《Zero Tamer》


 Chapter 1

    "Father!" yells a young man of average height with blond hair and gray-blue eyes. Stepping into the grand dining room in the palace of the Firestorm Family, ¡°This is utterly unacceptable. The Zero just told me that you expect me to go to the public ¡°Grand¡± Church with all the peasants for my testing. I am your heir, not some¡­ some whore''s boy. I should be able to do my testing at our private church.¡± says the young man scathingly, stomping over to his seat.


    ¡°Rinox, first of all, you are a man today so stop acting like a child. Secondly, it is mandated by the Church of Niwrad and so our Holy Empire of Thcerbla that on your 16th birthday you are to be tested at the Grand Church in one of the seven major cities. This is so all the test takers can hear the sermon of our history and learn of the bloodlines along with some minor facts about being a tamer,¡± states an older man with an exacerbated tone.


    ¡°But father, you¡¯re the current Holy Emperor, The Voice of God, just change the law that nobles or even better just the Seven Royal Families can have their own private ceremonies. There is no reason for us of the True Bloodlines to be treated like commoners,¡± whines Rinox.


    ¡°While I agree that it is unbecoming for us to be among the common rabble. We still must go or be excommunicated then executed by the other Royal Families with the full backing of the Church. But we shall have our own level of the church to ourselves and your testing will be private for our families eyes only. Now take your seat and remember your manners today or your mother and I will be extremely disappointed with you.¡± commands Norix.


    ¡°Okay, I think that¡¯s enough of that sort of talk before we even break our fast. Now no more complaining Ri you are a man now as your father has said and Norix, Ri would never do anything to disappoint us.¡± Rinox¡¯s Mother Lorna with a strict tone.


    After some time into their breakfast, ¡°Mother what happens if I don¡¯t have a fire element based spirit or worse and I have a low spirit score?¡± asks Rinox while thinking about his test later that day.


    ¡°Well, Ri as you know a person¡¯s spirit usually follows with their bloodline if your ancestors were all or mostly all fire based then you probably will be too. As for the power of your spirit, it follows a similar route, and with you being part of one of the Seven Royal Families you will get no less than 50 I¡¯m sure of it,¡± answers Lorna.


    ¡°Yeah, I know that I¡¯m not stupid, but what if I don¡¯t follow that rule?¡± Insists Rinox.


    ¡°Boy, watch how you talk to your mother.¡± Snaps Norix.


    ¡°Yes, father,¡± Rinox responds flippantly.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine dear, and okay let¡¯s say you don¡¯t follow the same rule. Depending upon the circumstances there will be different outcomes,¡± says Lorna with a quick loving glance towards Norix.


    ¡°Like?¡± askes Rinox.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s say you get a high spirit power for an element other than Fire. The royal family that does host that power will formally adopt you, and if your power surpasses or if you are the only child of said family you shall become their heir,¡± answers Lorna.


    ¡°But I¡¯m a Firestorm I don''t wish to join a different family¡± Rinox states.


    ¡°You have nothing to worry about you¡¯ll have a strong fire based spirit just like your old man, and if you work hard training you¡¯ll probably be emperor in your own time,¡± said Norix with a wink.


    ¡°That¡¯s right I will be who knows maybe I¡¯ll be the youngest tamer to tame a dragon and beat grandfather¡¯s record, the age of 31,¡± Exclaims Rinox with raise of his goblet.


    ¡°But if the impossible happens and I have a low power?¡± askes Rinox with a scoff as if such a thing could happen.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°You¡¯re right boy, that would be impossible you¡¯re our son,¡± Norix says laughing with food in his mouth.


    Lorna waves Norix down, ¡°Dear¡­ chew your food before you speak. Fine, let''s say the impossible happens and your Spirit level is low one of two things will happen. Either you¡¯ll be adopted into an existing Noble house or if you wish you could start your own Noble house.¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­ I think I would rather kill myself before lowering myself to being just a Noble,¡± says Rinox with a fake gag.


    ¡°Spoken like a true Firestorm,¡± says Norix


    ¡°So what happens to a Royal that tests as a Zero?¡± asks Rinox curiously.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s possible for a Royal to be a Zero Rinox. There has never been one before, but if it ever did happen I would say they would probably be killed quietly away from the public eye,¡± says Lorna morbidly.


    ¡°Sounds like they would be better off dead,¡± Rinox states with a shrug.


    ¡°I agree Boy,¡± says Norix with a nod.


    ¡°Anyway, what will be my first monster? Do I get to pick or do you already have one picked out? Oh, can I go to the royal kennels and pick today?¡± Rinox says excitedly.


    With a laugh, Norix responds, ¡°Well we have two or three picked out, but it will depend on your spirit level.¡±


    ¡°What are they and what will it give me access to?¡± asks Rinox.


    ¡°Well, the first is a spirit level 50 Fire Salamander he¡¯ll give you access to all weak, beginner, and some average fire magic. He also gives you the passive skill moderate fire immunity but no active skills. Second is a Spirit level 75 Hellhound that gives you access up to average fire magic with the same passive skill and an active skill that will let you use him as a mount. Lastly, if you¡¯re fortunate and get a Spirit level of 100, your mother has captured a Greater Fire Elemental. That will allow you to use up to expert level fire magic, the passive skill greater fire immunity and an active skill called Fire teleport which for half of your total mana will allow you to teleport to a fire up to 200 yards away.¡± explains Norix with a scholarly tone.


    ¡°Wait¡­ how will I know how much mana I have to use these skills?¡± askes Rinox.


    ¡°Boy, I swear did you even pay attention to any of your lessons this was all taught to you at some point or another,¡± states Norix in an annoyed voice.


    ¡°I just forget¡± (or it could have been when I skipped class. I mean I¡¯m a royal, and he¡¯s some common Nobel he should have to listen to me not the other way around.) ¡°So how can I know Father?¡± mumbles Rinox.


    ¡°Fine then as long as you pay more attention to your tutors from now on. You will know your mana levels and your spirit level because during the testing our God¡¯s will or as it is commonly called the system with telling you through your status screen. It can show your mana, spirit, what monsters you have tamed and what skills they bequeath to you. Well except for the forsaken Zero¡¯s who never unlock the system and so can never become tamers and so part of society except as our slaves or pets.¡± Says Norix.


    ¡°Could I have more than one element?¡± questions Rinox.


    After a heavy pause where everyone stops eating and Lorna responds ¡°...It is possible but very rare, and the holy scriptures dictate that they are to be hated and killed on sight so as not to muddy God¡¯s pure elements and let''s speak no more of this blasphemy.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ what are father''s and your spirit level?¡± wonders Rinox with a tilt of his head.


    ¡°Well Ri mines 968 and your father¡¯s is over 9000 (couldn¡¯t help it) 1500, but he has the highest in the empire which is why he is the current emperor. If any of the other of the royal bloodline or even from the commoners raises above them by the new year, they will be named the emperor, but of course, no commoner has ever raised above one of the heirs or head of the royal families.¡± States Lorna quite matter of factly.


    ¡°How can I raise my spirit power fast?¡± askes Rinox.


    ¡°The only known way to raise your spirit power is by completing dungeons.¡± Says Norix.


    ¡°Like the one, we have in the cellar that the Manticore guards?¡± inquires Rinox.


    ¡°Yes just so, all of the royal families have a personal class 8-9 dungeon to train in and to capture more monsters to tame this is one of the reasons we can stay leaps and bounds above the commons seeing as most dungeons are at most class 4. And before you ask dungeons range from class 1 (the weakest) to class 10 (the strongest) they can also grow over time, and there are rumors of dungeons that transcend past a class 10, but it has never been proven,¡± explains his Lorna.


    ¡°Enough. The boy should know all of this, and he will hear more at the church lets just enjoy our breakfast for now.¡± Norix says rather forcefully.


    They finish breaking their fast, get in their carriage pulled by two Night Mare¡¯s and head towards the Grand Church in the center of the city Ignus.

 Chapter 2

    Hundreds of years ago humanity fought tooth and nail for the right to survive against the monster hoard and we were losing. That was until a person of unknown origins discovered the method to unlock God¡¯s will or the system and with it Spirit. Through extensive trial and error, we found that through Spirit we could use a spell to tame a wild monster as long as the person casting it had a stronger Spirit and with this discovery the first tamers came to be. During this time it was observed that only those of an age 16 could handle the system without dying. Now all of humanity with their powerful monsters and the magic they unlocked was finally able to push back the hoard. After this tremendous feat the first great cities were finally able to be established under the protection of most powerful tamers now known as the Seven Royal Families, the Seven Storms: The Firestorm, Lightningstorm, Lightstorm, Darkstorm, Holystorm, Earthstorm, and Waterstorm families. With their guiding hand humanity found the righteous path that God wanted us to follow, a pure path, where the strong rule. Might is Right. With this in mind, the voice of God, Emperor Garelt Lightningstorm wrote our Holy Scriptures, and thus founded the glorious Church of Niwrad. Under the rule of the God, the Church, and the strong we were able to live a pure and fulfilling life.


    Through the years these truths were forgotten or just ignored. We accepted the weak and people of impure spirit, those with dual or more elements, into our hearts and country. We allowed them to flourish and have a voice, but this only angered God. And so he punished us with a plague of weakness and made some deaf to God¡¯s words and will, the Zeros. But God didn¡¯t altogether abandon us he sent us his most magnificent voice Alfred Holystorm our 63rd Emperor. He reinstituted the Holy Scriptures and executed all the impure as punishment and allowed the weak to return to their proper place of serving the strong. He even found a place for those poor¡­ poor souls known as the zeros for it was not their fault that they were born deaf to God. So Emperor Alfred started the Zero laws that we use to this day. This way even with their weakness they can still be of use doing the work that is below even the weakest of humans. He also started the tradition that on the New Year the Emperor may be challenged by anyone for the right to rule. For only the strongest shall rule. This doctrine has led our Empire to the most prolonged period of prosperity, stability, and peace. MIGHT IS RIGHT!


    With great cheers and chants of Might is Right from the crowd of listeners the sermon ends.


    ¡°Thank you, your Holiness for that wonderful sermon, but I think our hopefuls will want some general information on what to expect during and after the test,¡± Says a gentleman to the right of the podium.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite right Chancellor, I¡¯ll allow you the honor.¡± quietly states the Head Priest in a calm measured voice.


    ¡°Thank you for this honor, your Holiness,¡± Says the Chancellor with a small hint of sarcasm.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°Now future tamers since you are here you must be aware on your 16th birthday you have to go through the testing to unlock the system and see what your Spirit level is and what your element is. So after the testing, I¡¯m sure your parents will take you to the nearest kennels and help you pick out your first monster to bond. That monster will depend heavily upon your spirit level and element. The monster you choose will have to be of your element or a neutral element. Though I don¡¯t know why anyone would waste their time on a neutral element monster if they have a choice in the matter, they are the weakest with almost no magic. Secondly, you can only control a monster that matches or is lower than your spirit level. This same rule applies if you wish to control multiple monsters their combined level cannot exceed your own. Another thing all monsters come with their own, sometimes unique, abilities and in most cases magic. So choose wisely, you can also consult any one of the libraries they have information on most monsters on the first level that all tamers have access too. Now if you wish to raise your spirit level you will have to complete dungeons. The higher class of dungeon you complete the greater chance that when you touch the core that it will raise your spirit level.¡± states the Chancellor at a fast clip.


    ¡°Let us start the testing. His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Norix Firestorm has kindly granted you, peasants, the right to be tested first before his Heir, His Royal Highness, Prince Rinox Firestorm. But you must leave straight after your test. ¡± Says the Chancellor with a deep bow to the Emperor and a slightly shorter one to Rinox. ¡°Now get in line before the testing orb, and after you get your spirit level, you are to tell my aid here who will add it to the registry of the country remember to update this whenever your spirit level raises so that your ranking within the empire is known. Begin.¡±


    One by one the young men or women step up onto the platform and places one hand upon the orb. There¡¯s a flash of light, and a gasp from them as a blue box pops into view in front of their eyes and the orb changes from clear to the color of their element. They would then tell the aide what their level was, then with their families leave the church excitedly or with quite disappointment.


    ¡°Ha, this is pathetic none of them are stronger than level 20 spirit what are they gonna tame a horned rabbit,¡± Rinox says Laughing loudly from his private level. A few of the testers shoot upward glares at him which just makes him laugh louder, of course, he is going to be stronger than them so what could they hope to do.


    ¡°Now son we need these people. I mean who do you expect to farm and cook for us. Not me unless you want it burnt black with dragon¡¯s fire. They have their purpose we have ours,¡± informs his father.


    ¡°So what¡¯s ours?¡± asks Rinox.


    ¡°They provide for us, and we protect them.¡± said his mother. ¡°Now it¡¯s almost your turn are you ready to head down?¡±


    The three of them and a small retinue of guards get up and make there way down to the platform. Once everyone leaves except for the Head Priest, the Chancellor, and his parents Rinox slowly and nervously with some forced swagger approaches the orb. After glancing over at his parents with a nervous smile, he places his hand onto the clear orb.

 Chapter 3

    It¡¯s finally time. I finally get to find out what my Spirit level is and element. Mother said I have nothing to worry about I¡¯ll have a fire-based Spirit and at the very least have a starting level of 50. Ha, I bet my level will be so high even the Greater Fire Elemental my mother caught won¡¯t be good enough for me and I''ll have to pick something even more grand, maybe a Fire Drake.  I can¡¯t believe all those peasants so happy to get a 25 thought I was going to piss myself from laughing at the look on their faces practically jumping for joy. It was just so pathetic. Okay now is the time all I have to do is lay my hand upon the orb. While reaching towards the orb, I close my eyes and finally touch it.


    ...Nothing is happening. Did I do it wrong? Is it broken? I¡¯ll try my other hand. No, still nothing. It¡¯s probably broken. One of those peasant brats probably did something to it because I laughed at him. I will track down every last one of them after we get a new orb out here to test me and have my monster eat them alive for this humiliation.


    ¡°Ri is everything okay?¡± I hear my mother ask me.¡±Why are you hesitating you just have to touch the orb, it doesn¡¯t hurt I promise.¡±


    ¡°I put my hand on it mother it¡¯s not working I think one of the peasants broke it to humiliate me. Father can you send for a new one so we can get this farce of testing done,¡± I respond back.


    ¡°Boy, there is no way to tamper or break a testing orb they are made from one heart of every kind elemental dragon. It¡¯s near indestructible. So quit playing around and touch the damn orb.¡± My Father responds back sounding annoyed.


    ¡°But father¡­ I am touching it look,¡± I said in a nervous voice.


    Everyone left steps closer and sees my hand is on the orb. Everyone responds differently; the Head Priest looks at me with pity, the Chancellor with disgust, my father, is entirely speechless, and my mother starts crying saying ¡°oh no¡­ my sweet boy.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand what¡¯s wrong like I said it¡¯s broken just get a new one,¡± I said in a now terrified voice.


    The Head Priest looks at me and says, ¡°Boy you are deaf to God and blind to his will you have no Spirit so no system. You are a Zero.¡±


    ¡°What kind of sick joke is this. I can not be a Zero I am the heir to the Firestorm family I should have you executed for even suggesting such a thing you charlatan. Now bring me a new orb like I said this one is broken,¡± I reply back scathingly.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°There is no mistaking it boy you are a Zero and have no rights to talk to me like that if you do so again you won''t even be a smear on the road. Now the Chancellor and I will leave you if we may, Your Highness?¡± askes the Head Priest with a bow to my father.


    My father waves them off and just stands there motionless, and I can tell only from the heat he is giving off that he is becoming angry. My mother is sitting in the Head Priest chair still crying now incoherently, and I am still standing on the platform hand on the orb surprised at the ridiculous notion that I am a Zero. How could that be I¡¯m a royal we have the strongest bloodline leading back to the first tamers.


    ¡°Boy. What have you done? This is a black mark on our family. Do you even understand what this means if it gets out that God punished a Royal? The peasants will start to think we are becoming weak and by our doctrine unfit to rule! I can NOT allow that to happen not during my reign as Emperor,¡± bellows my father while pacing.


    ¡°F-f-father? What did I do? It¡¯s not my fault. It¡¯s broken it has to be broken,¡± I stammer in tears.


    My mother finally collects herself, stands up and faces my father with tears in her eyes but with a firm voice she says, ¡°The rules are clear about this Norix. It must be disowned and executed.¡±


    ¡°What but Mother,¡± I cried out now sitting on the platform head in my hands and tires in my eyes.


    ¡°We can¡¯t do that it¡¯s too public. It can not get out that we bore a Zero and if it¡¯s disowned then executed it¡¯ll be in public records and do you think the Noble''s wouldn¡¯t try to spread that knowledge in an attempt to gain more public support. No¡­ we¡¯ll have to do something else,¡± says my father quietly almost to himself.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand what are you saying I¡¯m your son you can¡¯t kill me? Why do you keep calling me it?¡± I yell shaking all over with fear.


    ¡°What then? We need to decide fast? Someone is bound to wonder what is keeping us here so long,¡± states my mother.


    ¡°On the way home, we had catastrophic carriage accident. Our son fell out and hit his head falling into a coma to pass away tonight. It happens all the time.¡± calmly states my father.


    ¡°It¡¯s broken, it¡¯s broken, it¡¯s broken,¡± I say over and over this can¡¯t be happening.


    ¡°And what happens to it?¡± my mother asks glancing in my direction.


    ¡°Just another runaway zero it should be turned into a warden through a bounty hunter I think.¡± says my father while looking at me now too.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go waylay the Priest and Chancellor and swear them secrecy with a threat of death and promise of money that our son had a high spirit level of fire based, and inform the guards we¡¯re leaving soon.¡± Says my mother wiping the tears away and walking out without a backward glance.


    ¡°MOTHER!¡± I yell. I start to rock back and forth. I feel light headed I don¡¯t understand this must be some sick joke. They wouldn¡¯t kill me I¡¯m their son. Why is father just staring at me? Why¡­ Why¡­ Why me...


    ¡°Boy you should have never been born a zero,¡± my father strides towards me with a fire in his eyes and starts to raise his fist.


    And blackness¡­

 Chapter 4

    I feel some bumping, and it¡¯s entirely dark and stuffy. My head still feels very fuzzy wait the bumping stopped. ¡°Whoa there what do you got in the cart?¡± Comes a gruff voice from the side


    ¡°It just a zero that tried to run after the testing there is still a reward for them right?¡± says man''s voice from somewhere above me.


    ¡°There is. Just go over to the wardens building over next to the gebitt. Have a good day sir.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    And the bumping starts again. What in the hell is going on? Last I remember I was in the church and I just found out¡­ I was a zero. Then my parents were acting erratically and talked about killing me or falling out of a carriage? Then there is just my father¡¯s eyes burning into mine. No, it must have been a dream this is all a dream.


    ¡°Ow¡± next thing I feel a sharp poke in the back and a blinding light as a tarp that was lifted off of me. ¡°Oi get up zero you¡¯re to meet the warden.¡±  says a short grubby looking man with a short sword and a Night Cat (a small cat-like monster with dark-based magic) draped across his shoulders.


    ¡°Who the hell do you think you are? Do you have any idea who I am or who my...¡° I start with a yell and end in a whisper ¡°father is.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t give a Hellhound shit who you think you are or who your father is. Now get off your backside and out of my cart we are to meet the warden don¡¯t make me give you a prod you¡¯re worth more uninjured NOW MOVE,¡± says the man with snap in his voice and a brandishing of his sword.


    There¡¯s no arguing with this man plus he has a sword the warden may be more receptive to what I have to say and help me out of this misunderstanding. So I get out of the cart and head where the man with the sword directs. It wasn''t until now that I realize I¡¯m wearing clothes no better than the rags I see on commoners. Nothing to do about it now.


    Once inside the building, I notice a man who must be the warden sitting behind a desk covered in paper and what looks like a smaller version of a testing orb. He looks up at us when we enter and motions towards the one chair in front of him. So I go to sit and am poked again with the sword. ¡°You¡¯re a zero now, and property of the empire you do not sit go stand in that corner over there, and if Tabby here or I see you move, we¡¯ll bind you to the spot. Got it?¡± says the man with a point to his Night Cat while sheathing his sword at his hip.


    After about a minute the warden looked up from his paperwork and was about to speak when I spoke up. ¡°Sir, there has been some sort of mistake I am Prince Rinox Firestorm. I will forget this whole ordeal if you call me a carriage to take me back to my estate at this instant,¡± I said in what I would consider in a calm and even voice to the quite chuckling of the man who brought me in.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Zero you are never to speak to anyone without first being spoken to, If you do so again you will not be fed that day do you understand?¡± says the warden in an even tone.


    ¡°But sir-¡± I start and then am unable to speak or move.


    ¡°That¡¯s no food for you today, and thank you for silencing it Mister?¡± says the warden.


    ¡°Soot, James Soot and think nothing of it his whining was annoying and not productive to the business at hand,¡± said James.


    ¡°Ah, yes, of course, let¡¯s see first with the legal bits I will need to test it to confirm it is a zero and secondly I will need to know how you captured him.¡± Says the warden while glancing through his papers and I am silently struggling in the corner.


    ¡°That sounds reasonable enough. Zero I will be unbinding you from that spot you are to go touch the orb, and you should go do it willingly, or I will force you,¡± commands James.


    Seeing no way around it as soon as I¡¯m freed I start to walk towards the orb I then dash towards the door. Only to be tackled by the Night Cat that even though just being about a foot tall feels like it weighs 100 lbs.


    ¡°Now zero I was pretty clear that you don¡¯t want me to force you to touch the orb, so one last chance to get up and go touch the orb.¡± each of his words were punctuated with the digging of claws into my back.


    All I can do is a nod, and once the cat hops off my back, I get up and walk up to the orb. Once in front of the orb, I reach up to touch it but can¡¯t. If I touch this orb and nothing happens again, there will be no denying that I¡¯m a zero. I start to lower my arm away from it until I hear a hiss from right behind me. With no other choice, I close my eyes and touch the orb.


    ¡°Ok confirmed as a zero now all I need to know is how you acquired this merchandise and back to the corner zero,¡± says the warden making a few marks on some paperwork.


    After hearing ¡°confirmed as a zero,¡± a roaring starts in my ears and tears start flowing from my eyes, and collapse to the floor. That is until a Night Cat scratches my leg that is when I woke up to reality I am no longer the heir to a royal family I was a slave worse I was a zero. I forced myself up and stand in the corner to think there has to be a way out of here.


    ¡°Okay, I caught this one running from the church right after the testing it ran in front of the Emperor¡¯s carriage and caused it to crash the funny thing is the person it just claimed to be Prince Rinox Firestorm flew right out of the carriage and hit his head. I scooped this guy up to turn him over to the Emperor¡¯s guards who told me they have no time to deal with it because they need to get the Prince to a healer. But they remembered him as being tested that day as a zero and told me to go turn him into the nearest zero work zone as a runaway and to take the reward for myself,¡± explains James.


    ¡°So that¡¯s how the Prince got hurt it¡¯s the talk of the city that the heir on his testing day falls into a coma. Rumors were flying around about an assassination attempt it¡¯s nice hearing what happened from an eyewitness. Zero you¡¯re lucky I¡¯m in a good mood impersonating a royal is a capital offense,¡± exclaims the warden. ¡°Now all this seems to be in order and legal, so the reward for a runaway zero in good health is 100 talons. If that is all Mr. Soot, I need to get this zero to a soul binder. Oh, I will also need you to remove your silencing from it,¡± the warden said.


    ¡°No that is all Thank you, warden, have a good day,¡± says James as he walks out the door.


    ¡°Have a good day Mr. Soot,¡± said the warden ¡°And zero follow me, and now that I own you I will not be as nice as Mr. Soot if you try to run from me. Now come.¡±


    There is nothing to do now other than follow the man and try not to lose myself into the bleak abyss that is now my life.

 Chapter 5

    I follow the warden out of his office and look towards the entrance of the Zero work camp and before I could even start to formulate a plan to try and escape I hear a chittering from right behind my ear. I look back just in time to see a Lightning Beetle land onto my back and give me a tiny shock. Which causes me to trip and fall right on my face to the enjoyment of the Warden behind me.


    ¡°What the hell!¡± I yell.


    ¡°Ah yes, meet my friend, Amp, he will make sure you don¡¯t cause any trouble before you reach a binder now follow me or the zap you just received will feel like a kiss. Now get up and follow me. I don¡¯t have time for you to be taking a nap on the ground,¡± says the Warden as if this was an everyday occurrence. Which in his line of work I suppose it is.


    Without any other choice, I get up and follow him knowing my only way to escape has been foiled before I even got a chance a try. I can¡¯t believe my parents would do this to me. They sold me into slavery just for being a¡­ Zero. I still can¡¯t even believe I am one of those powerless things. So wrapped up in my dark thoughts I don¡¯t even realize when we enter a new building until I feel another small jolt from that damn bug. That is when I notice that in front of me is a man in all black taking what looks like a nap on his desk.


    That is until the Warden walks up and kicks the desk causing the man to jump and fall out of his seat and onto the floor. To which I start to laugh without thinking about it. That is when the man stood up and shot me a glare.


    ¡°Zero, I would think twice before laughing at your new master. In fact, no food for today,¡± says the man in black.


