourself to the strengthless fighter. Was everyone else too hard?¡¯ Yl stared at Gahl blankly. Words seemed to form on his lips, but they were not said. Instead they stared at each other for a long moment. His expression almost seems¡­ apologetic. As if he of all people would apologise to me. ¡®I¡¯m sorry. Is there anything I can do to make you forgive me?¡¯ What? ¡®I just thought you were enjoying this, sorry again.¡¯ Yl set down his blade and shield, and walked away. No more words were spoken, though Gahl caught him turn around, as if he was going to say something. He quickly turned back, and they did not talk, or even look at each other again, until the sun rose, and so did the roars of Sarembai. ¡®DAY ONE IS ALWAYS THE HARDEST DAY FOR A SOLDIER - UNTIL DAY TWO! GET OUT OF BED NOW, AND LET US START YOUR TRAINING PROPERLY!¡¯ Imperial Training Gahl parted ways with Yl as they walked to meet up with the group. Ana stood at the front, bleary eyed and looking confused. ¡®Was that you shouting just there?¡¯ Ana asked. ¡®It sounded like your voice.¡¯ Gahl turned to see people glaring at him. ¡®Yes,¡¯ he admitted. ¡®Great. You always knew how to make good first impressions, and I have to say, waking everyone up earlier to whine about how someone¡¯s not playing fairly is just another work of your genius.¡¯ Ana groaned. ¡®Well, what was I to do? Yl was quite obviously just trying to annoy me.¡¯ ¡®I don¡¯t care what in Hyuna you do, as long as you don¡¯t wake up half the ship in the process. And seemingly other ships.¡¯ Gahl turned, and saw the crowd staring at him was not exclusive to their ship. ¡®SO! CHILDREN OF GLORY! THIS MARKS YOUR FIRST TRAINING DAY! YOU ARE GOING TO TRAIN UNDER ME FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, UNTIL WE HAVE YOU LOOKING LIKE FOOLS NO MORE! AM I CLEAR?¡¯ ¡®First, are we going to have breakfast.¡¯ Isn¡¯t that a poor soul? The first to die on voyage, I suppose. ¡®THERE WILL BE NO BREAKFAST! GET USED TO THAT! WE WORK UNTIL LUNCH, WHERE YOU WILL GET SOME IF YOU ARE LUCKY! AM I UNDERSTOOD?¡¯ ¡®Yes, Sir!¡¯ screamed Yl for them all. At least he was slightly bearable this morning. Why has he gone back to being so obnoxious? Yl stood attentively, saluting. ¡®WELL! ARE WE ALL GOING TO REPLICATE THIS FINE AND GLORIOUS CHILD AND SALUTE TO YOUR GENERAL?¡¯ ¡®Yes, Sir¡­¡¯ the murmur died out as soon as it had groaned to life. ¡®THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, AND I HOPE YOU ALL KNOW THAT THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT YOUR GENERAL. THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT THE MAN WHO IS TO SAVE YOU YOUR LIVES - AS IF YOU HAD LIVES TO BEGIN WITH!¡¯ ¡®Okay, Sir!¡¯ Yl stood even straighter, though Gahl did not know how, and whipped his hand to a salute again. ¡®Let¡¯s see what some good old training will do for your appreciation of me, eh? Everybody, line up into your strikestones!¡¯ Gahl hastily found more people with a piercing strikestone, using his seeing screen as guidance. They formed into an inexperienced rank, and were quickly supplied with oaken rods from yet another box. ¡®Sir, I have training with a sword,¡¯ asked Yl. ¡®Am I allowed to use a sword?¡¯ ¡®THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION!¡¯ Sarembai boomed. ¡®FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, THE WEAPON WE GIVE YOU IS THE WEAPON YOU WILL STICK WITH FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIVES IN THE ARMY!¡¯ Or just the rest of my life. ¡®ALL OTHER WEAPONS ARE BANNED, AND SHALL BE CONFISCATED SOON BY THE WARDENS AND I!¡¯ ¡®Yes, sir.¡¯ Yl looked crestfallen, but did not say a word after that. He handed his sword over to Sarembai. You could take advice from him in holding your tongue. *** The entire fleet formed into lines on the various decks, or at least it seemed to Gahl from where he was nestled. From this position they learned the basics of how to use the spear, and Gahl realised in only 10 minutes he had learned more than he had known previously with the sword. Yl was a really bad trainer¡­ also I really need to get my strength up. ¡®Okay, I want all of you to now turn to the people on your right.