    ¡°It¡¯s already lost its food privileges for today Nars, but he can easily lose them for tomorrow too,¡± puts in the Warden. ¡°But I don¡¯t want to catch you sleeping again on the job.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah Nigel won¡¯t happen again, and as for the Zero that sounds like a fine idea I¡¯ll make sure to note down not to have him fed for the next two days,¡± says Nars.


    ¡°But that¡¯s bull shit!¡± I shout out.


    ¡°And a whipping now do you want to keep this up on your first day?¡± askes Nars.


    ¡°But-but I¡¯m a Royal you can¡¯t do this to me,¡± I cry out.


    ¡°You¡¯re a nothing, and as a Zero, you will continue to be a nothing for the rest of your short, miserable life. The faster you get that through your minuscule brain, the happier I¡¯ll be because I¡¯ll have to whip you less.¡± Says Nars while giving me a very dark look as if my existence was an insult to his very being.


    ¡°And as for you being a ¡°Royal¡± I¡¯d sooner believe that you¡¯re related to that beetle on your back so keep up that talk, and you¡¯ll end up in the gibbet,¡± continues Nars.


    ¡°Okay Nars I don¡¯t have all day can we get this binding ceremony done and over with so I can get back to work,¡± asks Nigel.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    With one last glare in my direction, Nars says ¡°Okay just give me a minute to get Illithid and get him into the pentagram,¡± with a nod towards the door to his right.


    ¡°You heard him Zero get going,¡± Nigel says to me.


    With a longing look at the door and a small reminder jolt from Amp. I start to move towards the door indicated by Nars. Once we get inside the room, I see a pentagram on the floor. Nigel points to the center, so I take that to mean that is where I am to stand. I don¡¯t understand what they need this pentagram for and what kind of binding are they going to perform on me?


    ¡°You should feel honored Nars there may not look it, but he¡¯s the most powerful Demonic-based tamer and Binder in all of Ignus. That means that the binding sickness that is normal with the ceremony will be greatly reduced for you due to him using the more powerful Mind Flayer instead of an Imp or Blue Devil that is usually used,¡± Nigel informs me.


    Why would they use those monsters in this ceremony? They are only useful for their illusion and soul magic¡­ Wait they couldn¡¯t mean to...


    ¡°Ha, I see you¡¯ve finally realized what a binder does. Yes, he will lay a soul binding on you, a contract of sorts, one of which that will be impossible to break but will be enforced by your soul,¡± says Nigel with a laugh at my expression of horror.


    ¡°But, you can¡¯t use a soul binding on a human God Niwrad blocks soul magic from affecting humans,¡± I say to him in an unbelieving but scared voice.


    Continuing to laugh Nigel explains, ¡°HA, That is true on a ¡°Human¡± you can¡¯t use soul magic but you are a Zero and deaf and blind to God, and so the system and have no immunity to it. This is why I love coming to these things it¡¯s always fun watching the dawning realization of what is going to happen.¡±


    I try to run. While at the same time try to knock Amp off my back. It doesn¡¯t matter if it kills me I can¡¯t let this happen. That is when Nars appears in the doorway with a monster that is about 4 feet tall humanoid with what can only be described as an octopus head. I stand there in shock just to see the Mind Flayer raise his hand and then my head feels like it is going to explode and I collapse.


    Only to wake up in what I can only assume is a short time later with the Mind Flayer standing above me in the center of the pentagram with Nars and Nigel standing on the edge of it. I try and move only to realize I am bound to the spot and am unable to speak for the second time today.


    ¡°Good, now that you¡¯re awake we can continue with the ceremony. I would say don¡¯t move, or it¡¯ll be more painful for you but well you can¡¯t. So let¡¯s continue with the soul binding,¡± says Nars in oddly good cheer.


    That is when I remember what is about to happen. I try to struggle and scream to no avail. This can¡¯t be happening to me I am Rinox Firestorm heir to the Firestorm family. This is all that I can think.


    The Mind Flayer puts his hands upon my head and my mind goes blank, and a weird purple mist feels my vision.


    ¡°Now Zero I am going to bind a few orders on to your soul now. They are as follows: you will never try to escape, you will follow the commands of your masters first and then of any that are not a Zero to the best of your abilities, you are to do your ordered work to the best of your abilities, and finally you are not to speak to your betters unless first spoken to with the exception of announcing your presence or saving them from pain or death. See easy; now you are going to be very¡­ uncomfortable for the next few hours once your done screaming come see me in my office for your orders,¡± says Nars in a very business-like tone.


    After hearing the commands, there is nothing but pain throughout my body. This constant pain becomes my existence for what could have been a minute or a few years. And then nothing. As soon as the pain dissipates, I feel a need to get up and see Nars. So I get up and head towards the door and my new life as a slave with nothing to do about it but cry in silence.

 Chapter 6

    I step into Nars office and notice he is asleep at his desk again. I look towards the door and try to run for it. Only to be riveted to the spot. I can¡¯t even move when I¡¯m thinking of escaping and not following Nars¡¯ orders. I would have stood there all day just trying to leave except for the itchiness I now feel all over. This must be what happens when I try to delay orders or not do them to my best ability. Fine, I¡¯ll do it.


    So as loudly and with as much scorn I can put into my voice, ¡°Nars, wake up.¡±


    This makes him jump again but not fall. He looks around at me first in anger than a malicious joy and says with a grin, ¡°I see you¡¯re done screaming Zero so let¡¯s start your new life off with that whipping. I was originally going to only do three lashes, but I think ten may be better for our ¡°Royal¡± Zero.¡±


    I stare at him dumbfounded he can¡¯t really mean to whip me. But there he his grabbing a sleek black whip out of his desk. As he is walking towards the door he calls out ¡°Follow,¡± and I have no other choice but to obey. I have never been on this side of the whipping before, but I have whipped my fair share of Zeros and servants, my father used to say ¡°It builds character.¡± Now for the first time, I am going to know what I¡¯ve done to my Zero¡¯s and why they always walked willingly to the block. They had no choice, and I have no choice.


    Nars walks towards where the gibbets are and up to a wooden frame that looks like a ¡°T¡± with a small rope hanging from both tips.


    ¡°Take off your shirt face towards the frame and hold onto the ropes. Do not let go of those ropes,¡± commands Nars with a smile.


    Without wanting to and with tires of disbelief in my eyes I start to do exactly as he has told me to do. I take off my shirt with shaking arms and walk up to the frame grab ahold of the ropes and brace myself. With the only one thought in my mind, since I¡¯ve woken up today all I¡¯ve felt is pain. Is this my life now?


    That is when the first lash hit causing me to gasp in pain. Then the second hit and I would have collapsed, but my hands wouldn¡¯t let go. I am sobbing at this point just looking at my hands. The lashes keep coming over, and over, but my hands never let go no matter how much I scream at them too. Then after the second eternity today it stops.


    ¡°You can let go now but don¡¯t collapse. I don¡¯t want to waste any more of my time listening to you blubber,¡± commands Nars ¡°Also put your shirt on and follow me.¡±


    As soon as I hear the command, I can finally let go of the ropes, but my legs refuse to allow me to fall to the ground. I must have taken too long to comply with the command to put on my shirt because the itch is back and getting worse by the second. So I bend down to pick up my shirt to a wave of pain. I can¡¯t imagine what it will feel like to put on that low-quality shirt, but I guess I¡¯m about to find out. I was right. It sent a wave a pain down my back that felt like it I was whipped all over again. Unable to collapse in pain with another command to follow my legs against my wishes start walking.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Whistling tonelessly Nars is walking in front of me leading me into what looks like a man-made cave. Wait, it¡¯s the entrance to the cities sewers. But I barely even register any of this my thoughts seem to be sluggish, and my vision keeps going dark, but my legs keep me walking in tow right behind Nars.


    Once we enter into the sewers off to the left, there are three doors. Nars points at the First and says ¡°That is the female Zero¡¯s kennels you are not to enter it or to mate we don¡¯t need any little Zero¡¯s running around. Though they would be good for cleaning the small pipes down here, I¡¯ll have to bring that up at the next meeting. Anyways, the next door is the supply room. The room after that is the male kennels where you will sleep, take your meals, and get your orders every morning.¡± explains Nars in a bored tone ¡°Since you have spent the whole work day screaming and crying you can go straight to bed. Oh, and no eating for the rest of today and tomorrow. Welcome to your new home.¡±


    With that Nars walks off with his hands behind his head whistling tonelessly once again. I walk through the door and take a look for the first time at my new home. It¡¯s just a large room with piles of hay every few feet around the edge that I can only assume are the beds and with an empty space in the middle, probably for eating. I walk up to the first pile, and as if I was a puppet whose strings have been cut, I collapse onto a hay pile and blackout.


    I wake up to a boot on my whipped back and start screaming. ¡°Ah, good you¡¯re awake newbie I¡¯m Bur the¡­ I guess you can call it top Zero around here. Anyways, I wanted to wake you up to introduce myself and inform you have the ground rules around here,¡± says a grime covered man of about 6¡¯6 and with a rather large build.


    I barely catch any of that due to the pain in my back, but I got the gist this guy was the unofficial boss of the Zeros and that it would be a bad idea to not listen to him. So, not wanting to be experiencing any more pain today I try to sit up and pay attention to this man.


    ¡°I got your attention good. The rules are simple first I get a portion of everyone¡¯s food and first pick of jobs. See easy, now today¡¯s dinner is being served, and I expect my portion,¡± explains Bur.


    ¡°I can¡¯t receive any food for today or tomorrow,¡± I try to explain.


    ¡°Then I guess you¡¯ll owe me more of your food when you do start getting meals. Have a good night and welcome to sewer duty,¡± he tells me with a grim smile that promises violence if I don¡¯t comply.


    ¡°Yeah, Thank you for the warm welcome,¡± I say sarcastically before I can stop myself, as I lay back down.


    As he walks away, he kicks me in the back again causing me to convulse in pain again. What an excellent way to start my new life. There has got to be a way out of this, but even if I do where do I go¡­ my parents want me dead, and I can only expect the same reaction from the rest of the Royal Families. Who am I kidding there is no escape they put a soul bind on me my own body and mind don¡¯t even belong to me anymore. These are the last thoughts I have before I pass back into oblivion once again.

 Chapter 7

    ¡°Good Morning, sewer rats, rise and shine and all that bullshit,¡± shouts Nars as he stomps through the door as loud as possible.


    For a second when I wake up to all this noise I forget where I am and turn to shout at my Zero for waking me this way. When the pain in my back makes itself known again with the wounds reopening. This causes the memories of the past day rush back to the forefront of my mind, and a sob of pain, regret, and anger escapes before I can stop it. This causes Nars to look my way with a smile.


    ¡°Ah, I see the lesson I taught you yesterday still hurts. Unfortunately, I can¡¯t have you getting sick from an infection, so I have to have you healed, Yars see to it,¡± says Nars with a look of regret on his face and he waves to the man standing behind him who must be Yars. With a wave of his hand and a softly spoken word, I feel a burning all across my back. Not a bad burning but one like a hot shower after a long day out in the cold. And the pain is gone, I sigh in relief and go to thank the man, but no words come out. That¡¯s when I remember I can¡¯t talk to any non-Zero without them talking to me first. So I just nod in thanks, but he just looks at me in disgust and turns away.


    ¡°Alright, now that is done let¡¯s get down to business, you Zeros are to clean the NorthEastern side today top and bottom,¡± says Nars in a now bored tone. ¡°Oh and um¡­ you show the new Zero his duties,¡± pointing at the first Zero he sees. ¡°Well, that¡¯s it,¡± and with a wave, he and Yars leave.


    The Zero Nars pointed at comes over raises his hand to shake mine and says, ¡°Guess I¡¯m showing you around my names Lan you?¡±


    With slight hesitation, I¡¯ve never touched a commoner barehanded before, I shake his hand and introduce myself, ¡°I¡¯m R¡­ I¡¯m Nox.¡± I don¡¯t feel comfortable using my old name it reminds me of everything that I should have, and I want to say have again but¡­ I don¡¯t see how that can happen now.


    ¡°Well Nox let¡¯s go eat, and I can explain a little about what we do here. Oh, don¡¯t forget to give the first pick of your portion to Bur he¡¯s not a man you want to get on the wrong side of,¡± Lan informs


    ¡°Yeah, I got that from when I met him last night, and I¡¯ve been ordered not to eat today,¡± I say while my stomach grumbles. I have never missed a meal in my life so being hungry is a new kind of torture I¡¯ve never been through before.


    ¡°That sucks, oh well follow me and I can at least show you where we get our food,¡± says Lan with a shrug.


    So I follow him we leave the room and exit the sewer and just to the right of the entrance is a small stone building that we enter walking in silence the whole way. Once inside Lan gets in line and grabs a tray. I stand off to the side and out of the way once Lan receives his food we head back towards the sewers and the men¡¯s kennel to eat. On the way, I take a look at the food and almost gag. The only thing that I can even say with some certainty is the bread, but it¡¯s green. Then there¡¯s a kind of fuzzy red thing and a brown thing that honestly looks like someone just shit on his plate.


    ¡°What the hell is that!¡± I ask before I can stop myself.


    ¡°Ha, that is a good question from what I¡¯ve been able to put together green thing is bread, the red thing is maybe a fruit I¡¯m not sure but it¡¯s sweet, and the brown well they say it¡¯s meat, but well look at it,¡± laughs Lan good-naturedly.


    When we get there just inside the doorway is Bur. He looks over Lan¡¯s food and takes only the bread and nods him off. But not before saying, ¡°I¡¯m taking the surface today. You and the newbie stay down below.¡± Lan just gives another nod and walks away.


    I go to follow him, but Bur stops me with a hand on my shoulder, ¡°Remember you will have to pay your portion for today and yesterday when you get your meals tomorrow.¡± I nod at him, and he releases my shoulder but not before giving it a bone-crushing squeeze first.


    I sit on the floor across from Lan. ¡°So, what does he do with the extra food?¡± I asked Lan with a nod towards Bur. ¡°There¡¯s from what I¡¯ve seen about 20 Zeros here there is no way he can eat all that extra food.¡±


    ¡°Yeah he doesn¡¯t eat it all himself he gives some to his lackey¡¯s, and some goes to a female Zero that he¡¯s sweet on from what I¡¯ve seen,¡± Lan explains pointing at two other guys standing near Bur.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°I guess I can see that, but I thought we aren¡¯t allowed to ¡°mate¡± with the females here,¡± I said confused.


    ¡°That¡¯s true we aren¡¯t allowed to ¡°mate¡± as you say, but there are other ways to seek pleasure if you know what I mean,¡± Lan says with a wink and a laugh.


    I start blushing with the implications of the idea. My parents never let me go to the pleasure houses like some of the other Royal heirs. They always said it was unbecoming for someone of my rank to interact with anyone that far below me. So I¡¯m wholly unfamiliar and embarrassed by these new thoughts. Of course, this causes Lan to laugh louder at my expense.


    Once Lan gets a hold of himself he starts to eat again and says, ¡°So, let¡¯s get onto the topic of the job. I don¡¯t know about you, but the itch is starting to creep up. Meaning we need to start working soon.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I feel it, what¡¯s with the itch anyway? Wouldn¡¯t pain or something else be more effective in keeping us in check?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Well, this is just a guess, but I think it¡¯s because pain can stop us from actually completing the job if it gets bad enough. Whereas itching just gets very annoying to the point where you¡¯ll do anything to make it stop even when it reaches unimaginable levels you should still be able to move,¡± explains Lan while itching his neck.


    ¡°Makes sense I guess,¡± I say also starting to itch. ¡°You done eating? This is starting to get bad.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m done let''s get to the supply room, and I¡¯ll explain what we do while we walk to the north tunnels,¡± Lan says getting up.


    Lan leads me over to the supply room next to the door there is a wheelbarrow with the empty food trays of the other Zero¡¯s. Lan adds his to the pile and enters the supply room with me following behind. The room was rather dark only one Light globe, a magic light that can be set somewhere and stay on until dismissed, near the center of the room. As I imagined this room was filled with cleaning supplies like mops, buckets, brooms, and other such items. Lan grabs a cart and loads it with two push brooms, mops, cleaning liquid, and a collection of different size pipe brushes.


    ¡°These are the basics you¡¯ll need for a sewer job. For a surface job you won¡¯t need the pipe brushes,¡± says Lan. ¡°But don¡¯t expect to get to many surface jobs. Bur and his boys always take them. That is on the infrequent occasion that Bur¡¯s girlfriend has to work down here than he¡¯ll follow like a puppy.¡±


    We leave the supply room and start pushing the cart down the large sewer tunnel and eventually stop where eight different tunnels are leading in different directions.


    ¡°Okay, it¡¯s quite easy each tunnel leads into a different side the city, and it follows a compass, North, Northeast, East, and so on,¡± says Lan point and the North tunnel and then the ones to the right of it.


    ¡°I think I can remember that, but what do we do down here?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Mostly we just unclog the different pipes and clear any blocked passages. The abandoned slimes usually keep the rest clean,¡± explains Lan as we head down the North tunnel.


    ¡°Abandoned slimes? And what blocks up the pipes?¡± I ask confused. I have never heard of a slime type called abandoned.


    ¡°They are slimes that were once a tamer''s but were abandoned when they grew in spirit level and could get a better monster, and what the hell do you think blocks the sewer pipes,¡± laughs Lan.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know I never thought about what sewers are used for, and that makes sense about the slimes, but I thought there were places you can sell your monster too,¡± I ask. I also start to realize the smell of this place is starting to get worse. It smells like¡­¡±Wait, we have to clean up shit? That¡¯s disgusting, and I shouldn¡¯t have to touch any of that.¡±


    Now Lan¡¯s really starting to laugh at me, ¡°We do, it is, and you will be covered in it before the day is done I guarantee it. As for the slimes, the Monster Farms never take any slimes unless it¡¯s a Royal Slime, Queen Slime, or some other rare variant.¡±


    Lan stops and points off down a side tunnel, and I see some weird colors that seem to be moving around. ¡°That¡¯s some of them now. They are a good way to tell if there is a blockage. They tend to congregate at them so while looking to clean look for them and you¡¯ll find something,¡± says Lan walking off towards them. ¡°And don¡¯t worry they never attack anyone.¡±


    There is not much talking to be done from then on. It was just walking and cleaning for the rest of the day. I threw up a few times, well at least I attempted too but with nothing in my stomach I just dry heaved and threw up the water I drank that day. I tried to refuse to clean a rather large blockage, but Lan was right the itchiness got so bad that I would have done anything to make it stop. Lan was also right about another thing I was covered in more¡­ no, I don¡¯t want to think about it. At the end of the shift, we head back to the supply room, put our stuff back, and head into the men¡¯s kennel to shower and in Lan¡¯s case eat. I decided just to go straight to sleep I¡¯ve never walked or worked so hard in my life¡­ or in the case of work, I never had to do that before. Just as I fall asleep, I get another swift kick to which I look up and see Bur¡¯s back. I just shake my head and go to sleep.

 Chapter 8

    I woke up early the next day not because I was rest, no I woke up because my stomach reminded me that I hadn¡¯t eaten anything since I left for my testing two days ago. The longest I ever went without food before was when my Zero tripped and dropped my dinner one night. I had to wait another half hour for my dinner, and my father had that Zero whipped for the same amount of time. I shudder now at that memory now that I know what it feels like to get 10 I can¡¯t imagine what it was like for half an hour¡­ I was a terrible person.


    My stomach made itself known again and drove all thoughts out of my mind except that I need and now can eat something today. I just have to wait until Nars comes in and tells us where we are working today then I can eat. This thought consumes me for what feels like an eternity until Nars finally arrives.


    Nars walks in with a yawn and Shouts,¡±Wake up.¡± and once everyone is standing ¡°You are to work the North top and bottom again today and move to the Northeast if you finish there. Also, get the new Zero up there and teach it what to do up there,¡± He leaves without saying anything else, and I practically run out the door behind him to go get my food.


    I pass Nars who¡¯s lazily walking up to his office, I assume and get to the chow hall before anyone else, so there¡¯s no line. I pick up my tray and start down the aisle where other Zeros unceremoniously drop the food onto my tray one at a time. Today¡¯s menu is the green bread again, something blue, and a brown rectangle thing. Oh joy, but at this point, I¡¯m starving and don¡¯t care what it is. So on my way back to the kennel¡¯s I start eating the bread.


    When I get back to the kennel, I already wolfed down the bread and standing by the door is Bur. Who looks down at my plate then up at me. ¡°Where¡¯s your bread?¡±


    ¡°I um¡­ ate it,¡± I stammer out.


    ¡°That was a mistake,¡± was all Bur said before he grabbed my tray empty the rest of my food out onto a tray he keeps by the door. ¡°See I was going to be nice and only take your bread this morning but you disrespected me by eating it without my say so. Now I gotta be the bad guy and take all your food today and also make your life hell at least for a little while.¡± Bur says calmly then he hits me with my tray.


    I wake up to Lan shaking me. ¡°Hey we gotta get to the surface and clean,¡± says Lan without any sympathy in his voice.


    ¡°I just got knocked out with a food tray give me a minute,¡± I say rubbing the back of my head, checking for blood, there was none.


    ¡°I warned you not to get on his bad side, but now you¡¯re taking, as he sees it, two of his spots on the surface and you ate something before he got his first-pick,¡± says Lan shaking his head.


    ¡°It¡¯s not my fault I¡¯m working the surface today, it was an order,¡± I try to explain.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, he may have let it go this morning, but then you show up already eating. Now you¡¯re up shit creek, and my advice is to keep your head low and stay out of his way,¡± says Lan as he gets up.


    All I can do manage is a nod and get up with him and head towards the supply room. We grab the brooms and head out of the sewer.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Okay, surface work is way easier and cleaner than sewer work. Just keep your head down, stay out of people¡¯s way, and clean up the trash. Got it?¡± says Lan as we head to the north into a wealthy part of the city. ¡°Oh, and when you¡¯re on the North and Northwest side of the city cleaning make sure you bow to any nobles or royals that pass by.¡±


    This last statement hits me a lot harder than I could have ever expected it too. I may have to clean outside my old palace. I may even see people I know. I could see my parents¡­ I don¡¯t know how I will react to that. I haven¡¯t come to terms with what they have done to me; it¡¯s only been two days. I¡¯m angry, sad, and confused as I think about what they did. I¡¯m not sure if I would come up to them begging them to let me come home or just outright attack them. But maybe this is an opportunity if I see someone I know from one of my friends in the higher noble houses. They can take me away from this hell that I¡¯m living in now and from there I don¡¯t know.


    ¡°Are you coming?¡± askes Lan from a little bit in front of me.


    That is when I realized I came to a complete standstill when he mentioned the nobles and royals. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m coming,¡± I say, and we continue making our way cleaning any trash we see on the way and sweeping any waste into one of the many sewer entrances that are found on the side of the streets.


    We clean for hours without much happening. That is until we are outside a restaurant I used to frequent when I see someone I know, and not just know we were best friends and fellow Royals. It was Axel Darkstorm. We grew up together when our parents decided we both needed to spend time with not only children of the same age but the same rank. So, we would spend six months at a time in each other¡¯s palaces and cities. But why is he here? Last year our parents stopped our arrangement, to start teaching us what it takes to run our families and cities He went back to Shadowvale and his palace there, and we haven¡¯t seen each other since.


    If anyone was going to help it would be him. So, without warning, I start running towards him trying to call out to him, but the damn command wouldn¡¯t let me. Eventually, I get close enough, and his guards stop me.


    ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing Zero?¡± asked one of the guards angrily.


    This was my chance. ¡°I am Rinox Firestorm, let me past, so I can talk to my friend Axel,¡± I say in a commanding, loud,  voice. The guard just stares at me like I was crazy, but what I hoped happened Axel turned around upon hearing my name and looked at me. At first in confusion then in growing anger.


    ¡°How dare you filthy Zero claim to be my best friend Rinox who just yesterday passed away due to a head injury. Guards, get my whip and bring Arachne to me. I have some anger to work out on this Zero,¡± Axel spits as he gives these commands.


    ¡°But¡­ but it¡¯s me, Axel, It''s Rinox,¡± I try again.


    ¡°Zero you are not to speak to me again now get on your knees and head onto the ground,¡± says Axel looking me right in the eye before without my say so turn around and get on my knees before him.


    ¡°Now I have wanted to test my sweet Arachne¡¯s venom on someone and unlucky for you I finally get my chance,¡± says Axel as the guards he sent off return with a black spider the size of a medium-sized dog. ¡°You see Arachne here is a rare variant of Night Spider. She¡¯s a Black Mist Spider which has a very potent venom that causes pain and illusions of all your greatest fears. The best part is you can milk the venom from them and soak a weapon in it.¡±


    I can¡¯t see what is going on now for my head is bowed all the way to the ground, but I¡¯m shaking in fear of what is about to happen to me with tears streaming down my face. How can he do this to me? We were friends, best friends we would have done anything for each other, and now he¡¯s about to torture me for claiming to be myself. And what did he mean I died last night?


    That thought was the last coherent one I had that day for the first lash hit then a second, and that is when a dark mist seemed to cloud my eyes. I started screaming but couldn¡¯t get up the pain was unimaginable. The visions began then. I saw the worst day of my life, when I became a Zero, over and over again. With flashes of my different fears one of which is now spiders for during this whole experience Axel¡¯s spider Arachne was always there. Watching, waiting, starting with its eight black eyes in hunger. Then there was nothing but pain.

 Chapter 9

    I wake up stiff, in pain, and it¡¯s dark. What the hell happened, where am I, why is there blood, and why am I so god damned itchy? Oh, right, I was whipped and poisoned by my best friend, but where am I? After looking around I conclude I¡¯m in the alley beside where I was whipped, I can only assume I was dragged here so I¡¯d be out of the way, but why didn¡¯t Lan try to drag me back or at least wake me up. He was next to me right before I ran towards Axel. I hope he didn¡¯t get punished too and that¡¯s why he didn¡¯t help me. I¡¯ll just have to find out later, need to head back, this itch is getting worse the longer I sit here.


    I get up and almost fall back down due to the wound reopening on my back, but I able to force myself to keep standing and start heading south, back to the Zero work zone. As I¡¯m walking back, there is almost no one else on the roads so it must be late. This leaves my mind to wander, and I keep coming back to the events of today. Axel whipped me, ME! He was my last hope of leaving this life, no, you can¡¯t call what I have been doing a life, existence that¡¯s better, he was my last hope. I¡¯m trapped, I will be a Zero, a slave for the rest of my existence, and there is nothing I can do about it. Thinking about it, my parents and the other Royals would probably have me killed for being a Zero, even if I was able to get anyone to believe I was once Rinox Firestorm.


    If I want to live, I will have to forget the life I once had and just embrace this new existence. This doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t look for an escape, but I will no longer seek out my old life that only ever leads to pain. My old life is over, and just as Axel said, Rinox Firestorm heir to the Firestorm Family and son of the Emperor is dead. He was murdered and buried by his parents and friend. I will have to be Nox and Nox is a slave. I will try to be better than what I was. I see now I was a cruel, selfish, and all-around ass of a child. I punished people for no reason other than I was bored or some other perceived slight on my person. These last few days have indeed shown me that everything, or at least a lot of it, I was taught and brought up to believe is wrong.


    With a new determination and identity, I look up and realize this life-changing thoughts and self-discovery took all of, three blocks of a hours journey back to the zone. You¡¯d think something as groundbreaking as coming to terms with my new existence would at least take me halfway back. As I have this childish and pouty thought, I¡¯m passing by a pleasant looking manor of some Noble house. In the front, fenced, garden of this manor is sitting a beautiful Prism Hare, a light-based monster with fur that changes color depending upon the how the light hits it, with a chain and collar around its neck looking at me.


    Without much thought, I call out to it, ¡°Hey little guy are you okay? That chain looks heavy.¡±


    The Prism Hare hops closer and just looks into my eyes with his bright golden eyes. There seems to be a tinge of sadness to them.


    ¡°Was it your tamer that chained you up out here?¡± I ask while reaching my hand out to pet it and not expecting any response to my question.


    But then the Hare shakes his head and steps closer so I can pet it.


    This surprises me. I have never heard of a monster responding to someone who is not their tamer. So, I ask, ¡°Do you have a tamer?¡± Just to see if it responds again.


    Sure enough, the Hare steps back again and while looking me in the eyes shakes his head again.


    It must have been caught either for a testing ceremony monster or as a gift for another Noble family. Prism Hares are quite a rare and powerful light based monster. ¡°If I can remove your collar would you be able to escape?¡± I ask probably seeing a bit of myself in this poor monster.


    This time the Hare hesitates and looks back at the manor then at me before nodding.


    So, I get a closer look at the chain and collar. It¡¯s a not a standard chain and collar it¡¯s one infused with Dark mana. I was wondering how they were keeping a Prism Hare captive without a guard, but this makes sense. They are using its elemental weakness every monster has one, Fire to Water to Lightning to Earth to Fire, then there is Light and Dark who are weak to each other, and finally Holy and Demonic who again are weak to each other. So using this Dark chain and collar on a light monster like the Prism Hare will sap its power and make it unable to use even its weakest spells or abilities. Luckily, the collar was only held together with a buckle. So I reach through the fence and unbuckle the collar.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    The Hare takes no time at all and hops over the 6-foot iron fence like it didn¡¯t even exist. Once over the fence, the Prism Hare looks at me, sniffs, and shines a soft golden light. I feel a burning on my back again just like when Yars healed me and the pain I have been feeling disappears with the cleansing light. After the light fades, the Hare nods then runs off so fast it was just a rainbow blur heading to the west towards the Western Gate and then probably the Western Forest. With this good deed done and the unexpected reward, I start heading towards the work zone in much better spirit then I was just a few minutes ago.


    About an hour later, I got back to the Zero kennel and when I get inside everyone is asleep. I checked the chow hall on the way in and unfortunately it was closed, that¡¯s three days without food other than that piece of bread I ate this morning. This pain, unfortunately, was not cured by the Prism Hare, so I guess it¡¯s another night of starving for me. I lay down on my hay pile and fall asleep with a smile thinking about the Prism Hare I let go and how pissed off that Noble family is going to be in the morning.


    The next morning, which wasn¡¯t much longer after I lay down, Nars comes in again and gives us the orders just to keep cleaning the Northeast today and left with as much motivation as he has shown for everything except the whipping he gave me the first day. Much like the day before I rush out the door to the chow hall to grab my tray of ¡°food.¡± Today¡¯s menu was the green bread, something yellow, and something purple.


    This time I know better and don¡¯t eat anything on my way back to the kennels. Sure enough, Bur is standing next to the door.


    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re still alive Lan said last he saw you were getting punished by a Royal,¡± says Bur while looking at my tray. ¡°You still owe me, so I am going to show some kindness and take everything you have but the bread.¡± As he says that he takes my tray and hands me back the bread.


    I¡¯m not stupid, so I only respond with a, ¡°Thank you.¡± and leave to eat my bread. Which turned out to be the most delicious thing I have ever eaten in my life, which is saying a lot seeing as I was able to eat things cooked by the best chief¡¯s in our Empire, but that was probably due to the starvation. While eating the bread, I decided to save a little in case I get hungry in the tunnels; this takes more willpower than I have ever needed. So I put the rest of the bread into my pocket and wait for Lan to get back from the chow hall.


    Once Lan got back got back and sat down. I sat across from him and asked, ¡°So what happened?¡±


    ¡°Oh, uh, well you ran right at that Royal like some crazy person. After that you shouted at him and then there was that big ass spider. When you started getting whipped I ran for it¡­.¡± explains Lan with an abashed expression and not looking me in the eyes.


    I shivered just thinking of the spider and say, ¡°I don¡¯t blame you.¡± I nod and leave the supply room. I may not blame him, but he could have come back for me, to at least check if I was alive. So it may be a little vindictive towards my only¡­ I guess friend, but still, I don¡¯t want to work with him, at least for today.


    I get to the supply room and grab everything I need to work in the sewer. If I have the choice, I never want to work the surface again. So I make my way to the N\northeast tunnels and the first side tunnel I go down cleaning everything in sight.


    After a few hours and more shit than I care to admit I turn to head back to the kennels when I trip over something.


    I look over to see what I tripped over and saw a small Green Slim with a chip in the core, ¡°Oh no, I¡¯m sorry little guy did I do that to your core?¡± I asked with worry looking around for the chip.


    The Slime does this weird jiggle that makes me think of someone shaking their head. Confused I ask, ¡°Your core has been broken for a while now then?¡±


    Again the Slime does another jiggle that was definitely a nod. ¡°Well, all the same, sorry for tripping over you,¡± I said apologizing to the Slime.


    The Slime does his nod jiggle and goes to slime away. That¡¯s when I remember the piece of bread I had, not needing it now that I¡¯m about to go get more food at the chow hall I decide to yell out, ¡°Hey, little guy I know it¡¯s not much but here have some bread.¡±


    It slimes back and does a weirdly cute jiggle kind of like a dance. I took that as a yes and set the bread on the ground. It slides right on top of the bread then stops, I see the bread kind of float into the center of it and start to dissolve.


    ¡°Well, I hope it was good. Bye, and I guess I¡¯ll see you around the tunnels,¡± I wave at it and before I turn to leave the Slime lengthens and kind of waves back at me. I laugh and head back to the kennels to shower then hopefully get some food to eat.

 Chapter 10

    The months and weeks pass, but not much has changed. I continued to clean the sewers on my own, not out of my choice but I Lan has started to avoid me, and I haven''t dared to approach anyone else. I will say, I have been saving a bit of my bread, when Bur doesn¡¯t take it that is, for any Slime I pass near. I don¡¯t have a reason for this, and I know it¡¯s probably just a waste of my food, with them being able to get their own. But the Slimes became my only companions in the tunnels. They have started to follow me around and sometimes help me clear the more blocked pipes which is nice. It always seems to be different Slimes every day except for the Slime with the chip in its core he or is it she... I¡¯ll just go with he. Anyways, he always follows along, and I usually give him the biggest crumb, what can I say I like the little guy. I have also started to call him Notch, he seemed to like it, or at least he jiggles and a happy way when I call him that. If anyone saw me walking in the sewers with a line of half-foot tall Slimes of various colors they would probably take me for a tamer of a very weak spirit level. Slimes are some of the lowest monsters with most only taking one spirit level to tame.


    Today will not be business as usual, Today is New Years and so the Emperor Tournament to see who will be the Emperor for the coming year. This event is the one day a year that is a holiday for everyone even Zero¡¯s. The tournament day is a huge celebration that takes place in the city of the current Royal Family, in this case, the city of Ignus and the Firestorm family, with entertainers and free food flood the streets for everyone¡¯s enjoyment. There are many events throughout the day ranging from plays, jugglers, and acrobats, but the main events are held at the Coliseum. There the many different fights are held it starts off with a new tamer bracket where anybody that became a tamer in the last year can sign up to fight and the winner if they are not already, can be adopted into a Noble family and in the very rare case a Royal family. From there they have just monster fights, then Tamer fights with no monsters, and Tamer with monster fights.Finally, the main event will start and everyone who wishes to challenge the current Emperor fights in another bracket, always being healed between battles to make sure it¡¯s entirely fair, the winner will then fight the Emperor. The winner will be crowned Emperor by the Head Priest of the Church of Niwrad, and then a feist will start.


    With even the Zero¡¯s having the day off a lot of them are going to the Coliseum to watch the fights. I was planning on staying behind. I didn¡¯t want to see my parents being the current Emperor and Empress they will be presiding over the fights. But while everyone was leaving Lan comes up to me.


    ¡°Hey Nox, are you coming? We can still catch the start of the new Tamer fights if we hurry,¡± asks Lan smiling, like the last few months didn¡¯t happen and we have been friends the whole time.


    I wanted to say no but honestly¡­ I was starved for someone human to talk to. My slime friends are great, but they can¡¯t talk, and I have been lonely, so I respond, ¡°Yeah I¡¯m coming.¡± and run out the door with him.


    While running for the colosseum, we stop and grab some food at one of the many stalls. Real food I never knew how exciting that could be, I got a meat pie with real meat, crust, and vegetables! Not some green, brown, or any other color mush but actual meat with a golden brown crust and crisp vegetables. I could have been struck down then, and I couldn¡¯t have been happier, I will remember this meat pie for the rest of my life. After many pitstops at other food stands, I grab a few apples for my Slime friends and myself, and just some small talk between us, we finally arrived at the Colosseum a little late but with a belly far more full than it has been in well¡­ a long time.


    When we find our seats in the Zero zone near the top of the stands the final is about to begin.


    ¡°Holy shit isn¡¯t that the Royal with his big spider you yelled at in the area?¡± asked Lan while hitting my arm.


    I look down into the area, and sure enough, there¡¯s Axel with his Black Mist Spider, Arachne, standing there with his arms raised waving at the crowd. As soon as I see the spider, I nearly jump out of my seat to run away, but I am barely¡­ barely able to keep my seat and just nod towards Lan. Then I hear a magically enhanced voice.


    ¡°Ladies and Gentlemen, we are finally ready to start the final for our newest tamers this year,¡± shouts the announcer to the cheers of the crowd. ¡°Our finalist are Axel Darkstorm, heir to the Darkstorm family, with his Black Mist Spider, ARACHNE!¡± loud cheers from around the stadium. ¡°And with a huge upset, the commoner with nothing common about her, Aria Tanner with her Ice Kumiho, YAKO!¡± Once this is announced, a colossal wave of cheers from the audience rocks the stadium. But one look toward where the Royals and Nobles are seated show a quite fury directed towards this girl that dare challenge their superiority.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    When I hear who¡¯s fighting Axel in the finales, I am shocked to hear it is a commoner. The Royals and Nobles are the by far the strongest and for someone not of the Blood to beat out all of them before her and make it to the finales is quite amazing. That is not even taking into account her Kumiho which is a beautiful pure white fox monster with nine tails caped in ice. Kumiho are a variant of the standard Ice Fox that most people don¡¯t tame due to it having a high spirit level is quite weak compared to the other monsters in its range, and it takes forever to get it to evolve into a variant if it will at all that is. These thoughts flashed through my mind when¡­


    ¡°Rules are the same as all the previous rounds. No kill shots and first to knock out, make the other tamer forfeit, or if the judges believe a killing blow could have been given it will be counted as a win,¡± continues the announcer. ¡°READY?!!¡± Axel nods and draws two black daggers. Aria nods and casts a magic, and an ice spear appears in her hands. ¡°START!¡±


    Before the announcer even finished saying start an explosion of ice came from the tail of Yako aimed at Arachne, as this was happening Aria charged towards Axel with her spear leveled at his heart. But Arachne jumped before the ice could hit her when she reached the maximum height of her jump she curled into a ball and seemed to squeeze herself. A black mist issued forth from her body blanketing the area below. From above I could still make out what was going on, but I couldn¡¯t imagine what the combatants being able to see. As soon as the black mist settled around Axel and just before Aria pierced him with her spear. Axel seemed to disappear with a smirk on his face. Aria stunned stopped her thrust before over-committing to the strike and slipped into a defensive stance. At the same time, Yako sent out a wave of freezing wind to clear the mist just as Arachne landed on his back and bit him to inject her venom. Seeing this Aria turns to help Yako but before can run to help Axel seems to step out of her shadow with one dagger at her throat and another pressed to her side.


    Aria freezes, and the announcer calls out, ¡°The match is over, Axel wins with a potential killing move!¡± The crowd cheers wildly with the seemingly one-sided match.


    ¡°Wow, that was amazing, how the hell did he do that?¡± Lan asks once he was done cheering himself ragged.


    ¡°I think he used an advanced dark magic Shadow Hide,¡± I answer remembering Axel always talking about that spell when we were kids. ¡°It allows him to slip into his own shadow for a few seconds if I remember right. But the problem is that you can¡¯t move while in the shadow, so that is probably why he used the dark mist to obscure his shadow, and waited until she was distracted with Yako being attacked before attacking. Honestly, she may have won if she didn¡¯t let her monster distract her from the fight.¡±


    Lan just stares at me with a blank look on his face. ¡°How do you know all that?¡± he asks still staring at me.


    ¡°Oh¡­ um¡­ I just liked Tamer fights growing up, so I just learned a few things by watching,¡± I explained hastily.


    ¡°Ah, that makes sense I liked watching them too. I guess I just didn¡¯t pay much attention back then,¡± says Lan with his attention back on the area.


    They were rewarding Axel with a medal now. This seems to make him very proud because he¡¯s waving it up for his parents to see in the Royal¡¯s viewing area. I look up without thinking about it and see his parents waving back, and that¡¯s when I notice right above Axel''s parents are mine. They are smiling and waving back down at Axel too¡­ they seem happy. A kind of boiling hatred starts to build up in my body. The thought of them happy and cheering sends me into a spiral of anger as I have never known before. They had their child enslaved only a few months ago, and there they are enjoying themselves.


    Before I do something stupid, I get up to leave without saying a word and head back to the sewers. I was right, I wasn¡¯t ready to see them, but now I know it¡¯s with anger more than sadness that I feel towards them and that I am likely to attack them in blind hatred before I can stop myself. The primal part of me glories in the thought of attacking them, but the more logical side recognizes that as a Zero I have no chance even to touch them. These dark thoughts and simmering anger stay with me until I reach the kennel¡¯s and lay on my hay pile to cry in loss and anger.


    A few hours later Lan walks in and asks,¡±What happened? You missed the Emperor fighting that Axel guy¡¯s mother. It was the most exciting and scary fight I have ever saw. It was like two gods fighting before my very eyes.¡± Lan has a faraway look in his eyes near the end.


    ¡°I started to feel sick from all that food. Didn¡¯t want to ruin the fun by throwing up, so I left,¡± I explain hurriedly with the excuse I thought up a while ago. And with some trepidation, ¡°Who won?¡±


    ¡°Norix Firestorm, he¡¯ll be Emperor for another year. Isn¡¯t that 14 years now?¡± Lan wonders.


    ¡°15¡­ I¡¯m tired, so I¡¯ll talk to you tomorrow Lan, Night,¡± I said.


    ¡°Yeah Night,¡± says Lan as he walks off to his pile.


    I turn over and attempt to fall asleep.

 Chapter 11

    The next morning I was still laying in bed having not slept the whole night. It turns out finding out that I hate my parents to the point that I would attack them on sight is quite a lot of baggage, and sorting through it all took a lot of time, all night in fact. And I would have kept on sorting through it if it wasn¡¯t for the fact that Nars just walked in looking and smelling like he spent the night sleeping under a bar.


    ¡°Ok, now all of you come here and be quiet about it. Now¡­ normally after the New Years, you would all help out cleaning on the surface, but the wardens from all the Zero work zones in the city got together and made a plan. East Zone and us, North Zone, will clean the sewers under the main entertainment sections. While your down there, the other zones will sweep everything into the sewers. So that means everyone is to work the North and NorthWest tunnels today,¡± Nars said all that in a raspy whisper then walked out of the kennels.


    Unlike my usual routine, I¡¯m not the first one out the door today to get food, but instead, I decide I am still not ready to face the day. So, I went and laid back down on my ¡®bed¡¯ for just a little bit longer.


    After what felt like a few minutes, Lan nudges me with his foot and says, ¡°Hey, if you¡¯re going to get some food today you should probably leave soon,¡± then walks over to where he usually eats.


    With no other choice, I get up and make my way over to the chow hall and back with what I, unfortunately, after yesterday''s food, remember is just on the edge of being called edible. Today¡¯s fair consisted of the ever-present green bread, red mush, and what do you know something squishy and aqua maybe? I¡¯m not sure. I¡¯m just glad I hid away those apples yesterday under my hay pile when I got back. And the best part is if I wait for everyone to leave before me I won¡¯t have to give up any to Bur. I will have to ration it out to make sure they last a long as possible, but I will bring one with me today for Notch and the other Slimes I meet. They¡¯ll probably like to eat something other than trash, sewage, or the green bread¡­ looking at it now I¡¯m not sure which is worse.


    With all these happy thoughts I walk through the kennel doors and come face to face with Bur.


    ¡°Ah, good you¡¯re the last one,¡± said Bur as he scraped all my brown stuff onto his tray and then waves me off.


    Without looking back, I head back to the middle of the room and sit down to eat. Lan walks over and sits next to me in companionable silence.


    ¡°Want to work together today?¡± Lan asks when I¡¯m about halfway done with my food.


    ¡°Sure that sounds great,¡± I say. I feel kind of excited about this because I¡¯m still starved for some human interaction, so I readily agreed without much thought. I still eat slowly waiting for everyone else to leave before finally getting up and heading over to my pile. ¡°Hey, keep this from Bur, and you can have one,¡± I say as I take out a bag of apples.


    ¡°Nice how¡¯d you sneak that in here? I tried to bring some fruit in also, but Bur¡¯s lackeys were checking everyone on the way in,¡± Lan says with a laugh.


    ¡°I was the first one back they probably didn¡¯t see anything near me and assumed I didn¡¯t bring anything back,¡± I answer with a smile. ¡°But that¡¯s not an answer to my question.¡±


    ¡°One apple for my silence seems a little steep. How about two?¡± says Lan with some cheek in his voice.


    ¡°Two it is, but then you have to keep one more secret later,¡± I say as I toss him two apples.


    ¡°Deal,¡± Lan says while deftly catching the apples.


    I pocket one of the apples for the slimes, and we head over to the supply room then out into the NorthWest tunnels. On the way to the tunnel crossroad, sure enough, Notch is waiting for me on the ceiling like every day these last few months. When he senses me, he drops down to the floor. Which causes Lan to scream like a little girl, to my eminence delight.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ¡°What the fuck¡­¡± Yell¡¯s Lan after he catches his breath.


    After I get my laughing under control, ¡°This is the other secret I wanted you to keep. Meet Notch, I¡¯ve been feeding him, and he¡¯s taken a liking to me.¡± While explaining this, I break off half the apple for the little guy and toss it straight into his body. After the apple starts to dissolve Notch wiggles at me in thanks which makes me laugh some more. I have no idea how he can convey so much emotion in wiggles, but he somehow does it.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been keeping a pet slime? I can¡¯t believe you¡¯ve been wasting your food on a slime. If you weren¡¯t going to eat all your food, you should have given it to me. You wannabe Tamer,¡± Lan says in disbelief. Notch doesn¡¯t seem to like being called a pet and wiggles at Lan angrily.


    ¡°I enjoy it so leave it be, plus you already promised to keep it a secret so just deal with it. Let¡¯s go, I¡¯m starting to get itchy,¡± I responded back with a little more bite to my words then I intended.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, no need to get so touchy, I¡¯ll keep my word about your little pet,¡± Lan waves off my response to another angry wiggle. ¡±Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Notch,¡± I beckon towards the slime and follow after Lan into the North West tunnels.


    After a few hours clearing out clogs and other such disgusting things, you find in the sewers with no real incidents except when I was standing under a utility hole cleaning when the Zeros above dumped their trash right onto my head. This, of course, caused great waves of laughter from Lan and a weird wiggle that I think was Notch laughing at me¡­ or maybe asking if I was going to eat all of it¡­ either way. Quite a bit of yelling up at the other Zeros and sulking at the embarrassment happened after that then we went back to work.


    We get to the end of one the branching tunnels and a small clog when I yell back to Lan, ¡°Hey, why don¡¯t you go on and start heading back I¡¯ll clear this up and follow.¡±


    ¡°You sure we could just finish faster if we worked together?¡± Asked Lan but by the looks of it, it was more from courtesy than a want to stay.


    ¡°Yeah I got it, there isn¡¯t much room over here for two anyways. Just make sure to get me food if I¡¯m not back in time for dinner,¡± I respond.


    ¡°Sounds good, see you in a bit,¡± Lan says while turning back the way we came and waving.


    ¡°Yeah, see ya,¡± I yell to Lan then in a quieter but cheerful voice I say to Notch, ¡°Why don¡¯t you take the other half of this apple and take off too. You can go and do whatever a slime like you does when he¡¯s not following me around all day.¡±


    Notch does his nod of a wiggle, and I toss the other apple right into him. After another happy wiggle, he goes on his way down back the way we came, and I get to work.


    It only takes me a few minutes to clear the clog and start to head back towards the kennels. When I¡¯m about halfway home, I begin to hear giggling and laughter down one of the side tunnels. Being curious I decided to find the source.


    It didn¡¯t take long until I came upon a scene that causes me to freeze in my tracks. There¡¯s Bur with his girlfriend that I never bothered to learn the name of, and they are taking turns hitting Notch with their brooms while Bur¡¯s lackeys watch and make sure he can¡¯t escape.


    ¡°Ha, Look at the nasty slime try to get away get him, Bur, before he gets away,¡± Yells Bur''s girlfriend while laughing and pointing.


    ¡°I got him, Eda he won¡¯t get away until we¡¯ve had our fun don¡¯t worry,¡± says Bur with a wink towards his girlfriend and a vicious smile towards Notch.


    ¡°Hey, try and toss him into the air I want to see if I can hit his core like a ball,¡± Eda says excitedly.


    Bur just nods with a smile and switches how he is holding the broom as to use the bristles to help throw it towards her. This action seems to wake me from my horror, and I run towards Bur with my broom, and before anyone can warn him or he can toss up Notch I smash my broom handle across his head. My handle breaks and happens to spin off and hit Eda in the face making her cry out as Bur falls to the ground.


    Unfortunately, Bur isn¡¯t knocked out just dazed, and before I can hit him again, he¡¯s on his feet and turns towards me just as one of his lackeys tackles me to the ground. He storms towards me with more anger and hatred in his eyes then I have ever seen in anyone before. When he gets in front of me, his lackey gets off me.


    ¡°What in the fuck do you think you are doing? Did you just hit me in the head with a fucking broom and hit Eda?¡± each of these questions is yelled and punctuated with a kick in the stomach. ¡°I am going to beat you half to death for this Nox.¡±


    The kicks kept coming and not from just Bur now. It seemed everyone but Eda joined in for from the sound of it she was still crying in the corner. I tried to weather the beating and got up onto my hands and knees that¡¯s when the last thing I say was a boot smashing into my nose then there was just pain then nothing¡­ again.

 Chapter 12

    I kept coming in and out of consciousness for a long time at first I was in a lot of pain, but it felt like I was being carried by something very soft, and all I saw was some flashes of colors. Next, I was hard floor again still in pain, and there was something purple in front of me. Then it felt like I was floating in some sort of thick liquid with flashes of white and purple and the pain was diminishing. When I finally came to, I thought I was still in the sewers where Bur beat me, but it was slightly off. First of all, I don¡¯t hear the ever-present sewer water running by, and the lighting is off. Secondly, sewer tunnels that I work in have Light Globes everywhere, and so a soft white glow permeates the tunnels, but here the light is a sickly green color. So, I can¡¯t be where I was beaten. I guess I¡¯ll have to sit up and try to endure the pain from the beating I just got and take a look around.