¡¯ Gahl turned to his right, and the person next to him - who faced the other way to begin with - turned to him. Oh for Hyuna¡¯s sake. Yl faced him. His face contorted, a worry shooting across it as he saw Gahl. His staff stood almost on its own accord at his side, a lot more graceful than Gahl¡¯s hard attempts to keep the staff from falling on the ground. ¡®So, these will be your training partners. You will spar with them.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m sorry,¡¯ Yl said preemptively. ¡®It¡¯s not your fault,¡¯ Gahl sighed. ¡®I will try not to annoy you.¡¯ That is hardly a task, I feel as though you should be able to promise that without adding ¡°try¡±. *** They soon began sparring. Yl was nearly as awkward as Gahl was with the spear - a strange change from their practice earlier in the morning - but still managed to knock Gahl down first. ¡®Are you okay?¡¯ asked a voice. A cloaked figure stood over Gahl. ¡®I¡¯m alright,¡¯ Gahl replied. This time, he managed to get himself up, however it was arduous. He looked at the man. He was tall, with olive skin and hazel hair that peeked from under his cloak- pure white, except for the shiny navy brooch. It matched his eyes. Fallstone. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
Siem of Tiyen
Human (Faltren)
Mage (Wizard)
Force
Strength 1
Dexterity 2 (+1 slim bonus)
Vigour 1
Knowledge 5
Wisdom 5
Charismatic Charm 1
Luck 2
¡®Do you know where you went wrong?¡¯ Siem asked. Is he a trainer? ¡®No, not really,¡¯ I admitted. ¡®Well, do you know where he went wrong?¡¯ Siem pointed to Yl. ¡®Yes, he wasn¡¯t on stable enough footing.¡¯ ¡®Good, you know, because otherwise I would¡¯ve had to go and ask someone.¡¯ Siem chuckled to himself. ¡®Well then, you try and improve on that, Gahl, and I¡¯ll check on you soon to make sure you¡¯re on stable enough footing next time.¡¯ ¡®Thank you.¡¯ What does this guy think he¡¯s doing? How is just asking the person beside me going to help teach me at all? Gahl kept his footwork sound throughout the next spar. Yl was right in a sense, there¡¯s a lot of transferrable skills from sword fighting to this - that¡¯s why he¡¯s still winning without giving me a chance. Yl stepped forward, blocking the thrust Gahl attempted and knocking Gahl to the ground once more. Gahl scrambled to his feet quickly, rejecting Yl¡¯s help. ¡®I think that time you just didn¡¯t have the strength necessary to stop me, there wasn¡¯t really anything wrong with what you did on your part.¡¯ Oh, Hyuna. Gahl glared at him, and did not respond. Instead he whispered within his mind. Beckon. Beckoned. All-Knower, how am I supposed to fight against people with higher attributes than I? The subject must train to beat opponents of higher attributes than them. That makes no sense. No matter if I became the best spearman in all Halvanah I could still be defeated in a grappling contest. To grapple in a spear fight is to incorrectly spear fight, however the subject may learn how to best opponents of higher attributes than them by practicing as by practicing, they shall become higher in the skill they are practicing. With higher skill levels, the attributes level up as well. What? The subject, when training a skill, will oftentimes find that their attribute levels up as well. At Strength Level I, you are required to level up THREE SKILLS in Strength before it levels up. I shall add this to your quest tab. Gahl felt a surge in his forehead. Objective: Level up THREE SKILLS in Strength: 0/3 ¡°Even the Master Swordsman once drew a blade for the first time.¡± View this Quest in the QUEST TAB of your Level Screen Thank you. Exile. Exiled. ¡®Gahl?¡¯ ¡®Yeah?¡¯ ¡®You were staring at the floor for like five minutes now.¡¯ ¡®Oh.¡¯ ¡®Shall we start sparring again?¡¯ ¡®Okay.¡¯ I guess this is the only way I can get better at it. Oh Hyuna. *** Gahl did not particularly enjoy being thrown to the ground over and over again, but his relief when lunch was announced made up for his pain somewhat. He sought to find Ana, but once again she found him first. ¡®So how did your practice go?¡¯ she asked. ¡®It went fine enough.¡¯ As if it could¡¯ve gone any worse. Ana gestured to the staff lain across Gahl¡¯s lap. ¡®So, you¡¯re using spears then.¡¯ ¡®What are you using?