    It takes me a second after I sit up to realize I am in no pain, but that can¡¯t be right¡­ I didn¡¯t just dream that I had the shit kicked out of me did I¡­ No, I¡¯m not in the kennels so something happened and I still don¡¯t know where I am. The bricks on the wall look the same as in the sewer, so I guess I am still there. I finally look towards the ceiling and the green light only to let out a little yelp. The ceiling is covered in Slimes of all shades and colors. The light is coming from a weird green glowing slime that I have never heard of or seen before.


    While I am focused on all the Slimes above me, I fail to notice Notch coming into the room until I feel him taping on my leg and look down at the small slime.


    ¡°Uh, hey there Notch, um¡­ where am I? Wait, why am I asking you, you can¡¯t talk,¡± I nervously stammer out. I know that the Slimes have always been docile or even friendly to me but having possibly hundreds of monsters that can dissolve your skin right above your head can be quite bad for the nerves.


    Notch just does his weird stretch wave thing and starts to leave the room. I guess he wants me to follow him. Without much else to do, other than stare up at all the Slimes, I walk out of the room and catch up to Notch. We are traveling down a tunnel now still away from the running water of the main sewer tunnels, and on the ceiling, there is a glowing slime every few feet. I wonder if they are there just for me? From what I know of Slimes, which granted isn¡¯t much because I always thought I would be a powerful tamer with no need for a Slime monster, they don¡¯t see the world with any sort of eyes but with mana sense. So, they wouldn¡¯t need a light right? Okay, does it matter brain quit wandering and focus I am in an unknown part of the sewer with so many Slimes around, that it would make a Spirit level 30 Tamer nervous.


    I need to find a way back to the kennels and soon. I am starting to get itchy and hungry. I wonder how long I was out and why am I not itcher? Maybe, it was because I was incapable of following the orders, so my soul recognized that but now that I am conscious again and able to walk it wants me to head back to the kennels. Maybe that¡¯s where Notch is leading me.


    I continue following Notch for maybe fifteen minutes through a somewhat twisty path until we reach a large room with lots of Glow Slimes, as I have decided to name them, on the walls and ceiling. With two of the largest Slimes, I have ever seen in the middle of the room one purple with a lot of cores in it and the other white with a crown on its head. From the pictures in books that I have seen, I think the big purple one is a Queen Slime, and the white one is a Holy Royal Slime. They are both what is considered the highest known evolution of Slimes with Spirit levels in the range from 170-200.


    When I enter the room after Notch, the Royal Slimes do a wiggle greeting with Notch and then turn towards me. They both start to shift there slime around until I¡¯m looking at two humanoid shaped slimes, and then the Holy Royal Slime speaks.


    ¡°Welcome, human. You are the first guest that we have ever had in our home deep in the sewers,¡± the Holy Royal Slime says with a voice similar to someone talking with a small amount of water in their mouth and a small nod of its head. ¡°This is my mate, Gloop, and I am, Ooze, we were the ones that healed you by the request of this and a lot of the other abandoned Slimes that we have taken into our care.¡±


    The whole time the slime was talking, I just stared at them. A Slime¡­ was talking, not just responding with some sort of gesture, but actually talking. Slimes can¡¯t speak, in fact, most monsters can¡¯t. It¡¯s mostly just the demonic branch that can talk, but that¡¯s just them parroting what they¡¯ve heard before. Other than that it¡¯s only the most ancient and powerful monsters that can speak, like Elder Dragons. But never Slimes.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    With a laugh, the Queen Slime, Gloop, says in a voice like she had peanut butter in her mouth, ¡°Ooze, I don¡¯t think the human has heard a word you said. He seems to be stunned that we are talking.¡±


    ¡°I guess you are right Gloop. It is probably rather strange for him to hear a monster talk,¡± says Ooze sounding offended. ¡°Now, human I will explain everything if you will pay attention and not stare at us like we are a pair of freaks, or if you wish I could just kill and eat you now¡­ and not necessarily in that order.¡±


    This gets my attention right away, and I stammer with a little bit of whine in my voice, ¡°I promise you have my full and undivided attention. Just please, don¡¯t eat me.¡±


    ¡°Ooze, you scared the poor thing,¡± scolded Gloop while hitting Ooze with a tentacle-like appendage. ¡°Apologize now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry human, we won¡¯t eat you,¡± says Ooze while his feet melt under him in what I would assume is sham.


    ¡°Uh¡­. thanks,¡± I get out not trusting him at all on that.


    ¡°Anyways, now that you¡¯re listening, we can talk due to us watching and then copying you humans from above and the ones that clean our sewers like yourself. It took many long years, but we figured out the knack of it. Now, that we have told you how we can talk, I would imagine you would like to know where you are and how you came to be here,¡± Ooze explains.


    ¡°I would please, and I¡¯m sorry for being so rude for not listening earlier and for staring,¡± I say no less scared knowing these things were smart enough to learn how to talk, but I figure it¡¯s better to be polite to the monsters that can kill you in a blink of an eye.


    ¡°You were brought to us by this Slime here, with the broken core, and many other Slimes on death''s doorstep. But with Ooze¡¯s magic, we were able to heal you completely. That is after it was explained to us that you have not only been feeding the slimes, but you came to the defense of this one when a few others of your kind were attacking him,¡± explains Gloop while Ooze seems to preen at the mention of his magic.


    ¡°So, Notch brought me to you guys to heal me?¡± I asked confused.


    ¡°Notch? Oh, this Green Slime, yeah that¡¯s the gist of it human,¡± says Ooze.


    ¡°Thank you so much, to all of you for healing me and bringing me here,¡± I say with as much gratitude I can put into my voice. Notch does a kind of shrug wiggle as if to say it was no problem, then another wiggle that seemed to say thank you for helping me. Again, I am amazed at how much info he seems to put into his wiggles. ¡±But where am I?¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes, you are in our home, The Deep Sewer Dungeon,¡± says Gloop with I guess a smile hard to tell on a slime face.


    ¡°Wait¡­ I am in a dungeon? But the only dungeon I know of in the city of Ignus is the Sky Fire Dungeon,¡± I say even more scared now knowing I¡¯m in a dungeon. Dungeon monsters are usually driven to attack all intruders so as to protect the core, and if this is a dungeon, I can only guess I¡¯m in the Boss Room now.


    ¡°Well, if you listened before you would know that you are the first guest we have ever had into our dungeon,¡± says Ooze sarcastically.


    ¡°But you''re supposed to attack me to protect the core, right?¡± I asked confused and for some reason asking why the powerful monsters are not attacking me¡­ good job Nox.


    ¡°You want us to attack you?¡± says Gloop confused.


    ¡°No, no, no, um¡­ I was just confused I only ever heard of dungeon um¡­ monsters¡­ attacking humans that enter them,¡± I ask hoping that calling them monsters won¡¯t offend them.


    ¡°Oh, yes, that is normally true, but you were brought in by dungeon monsters as a guest, and as long as you don¡¯t show any danger towards one of us or to the core we won¡¯t attack you,¡± explains Gloop with another slime smile.


    ¡°Well there is one other reason,¡± said Ooze. ¡°The Dungeon Core would like to speak to you. I don¡¯t know why but I do know it has something to do with this Green Slime, what did you call him¡­ that¡¯s right Notch.¡±


    Notch seemed to be squirming around in anticipation while Ooze and Gloop explained this part of the story. He kept sliding over to a doorway behind Ooze and Gloop then back again.


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s where the Dungeon Core is?¡± I ask to which both Ooze and Gloop nod. ¡°And what exactly do I do when I get in there?¡±


    ¡°Well you just put your hand on the core, and it¡¯ll do the rest human,¡± said Ooze in a condescending voice.


    ¡°Okay¡­,¡± is all I can say to that and I follow Notch over to the core room. I guess I just go touch the Core and hope I don¡¯t die, got it.


    ¡°Bye human, the core will probably transport you to the start of the dungeon. Come by and visit again anytime,¡± Say Gloop while waving her tentacle arm at me.


    ¡°Yeah, bye human, don¡¯t die,¡± Ooze says the last part as if he wants the opposite to happen. I must have annoyed him by not listening to him.


    ¡°Bye, thank you for healing me again, and I¡¯ll try Gloop,¡± I wave back and then go through the door into the Core room.

 Chapter 13

    I opened the door and froze at the sight of the room. It was¡­ disappointing, the room was small only about three feet wide, two feet deep, and 7 feet tall. The only thing in the room being a kind of brick pedestal with a purple and white fist-sized sphere sitting on it that I can only assume is the dungeon core. This sight goes against everything I¡¯ve ever been told about core rooms before. My father used to tell me stories of the different core rooms he¡¯s seen, and they were always described as being wondrous and in most cases magical. Like the Rainbow Fairy Dungeon who¡¯s core room apparently gigantic forest that makes you feel like a small fairy walking among the toadstools, or shrunk you down with magic in a standard sized forest my father wasn¡¯t sure which, with the core sitting in the middle of a pond surrounded by a fairy ring. There was also the dungeon that my former families home was built upon, The Sky Fire Dungeon, that I¡¯ve been told has a colossal magma dragon statue that holds a large red core in its¡¯ claws. But this is the first, and probably last, core room I¡¯ve ever been to so this may be how they normally look and the ones I¡¯ve been told about are the exceptions.


    While I¡¯m busy gawking at the core room in disbelief at how underwhelming it is, Notch is sliming his way over to the brick pedestal and starts to climb up it. When he gets to the core, he climbs on top of the Core and then wiggles in impatience and stretches out to wave me over. With a small laugh at the weird little slime, I make my way over and touch the core.


    <table width="1685">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td> </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What the fuck was that, Is all I can think as I jump back away from the Core and stare at my hand. Was that a screen? Did I just see a screen? That can¡¯t be right I¡¯m a zero, I¡¯m blind to God¡¯s will and the system, I couldn¡¯t have just seen a screen. But unless I¡¯m hallucinating, and I¡¯m not ruling that out, that was a screen, but there is only one way to find out. I finally look up at the core and Notch, who is wiggling at me with exasperation and laughter. Feeling a little sheepish and a little embarrassed but excited I approach the pedestal with some fear and excitement. I reach out and touch the core, and the screen reappears.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Glub blub gurgle gargle plop.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Really!?! I finally see a system screen and a dungeon core only speaks Slime¡­¡± I start with a shout and end saying this in a whisper of depression.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>I just messing with you human, I¡¯ve never talked to anyone other than my Slimes before so thought I would have a little bit of fun. Hope you don¡¯t mind.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Uh¡­ It¡¯s uh¡­ no problem¡­¡± I say bewildered about what¡¯s going on.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Good, didn¡¯t care either way honestly. But anyways, I wanted to talk to you because well you interest me.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°O...kay,¡± now even more confused why is a Core interested with me?


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>You see the reason you have sparked my curiosity is that all my Slimes except Gloop and Ooze out there are what I think you humans call abandoned, or as I have started calling it soul torn. This has caused a lot of them to mistrust or even hate humans, but for some reason, they seem to like you. Why is that?</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°The only reason I can think for them to like me is that I feed them some of my food most days. But why do you call it Soul Torn? That sounds a little harsh. They have just been released after their Tamer became strong enough to tame a new monster. That doesn¡¯t seem to bad,¡± I say while thinking about it I have to ask. ¡°If anything wouldn¡¯t the monsters rather be abandoned or released so they can return to the wilds?¡±


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Not so bad. NOT SO BAD! Do you understand what taming does to monsters?</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Makes it so the Tamer can control and harness their powers?¡± I state now unsure of the what I always been taught.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>It makes their soul only wish to serve and protect their Tamer. When the Tamer breaks this bond for any reason, like taming a stronger monster, an emptiness is formed in their soul. This causes one of three things happen to the monster, they start to crave for another Tamer, they grow to hate humans for hurting them so, or they lose all sanity attacking themselves and anything around them. Monsters are rarely ever able to recover from the third option. This Slime here is one of the few that I have taken in that has been able to recover from madness, but as you can see, he didn¡¯t come out of it unscathed.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°That sounds horrible. I¡¯m sorry¡­ I, I didn¡¯t know. I never even thought about it to be honest¡­,¡± I say with a look of horror and sadness on my face as I look at Notch¡¯s cracked core.


    But if what the Core says is true, and I have no reason to think it¡¯s lying, then this explains so many different things. Like why the monsters in the ¡®used¡¯ monster stores never try to attack the customers, they are trying to fill this emptiness in their soul with another bond. Then there are the cases of abandoned monsters becoming more aggressive after being released, these are usually sold to the arena¡¯s to be used for different events. But there have been cases of monsters that seem attack everything with no concern for its¡¯ life or body, in these cases they are put down as soon as possible before they do to much damage. I have never even considered this from the monsters point of view. I have always just seen them as a kind of tool for Tamers to be used then discarded if something better comes along.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>I can tell that you at least partially understand what monsters have to go through due to the treatment humans give them. But this leads back to my main point. Why do my slimes, who for the most part hate humans, like you enough to bring you into their home and even heal you? I do not believe it is because you fed them some food when there is plenty of that to go around. What makes you special?</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know then. All I ever did was feed them and talk to them. That is except for Notch there I did give him a name and saved him from Bur,¡± I say while trying to think of anything that makes me special. ¡°I¡¯m a Zero, there¡¯s nothing special about me anymore.¡±


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Zero? Ah, Notch here tells me that¡¯s what you humans that work in the sewer are called but he doesn¡¯t know what it means. Is it a title or something?</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°It means I have no Spirit level and so can not see God¡¯s will, system screens, or at least any screen that isn¡¯t a Dungeon Core speech screen apparently,¡± I explain with a deadpan voice. I still don¡¯t like to think about it even after all this time.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>What God? These are just system screens every being should have access to it. Just think status or something and it should work.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think I have tried that, every minute of every day that I have found out I was a Zero. It doesn¡¯t work and unless Niwrad, the one true God, forgives humans for our weakness I will continue to be a Zero for the rest of my, most likely short and miserable, life!¡± I shout at the core with the beginnings of tears in my eyes.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>I don¡¯t know what all that stuff about a God means but I can see your stats just fine. I will admit it is weird that you don¡¯t have any Spirit Levels but let me try something.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    After about a minute a new screen appears.


    <table style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Name: Nox</td>


    <td>Spirit Level: 0</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Skills: None</td>


    <td>Magic: None</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Tamed Monsters: None</td>


    <td>Monster Skills: N/A                      </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>Soul Bound: Nars Quikslev</td>


    <td> </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    This¡­ this is my status screen. I can see my status screen! And my name it says Nox not my old name. How did the system know I have forsaken my old name? I guess it doesn¡¯t matter I guess. This also proves that I do have zero Spirit Levels... but don¡¯t Dungeon Cores have the ability to give Spirit Levels?


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Hello??? Human, did it work?</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Huh?¡± I just noticed the Core was trying to ask if I could see my status screen for the last few minutes. With some trepidation and a whole lot of hope, ¡°Yeah, it worked¡­ but I was wondering¡­ could you give me a Spirit Level?¡±


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Finally, I¡¯m glad it worked. As for gifting you a Spirit Level, well you are correct as a Dungeon Core I can use some of my power to give a Spirit Level to Tamers or Monsters¡­ But I can¡¯t give you any.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°What? Why? I¡¯ll do anything for you please just take this curse away from me! Please¡­,¡± I cry out and clutch the core with both my hands with my head on the pedestal now.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>You don¡¯t understand. When you first said you couldn¡¯t see your screen I thought that might be the problem so I tried to give you a Spirit Level but it didn¡¯t work.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    This news broke me. I collapsed onto the floor into a ball and just cried. I don¡¯t even know why I allowed myself to hope that I could change my fate. I saw what I thought was the light at the end of the tunnel, that is my life, only to find out it was a Angler Behemoth, a giant monster with a light on its head that lives underground. This is worse than when I first found out I was a Zero. I stayed there on the floor crying in a ball for what must have been an hour. Completely unresponsive to Notch, who must of slimed his way down next to me and tried to get my attention. I would have stayed that way for who knows how if it wasn''t due to my soul itch, that has been building since I woke up here, was becoming so unbearable that I couldn¡¯t ignore it anymore. I need to head back to the kennels and back to reality. This is when I finally notice Notch trying to get my attention by tapping me on the back.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry little guy, but I have to go can you show me the way back?¡± I ask Notch.


    Notch just shakes his slime body back and forth as if to say no and then points up at the core.


    ¡°Oh, Gloop did say he would probably teleport me out of the dungeon,¡± I say while I get up and put my hand on the core again.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Back to the land of the living? Don¡¯t you think that was a little overboard?</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°No, I do not. I had hope for the first time in months only to see it crumble in front of me. Now I have to go back to being a slave in this godforsaken sewer. Gloop said you could send me out of the dungeon? If you can please do,¡± I snarl.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>Well, I could send you back, but I thought you would want to hear an idea that Notch and I had.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t¡­ I couldn¡¯t go through gaining hope again only to lose it. I¡­ I think it would destroy me. Just please send me back,¡± I say with tears still making tracks down my face.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>One last try but I need you to understand something.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I just stare at the Core, which Notch has climbed back on top of, and finally nod my head numbly.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>I am only trying to do this because Notch asked me too, and this will only have a chance of working if you both consent to it.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Consent to what?¡± I ask with unbidden hope starting to build in my chest again.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>For Notch to be your partner.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>

 Chapter 14

    I stare dumbly at the core. After about a minute I stammer out, ¡°My partner? Like as a tamed monster? But you just said you couldn¡¯t give me a Soul Level¡­¡±


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Well, it¡¯s not precisely like taming a monster. There will be no soul bond only a mutual partnership. Notch can choose to leave at any time and so can you without the soul tearing business. He¡¯ll share his soul level with you and Notch will get to get stronger with you, or something like that I¡¯m not sure he didn¡¯t tell me why he wanted to do this. This, of course, is only true if it works, and I¡¯m just guessing on some of these parts.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°You want to be my partner Notch? This may not change your life at all I still have that Soul Bond with Nars and have to follow what he says,¡± I don¡¯t want to scare off the little slime, but I feel like I need to make this clear from the onset. But I didn¡¯t have to worry about anything Notch just does his nod wiggle. With excitement, I say, ¡°Okay, Core I consent to be partners with Notch.¡±


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Notch do you consent?


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Another nod wiggle from Notch.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Okay with that out of the way you¡¯re now married congratulations! You may kiss the bride Human.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°What!? Did I just agree to marry a Slime?¡± I shout staring daggers at the Core. That is until I see Notch doing a weird laughing wiggle. ¡°You¡¯re messing with me again aren''t you?¡±


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    I couldn''t help myself you¡¯re so easy. Are all humans as gullible as you?


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    All I can do is mumble angrily I don¡¯t yell off the one thing that could change my life over and over while Notch and the core are having their laugh.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Anyways, I do have two more conditions before I try this.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Anything,¡± I say almost instantly.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Really human? Anything? You know how much will power it¡¯s taking me not to screw with you again? You¡¯re lucky these conditions are important to me. First, whether this works or not, you are to disclose the location or information about this dungeon to no one. I don¡¯t want my Slimes to be injured, killed or retamed by any humans that you tell about this place. Second, if this does work, you are not to tell anyone about this unless I permit you. You will do a System Oath confirming these conditions.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°The first I understand, but I don¡¯t understand the second condition. We could help all the Zeros in the Empire have a better life. This can change everything,¡± I say with some confusion.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    There are a few reasons for this condition. First and foremost for this is that if there is any chance at all of this working the monster and human have to completely consent to be each other''s partners instead of how Tamers are with a master-servant relationship. Can you see most humans being able to do this? Secondly, I don¡¯t want to be the reason that every dungeon core being bothered by humans to give them a monster partner.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°I still don¡¯t agree with the reasoning too much, but I will agree to these conditions. How do I do a System Oath and what are the consequences if I break this oath?¡± I only wavered on this decision for a second. I really want this, but I have never heard of a System Oath before.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    It¡¯s easy just say out loud in a clear voice I whatever your name is, swear to the System that I will never willingly tell anyone or anything the location or information of Dungeon #6283k and what the secret is to gaining a monster partner unless Dungeon #6283k gives permission otherwise. You should then get a system notification asking if you wish to make this oath, just hit yes and that¡¯s it. As for the consequences, the system will block you from willingly break this oath, but if you continue to try and break it, you will die.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I will admit this made me hesitate for a few minutes. Breaking this oath will kill me¡­ but it sounds like I have to try and break it, so I decided to just go with it.


    In a loud, clear voice, I say, ¡°I Nox, swear to the System that I will never willingly tell anyone or anything the location or information of Dungeon #6283k and what the secret is to gaining a monster partner unless Dungeon #6283k gives permission otherwise.¡±


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2">


    Do you wish to make this oath to Dungeon #6283k?


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    YES


    </td>


    <td>


    NO


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I select yes, and another screen pops up.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    You have made an oath to Dungeon #6283k. If you wish to be released from this oath, you must gain permission from Dungeon #6283k or a system administrator.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    What is a system administrator? Is that God? Or maybe some kind of divine being?


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Okay, let¡¯s see if this works. Are you two ready?


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Notch and I both nod one of us with more of a wiggle than the other but my knees are shaking so bad that could be me. The Core starts to glow so bright that it¡¯s blinding and then darkness. That is until...


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2">


    Do you wish to make a pact of partnership with Basic Green Slime, Notch? WARNING: This pact must be accepted by both parties involved. The average Spirit Level from both parties will be distributed to both parties not to be less than one.


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    YES


    </td>


    <td>


    NO


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    With an almost giddy excitement, I hit the yes button again, and another screen pops into view.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    You have made a Pact of Partnership with Basic Green Slime, Notch, this pact may be broken by either partner at any time not in a life or death situation except with the permission of the System Administrator.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Again with the System Administrator. Before I can think about this some more another screen appears that makes me shout in joy.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Due to being recognized as Sentient Being by the System the Soul Bind made by Nars Quikslev will be broken. Due to the oath to Dungeon #6283k Nars Quikslev will not be notified as to the reason the Soul Bind was broken.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I pick Notch up and start dancing in a circle with him in excitement. Unfortunately, it is hard to keep a grip on a ball of green slime, and I drop him¡­ not the best way to celebrate a new partnership. After a minute of Notch berating me with different wiggles, he forgives me and then slimes up onto my shoulder and points to the Core.


    ¡°Ah, yes I guess we should thank the Core,¡± I say to Notch and put my hand back on the Core.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Done celebrating? Did everything work out? Can you check your status now?


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Yeah, it worked thank you, but I haven¡¯t checked to see yet,¡± with that said, I think ¡®status.¡¯


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Name: Nox


    </td>


    <td>


    Spirit Level: 1


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Health: 10


    </td>


    <td>


    Mana: 10


    1 mp/per hour


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Skills:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sense Level 0</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    <td>


    Magic:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana Bolt Level 0</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Partnered Monsters:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notch (Basic Green Slime)</li>


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Spirit Level: 1</li>


    </ol>


    </ol>


    </td>


    <td>


    Partnered Monsters Skills/Magic:


    Notch:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sight Level 10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sense Level 10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Dissolve MAX</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana Bolt Level 5</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Tamed Monster: None


    </td>


    <td>


    Tamed Monsters Skills/Magic: NA


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°I can check my status now thank you again,¡± I say through tears of joy. ¡°But I don¡¯t understand half of it.¡±


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    You should thank Notch I would never have done this otherwise. Just remember your oath and watch out for him and I¡¯ll consider us even. As for your status screen, if you tap on the different options, it¡¯ll give you an explanation. But don¡¯t do that now it¡¯ll take forever.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I nod to the Core and have Notch slid onto my palms so I can look at him and say, ¡°Thank you, Notch, you have changed my life in a way I thought was impossible. Thank you.¡± This doesn¡¯t even scratch the surface of my gratitude towards the little slime, but it is all I am able to vocalize.


    As for Notch he just wiggles at me as if to say he understands how I feel and that is was no problem we¡¯re friends¡­ How I got all that from just wiggles, I don¡¯t know, but it was there. So, I just nod and allow him to get back on my shoulder and put one of my hands back on the Core.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Well if you two are done being all sentimental, I have one last to ask. Do you want to teleport out now or stay the night and leave in the morning?


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I look at my partner, and he just does his shrug so I say, ¡°Tomorrow, I don¡¯t think I¡¯d be able to go too far now this day has been physically and emotionally draining. It¡¯ll give me a chance to become familiar with my status screen also.¡±


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Sounds good Notch should be able to lead you back to the room you woke up in see you in a few hours.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I set Notch down and wave back to the Core, ¡°Thanks again see you in the morning.¡± and walk out following Notch. In the boss room, Gloop and Ooze are waiting for me.


    ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t expecting to see you again so soon human,¡± says Ooze. ¡°But the Core still has you marked as a guest, so I guess I don¡¯t get to eat you¡­ too bad.¡±


    Gloop swats at him then says, ¡°You look tired dear we can talk tomorrow just follow Notch, and he¡¯ll lead you back to your room.¡±


    Gloop waves me off, and Ooze does too after Gloop hits him again. I just wave back and laugh in my head at the weird duo of Slimes and follow Notch once again. When we get back to the room, I woke up in earlier there is now a straw mattress laying on the floor, so I say to the air, ¡°Thanks for the bed Dungeon.¡± And lay down on it and start going through my status screen section by section. After I read through it all, I go to sleep, and for the first time in months, I am looking forward to tomorrow.


    These are the status screen descriptions.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Name is your Name did you really just ask what your Name was?


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    I guess I deserved that...


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Spirit Level is the amount of Spirit power you can wield. Each Spirit Level gives 10 Health and Mana.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Health gives a general measure of your wellbeing. If this reaches zero, you will die.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Mana measures how much magic you can use. If this reaches zero, you will become unable to function until you restore at least one point. Restore rate depends on how easily you can cycle mana through your body.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Skills are either earned through hard work in a Profession or given through bonding with a Monster.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Weak Mana Sense allows you to sense the flows of mana around you. At level 0 you are unable to use this skill.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Mana Bolt is a spell that allows you to shoot a ball of pure mana. Range and power depend on level. At level 0 you are unable to use this skill.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Partnered Monster is when a monster and human make a pact using a Dungeon Core as a focus. (Due to Oath with Dungeon #6283k this section of your status screen will be hidden from anyone using all but the most powerful Inspection spells. All partnered monsters will appear under Tamed Monster section if inspected.)


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Name: Notch (Basic Green Slime)


    </td>


    <td>


    Spirit Level: 1


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Health: 10


    </td>


    <td>


    Mana: 10


    11 mp/per hour


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Skills:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sight Level 10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sense Level 10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Dissolve MAX</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    <td>


    Magic:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana Bolt Level 5</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2">


    Partnered with Nox


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Basic Green Slimes are one of the weakest monster found in the world. They have a resistance to most physical damage. Their size ranges from 3 inches to 2 feet tall.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Weak Mana Sight uses mana to see the world around you. The range of sight depends on level. At level 10 you can see 10 feet all around you.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Weak Mana Sense allows you to sense the flows of mana around you. At level 10 mana restore rate raises by 2 mp/per hour and can find strong mana source at up to 10 feet away.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Dissolve allows you to dissolve any substance in your body. The strength of the Dissolve depends upon your Spirit Level.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Mana Bolt is a spell that allows you to shoot a ball of pure mana. At level 5 this spell cost 2 mana and does 1-2 damage.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>

 Chapter 15

    In what felt like a lifetime I slept without nightmares and awoke with a sense of optimism for the coming days. That was until my partner dropped down from the ceiling right onto my face.


    ¡°Ulg, blrg, what the hell Notch, please never wake me up like that again. I think you got some of you in me,¡± I shout as I just up and try to wipe Notch off of me.


    Notch just does his laughing wiggle and waved me to follow him. I guess it¡¯s time to leave and talk to the Core again. With nothing to grab I continue to wipe any slime that was left on me and follow Notch back to the Core Room. When we get to the boss room, Gloop and Ooze are nowhere to be seen. I guess they are not very responsible boss monsters. I would¡¯ve liked to say bye to Gloop again she seemed nice. Oh well, I just continue to the core room after Notch. Once in the Core Room I don¡¯t waste any time and put my hand on the Core.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Welcome back to the land of the living, I didn¡¯t know humans slept so long. Are you ready to leave or am I going to have to just make that your room from now on?


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°No, I think we¡¯re ready to leave, but first I wanted to ask do you know if there is anything different from taming a monster and our partnership. Other than the averaged Spirit Level that is?¡± I asked.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    You know as much as I do on the whole thing so you¡¯ll just have to figure it out on your own. I believe you¡¯ll be able to figure it out as you go¡­ well, maybe not you but Notch will.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Thanks for the vote of confidence,¡± I say with as much sarcasm I can instill into my voice, while Notch is laughing on my shoulder.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Yup, no problem. Anything else?


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Can I get some loot or maybe a Spirit Level to make our journey easier?¡± I had to ask. I was thinking about this before I went to bed last night, this is a Dungeon Core they drop loot such as Talons, weapons, and armor. Loot would be a monetary gain that wouldn¡¯t last long, but even one extra Spirit Level could change my life for the better. Life in the Empire of Thcerbla is based on your strength, and at this moment I am little more than the Zero I was. So if there was a chance the Core could help Notch and I lot in life, I would take it.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    No, I used up all my extra Spirit just making the two of you partners, so no extra levels for you. If you want to gain more, you¡¯ll have to do it like every other human out there and fight in one of the other dungeons and make it to their Core Rooms. As for loot, have you seen my dungeon we have no loot no one has ever been here to drop any and as for my slimes any they collect in the sewers they use as food or I use as just energy. So you¡¯ll have to do this on your own.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°But then shouldn¡¯t I spread rumors of your dungeon for you? So you can become stronger.¡± I ask even more confused by the oath that the Core made me swear.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Again no I don¡¯t want humans in here killing my Slimes so that I can become stronger in the long run.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Why that doesn¡¯t make any sense,¡± I¡¯m now completely lost. What this core is saying goes against everything we are taught in the Empire. You should always strive to be stronger.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Because these Slimes are special to me and I don¡¯t want to lose them. They are my family.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°But you¡¯re a Dungeon just spawn more,¡± I say stating what seems obvious to me.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Yes, I could just spawn more Slimes, but they won¡¯t be the same ones I had before. Remember all my Slimes except for my two bosses are formally tamed monsters. I don¡¯t think I could ever bring myself to force them to fight other than to save their own lives. They have lost enough in their lives without me forcing them to fight and die for no reason. So again I ask you to hold to your oath and not spread the word of my dungeon to anyone.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°I guess that makes sense and hopefully your family will turn out better than mine. I will keep my oath don¡¯t worry. My life quite literally depends on it,¡± I say with a nod.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Well if there¡¯s nothing else, let''s get you out of here. Have Notch get on my Core. I can¡¯t communicate remotely with him anymore now that he is not considered one of my Slimes, and I will teleport you both.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Are you ready to go Notch?,¡± he gives me a nod, so I move him from my shoulder and put him on the Core.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Alright, oh before I forget. This is your first time teleporting right?


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Yeah?¡± I ask suspicious that the Core is going to mess with me again.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Oh, okay well hope you have a good trip!


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Wait, why did you ask th¡­.¡± is all I can say before there''s a bright light that fades and we are standing in a different part of the sewer. ¡°Well that wasn¡¯t so bad it had me all worried¡­¡± as soon as I say this I start to try and throw up everything in my stomach¡­ which is nothing. After a few minutes of dry heaving, I am finally able to look at Notch who is just waiting next to me.


    ¡°That god damned Core could have warned me¡­¡± I say to Notch who only shrugs.


    ¡°So, what should we do now?¡± I ask Notch only to get another shrug in return.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s no help¡­ I guess we could try to go back to my family¡­ I am no longer a Zero they may accept me into a Noble family?¡± I hesitantly say. ¡°Or they may just kill me.¡±


    Notch just start shaking his body after that last part.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I don¡¯t think I could forgive them anyways,¡± I say shaking my head. ¡°Let¡¯s just get out of here. Then we can think of something. Do you know a way out of here that doesn¡¯t go by a Zero work camp?¡±


    Notch nods then starts sliming his way down the sewer. ¡°I guess that¡¯s a yes,¡± I say and follow the little slime.


    After only a few minutes we come to a ladder that leads up to a utility hole. I put my hand on the ground and allow Notch to climb up my arm and onto my shoulder.


    ¡°Before we head up we should decide what we''re doing because we have no money, no home, and no food. While we were walking here, I thought about it, and we should probably leave the city. Anyone that happens to know I was a Zero and sees me with you will know something happened and honestly¡­ that may break my oath and kill me. So we should leave Ignus and head towards one of the other great cities or maybe a dungeon town would be better than we can go stronger,¡± I say to Notch. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Notch just shrugs then nods.


    ¡°Okay, so which one do you want to do town or city? Either way, we''ll have to hunt or scavenge food along the way,¡± I left up a finger for each the town and the city.


    Notch seems to think then points towards the town finger.


    ¡°I thought that would be better too. Alright let''s head out of here,¡± I say with a nod and start climbing up the ladder.


    Once we were on the surface I look around, ¡°I think we are on the west side of Ignus. If we head towards the West Gate, we can leave from there. We can also check with the gate guards about a town near a low-level dungeon.¡±


    Notch nods, and we head off to look for the West Gate.


    It takes us longer than I¡¯m proud to admit to find a gate. It turns out we were on the east side of the city. But doesn¡¯t matter we made it to a gate. It may not be the West Gate but semantics. So I approach the huge stone gates and see a guard in light chain mail with a Shangyang, a water-based bird monster that is white with blue at the tips of its¡¯ wings and tail, on his shoulder standing next to the entrance.


    ¡±Excuse me, sir, do you know of a nearby dungeon town with a low-level dungeon?¡± I ask after I grab his attention away from his fellow guards.


    ¡°What¡¯s your Spirit Level boy?¡± asks the guard while looking between Notch and me.


    ¡°One¡­,¡± I say sheepishly.


    The guard is stunned for a second then starts laughing, ¡°That explains the Slime, Ha. Okay, the closest dungeon town that you would even be allowed to enter at that level is a good 75 miles North of here it¡¯s called Dondton, or Weaks End.¡± The guard points vaguely in what I can only assume is North and then turns back to the other guards while still chuckling.


    ¡°Uh, Thank you,¡± I say feeling embarrassed and leave the path to walk in the direction he pointed.


    The countryside outside the east gate is quite tame near the city all it is is rolling hills of farmland for about 10 miles. While walking through one of the fields, I see some strawberries and pick a few as I continue in the direction the guard pointed and towards a forest. While eating some strawberries and sharing a few with Notch, we finally enter.


    ¡°So this is what a real forest looks like¡­ kind of dirty,¡± I say mostly to myself while looking at the all the decaying debris on the ground. As I¡¯m saying this, a Horned Rabbit comes out of its rabbit hole and stares at me for a second before charging.

 Chapter 16

    As I see the Horned Rabbit charging towards me, I can¡¯t help but smile. I am a Tamer now, well partner but it amounts to the same thing, and there is no way I will run from this weakling of a monster.


    ¡°Mana Bolt!¡± I shout while pointing my finger at the rabbit just as I have seen other Tamers do when they cast their spells. As soon as I say the spell name I feel a pull in my gut, that I assume is my mana being pulled out for the spell, and then¡­ a small white wisp seems to just seep from my finger. All I can do is stare in shock at my finger¡­ there was supposed to be a ball of pure mana shot out of it into¡­ shit the rabbit. Just as I thought that I feel the Horned Rabbit slam right into my leg with, luckily its¡¯ horn just missing but the force of the blow knocks me off my feet.


    I shout out as I land on my face and Notch flying off my shoulder. I scramble to my feet and search around for the rabbit only to see it charging at me again. With the adrenaline coursing through my veins I was just able to jump out of the way of the crazy bunny. Only to trip and fall on my face again.


    From a sitting position I see the Horned Rabbit turning around for another charge, so I try to use my spell again, ¡°Mana Bolt!¡± I shout and feel the tug in my gut, but it was stronger this time, but the conclusion was the same as before just a small white wisp seeping out of my finger. This time I don¡¯t stare at my offending finger and keep my eyes on the rabbit as it charges. When it gets closer, it jumps at me with its horn heading straight to my face. I just watch it the rabbit¡¯s horn getting closer and closer unable even to move. Just when I think, I¡¯m finally something other than a Zero, and I¡¯m just going to die to the first Horned Rabbit I ran into¡­ what did I do to deserve this luck¡­


    That is when I see a white light seem to shoot out from the right and straight into the rabbit¡¯s side hitting it off course. The Horned Rabbit only tumbled about two feet away and got to its¡¯ feet almost instantly. I look to my right and see Notch getting ready to shoot another Mana Bolt at the rabbit¡­ I forgot the first rule of being a Tamer; you¡¯re a team so work as one. I jump up at the same time Notch shoots his Mana Bolt and hits the rabbit. Before it can get back to its¡¯ feet, I pounce on it punching with everything I got.


    Over and over, I just keep punching the rabbit putting all my frustration, anger, sadness... everything I have had to experience since I turned 16. I beat it all into the Horned Rabbit until I was covered in its¡¯ gore and all that was left was battered flesh and fur. When I finally stopped there were tears, and snot dripping from my face and Notch is poking me.


    While sniffing and wiping my face, I was finally able to say to him, ¡°I¡¯m sorry little guy, I ah¡­ kind of lost myself there¡­ Let me just clean my face real fast, and we can leave. Unless you think this meat is salvageable?¡±


    Notch shrugs then starts climbing up and around my arms cleaning off the blood and gore as he goes. Staring in wonder I watch as Notch slides across my whole body absorbing all the gunk off of me, and I keep staring until he glides across my face.


    After some coughing and gagging, ¡°Uh¡­ thanks for cleaning me up Notch but can you not do my face ever again¡­ it was kind of gross, and I couldn¡¯t breathe.¡±


    Looking back down at the Horned Rabbit then at my friend that is now resting on my shoulder, ¡°Nice shot Notch you saved me with that Mana Bolt. But why didn¡¯t mine work?¡±


    Thinking ¡®status¡¯ and seeing it pop up.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Name: Nox


    </td>


    <td>


    Spirit Level: 1


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Health: 8/10


    </td>


    <td>


    Mana: 2/10


    1 mp/per hour


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Skills:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sense Level 0</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    <td>


    Magic:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana Bolt Level 0</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Partnered Monsters:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notch (Basic Green Slime)</li>


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Health: 9/10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana: 6/10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Spirit Level: 1</li>


    </ol>


    </ol>


    </td>


    <td>


    Partnered Monsters Skills/Magic:


    Notch:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sight Level 10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sense Level 10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Dissolve MAX</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana Bolt Level 5</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Tamed Monster: NoneIf you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    </td>


    <td>


    Tamed Monsters Skills/Magic: NA


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Oh, yeah I¡¯m am level 0 in Mana Bolt it did say I wouldn¡¯t be able to use it until I practiced it. I do remember my father saying I would have trainers in my different skills they would probably help raise the level of my skills faster¡­ It took a lot of mana out of me just to fail two times though.


    Looking at what¡¯s left of the rabbit I realize¡­ I have no idea how to cook it or even start a fire. Looking back at Notch, ¡°You ah¡­ don¡¯t know how to start a fire, do you? Maybe shoot a Mana Bolt at some sticks?¡± I ask without much hope. After a few seconds, Notch just shakes his body and then does a wiggle that seems to mean, why the hell would I know how to start a fire. That may not have been what it ment, but it sure looked that way.


    All the teachers and classes I had as a Royal amount to nothing now¡­ how can they never teach us how even to start a fire. Granted I was in a fire-based family, so I guess starting a fire has never been a problem. But still, I know history, math, and how taxes work, why was there no wilderness survival class¡­ Thinking about it though, I probably wouldn¡¯t have gone if there was one anyways... Damnit!


    ¡°Notch if you¡¯re still hungry you can have the whole rabbit except for the horn we may be able to sell that for some Talons,¡± I say to the little Slime. Notch nods so I set him down, and he wiggles a thank you to me before he goes and encompasses as much of the Horned Rabbit as possible. Watching him eat almost makes me throw up the few strawberries I had in my stomach. Just seeing the skin and muscles dissolving into nothing in his body¡­ gives me shivers just thinking about it. So I turn around and start searching the area for nuts or something I¡¯m not sure, but it felt like something I should do.


    After looking around and not finding anything that looked edible, I decided to sit down and practice mana sensing until Notch is done eating. So I close my eyes and try to picture the mana all around me. At first, there is nothing but blackness, and it seems to stay that way until all around me then there are Slimes of different colors start to appear. What? Why are there Slimes is this just how my brain processes mana? Well now they''re all dancing this doesn¡¯t make any sense.


    Then I feel a prodding on my side. So I open my eyes and realize I am laying on the ground¡­ I wasn¡¯t sensing mana at all. I was sleeping, well at least I don¡¯t see mana as different colored dancing Slimes¡­ I just dream about it. I¡¯m not sure which is worse. I feel another prod to my side and look at Notch.


    ¡°Alright, alright I¡¯m getting up did you eat your fill?¡± I ask while putting him, on what I have started to think of as his perch, my shoulder. He nods then wiggles in satisfaction.


    ¡°Did you leave the horn like I asked,¡± I again ask Notch, who just wiggles at me like I¡¯m dumb and then nods. Looking over where the rabbit used to lay is only a small clean spiral horn sitting in a bare patch of dirt. Notch must have eaten all the debris too. Looking at the little 6-inch tall Slime then thinking about the size of the Horned Rabbit which was about four times the size of him.


    ¡°Hey, uh¡­ Notch, how did you eat that whole thing and not grow at all?¡± Notch just shrugs then continues to wiggle in satisfaction.


    ¡°O...kay,¡± is all I can think to say as I pick up the horn and look again at my partner.


    ¡°I think we should head back to the road and just make sure to head north at the next crossroad. We got our asses kicked by a little Horned Rabbit,¡± Notch starts wiggling at me in a manner that seems to mean, What do you mean ''we''?


    ¡°Fine, I got my ass kicked by a little Horned Rabbit. Better?¡±


    Notch gives me a very self-satisfied nod.


    So after shaking my head at the weird Slime, I have partnered with I continue,¡±...Anyways, smartass, I don¡¯t feel comfortable cutting through the forest with just the two of us. At least until I can use Mana Bolt correctly and not some white mist.¡±


    Notch nods in agreement, and so I turn around, and we leave the forest back the way we came. We cut through some more fields with me picking different fruit and vegetables I see on the way using my shirt as a makeshift sack to hold all the fruit and the horn. We almost make it to the road when I hear from behind us.


    ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± says a man''s voice from behind me.


    I turn around to respond and see an older man of average height and dark hair with a Stone Wolf, an earth-based wolf monster, standing next to him growling at me.


    ¡°Uh¡­ walking to the road?¡± I ask more than say in confusion as to why this man is confronting me.


    ¡°I see that, but you were also stealing my crop! I have half a mind to sic Sed on you. But I won¡¯t if you have the talons to pay for what you took,¡± the Farmer Shouts at me.


    ¡°I ah¡­ don¡¯t have any talons. I can trade you this Horned Rabbit¡¯s horn for it,¡± I ask while getting ready to run.


    A spark seems to appear in the farmer''s eyes when he hears about the horn, ¡°Boy, where did you find that horn?¡±


    ¡°The forest just next to your fields why?¡± I ask stepping slowly backward.


    ¡°On the North side?¡± The farmer asks now with some excitement in his tone.


    ¡°I guess so,¡± I respond now confused by the way the farmer is acting.


    ¡°You caught the god damned thing? Thank you! He has been stealing from my fields for the past few months. Every time I try to track him down with Sed, he escapes into the forest, and we can¡¯t find him. Was starting to think I was gonna have to send a hunting party after it just to save my crops on that side,¡± the farms exclaims.


    ¡°So, will you take the horn in trade?¡± I ask again with a little more hope that I¡¯m not going to be mauled by a wolf today.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do you one better, you saved more of my crop then you took so I¡¯ll let you go for free. Thanks again,¡± says the farmer now turning to leave with a smile on his face.


    ¡°Wait, sir?¡± I shout out thinking of something.


    ¡°Yeah boy?¡± says the farmer while looking back at me with a suspicion that I¡¯m going to ask for more of his crop.


    ¡°What¡¯s the best way to get to Dondton safely?¡± I ask hoping for more information than the general direction the gate guard gave me.


    ¡°Dondton? Hmmm¡­ I think the best way would be for you to follow that road there and take a left at the next crossroads. If you follow that road it should lead right there if I remember correctly,¡± says the farmer while pointing at the road right behind me then turning to leave again.


    ¡°Thank you, have a good day sir,¡± I shout to the retreating back of the farmer.


    ¡°You too boy,¡± the farmer shouts back with a wave.

 Chapter 17

    Leaving the farmer far behind with Notch on my shoulder we strolled down the main road, avoiding the rare cart or traveler, in comfortable silence. Reaching down into my new stash of fruit and vegetables I grab a berry, but just as I was about to eat it, Notch slaps it out of my hand and back into the stash of food.


    ¡°What the hell?!¡± I yell at Notch, mostly in shock.


    Notch shakes his whole body back and forth.


    ¡°No? No, what?¡± I ask confused as I reach for the berry again.


    Notch slaps it out of my hand again and shakes with even more force this time.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you Notch? Why don¡¯t you want me to eat the berry? ¡­Is it poisonous? No, that can¡¯t be right I already ate a few of them when we traveled through the fields.¡±


    While I¡¯m rambling I notice Notch wiggle in exasperation then point at the food in my makeshift pouch, then at himself and me, then shakes no.


    ¡°Okay¡­ you don¡¯t want us to eat?¡±


    Notch nods points at the sun then at a different portion of the sky.


    ¡°Sun? Sky? What does that have to do with food?¡±


    Noch seems to sigh, points at the sun, the other part of the sky, the food, then us and nods.


    ¡°You want us to wait until the sun reaches there to eat?¡± I ask while trying to put together everything Notch is miming.


    Notch nods in a way that makes me feel like he is saying finally. I don¡¯t notice this because I finally understand what he was trying to tell me.


    ¡°That¡¯s a great idea! I have no idea how to find food in the wild, and if the guard is right about the town is 75 miles away, it will take a few days to get there. So we should ration our food, or we will run out of things to eat.¡± I yell out in understanding when I hear what I can only describe as clapping. Looking over my shoulder, sure enough, there¡¯s Notch clapping sarcastically at my pronouncement.


    Glaring at the now wiggling, laughing slime, I pick him up and drop him on the ground which causes him to do an angry wiggle at me. This causes me to laugh at him, as I continue down the road looking out for the crossroad with Notch now following behind me.


    I don¡¯t know if I should say luckily but¡­ luckily working in the sewers all day, every day for the past few months has made my body used to walking all day with little food. So I was able to walk almost nonstop until sundown with Notch once again riding on my shoulder, finally reaching the crossroad we have been looking for.


    Sitting down on a log next to the road I notice a worn sign with two arrows one pointing East, down the main road, that says Shadowvale, and the other arrow that pointed North, down an overgrown path, was impossible to read from where I was sitting so I get closer. When I get right next to the sign, I can now see it was heavily graffitied. With the town¡¯s name Dondton crossed out, and Weakling¡¯s End carved above it. I also notice other smaller carvings saying things like, ¡°Home of the almost Zeros¡± and such. Shaking my head, I head back and sit back down on the log.


    ¡°Well it¡¯s getting dark Notch, should we camp out off the road here then head towards Dondton in the morning?¡± I ask Notch who nods at the idea.


    ¡°Alright let¡¯s look for somewhere to camp? Any idea how to find a good camp?¡± I ask Notch remembering I¡¯ve never done this before.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Notch sigh wiggles then slides off me and onto the ground and heads off the road. Not too far from the road, we find a small clearing with a cart and an older man with his back to me building a fire. So as not to startle him I make a coughing noise to make my presence known.


    Turning around the man says, ¡°Evening, looking for a place to camp for the night? If so, you¡¯re more than welcome to join mine. Was just about to get a fire going and roast some Horned rabbits I bought off a hunter.¡±


    ¡°That sounds great, and I have some vegetables to share if you share some of your meat. Also, I¡¯m Nox, and the Slime there is Notch.¡± I say almost drooling at the thought of having something more than cold potatoes and berries to eat.


    ¡°Sounds great, name¡¯s Nic. By the way, why are you holding your shirt like that?¡± asks Nic, while gazing at my shirt.


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s where I¡¯m holding the vegetables,¡± I explain, kind of embarrassed but walking closer so I can watch him start the fire and hopefully understand the trick of it.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your bag? You aren''t traveling without a bag of some sort are you?¡± Nic asks confused.


    Thinking about it, it would be weird to go traveling without a bag¡­ so I lie, ¡°No, I had one, but I got into a fight with a Horned Rabbit, and it was torn to pieces.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ it happens,¡± says Nic as he gets up and walks over to his cart and looks inside. As this is happening, I see a considerable shape lumbering out of the forest towards us.


    ¡°Nic, watch out something is heading towards us!¡± I yell while jumping to my feet and getting ready to either fight or run for it.


    Not even bothering to look up from searching through his cart, Nic shouts, ¡°Nothing to worry about that¡¯s just Tug, my Stone Horn, he was just out grazing and making sure there wasn¡¯t anything too dangerous nearby.¡±


    With my heart still racing I watch as a three meter tall, hairy, brown ox with stone horns and hooves. Other than the sheer size of the beast and its¡¯ horns Tug was anything but scary. Seeing him up close calmed me enough to set back down and watch Nic go through his cart.


    ¡°Ah, here it is I knew there was an extra one in here,¡± Nic says taking out a worn, brown sack out and walking back over to me. ¡°Here you go Nox, it¡¯s old and probably won¡¯t last long, but it¡¯s better than nothing.¡± Continues Nic while handing me the brown sack that I now see has a pull tie.


    ¡°Thanks, Nic, this is great¡­ but I don¡¯t have any talons to pay for it will you trade?¡± I say dejectedly while nodding towards my small stash of food and the horn.