¡¯ ¡®Staffs, though I am encouraged to make use of my lute, so I suppose I can just start playing songs in the middle of battle.¡¯ ¡®You are a bard after all.¡¯ Gahl took another bite of the Imperial handouts. Does not taste good, but tastes a lot better than hunger I suppose. ¡®Have you any ability with the spear, or are you just being knocked over more times than I can say in a minute.¡¯ ¡®I am ¡°learning¡±.¡¯ ¡®Well, that seems like a lot of fun.¡¯ ¡®Yeah, have you gotten quests yet?¡¯ ¡®No, you have?¡¯ ¡®Yeah. I have to level up three skills in strength.¡¯ ¡®Good luck with that.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯ll need it, I suppose.¡¯ ¡®Yes, you really will.¡¯ ¡®EVERYBODY BACK TO WORK!¡¯ Haven¡¯t even finished my food¡­ *** And so they returned to work, and Gahl once again braced himself for more meetings with the floor. And meet the floor he did. At this point I hope I don¡¯t leave a dent in the wood. ¡®Again.¡¯ Sarembai walked around the rows, making sure everyone was training optimally. Or falling with the most style works. Gahl got up. At this point my dexterity will probably level up faster than my strength will. Gahl ran at Yl this time, trying to brute force his opponent to the ground. I hope this gives me more strength training, because this sure does hurt a lot. Gahl slammed back into the ground. ¡®Don¡¯t lose your lunch, Child,¡¯ commanded Sarembai. ¡®You¡¯re not getting another one.¡¯ I¡¯ll try not to. And so Gahl barely grasped onto his food while he hurtled to the ground yet again. Not even the wisest scholar in the lands could count how many times I¡¯ve fallen over today. I wonder if I¡¯ll die if I fall enough times. ¡®That was actually a pretty good attempt,¡¯ said Yl as Gahl met the ground once more. ¡®I was almost panicking there.¡¯ Almost panicking. I¡¯ll take that. ¡®Don¡¯t panic during battle or you shall die,¡¯ stated Sarembai as he walked past. ¡®Yes, Sir!¡¯ At this point I can¡¯t panic. You can¡¯t fear a result that¡¯s already been imposed upon you. I¡¯m such a philosopher. The falling philosopher. The only break-throughs I¡¯ll be making are through these boards. The sun crept away from the sky faster than Gahl expected, though whether that was due to the time passing fast or the blunt force trauma making him lose all his memory he did not know. ¡®Everybody form up before supper!¡¯ called Sarembai. They formed once again in the lines of their companies. ¡®How are you doing?¡¯ asked Ana. ¡®Pretty fine, actually.¡¯ ¡®Did you enjoy hitting the ground some more?¡¯ ¡®It was pretty groundbreaking.¡¯ ¡®I was watching you. It was pretty funny.¡¯ ¡®Thank you, I am just a bit of a jester.¡¯ ¡®So, you feel extra muscular?¡¯ ¡®Actually, maybe.¡¯ ¡®Don¡¯t get your hopes up. Levels don¡¯t come that easy.¡¯ ¡®Oh really, because I could¡¯ve sworn I just saw a message that said ¡°ATHLETICS LEVEL UP¡±. Do you think that could be related to what we¡¯re talking about?¡¯ ¡®How¡­¡¯ ¡®I am just very athletic, as you of course know.¡¯ ¡®They won¡¯t be as easy soon.¡¯ ¡®Okay, right now I celebrate my wins while I have them.¡¯ ¡®That¡¯s one of three, or are there other secret level ups you haven¡¯t given me the privilege of hearing?¡¯ ¡®One of three, that¡¯s still one more than you, though.¡¯ ¡®Mhm.¡¯ ¡®Before you all feast on your supper, prepared specially for you, by you, I have to say something. Looking through the ranks as I passed today, I noticed a very important thing, that I thought I would share with you. THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH! WHO DO YOU GUYS THINK YOU ARE! ARE YOU PLANNING ON GETTING ANNIHILATED AS SOON AS WE LAND, TURNED INTO A BETTER STEW THAN THE ONE YOU ARE TO EAT TONIGHT? START WORKING HARDER! YOU ARE FIGHTING FOR THE GLORY OF ALL OF THE IMPERIUM! I WILL NOT HAVE OUR GREAT EMPIRE DESTROYED BY YOUR IDIOCY!¡¯ ¡®Yes, Sir!¡¯ cried Yl. ¡¯NO ONE GETS ANY SUPPER TONIGHT! THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE TO EAT IS THE NEXT TIME YOU PROVE YOURSELF WORTHY OF MY FOOD!¡¯ Sarembai cast a gust of wind to shoot at the pots at which dinner was being made, tossing them overboard. ¡®NOW GO TO BED!¡¯ The Glory of the Imperium¡­ We are most certainly on the right side of this war.