    ¡°Tell you what, we will call it even for helping me set up camp the rest of the way and tearing it down in the morning, sound good?¡±


    ¡°Yes, thank you!¡± I say already loading everything into the sack. After a minute I think of a problem with the deal, ¡°One thing though I uh¡­ don¡¯t know how to set up or uh¡­ tear down camp. I don¡¯t even know how to set a fire¡­ But I¡¯m more than willing to learn if you¡¯ll teach me.¡±


    ¡°Ha, Nox why in the hell would you leave the city without knowing how to even start a fire?¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± is all I can think to say without lying.


    ¡°Ha, okay we can leave it at that if you want but sure I¡¯ll show you some simple things as for setting a fire that¡¯s easy I was about to light one before you showed up. The key to making a fire is to dig a small impression or make one with a circle of rocks then make a dry stack of sticks with some kindling, strips of bark and wood chips, underneath them. Then using a flint and steel to make sparks onto the kindling when you start to see smoke blow on it.¡± As Nic explains all this, he is actively showing me each step.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a flint and steel¡­ is there another way?¡±


    ¡°I once saw someone start a fire with some string and a stick but honestly no idea how to do it. This is also my only flint and steel, so you''re out of luck there.¡±


    The next few hours were spent with him explaining the simple things on how to cook and set up camp with little other conversation. When the rabbits were done roasting over the fire, we sat down to eat.


    ¡°So, Nox I never asked where are you traveling to so unprepared?¡± asked Nic once we were done eating.


    ¡°Dondton, and the dungeon there. What about you?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I just left Dondton heading towards Ignus.¡±


    ¡°Too bad you¡¯re not heading back to Dondton. I could have begged a ride from you the rest of the way.¡±


    ¡°Well if I see you on my way back I¡¯ll pick you up. Now I¡¯m gonna get some sleep why don¡¯t you take first watch after two hours wake me.¡±


    I nod and wave goodnight to Nic.


    ¡°Notch you get some rest too, I¡¯ll see you in the morning.¡±

 Chapter 18

    The night passed uneventfully, in the morning Nic shared some of his hardtack with me. After our meagre breakfast, we started clearing up the camp and packing up Nic¡¯s cart. Notch took care of all our waste, and I mean¡­ all of it. Tug made a lot of waste throughout the night. With the three of us working it only took us about 30 minutes to have Nic¡¯s cart packed up with his things and Tug attached to the cart.


    ¡°Well Nox, I¡¯ll be back here tonight to camp again before heading back to Dondton, but I have an offer for you. Why don¡¯t you come with me back to Ignus to help offload my wares and we can head back to Dondton together,¡± offers Nic from up on his cart.


    With a quick glance to my partner, I say, ¡°I would rather not go back to Ignus¡­ I uh¡­ have bad memories of the place that I would rather leave behind. But if you still want some company on the way back, I can stay here, set up camp for the night, or at least try too¡­, and hitch a ride with you to Dondton from there. If that¡¯s okay with you.¡±


    ¡°Running away from something huh? Well, no matter, that does sound like a plan then Nox I¡¯ll see you again tonight hopefully before sundown,¡± after saying this Nic gives a wave and leaves the clearing towards the road.


    After gathering what I think is enough wood for tonight, I look to Notch. ¡°So, what should we do now?¡±


    Notch shrugs, so I continue.


    ¡°I guess I can practice Mana Bolt and Mana Sense then we can try hunting for something to eat.¡±


    Notch shrugs then nods. My Mana bolt, well my excuse for one anyways, takes 5 mp to cast, so I can attempt to shoot two times before I¡¯m out of mp completely. So I decided I would fire off one now, then practice mana sense.


    I point my finger at the nearest tree and shout ¡°Mana Bolt!¡± and a weak wisp of white seeps out of my finger before dissipating into the air. ¡°Well, that didn¡¯t help shed any light on how to actually cast the damn thing. What am I doing wrong¡­ it¡¯s just Mana Bolt¡­¡± I say dejectedly but think there¡¯s nothing I can do about it so, ¡°On to Mana Sense then¡± and to myself think, hopefully, there are no dancing slimes this time.


    Sitting with my back against a tree I try to think about how I can sense mana. I guess I can try that meditation thing one of my instructors was always talking about. So I close my eyes and try to think of nothing and feel the world around me.


    Well, it turns out¡­ I can¡¯t think of nothing. It ends up being something like this, ¡°Nothing, grass is itchy, nothing, do penguins have knees? Nothing, why do people sleep? Nothing, what the hell is a penguin and why would I care if they have knees? Nothing, food, nothing, this is stupid¡± or something along that thought stream, which is apparently terrible for sensing mana because I wasn¡¯t able to. So let¡¯s try something different. I think I remember something from a book I used to read. Okay, brain¡­ think of the color black and nothing else. Okay, good, now fall into it. ¡°Ow!¡± Apparently, my body decided to follow my brain¡­ let¡¯s try again without falling onto my face¡­ Falling into the pool of blackness, in mind only this time, I am encompassed entirely, and finally, my whole body and mind relax. I am able to hold this meditative state for I don¡¯t know how long when I am surprised and start to see some colored mists all around me. Unfortunately, this shocked me out of the meditative state and back into reality, but that didn¡¯t matter, because I think I sensed the mana around me.


    Turning to the only source of information about mana sensing I have available. I ask, ¡°Hey Notch, when you use Mana Sense does it show you it in a kind of mist of different colors?¡±


    Notch nods then wiggles in surprise as I jump to my feet and cheer. After a round of celebrating, I check my status.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Name: Nox


    </td>


    <td>


    Spirit Level: 1


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Health: 10


    </td>


    <td>


    Mana: 8


    1 mp/per hour


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Skills:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sense Level 0</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    <td>


    Magic:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana Bolt Level 0</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Partnered Monsters:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notch (Basic Green Slime)</li>


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Spirit Level: 1</li>


    </ol>


    </ol>


    </td>


    <td>


    Partnered Monsters Skills/Magic:


    Notch:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sight Level 10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sense Level 10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Dissolve MAX</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana Bolt Level 5</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Tamed Monster: NoneThe story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    </td>


    <td>


    Tamed Monsters Skills/Magic: NA


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Okay, nothing changed¡­ I guess I shouldn¡¯t be surprised that Mana Sense didn¡¯t level up, but at the same time I just spent three hours, going by my mana regen, and was barely able to sense anything. This is going to take a long time to train.


    Sitting back down intending to continue practicing Mana Sense when an idea strikes, it¡¯s a long shot but, ¡°Hey Notch, can you teach me or give me tips on how to practice Mana Sense and Mana Bolt?¡±


    Notch looks at me like he is thinking then with some hesitation nods.


    ¡°Really?!¡±


    With more confidence Notch nods again.


    ¡°Let¡¯s start with Mana Bolt then. So what do I need to do?¡± I say excitedly sitting in front of the small slime.


    Thinking for a moment Notch points at the top of his body then waits.


    ¡°Head?¡± Notch first shakes then nods.


    ¡°Okay, so not the head but close?¡± A nod this time.


    ¡°What about the head then¡­¡± Notch continues to point at his head.


    ¡°Let me think¡­¡± Notch vigorously nods this time.


    ¡°Think?¡± Notch nods then forms his body into a ball.


    ¡°Ball?¡± Another nod then he makes a flat portion at the end of a tentacle and the points at the center of it with the other.


    ¡°Hand? Palm?¡± Another nod then he remakes every motion in the same order again.


    ¡°Think, ball, palm? Think of a ball in the palm of my hand. Is that it?¡± Notch thinks for a minute then nods.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s try it.¡± Looking at the palm of my hand I try to imagine a ball of mana. I sit there staring at my hand for an hour before I shout, ¡°Why won''t this stupid Mana Bolt.¡± Is all I was able to get out before a ball of mana hits my head then dissipates.


    ¡°Ah!¡± I shout out and fall on my back. After I settle down and Notch stops laughing at me I say, ¡°Well it kind of worked and I learned something fundamental. Don¡¯t point the hand you are trying to shoot a spell from towards anything you don¡¯t want to hit. Other than that, I will need to keep practicing because it did no damage to me.¡±


    Notch starts laughing again. ¡°Okay Notch, if you¡¯re done laughing at me, any tips on Mana Sense?¡±


    Notch becomes entirely still for a moment as if thinking very hard the shakes no and wiggles as if to say sorry.


    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal little guy you helped a lot, plus, from looking at the sun, it''s going to be night soon so we should try hunting again.


    Notch wiggles yes then starts to slide out of the clearing with me following. Once we get into the forest, I say, ¡°Uh, Notch¡­ would you be able to find the clearing again if we go in to far because I don¡¯t.¡± Notch sighs nods and continues forward.


    Before we go in to far, I find a thick branch to use as a makeshift club against anything we come across. I follow behind Notch for a while, but we didn¡¯t find anything, so we started to head back to camp. When we see our first monster a Leaf Chyba, a spirit level 2 earth element bug that looks like a one-foot long leaf sprouted six legs and antenna. Heart racing I raise my makeshift weapon I and get ready to defend myself. The Leaf Chyba had other plans and flew off deeper into the forest.


    ¡°That¡¯s right run away!¡± I say quietly to myself, but apparently, Notch heard me and starts wiggle laughing at me again. ¡°Stupid slime,¡± I mutter to myself then louder, ¡°Alright Notch let¡¯s head back to camp. Nic is probably going to be there soon, and I want to watch him light a fire again.¡± Laughing some more Notch, and we head back to camp.


    When we finally make it into the clearing, the sun is just starting to set, and I hear what sounds like a cart coming to our direction. Sure enough not even a minute later Nic and Tug go into sight waving.


    ¡°Hey, did you have some luck selling your wares?¡± I ask after I help Nic get camp settled, a fire started, and dinner, a vegetable soup that I contributed some of my potatoes too, cooking.


    ¡°Yeah, I have a shop that I know the owner of so selling everything is the easy part. What did you do to occupy your time?¡± asks Nic while stirring the soup.


    ¡°Just practiced my new skills and spells. Also tried to hunt something up for dinner but only came across a Leaf Chyba that flew away.¡±


    ¡°Makes sense these parts are usually pretty empty due to the constant patrols, by the Road Guards, on all the main roads. As we get closer to Dondton, the forest will become more populated with monsters because there isn¡¯t a constant patrol on the side roads.¡±


    ¡°Makes sense, so how long will it take us to get to Dondton from here?¡±


    ¡°If we make some good time and nothing goes wrong we should be there about mid-afternoon the day after next. So what¡¯s your plan when you make it to Dondton anyways?¡±


    ¡°I ah¡­ haven¡¯t thought about it, but I figured I would dive the dungeon and make some money selling my loot.¡±


    ¡°Ha¡­ young people always say that, but I¡¯m sorry to tell you Nox, I run the general store in town and let me tell you. Unless you know how to skin a monster or know how to extract the alchemical ingredients even if you farmed the dungeon all day I don¡¯t think you could come up with enough talons for a room at the inn.¡±


    ¡°That can¡¯t be right¡­ dungeons are supposed to drop lots magic items that should be worth far more than a small room at an inn.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you do realize Dondton is home to the weakest dungeon in all of Thcerbla. The average drop there is a dagger that can barely be used to butter toast.¡±


    ¡°I guess it looks like I¡¯ll be sleeping outside a lot in my coming days then,¡± I say dejectedly and vow to learn how to get the alchemical ingredients and how to skin different monsters for their pelts.


    ¡°Really Nox? Did you even think of trying to get a job before you came to that conclusion? The youth these days...¡± Nic says with a mock shake of his head.


    ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t even think to do that honestly. Thanks for the idea Nic are you hiring?¡± I ask with a grin.


    ¡°Nope, but you could check with some of the other shops for a job but think about it. Well, I''m going to get some sleep now can you take first watch again?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no problem you¡¯ve given me a lot to think about. Goodnight.¡±

 Chapter 19

    The next morning we pack up quickly, and in about 20 minutes, Nic is sitting in his seat, Notch and I in the back of the cart. Riding in the back of the cart is nothing like any of the carriage rides I have been in before. They were always a relatively smooth ride with just a bump now and then. Nic¡¯s cart, on the other hand, was so bumpy I could barely keep my seat and Notch looks like he is trying to dance. That isn¡¯t even taking into account the noise¡­ carriages have a little background noise, but you can block most of it if you pull the curtains. This percussion instrument that Nic calls a cart is so loud that any kind of talk I would have had with Nic is impossible.


    This did leave me with a lot of free time while we were traveling so I did the only thing I could practice Mana Sense and shoot off a Mana Bolt whenever my mp allowed it. With shouted questions at Notch about Mana Sense and his somewhat shaky mimed advice, I was able to have a breakthrough right before we stop for the night. I successfully sensed mana without being in a meditative state causing a window to pop up.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Weak Mana Sense allows you to sense the flows of mana around you. At level 1 you can find strong mana source at up to 1 foot away.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    One foot isn¡¯t much, but it does surround me entirely so I should be able to find anything I may have miss otherwise even if it''s underground. I still can¡¯t seem to move too much when using Mana Sense¡­ I could probably do use it while walkinging, but I¡¯m not too sure, I¡¯ll have to see.


    Unfortunately, I am still struggling with Mana Bolt. With what I now know about Mana Sense, I think I will have to be able to conjure my mana into a ball and shoot the Mana Bolt without consciously thinking about each step. But every time I try the mana seems to just unravel from its'' ball and flow away. It also doesn¡¯t help that I can only shoot off one every five hours. Meaning by the time we stop for the night I was only able to use it three times, counting the two I can fire off right from the start. I really need to get into that dungeon and to its'' core so I can level up my Spirit Level...


    When we finally stop for the night. I once again help collect the firewood, unload Nic¡¯s traveling gear, and help brush down Tug, with Nic showing me what to do. I was finally able to start my first fire too. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, but I did get a little over excited when I lit my first ember and blew too hard putting it out forcing me to start over¡­ but still, I had fun.


    During our meal of more hardtack and some fire baked potatoes, I ask, ¡°So, do you know what I should expect to run into in the dungeon?¡±


    ¡°Well, I know what monsters you will probably run into based on what is sold to me but as for traps or the layout of the dungeon itself you¡¯ll have to talk to the Adventurer''s Guild,¡± Nic responds in a natural tone.


    ¡°Have you never entered the dungeon?¡±


    ¡°Well no, I haven¡¯t I was never interested in gaining more levels or adventuring more than what was needed for my shop. But, even if I was, the dungeon in Dondton is only the rated up to Spirit Level 10, which is to low even to benefit me.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense. What brought you to Dondton then if not to use the dungeon?¡±


    ¡°Well, my wife is the leader of the Adventurer''s Guild in Dondton. We decided to move there when she was offered the job as a kind of retirement.¡±


    ¡°So, your telling me between you owning the general store and your wife being in charge of the Guild in town is a retirement? Between the two of you, you basically own the town right? That has to be a lot of work.¡±


    ¡°What makes you think we own the town?¡± Nic askes with a confused look.


    ¡°Well, Dondton is a dungeon town right, and in those types of towns, the economy revolves around the items and goods generated in the dungeon. So, most of the profits should pass through the Guild, due to the commissions, and your shop. And where there¡¯s money, there¡¯s power so with one family being in charge of both establishments that would be you correct?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ Well, that may be true for other dungeon towns, but Dondton¡¯s economy doesn¡¯t revolve around the dungeon but the Silver Fins that are fished out of Lake Dond. The dungeon only produces the bare minimum to keep open and Adventurer''s Guild to be honest.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t know that.¡±


    ¡°But all of that takes us completely away from what you first asked about the dungeon.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. You said you know what type of monsters I can expect to see?¡±


    ¡°Yes, well first monsters you will run into from what I¡¯ve heard is Slick Rats and Water Slimes. When you get to the lower levels, you will start to run into Water Rats. Then I think the one boss monster in the dungeon is a Soldier Water Rat, but I¡¯m not too sure about that.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound like there is much variation on the different types of monsters then.¡±


    ¡°Well, it is a low-level dungeon what would you expect?¡±Stolen story; please report.


    ¡°I guess that is true. Do you know how many floors there are?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ I think I remember the wife saying something about five floors but again you should check with the Guild when we get to town.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I will but one more thing about the dungeon that you should know what should I collect to get the most from a dive?¡±


    ¡°Ah, see that is something within my department. If you can skin the rats, our town blacksmith/tanner or I will buy the pelts off you for about three-four Talons depending on quality. Then there are the cores from the Water Slimes can fetch you about five Talons if you can get an intact one. There are a few parts of the rats that the town alchemist may buy from you, but you would have to check with her. Lastly, there are just the random drops like that dagger I told you about that may net you a Talon or two. I¡¯d check the commissions at the guild for any miscellaneous stuff that a villager may need also.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like I¡¯ll need to learn how to skin a rat then¡­ not to mention the knife I''ll need to skin with. One last thing before we go to bed for the night.¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°Who should I ask for a job from when we get to town. That is if you¡¯re still not hiring.¡±


    ¡°Sorry Nox, I already have someone working in the shop, and I don¡¯t have any need for another helping hand. As for some other shop¡­ I would assume you would still want some time to dungeon dive most days?¡±


    ¡°That would be best but honestly being able to sleep in a bed and have something to eat does come first.¡±


    ¡°In that case, I would check with the blacksmith, Druss, or the alchemist, Gwen, one of them may take you on as an apprentice or use you to gather resources from the mine or surrounding area. If you had a fishing pole and a stronger monster I would say you can try and fish for the fishmonger. Other than them I¡¯m not sure anyone else would need any help.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll start with them then thanks again. I¡¯ll also take first watch tonight you drove all day.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good, night,¡± Nic said with a wave and heads into a tent.


    ¡°Night,¡± I reply with a nod.


    After Nic has settled into his tent, I turn to Notch and ask quietly, ¡°I know you were listening in on that so I wanted to ask are you okay with fighting and killing the Slimes in this dungeon? If not we can figure out something else to do.¡±


    Notch goes still thinking then nods.


    ¡°Okay, I just wanted to be sure. I didn¡¯t want you to do anything you were not comfortable with.¡±


    Notch nods and wiggles a thank you.


    ¡°Well, now that I can use Mana Sense without meditating I can practice it while keeping watch. Any advice on how I can raise its¡¯ level?¡±


    Notch thinks for a second then stretches his body out into an almost flat disk.


    ¡°I have to try and stretch out my sense?¡±


    Notch nods and I start practicing. I¡¯d also practice Mana Bolt, but I don¡¯t want to wake Nic, so just Mana Sense it is. After a few hours of trying and failing to stretch out my senses, I wake Nic for his watch and head to bed myself.


    The next day and a half pass in much the same way as the first day traveling with Nic, with me practicing during the trip and having small talk at night. When I finally get my first sight of Dondton across Lake Dond. It was a moderately sized town maybe 100-200 stone and wooden buildings. With what looks like a short stone wall surrounding the town, probably to keep any stray monsters out, and what looks like a busy dock area with quite a few boats out on the lake. I can also see what looks like a cordoned off tunnel that leads underneath the lake just outside the city walls, that must be the dungeon. Other than that it looks like how I imagine most towns to look.


    Shortly after seeing the town I, at last, succeed in shooting off a Mana Bolt without having to think about each step.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Mana Bolt is a spell that allows you to shoot a ball of pure mana. At level 1 this spell cost 5 mana and does 1 damage.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Trying to do a celebration dance in the back of a jostling cart seemed like a bad idea, so I settled for giving Notch a high five or I guess a high tentacle?


    From this side of the lake, it took us another hour of travel to reach the town. When we get to the entrance to the town, Nic turns to me and says, ¡°Welcome to Dondton, Nox. Now if you want you can jump off now and head straight over to the Guild or if you help me unload my goods at the shop I¡¯ll treat you to dinner tonight.¡±


    ¡°I would be more than happy to help you unload Nic.¡±


    ¡°Good to hear, shouldn¡¯t take to long, and only about five minutes more until we reach my shop.¡±


    In almost no time at all, we reach an one story but slightly broad shop with a sign that says ¡°Nic¡¯s Goods.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back I¡¯m just going to go get Dan, my employ, to help us,¡± Nic says as he jumps down from his seat and walks into his store. A few seconds later Nic exits with a 20 something-year-old man with dark hair and beard.


    ¡°Dan this is Nox, I met him on the road he¡¯s here to do some dungeon diving. And Nox this is Dan my employ and my neighbor''s son.¡± After we shake hands, Nic claps us both on the back and says, ¡°Alright, introductions are now out of the way so let¡¯s get to work and get all these crates inside.¡±


    A half hours work later we have all the boxes unloaded into the shop and Nic walks me out of the store the points across the way to a three-story building with a sign I can¡¯t read out front. ¡°That¡¯s the Dondton Inn and Tavern, meet me there in about three hours, and we¡¯ll get something to eat. Now, if you go down that road (pointing north) a little way and look out for smoke and listen for someone hammering that will be Druss¡¯s shop. Now down that road (pointing south) and take the first left you¡¯ll see a shop with a garden out front and a Sign that says Gwen¡¯s potions. Talk to them and mention I sent you their way looking for a job. As for the Adventurers Guild, I¡¯ll have my wife take you over there after dinner and register you. Think you need anything else?¡±


    ¡°No, I think you have helped me way more than what was needed thank you so much Nic. I can¡¯t say how much it means to meet someone that¡¯s so nice.¡±


    ¡°Now boy no need for compliments and run along I¡¯ll see you in about three hours.¡± With these last words, Nic steps back into his shop leaving standing out on the front steps.


    ¡°What do you say Notch Blacksmith first?¡± I ask turning to Notch who is once again perched on my shoulder.


    Notch nods and I head off down the north road keeping an eye out for some smoke and hammering.

 Chapter 20

    In the short walk to the blacksmith¡¯s shop, I notice this part of town has almost no foot traffic, only a few other people are walking down the street. But I guess Nic did say this was more of a fishing village, so maybe everyone is near the docks. This thought passes through as I start to hear metal striking metal of the smithy. I reach the shop which is just a squat, square building with a more substantial side landing where I can see the blacksmith, a short but stocky man with a grizzled black beard and a short black hair, shaping a glowing metal bar on his anvil. I am entirely entranced watching the man hammering the bar into what looks like some kind of curved blade I almost forget why I¡¯m here. Once the metal started to lose its glow, he picks it up with some tongs and set¡¯s it back into what I can only guess is the furnace wiping his face he turns to me breaking my trance.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to catch a fly standing there with your mouth open boy.¡± Snapping my mouth shut the blacksmith laughs and continues, ¡°Now that you¡¯re done being a human flytrap what can I do for you, or are you here just to watch me work?¡±


    Still a little embarrassed from staring so openly I reply eloquently, ¡°Uh¡­. Afternoon I¡¯m Nox. Nic sent me to look for the blacksmith Druss; he said he might be in need of a new apprentice.¡±


    ¡°Nic sent you huh, well I¡¯m Druss and yes I do technically have an opening for an apprentice but honestly son, I don¡¯t have the work for me to take one on. That is unless you have some prior training?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t have any training¡­ but I assure you I will work hard to be the best apprentice you have ever had.¡±


    ¡°I expect that from every apprentice I take on but again I do not need or wish to take on the extra work of an apprentice.¡±


    ¡°Is there any way you would reconsider?¡±


    ¡°Well, if you had a good fire monster of some kind I could take you on but unless that slime on your shoulder is a fire or lava slime I doubt you have one am I right?¡± Druss says while scratching his beard and peering around for any other monsters.


    ¡°No¡­ Notch here is all I¡¯ve got, and you¡¯re right he¡¯s just a basic slime.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t take you one even with Nic¡¯s recommendation, but if I do find myself in need of an apprentice anytime soon, I¡¯ll let Nic know to inform you. If there¡¯s nothing else...¡±


    ¡°Wait is there any resources of some kind you may need?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take ores of all kinds and some monster parts, but if you want a list of them and their prices, I have a standing commission at the Adventurer''s Guild. And sorry again Nox let me know if you get a good fire monster,¡± with that he turned around and started working the bellows to his forge.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I say as I step out of the sweltering shop and back out onto the road, and looking over at Notch I notice he seems a little deflated.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong partner?¡±


    Notch deflates a little more and just shakes.


    ¡°Is it about the Blacksmith saying I need a different monster?¡±


    Notch shrugs then gives a little nod.


    ¡°Well don¡¯t worry about that guy he doesn¡¯t know a great slime when he sees one, and if you¡¯re worried about the job, don¡¯t be we still have the Alchemist, and if all else fails, we can live off commissions from the guild.¡±


    Notch seems to become a little happier at that and nods enthusiastically.


    Making our way to the Alchemist shop only takes a few minutes and with much of the same empty streets. Standing outside the shop, you can¡¯t help but notice¡­ it¡¯s beautiful. There¡¯s a large front garden with many different trees, herbs, and flowering plants with a meandering path through it to what I assume is the storefront. I would have guessed this was just a small park if it wasn¡¯t for the sign hanging off the gate with the bottle and herb that marks an Alchemists shop.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    ¡°Looks like this is the place,¡± I say mostly to myself, but Notch nods.


    Opening the gate we enter the garden walking along the path, closing the gate behind us, not far down the trail, I notice a tree that has large, apples maybe? They¡¯re red and shaped like an apple, but they have weird purple swirls on them. But I can smell them from the path, and they smell wonderful, so I decide to sneak a fruit off of it. If all else fails I¡¯ll just work off the fruit I take if we get caught. Just as I was reaching up to grab the fruit when I hear someone shouting from where the store-front should be.


    ¡°What in the hell do you think you¡¯re doing? Step away from that Djinn¡¯s Apple Tree before you get yourself killed. Stupid child, who the hell walks off the path of an alchemist''s garden. Half the things you trampled through on your way to that tree could kill you let alone the tree itself. Didn¡¯t your mother teach you anything? Now get on to the path and try not to harm any more of my precious plants.¡± This all came to me at a blinding speed from a middle-aged woman with frizzy dark brown hair, dark eyes, and simple work clothes.


    Being as careful as I can be I make my way over to the path and start following, who I can only assume is the alchemist, to the shop with her muttering the whole while about me being an idiot. Entering the shop, she immediately heads to behind the counter and turns to me with a glare.


    ¡°Now, if you¡¯re done trying to kill yourself in my garden what do you need?¡± She asks me at a blinding speed.


    ...Does she even breath when she speaks, ¡°Uh¡­ Nic sent me to talk to Gwen, the alchemist. He said she might be in need of an apprentice?¡±


    ¡°And what use would I have for an apprentice that doesn¡¯t even know not to go into an Alchemist¡¯s garden? Do you have any idea what could have happened if you took that fruit?¡±


    I shake my head.


    ¡°One touch of that Djinn¡¯s Apple would be enough to paralyze and with death not following long behind.¡±


    ¡°Why would you have something that dangerous so close to the street?¡± I ask shaking at how close I was to dying without even knowing it.


    ¡°Well, for one thing, it smells nice. Secondly, it¡¯s off the well-defined path. Also, there¡¯s a sign on the fence that states not to step foot off the path, or you will probably die. But that doesn¡¯t matter you didn¡¯t give me a reason as to why I should take you on as an apprentice. Going by how you walked through although plants I¡¯m going to say you probably don¡¯t know much herb lore?¡±


    ¡°No, I uh¡­ don¡¯t know any herb lore,¡± another class that I ditched every time it came up¡­ why was I such a slacker, ¡°but I can promise you, I can learn and that I will be the hardest working apprentice you¡¯ve ever had.¡± I say as earnestly as I can.


    ¡°Nic sent you to me, so I am more willing to believe that, but I don¡¯t trust your decision-making skills as of right now. Of which is important while performing alchemy. So, no I will not take you as my apprentice now.¡±


    ¡°Is there any way to change your mind?¡± I plead, and Notch decides to try and help and does a wiggle that I think is him begging, but I¡¯m not sure.


    After staring at Notch and I with a pondering look, she replies, ¡°With time maybe do some of my commissions at the guild and if I¡¯m not mistaken that¡¯s just a basic slime correct?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right his name is Notch. Why?¡±


    ¡°Well, he seems smart, so he probably has a good chance of evolving. If you have him eat a lot of the herbs that you need to gather for my commissions he could turn into a Herb Slime. If that happens, I¡¯ll more than happily take you on as an apprentice albeit if I judge you to have more common sense when or if that happens.¡±


    ¡°Herb Slime?¡± I ask while looking at Notch, who starts to shake a no over and over. ¡°Okay, no to becoming a Herb Slime, got it.¡± Turning back to Gwen, ¡°I guess he has no want to become a Herb Slime, but I can do everything else thank you for the help and uh¡­ not letting me die from my lack of sense.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean he doesn¡¯t want to you¡¯re his master right make him, whatever anyways happy to help you not get yourself killed in my garden. I don¡¯t need all the extra paperwork that the guards would make me fill out if someone died in there... again,¡± that last part was said so quietly that I¡¯m not sure I heard it right.


    Feeling a little unnerved by what I think I just heard I start backing out, carefully, while saying, ¡°Thank you anyways and I hope I¡¯ll see you soon.¡± With a wave, I almost run out of the store and garden but this time while keeping carefully to the path and not touching even a fallen leaf.


    Once we were down the street a little, I share a look with Notch and say, ¡°Well, maybe alchemy isn¡¯t for me anyways, but we should still take her commissions in case I change my mind.¡±


    Notch nods in agreement.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time to check out the dungeon today, and Nic said his wife would show us the guild. So I guess we should just make our way to the inn and wait for Nic.¡± Another nod and we start making our way back to where we saw the inn earlier today.

 Chapter 21

    As we were approaching the inn Nic pointed out earlier today I noticed his shop in the corner of my eye and realized I was still carrying around the horn. Maybe I can get a knife and flint or something useful. Seeing as I¡¯m probably going to be spending a lot of time sleeping outside for the foreseeable future¡­ well at least until I can complete a few commissions and make enough talons to rent a room at an inn.


    Digging the horn out of my small canvas sack I turn to Notch pointing at Nic¡¯s store and say,


    ¡°Let¡¯s head back to Nic¡¯s store and see what we can get for this horn.¡± Notch nods his agreement, and we head over.


    Entering the shop I hear in a bored tone say, ¡°Welcome, to Nic¡¯s Goods is there anything I can help you find?¡± from Dan who from the look of it is just paging through a book. Looking up finally he sees me, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you Nic¡¯s not here right now,¡± and back down to his book.


    ¡°That¡¯s okay I just wanted to sell a horn or maybe trade it for a knife and some flint.¡±


    ¡°Well then place the horn on the counter, and I¡¯ll take a look at it.¡±


    I hand over the horn hoping it¡¯ll be worth enough to afford the stuff I want. But from the look,


    Dan gives it, I can tell I¡¯ll be lucky to get anything.


    ¡°What the hell did you do to this thing? Use it as a hammer? There are cracks all along this thing.¡±


    ¡°Oh, is it still worth something?¡±


    After looking at it, some more Dan says in a surprisingly professional tone, ¡°Well, yeah but only because it can be ground down into a powder for alchemy but with all these cracks leading to the core it has degraded and with how small it is the best I can do is one Talon.¡±


    ¡°What about the trade instead?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t do that the cheapest knife we have is at the very least five Talons and as for flint our smallest piece we have now is two Talons.¡±


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll just take the Talon then, thanks, Dan. Have a good night.¡±


    Handing over the single Talon he waves and is already back to his book before I even leave the shop. Walking out of the store a horn lighter and a Talon richer I head across the square to the inn. Entering with Notch on my shoulder I see a young woman sitting behind a desk with a stairwell leading up behind her and a hallway leading to the right that I hear some music and the sound of a crowd of people.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Welcome to Dondton Inn and Tavern. If you would like a room for the night I can help you with that if you are just here for dinner or a few drinks head-on into the right,¡± says the young woman.


    With a nod, I start making my way to the right but only make it about three steps when I hear her speak again.


    ¡°Oh, sir one more thing. We do not allow any monsters into the rooms or tavern, please put them in the stable that is outside and to the right. There will be a stable boy in there to help you. Since you are just here for a drink it¡¯ll be free, but if you plan to stay the night the fee will be added to your bill, and of course, you can pay for them to be fed while you eat too.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­okay, how much would it be just for my slime?¡±


    ¡°Well, actually you¡¯re in luck sir if you are willing to let your Slime clean up the mess left by all the other beasts in there we will pay you a Talon for the work.¡±


    Looking over at Notch he gives a nod, ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll do that then. By the way how much is a bed for the night?¡±


    ¡°Ten Talons for just a bed, twelve for bed and a meal.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll just be here for dinner then,¡± I say more to myself, ¡°Okay, thank you for the information, do you pay me or¡­¡±


    ¡°The stable boy will take care of it,¡± she says with a nod.


    Exiting the inn and looking to my right I see a large building that has large barred windows all along its sides. Entering through the large double doors, I¡¯m hit with the strong smell of animals that in a former life would have made me puke but now¡­ it¡¯s not the worst thing I¡¯ve smelt. Continuing in I walk into what appears to be a large room split into three rows with differently sized stables with from what I can see are half filled with monsters of all different kinds. While staring at all the different monsters, I don¡¯t notice a young man just a few years younger than me walk up beside me until, ¡°Hello sir here to stable your Slime?¡±


    With a small jump I look at the young man, ¡°Please, the hostess said you¡¯ll pay me if Notch here helps you clean up a few of the stalls?¡±


    ¡°That would be great, we just got a Thunderhoof in, and well you can probably imagine. Just know any damage caused by your Slime will be held against you so make sure to command it not to get into any fights or destroy property. I will pay you the Talon on pick up.¡±


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°Alright Notch try not to cause trouble, I¡¯m sorry you can¡¯t come too, but I¡¯ll be back after talking to Nic and his wife,¡± I say while helping him to the ground once there he wiggles up to me an affirmative or that he¡¯s hungry¡­ I¡¯m not sure. With a wave to both him and the stable boy, I head back over to the tavern. Making my way in I wave to the young women, who nods back, and enter into the bar area.


    Walking into the room I see that it is a medium sized open area, with a stage on one side, that has a fiddler playing on it, with a small dancing area in front of it with tables and chairs scattered around the room with a bar on the opposite side, with what looks like a door to a kitchen behind it. After looking around a bit, I see Nic waving at me from a table off in the corner. Weaving my way through the tables and customers, I get closer to Nic''s table and see he is with an older woman with dark brown hair that has steel gray streaks in it shaped into a no-nonsense bun and even from this distance, I can see she has piercing green eyes that seem to look straight through me. Once I get to the table, Nic jumps up and pats me on the back.


    ¡°Nox, you¡¯re early, nevermind that doesn¡¯t matter meet my lovely wife, Learna, Lea this is the boy I told you about Nox.¡±


    Standing up she reaches her hand out and shakes mine, when she stands I see she has a very athletic build, and a firm grip that feels like she has multiple scars and calluses on her hands.


    In a strong but feminine voice she says, ¡°Nox it is so nice to meet you, thank you for looking after my husband on the road.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, but really your husband probably saved me if anything. I was not prepared to be out in the wild for long at all.¡± I respond while we all sit back down.


    After sitting down a barmaid seems to just appear at the table, ¡°Good afternoon, what can I get for you guys tonight? The usual Nic and Lea?¡±


    ¡°That would be lovely Nelly, and we will also be taking care of this young man tonight as well.¡±


    ¡°Taking in strays again Nic?¡± Nelly responds with a raised eyebrow.


    Laughing loudly Nic says, ¡°No, no, Lea won¡¯t let me take in any more strays, but that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t help a man out when I see that he needs some. Just trying to get him a job while he runs the dungeon to bring up his Spirit Level will have to do for now. Speaking of does the old codger need any help around here?¡±


    It¡¯s apparently Nelly¡¯s turn to laugh she gives me a look up and down and says, ¡°Unless he can grow a pair and doesn¡¯t mind warming someone''s blankets I doubt he will take him in.¡±


    Staring slack-jawed at her I hear Nic and Lea start laughing even louder, ¡°I don¡¯t think that will work from the boys'' expression but thanks for the tip.¡± Nic responds after he finally stops laughing.


    ¡°Anyways, what would you like dear?¡± she asks turning to me.


    ¡°I uh¡­ don¡¯t know just water and whatever''s hot I guess.¡± Honestly, if I can tell it¡¯s food, it¡¯ll be fine after almost a year in the sewers.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be back with everything in a few minutes then,¡± with a wave she disappears back into the crowd.


    ¡°That Nelly needs to stop speaking so crass otherwise she¡¯ll end up like me married to an old good for nothing, and you shouldn¡¯t encourage her,¡± Lea says with a smirk and glaring jokingly at her husband.


    ¡°Now don¡¯t start on me already a woman, plus you were laughing too,¡± Nic says with his own good-natured smile. ¡°So, Nox I take it from how early you are that it didn¡¯t go too well with Druss or Gwen?¡±


    ¡°No, not too well at all. Druss wasn¡¯t really looking for a brand new apprentice, and Gwen says she doesn¡¯t trust my decision making.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ thought for sure Druss would pick you up. Didn¡¯t really have too much faith in Gwen she can be quite picky about her apprentices. What are your plans now?¡±


    ¡°Just sign up with the guild and hope I can make enough off commissions and monster drops from the dungeon. Until then Notch and I will have just to make due camping out and foraging.¡±


    ¡°Anybody you know Lea that may be looking for someone?¡± Nic asks while taking a sip from his ale.


    ¡°Well¡­ Nox, can you read and write?¡± Lea asks while looking at me.


    ¡°Yes, but isn¡¯t that mandatory throughout the empire?¡±


    ¡°Technically, but no one enforces it. How is your penmanship?¡±


    ¡°Good, I guess, but I¡¯ve never really thought about it though.¡±


    Lea raises up her hand and mimes writing at the bartender after he notices he nods at Lea.


    ¡°Alright, Reg over there will send over something to write with and some paper so we can test you out.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ but what is this all about?¡±


    ¡°Well, if your penmanship is up to my standards I may take you on as a new transcriber for the guild''s library. From what Nic has told me you have a basic slime that can help you clean up and ink splatters, and if he¡¯s good enough, you may even be able to wipe a book that is transcribed horribly of all its insides after you put the information into another book. If you¡¯re able to do this, then that will help us save some money on paper and binding new books.¡±


    ¡°Are there really so many books that need to be rewritten?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ unfortunately, we are the smallest and honestly the lowest class chapter of the guild in the empire. Meaning that even though it is mandatory for us to have a library for the town and guild to use, we are the least likely to get any good copies of the books and even when we do get a copy it¡¯s usually sloppily made by an apprentice.¡±


    ¡°I guess that does make sense, so what you would want me to do is just copy over all the stuff from the badly transcribed books into new ones?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that is if you meet my standards.¡±


    As she was saying this Nelly was back with our food and another barmaid is follows behind her with a bottle of ink, quill and small piece of paper.


    I go to grab the writing utensils and paper when Lea stops me.


    ¡°Let¡¯s eat first then I will tell you what to write.¡±


    I just nod and start devouring my first actual meal since my last birthday.

 Chapter 22

    My meal of Horned Rabbit, potato, and some mixed vegetables was perhaps the best thing I have ever eaten in my life, and I savored every last bit of it. I was so engrossed in my meal that I inadvertently ignored Nic and Lea until I was finished. Looking up from my now spotless plate, I see both of Nic and Lea staring at me in a mixture of laughter and confusion, all I can do is give them a small smile.


    ¡°Damn, boy I know you didn¡¯t starve on the way here why did you just eat that like you haven¡¯t seen a morsel of food in years?¡± Nic asks me while laughing at how I consumed my entire meal.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I, ah¡­ haven¡¯t been able to eat anything this good in a long time, and uh¡­ go a little over excited I guess,¡± I respond embarrassedly at how I just acted and how weak my white lie sounded to me.


    ¡°Nic, honey leave Nox alone, and now why don¡¯t you take these and write out ¡°Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow¡± in all lower then upper case. That has every letter in the alphabet so I should be able to completely judge your letters at the very least if not your grammar.¡± Lea says passing me the writing utensils.


    Taking everything I smooth out the paper, open the bottle, dip my pen, and as neatly and legibly as possible I write out the sentence in the way she wanted. After I was finished I blow on the ink lightly to dry and looking at it I¡¯m proud to say that it should be satisfactory at the very least, so I hand over the paper and wait expectantly. She took the page and looked at both sides muttering as she does, ¡°It¡¯s legible, and the ink hasn¡¯t seeped through so he should be able to write on both sides without it being any trouble.¡± Then in a louder voice to everyone at the table, she says, ¡°This is very well done Nox, I would be happy to hire you as a transcriber for the Guild¡¯s library. Your starting salary won¡¯t be much, only 10 Talons a week, but I will also give you room and board. Does this all sound fair?¡±


    ¡°More than fair Learna, thank you, but I do have one question.¡±


    ¡°First off please call me Lea everyone does, and sure what is it?¡±


    ¡°Will I still have time to go to the dungeon or will this work occupy all my time?¡±


    With a smirk, she responds, ¡°Well now that will depend on you, I will make you a list of books to start with and a deadline to have them done by. So it¡¯ll be up to you to budget your time appropriately.¡±


    ¡°That sounds completely acceptable when do I start?¡±


    ¡°Well Nic said he told you that I would take you by the Guild after dinner to get your license so we can do that first, then I¡¯ll show you to your room in the library. Tomorrow morning I¡¯ll have a list of books to start with.¡±


    At this time Nic finished off his drink and says, ¡°Well dear, I think Nox is done gorging himself if you want to take him now I¡¯ll take care of the bill.¡±


    ¡°That sounds fine, don¡¯t drink too much you old man or I¡¯ll have you sleep in the stables with Tug, come along Nox the Guild is near the dungeon.¡±


    Getting up I turn to Nic, and with a small bow I say, ¡°Thank you again for dinner, Nic and for all of your help.¡± Then follow after Lea who is already making her way through the crowd.


    Once outside a white thing flashes right in front of my face causing me to stumble in fright and lands on Lea¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Bubo¡­ you naughty boy scaring Nox like that,¡±  says Lea as she affectionately scratches the neck what I can see now is a snow white Blizzard Owl. Holding her hand out to help me up she says, ¡°I¡¯m sorry Nox, Bubo here likes to be a little trickster.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. He just surprised me. If you give me just a minute, I¡¯ll go grab Notch.¡±


    Lea gives me a nod, and I run into the stable. Once inside I see the stable boy sitting in a chair next to the door.


    ¡°Ah it¡¯s you, your little slime is quite a productive little thing, he has already cleaned the whole stable. Which is a lot more than I was expecting to be honest so thank you. Here are two Talons for the extra work that was done, thank you again,¡± the stable boy tells me handing me the two small coins.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I say taking the two coins adding them to my small collection.


    ¡°Where is Notch now anyways?¡± I ask to which the stable boy answers by just pointing up. Looking up I see a small green blob getting bigger and bigger until¡­ I am on the ground again. Muttering to myself, ¡°Why the hell am I always on the ground, what is with these damn monsters and taking joy in watching me fall on my ass¡­¡± and a little louder to the now wiggle laughing slime in front of me, ¡°Notch what the hell you couldn¡¯t have just come over to me normally, or at the very least just fell in front of me instead of on my head.¡± Shaking my head at the still laughing slime, I allow him to crawl back onto my shoulder. With another more annoyed thank you to the giggling stable boy I leave and find Lea right outside.


    ¡°Ready?¡± she asks so I nod and we make our way down a few streets in the darkening evening in silence. We finally reach a large two-story building with a sign that says ¡°Dondton¡¯s Adventuring Guild¡± right above the door after about 10 minutes.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Here we are, normally we are only open from about 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, it¡¯s the same for the library, but since Nic gave me a heads up that he wanted you to sign up for a license tonight. So I asked Adile to stay a little late to sign you up while I finish some paperwork and make a list for you to get started on in the morning,¡± Lea explains as she holds the door open for me to enter.


    Walking in I scan the room seeing that it has a counter directly across from the entrance, inbetween are a few tables and chairs. I also notice a staircase that leads upstairs on the right and a closed door that has a sign that shows a book and the word library above it. There is also another stairwell leads downstairs on the left, the left wall is covered in pinned up slips of paper and a massive map of the local area... maybe, I was never good with maps. Sitting at the counter, I see a pretty young woman, with blond hair and blue eyes, who I assume is Adile petting a red cat, probably a Fire Cat.


    ¡°Hey, Boss is this the guy you wanted me to stay late for?¡± she asks giving me an unimpressed look.


    ¡°Yes, it is and be nice Adile this is Nox he¡¯ll be working in the library from now on. Nox this is Adile the pain in the ass that works for me,¡± she introduces me giving me a wink at the end.


    Adile sticks her tongue out at Lea, then turns to me, ¡°Nice to meet you Nox like Lea said I¡¯m Adile why don¡¯t we get started then.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good,¡± I say walking up to the counter.


    ¡°Alright I¡¯ll head upstairs and finish a few things, I¡¯ll be back down in a minute,¡± Lea says before she walks up the stairs that were just to the right of the counter.


    Walking up to the counter, I see Adile take out from below the counter a small testing orb and setting it on to the counter with a few pages of paperwork. ¡°Alright, you know the drill put your hand on the orb, and I¡¯ll be able to see your Spirit Level and element. After that, you''ll fill out some paperwork that basically states, commisions and dungeons can be dangerous, and the Guild is not liable for any injury or death.¡±


    That last part makes me hesitate but thinking about it even for a second makes me realize that it is dangerous to delve into a dungeon so I put my hand onto the orb and a blue screen appears before Adile and me.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Name: Nox


    </td>


    <td>


    Spirit Level: 1*


    </td>


    <td>


    Element: N/A


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Talking more to her self, Adile is filling out a form of her own, ¡°No family name? Kind of weird but I guess it¡¯s not all that strange. Spirit Level 1 wow that¡¯s the lowest I¡¯ve ever seen, and Element is¡­ what the hell does that mean?¡± She looks up from the form, ¡°Hey uh... Nox¡­ why does this say your element is not applicable?¡±


    Thinking quickly I say, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m a Spirit Level 1 see that star next to it¡­¡±


    ¡°I guess that makes sense¡­ I¡¯ll make a note of it in your file¡­,¡± Adile says after she stares at the screen for a few minutes then shakes her head then continues, ¡°Anyways just sign your name in all the places marked with an X.¡±


    Filling out the rest of the forms takes about half an hour as I do read through the forms to make sure there isn¡¯t anything outlandish in them but they do seem to say precisely what Adile said it would. After finishing the last paper, Adile takes them and looks through to make sure I didn¡¯t miss anything. Once she is done, she looks up and says, ¡°Everything looks good but there a few things I need to tell you. First, is that unless the Guild Leader Lea gives permission otherwise, you cannot take any commision that has a Spirit Level that exceeds yours by five levels. Second, no fighting with other members unless it is in self-defense, a sanctioned duel or sparring match. Lastly, the cellar is a training area but try not to use and very destructive spells on anything other than the training dolls. Other than that welcome to the Guild and I¡¯ll see you around.¡± After explaining everything, she packed up her things and called up to Lea that she was leaving. About a minute later Lea made her way downstairs handing me a list of book names.


    ¡°Alright, lets head next over to the library then so you can see where you will be working and your room,¡± Lea said as she walked through the doorway on the right.


    Following behind her, she leads me down a narrow hall, through another door, and into a room packed with bookshelves that go from floor to ceiling and tables scattered throughout. Looking around at all the books I can only say one thing¡­, ¡±I have to rewrite all of these books?¡±


    ¡°Well, not all of them¡­ but most of them yes. I¡¯ll have you start out doing the most important ones like the Monster Compendium and Wild Eats. Stuff that every good adventurer needs and honestly stuff that will be great for you to learn if you do plan on leveling up,¡± She explains as she leads me to the opposite side of the library from the door to the main building.


    When we get to the far wall, I see five doorways. Lea leads me to the second from the left doorway explaining, ¡°Most of these doors lead to a small individual study room but this one and the one to the left will be yours.¡±


    Opening the door, I see what looks like a small office with a small window above a single desk, chair, a stack of books already sitting on the desk, and a mage light on the ceiling. ¡°I was the only one using this office before so no one should come in and bother you. Most of the books that are on the desk are the ones on that list I gave you. Just get them all done within two months and I¡¯ll consider you a good investment. You can get two meals a day from the inn I will inform Reg, the bartender, in the morning that you will be on my tab. Other than that I will pay you at the end of each week and your rooms next door. Just let me know if you need anything else, my office is on the second floor of the main building. Good night.¡±


    Lea hands me two keys, and after I say goodnight she makes her way out, and I head into my new bedroom. The room is small, but there is a bed, nightstand, and a small bathroom with a shower and toilet. Taking a quick shower, I then head to bed for the night. Tomorrow, after I transcribe some, I will take a look at the dungeon.

 Chapter 23

    Waking up the next morning I had a small panic attack thinking I was back in the sewers, a zero, and about to have to trudge into the sewers to clean again.  But after a short time, I realized I¡¯m lying on a soft bed, and that the room I¡¯m in is obviously not a sewer, so I was able to calm down and remember the events of the day before. Alright, I need to start my day, looking around I spot Notch on the desk cleaning up the dust that has settled on it. Noticing this, I glance at the rest of the room and see that the whole place has been cleaned of the dust and all other trash that has settled around the room in the time it was not being used.


    ¡°Notch did you clean the room while I slept?¡± I ask while getting up. Notch stops moving for a second to nod; then he continues with what he was doing. ¡°Alright, thanks, Notch.¡± He gives me another wiggle, and I do what will become my morning routine of showering and dressing. When I was done getting ready I ask Notch, ¡°Hey Notch, do you want to stay here or do you want to go clean the stables over at the inn?¡± Notch seems to think about this for a minute then slimes his way up onto my shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a yes then.¡±


    Walking out of my new room I lock the door behind me and make my way out of the library and into the main Guild building, waving at Adile, who was busy helping someone, I left the Guild. The short walk to the inn was uneventful, and we made good time there, we first entered into the stable.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s you again, your slime gonna help us clean up again?¡± Asks the stable boy in a happy tone as soon as he sees me.


    ¡°Yeah, Notch decided to come by and help again,¡± I respond while helping Notch to the floor.


    ¡°Alright, that will be a great help, but I¡¯ll only be able to pay a single Talon this time.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± I say with a wave to Notch and the stable boy I left and entered the inn.


    ¡°Good morning sir,¡± said the same young women from the night before, ¡°just breakfast for you today or will you need a room?¡±


    ¡°Just breakfast thank you,¡± I say with a nod and then walk towards the tavern part of the inn.


    Once in the tavern, I head straight to the bar and talk to the bartender, Reg, ¡°Good morning sir, Learna said I could get myself some breakfast here on her tab?¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes Lea did say she had a new hire, I¡¯ll go get you a plate do you need a drink?¡±


    ¡°Just water, thank you.¡±


    Reg brought over a plate with a few fried eggs and two slices of toast. I ate without any hesitation, thoroughly cleaning my plate of every crumb. Just as I was finishing my water, I almost drop my mug when a blue screen popped up.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2">


    Partner Basic Green Slime, Notch, is now able to evolve into a Sludge Slime due to absorbing mass amounts of toxic material. Partner has declined this evolution. Do you want to override this choice? (KNOW THIS: If you disregard your partners choice they may choose to dissolve the partnership instead of evolving.)


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Yes


    </td>


    <td>


    No


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    When I started reading this notification I was excited that Notch was going to grow in strength, Sludge Slimes have a Spirit Level of four if I remember correctly and they give a bunch of poison type spells to work with which would be helpful for the dungeon. But reading the rest of the notice, I am only left with questions¡­ why would Notch not want to evolve? Being distracted by this thought, I thank Reg for the meal and go to the stable to ask him myself.


    Greeting the stable boy again he handed me the Talon and left to continue doing his job. After, a moment I see Notch sliming towards me in a kind of timid way, how does a ball of slime look timid; I¡¯m not sure but dammit if he doesn¡¯t look it. Getting back onto my shoulder he seems uncharacteristically un-wiggly¡­, that¡¯s not a word. Still, I guess works. Knowing what¡¯s wrong I, and not wanting to talk about our partnership in public, don¡¯t say anything until we get back to the library and into our new office. Luckily, the walk back was just as eventful as the walk there, and we were not stopped by anyone to talk all the way to the office.


    Once inside I set Notch on the desk and sit down. ¡°Notch,¡± is all I get out when he compresses his body, making him look smaller. Continuing I ask, ¡°Why don¡¯t you want to evolve into a Sludge Slime?¡±


    And in response I get¡­ a long wiggle, I don¡¯t know what I was expecting honestly. ¡°Okay let''s try a different question, do you ever want to evolve?¡±


    To my relief, he gives the nod, ¡°But not a Sludge Slime?¡± Not surprising but I got another nod. ¡°Okay, do you know what you want to evolve into?¡± Notch seems to think for a moment then shakes his body, ¡°...Okay, then how do you know you don¡¯t want to be a Sludge Slime?¡± He just starts shaking more. ¡°Alright, I get it you don¡¯t want to be a Sludge Slime,¡± saying that I bring the screen back up and hit no, and a few new screens come up.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Sludge Slime evolution has been denied.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Sludge Slime has been added to the Evolution Menu.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Congratulations! You have gained access to the Evolution Menu.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°What the hell is an Evolution Menu¡­ I don¡¯t remember anyone ever talking about that before.¡±


    With no idea what this is I say, ¡°Evolution Menu,¡± a new screen shows up with an explanation and a short menu.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2">


    With the Evolution Menu, you can pick an evolution that has been denied before, with both partners permission, or see the requirements for different common evolutions. (Note: more can be added to list through various means.)You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2">


    Notch (Basic Green Slime)


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2">


    Tier I


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Evolution¡¯s


    </td>


    <td>


    Evolution Requirments


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Sludge Slime (DENIED)


    </td>


    <td>


    Absorb 500 lbs of noxious matter (Completed)


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Water Slime (DENIED)


    </td>


    <td>


    Live in or next to the water for two years. (Completed)


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Flame Slime


    </td>


    <td>


    Be exposed to fire for a total of 100 hours without dying.


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Plant Slime


    </td>


    <td>


    Absorb 500 lbs of plant matter.


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Stone Slime


    </td>


    <td>


    Absorb 500 lbs of stone.


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Spark Slime


    </td>


    <td>


    Be exposed to lightning/electricity for a total of 100 hours without dying.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It was a good thing I was sitting otherwise I would have fallen to the floor because information on monster evolution has been long researched with little to nothing to show for it. But this one menu just freely gave me information on six different evolution paths for slimes¡­ if I had this information for stronger monsters, it could be considered priceless to the right people.


    ¡°Notch, have you always had access to this evolution menu, do other monsters too??¡±


    Notch, who seems to be back to his usual wiggly self since I denied the evolution, nods so I continue to ask, ¡°So you do not want to evolve into any of these types of slimes?¡± With a shake of his body Notch starts to clean up the whole room of the dust, ink stains on the desk, and the stray paper shreds.


    I guess he was done with this conversation¡­ I didn¡¯t have any more questions on it anyways¡­ After glaring at the slime that is ignoring me I can¡¯t help but look at the now clean desk, so I decided just to get to work and start with The Monster Compendium. The book or I should say books are incredibly long, five volumes to be exact, and in alphabetical order. Taking the first volume I open it up and can immediately tell what Lea meant, there are ink splatters all over the pages and the script is almost indecipherable¡­ this is going to take a lot longer than I initially thought.


    Hours passed as I did my best to decipher the script of the book and copy it down neatly onto the new book. I made a few mistakes, but I found out Notch could just clean up the page as he wished using tentacles to just absorb the ink that I either splattered over the page or a misspelled word saving the page and me extra work. By the time I decided to stop for the day I only got maybe an eighth of the first book done. With my hand cramping from doing the repetitive task, I get up with Notch back in his spot on my shoulder we head over to talk to Adile about what commission we can grab.


    Leaving my new office, I lock the door and walk past two people reading in the library before exiting into the main Guild building. Adile was back sitting behind her counter petting her Fire Cat.


    ¡°Hey new guy, done copying the dusty old books for the day?¡± asked Adile as soon as she saw me approach her counter.


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t think I could write another word today even if I wanted too,¡± I reply messaging my sore hand.


    ¡°Ha, I can imagine luckily for me the boss lady says my handwriting is barely acceptable for forms let alone to copy books. So, what can I do for you or are you here just to flirt?¡±


    I feel a blush creeping up my face, ¡°I¡­ I¡­. I wasn¡¯t flirting,¡± is all I¡¯m able to stammer out before Adile starts to laugh at my reaction.


    ¡°Lea was right you are easy to tease, calm yourself Nox I was just messing with you what do you need?¡±


    ¡°I uh, just wanted to know how to take a commision,¡± I was able to get up a blush still covering my face I¡¯m sure.


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s easy over on the wall over there is all the commissions find one that is acceptable for your level then bring them over to me and I¡¯ll upload them to your Guild ID. Once that is done the System will keep track of your progress. When you¡¯re done to get your reward, you just have to turn the items over to me and show me your ID.¡±


    ¡°Okay, thanks I¡¯ll be right back,¡± I say as I walk over to the wall I saw earlier that was covered in slips of paper. Looking through I notice most of the sheets are for different kinds of resources, like herbs and ores but I do find a few for monster parts in the dungeon. Taking a few commisions, I go back over to Adile.


    ¡°Found some that you like,¡± she asks as I hand her the slips, ¡°Ah, yes I thought these would be the ones you would pick just give me your ID, and I¡¯ll add them to it.¡± Sure enough a moment later she hands me back my ID. ¡°There you go that should be everything.¡±


    Looking at my ID, a few new screens appear before me.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    You have accepted four quests from the Dondton Guild.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Collect 30 of the medical herbs, Golden Nutmeg, Forest Lavender, Lake Lavender, or Nettle Sage.


    Reward: Variable on Herbs


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Collect 30 of any kind of ore.


    Reward: Variable on Ores


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Collect 30 Water Rat fangs.


    Reward: 15 Talons


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Collect 30 Water Rat pelts. Pelts must be in good condition to be accepted.


    Reward: 30 Talons


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    And my ID now looks a little different from before.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Nox


    </td>


    <td>


    Spirit Level 1*


    </td>


    <td>


    Element: N/A


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="3">


    Herbs: 0/30


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="3">


    Ores: 0/30


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="3">


    Water Rat fangs: 0/30


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="3">


    Water Rat pelts: 0/30


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    See all the new info stuns me for a second but then I ask, ¡°Any idea where I can get the herbs or ores? Or even what they look like?¡±


    Adile laughs, ¡°Nox, you work in the library¡­ where do you think you can get that info? Joking aside, for the herbs check out Medicinal Wild Herbs, a good book for the ores would be¡­ Ore¡¯s and Where to Find Them, and the monster parts will be the Monster Compendium, but Water Rats are found in the dungeon.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ okay, I¡¯ll check those books out later, maybe tonight, but for now, I think I¡¯ll just go straight to the dungeon.¡±


    ¡°Alright, be careful in there even though it is considered one of the weakest dungeons in the empire you are just a Spirit Level one¡­ with a slime¡­¡±


    Notch seems to wiggle offendedly on my shoulder, but I don¡¯t say anything about it because I know she is just warning us of the dangers. ¡°We will be careful thanks for the help and the warning Adile I¡¯ll see you later.¡±


    ¡°Alright, good luck!¡±


    Leaving the Guild, I head towards the Dungeon.

 Chapter 24

    The dungeon was not far from the Guild, by design probably, so it only took Notch and me about 3 minutes to get there. The dungeon entrance was well precisely what the weakest dungeon in the empire would look like, just a hole in the side of a hill next to the lake. There was a guard station to the right of the entrance and a single guard sitting in a chair to the left. I approach the guard with a wave.


    ¡°Good afternoon sir, can I enter the dungeon,¡± I ask when I get near him.


    ¡°That should be fine, but I gotta see your ID first,¡± answers the guard standing up and eyeing me up and down. I pass him my ID, and after only glancing at it for a second he hands it back. ¡°Alright, go on in, but I gotta ask¡­ do you have a weapon? Because I don¡¯t see one,¡± he asks with a look of confusion.


    I stand and stare at him for what can only be described as an awkward amount of time until I feel Notch poking me on the cheek and I finally answer the now even more confused guard, ¡°I uh¡­ don¡¯t, but I can use magic¡­,¡± I say very embarrassedly and as if it made it any better I continue with, ¡°Oh, and so can Notch.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ just uh, be careful then,¡± says the guard now with a worried expression on his face.


    ¡°I will thank you,¡± I say while walking into the faintly glowing, musty smelling, hole in the hillside now more of a tremble in my step. The only thing I can think now is, I don¡¯t have a god damned weapon¡­ nothing, not even a sharp stick or heavy rock¡­ What the hell am I even thinking of going into a dungeon only armed with a low leveled Mana Bolt? But I¡¯m already here I may as well at least poke my head in and see what I¡¯m up against.


    Enter into the dungeon you can almost instantly feel the change in mana into the air, but that may be my mana sense activating, and there is a drastic change in the humidity, I feel like I just walked into a misting shower. The passageway leads down at an incline under the lake, there is luckily some kind of green bioluminescent moss, or maybe it¡¯s algae I¡¯m not sure, all over the walls and ceiling of this cave type dungeon. We keep walking for about 60 feet when I arrive at a corner that turns to my right, peeking my head around the corner I see that the path leads forwards into the darkness, but there seems to be another right turn only about 10 feet further and no monsters in sight.


    I feel my heart beating at an increasing pace the longer I¡¯m down here, crat an excruciatingly slow speed I make my way ahead to where the next right turn is. Before taking a glance down the new passage, I can see the end of the one I¡¯m in ends in another right turn. Taking that glance around the corner, I see that it just leads off into the darkness with still no hide nor hair of a monster.


    Whispering to Notch, ¡°What do you think, to the right or straight?¡± He shrugs then points to the right. ¡°Just guessing then?¡± He nods, so I shrug then creep as quietly as I can down the hall. Sneaking forward, over my heartbeat and heavy breathing I hear a few squeaks and some scratching ahead. With my heart now relocating itself to my throat I almost turn around and run, but Notch pats me on the back then heads down. Taking a deep breath and trying not to remember my first disastrous fight the Horned Rabbit I follow behind my brave little partner.


    We do not have to go far when we see a small dripping wet rat walking towards us. Before I can react to the sight, it starts galloping at us screaming ask it comes. Notch being more prepared then I, shoots off a Mana Bolt right into the face of the rat. With the rat running full pelt towards us it doesn¡¯t get the chance to dodge when the ball of mana hits him right in the head causing to stumble and fall.


    Stopping myself from cheering at my formidable ally I shoot off my mana bolt¡­ missing by a good two feet. Getting back to its feet the rat charges forward at a fast but more cautious pace, with only about 6 feet separating us Notch fires off another mana bolt. This time the rat seems to be ready for it and moves to the side so that the bolt only grazes its side. Stepping forward I try to kick the rat as he is pouncing to bite Notch.


    I had better luck this time, and my foot catches it right in the ribs sending it into the wall. Knowing I only have five mp left, and it will take an hour just to get one point back, I decide the best I can do is try to keep kicking it while it¡¯s down. The rat was able to recover faster this time and was on its feet before I was able to take the few steps towards it. Bring back my foot to kick it again the rat shakes it¡¯s body sending water everywhere around it. Thinking nothing of it, I complete my kick only to see the rat slide on the water to my side and bite me on my other leg. Between missing the kick, being bitten on the other leg, and the water that seems to be more like an oil slick I lose balance and fall.


    I seem to be getting better at falling on my ass, due to all the practice I¡¯ve been receiving, that I didn¡¯t get hurt from it. That¡¯s what I was thinking when I see the ugly face of the rat appears before my face coming in for a bite on my neck. Notch then makes his presence known again with another mana bolt to the rats face causing it to be pushed back and miss me. Scrambling into a sitting position I kick out at the thing, kicking it into the wall and stunning it allowing me to gain my feet again. Before it can regain its senses, I smash its head against the wall over and over until I hear a crack and the rat becomes still.


    After taking a few deep breaths, the adrenaline starts to fade, and I begin to feel the pain in my leg. Sitting back down I pull up my pant leg and see that the bite only just broke the skin. Ignoring the small amount of pain I let my pant leg fall and check in with Notch.


    ¡°You okay buddy?¡± He gives me a nod and then starts to kill all the blood off of me. Shrugging at my neat freak of a partner I thank him and start trying to pry the front teeth out of the rat''s mouth for my commision. After a lot of effort Notch gets my attention by tapping me on the hand.


    ¡°What is it, Notch?¡± I asked. He slimes on top of the head of the rat, and I start to see it dissolve into him. Disgustedly I turn my head, but I understand what he wants to do is to dissolve everything leaving the teeth behind for us to collect. It only takes a short amount of time for Notch to finish with his meal, while I keep watch for anything approaching and avoid the what I¡¯m sure is a gruesome sight of something being dissolved. When Notch is done, I reach down and pick up the teeth putting them into the makeshift sack Nic gave me and excitedly take out my ID card to see if my progress was updated.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Nox


    </td>


    <td>


    Spirit Level 1*


    </td>


    <td>


    Element: N/A


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="3">


    Herbs: 0/30


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="3">


    Ores: 0/30


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="3">


    Water Rat fangs: 0/30If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="3">


    Water Rat pelts: 0/30


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°What the hell¡­ it didn¡¯t update,¡± I mutter angerly to myself, ¡°I¡¯ll just ask Adile when we get back.¡±


    Standing back up with Notch again on my shoulder I ask. ¡°So, what do you think we should do wait here until you get your mana back in about two hours or head back for dinner?¡±


    Notch shrugs and then points at me, wanting me to decide I guess¡­ ¡°Alright, it¡¯s still a little early for dinner lets wait here for an hour that should get you back up to seven mp I believe¡­,¡± opening Notch and my status just to check.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Name: Nox


    </td>


    <td>


    Spirit Level: 1


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Health: 9


    </td>


    <td>


    Mana: 5


    1 mp/per hour


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Skills:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sense Level 1</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    <td>


    Magic:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana Bolt Level 1</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Partnered Monsters:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Notch (Basic Green Slime)</li>


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Spirit Level: 1</li>


    </ol>


    </ol>


    </td>


    <td>


    Partnered Monsters Skills/Magic:


    Notch:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sight Level 10 </li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sense Level 10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Dissolve MAX</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana Bolt Level 5</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Tamed Monster: None


    </td>


    <td>


    Tamed Monsters Skills/Magic: NA


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Name: Notch (Basic Green Slime)


    </td>


    <td>


    Spirit Level: 1


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Health: 10


    </td>


    <td>


    Mana: 4


    3 mp/per hour


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Skills:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sight Level 10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sense Level 10</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Dissolve MAX</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    <td>


    Magic:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mana Bolt Level 5</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Seeing that I was right, I sit back down, and we wait while I snack on the last of the stuff in my sack. Once I was done eating I decided to practice Weak Mana Sense so I start meditating and notice instead of the weak mana signatures I saw while we were traveling before now they are almost blinding with how much there is and how dense it is. Seeing this I try to breathe it in and mix it with the mana I see within me. After what feels like only moments Notch taps me on the head waking me from my stupor.


    ¡°Huh, what is it Notch is something coming?¡± I ask looking around worriedly, but he shakes his body and puts out two tentacles and makes it look like he¡¯s flexing two arms. It takes me a minute to understand what he means but then I check his status, and I see he is at max mana¡­ I was out for two hours, but it only felt like a second. While closing his menu, I happen to glance at mine and see that I am too at max mana. There¡¯s no way I was out of it for five hours is all I can think when I finally notice a system alert in the corner of my vision. Opening it up I see...


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Congratulations! Through practice and patience, you have learned the skill Meditation.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Meditation: This skill allows you to gain extra mana per hour while meditating. At level one, you gain two extra every hour.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Sure enough looking closer at my status I do see a new skill, but the weird thing is I was always told I would need someone to train me at a skill or have a tamed monster to give it to me to gain a skill¡­ how did I get this on my own? I¡¯ll have to search the library later for an answer I don¡¯t want to ask anyone in case this has to do with me being a Zero initially. Shaking my head to clear these thoughts I turn to Notch.


    ¡°Alright, buddy lets continue,¡± I said reaching down to pick him up, but he shakes and starts leading the way down the hall. ¡°I guess you want to be ready to fight,¡± I say shrugging and following.


    Sneaking our way forward we come to another right turn, peeking around the corner again I see a blue slime moving away from us. Knowing it probably can¡¯t see me due to Mana Sight working in all directions, and it¡¯s not moving to attack us I decided to try and surprise attack it. Raising my hand and taking careful aim I fire my Mana Bolt. The bolt arcs across the air, after it gets to about ten feet away, the slime must see it coming because it starts to try and dodge it, but by then it was too late. Slamming into the slime, the mana bolt seems to barely even do damage to it.


    Knowing the general direction to move in the slime starts heading our way moving at a fast walking pace. Knowing I only have one more bolt¡¯s worth of mana I decide to hold off on casting another and I run towards the slime hoping to kick it to death like I did the rat. When I get within its sight range, I see a ball of what appears to be water form in front of it the fire off at me. I don¡¯t know if it is just built in instincts at this point but either way, I fall to the ground and just barely dodge the ball of water. Rolling over and getting back to my feet I was just in time to be hit across my front with a whip of water.


    The whip slams into my chest, and I feel ribs cracking under the pressure of the spell. I fly backward and out of its sight range, probably saving my life¡­ I don¡¯t think I could take another of whipping like that. Knowing I¡¯m still in danger I roll back over just in time to see Notch, who has at some point got onto the ceiling, fire off two Mana Bolts right at what I now know is a Water Slime. Both hit the first one doing minimal damage but the second that was following the first seems to have made it deeper into the stronger slime.


    In retaliation, the Water Slime fires a Water Ball at him, but Notch drops from the ceiling dodging the attack. Landing he shoots off another bolt scoring another hit. Seeing my badass buddy fighting like a champ against this slime I can get back to my feet ignoring the pain and fire off my last mana bolt right as he was about to whip Notch. My bolt hits right as it brought the whip up to attack causing it to splash down harmlessly.


    After my bolt hits, Notch was able to get out of its sight range, unfortunately, his own too. I see him making his way back up to the ceiling and now knowing what he is going to do I try to distract the slime by just barely coming into range. Sure enough, as soon as it sees me, it fires off another Water Ball at me that I was able to dodge easily by being prepared for it. But what did surprise me is that after it shot off its last spell, it turned around and started to try and get away.


    Notch just barely got it into his sight when it ran for it. Not wanting it to get away I chased after it and lucky for me, it must be out of mana because I got into kicking range without any spells being shot at me. Running in front of it I was able to kick it towards Notch who then fired off another bolt. This seemed to have stunned the slime, so I yell to Notch, ¡°Save your mp I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± Knowing it is out of magic I confidently do my best to stomp and kick it into oblivion, while also trying not to do to much damage to the core¡­ I remember Nic said it was worth something.


    With my boots starting to dissolve, the slime loses all viscosity and falls to the ground with a splash. Reaching down I retrieve the core and then almost collapse from the pain in my chest.


    ¡°Notch, I think we should be done here for today¡­,¡± I get out between my clenched teeth. With a nod Notch climbs back onto my shoulder and we leave with no problems.

 Chapter 25

    Exiting the dungeon the same guard is standing outside. Seeing us, I see a smile come across his face.


    ¡°You¡¯re alive. Honestly, I¡¯m a little surprised, you went in there with no weapon and only a basic slime, you must have been very careful. How far did you make it? You were in there for quite a while,¡± says the guard patting me on the back.


    With some pain, I laugh a little and then say, ¡°Yeah we were very careful, but only made it to the second turn.¡±


    ¡°The second turn¡­ did you go down the first right or go straight?¡±


    ¡°Uh, turned,¡± I say now confused.


    ¡°But you were in there for a few hours¡­ you only made it to the second monster?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that slime was a lot stronger than the Water Rat so we had to turn back after it.¡±


    ¡°Water Rat¡­ oh, you mean the Slick Rat you won¡¯t see any Water Rats on the first floor.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­. that¡¯s why my ID didn¡¯t update.¡±


    ¡°Ha, yeah you¡¯ll need to make it to the second floor before you¡¯ll be able to complete that task. But don¡¯t worry just keep practicing your skills and get yourself a weapon and you¡¯ll be killing your way through this dungeon in no time.¡±


    ¡°I will, thank you for the advice, have a good night,¡± I say to the guard as he walks back to his post, I then start limping lightly with labored breath back to the guild.


    Halfway to the guild my leg wound I got from the rat seems to be feeling better so even though I am in pain from my ribs I decide to make the long walk to get some food. Overall, dropping off Notch, eating, picking Notch back up (gaining another Talon bringing my total to five), and getting back to the guild only takes me another hour but even still I realize it is past closing time for the guild and I don¡¯t have a key. Panicking I forget about the pain in my chest and was able to run the short distance I had left to the guild. When I get closer I sigh out in relief, there was still light in the windows, walking the rest of the way I walk into the guild and see Adile sitting in her chair with her Fire Cat purring in her lap.


    ¡°Ah, the valiant adventurer returns how was your first hunt? I was getting worried that you may have become a meal for some beast in there,¡± She tries to appear relaxed, but I can tell just from her tone and body language that she is truly relieved that I am still alive.


    Embarrassed that I worried this woman that I just met I reply, ¡°It was hard and I didn¡¯t make it far but I can happily say other than my ribs I¡¯m fine¡­ I¡¯m sorry for worrying you.¡±


    ¡°Just be careful¡­ anyway, I¡¯m done with my work for the day I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I will but one thing, I never got a key to the door what if I come back late?¡±


    ¡°Lea didn¡¯t give you a key?¡±


    ¡°No, just one to my room and office.¡±


    ¡°Ah, well Lea is already gone for the night but I can talk to her tomorrow to get you a copy.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Adile,¡± I say walking her out of the building.


    Walking back to my office I decide to read up on the monsters I met today and find the books for the ores and herbs I need. Checking my desk first I luckily notice that all the books I need are here so I don¡¯t have to try and figure out there sorting system, if there is one, tonight. Deciding to check on the monsters first I find the volume for both the Slick Rat and what I¡¯m pretty sure was a Water Slime. With how badly these pages are written and all the excess ink blots, that I have Notch clean up for me, it takes me a little while to find the information I need. But after I do I¡¯m a little disappointed in the amount of information supplied.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Slick Rat


    </td>


    <td>


    Spirit Level 1


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Health: 10


    </td>


    <td>


    MP: 10


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Skills:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Slide Level</li>


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Can use the excess water it secrets from its body to slide around (Has been seen to slide up to four feet.)</li>


    </ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Bite</li>


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Seems to do about one damage on average.</li>


    </ol>


    </ol>


    </td>


    <td>


    Description:


    A small black rat that secrets water from different pores around its body. Known to be found near bodies of water or in sewers. Thought to evolve from a normal rat that lives around water.


    Known Evolutions: Water Rat


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Water Slime


    </td>


    <td>


    Spirit Level 2


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Health: 20


    </td>


    <td>


    MP: 20


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Skills:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sight </li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Weak Mana Sense </li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Dissolve Max</li>


    </ol>


    </td>


    <td>


    Magic:


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Water Shot </li>


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">At level one mp cost is five and damage is one. Each level up in skill decreases mp cost (min two) and damage is increased by half of the level of skill. Max level 10</li>


    </ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Water Whip </li>


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">At level one cost five mp and three damage. Increases damage by one every level. Max Level 10</li>


    </ol>


    </ol>


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2">


    Description:


    Slime that has evolved due to exposure to water.


    Known Evolutions: Ocean Slime, Swamp Slime, Healing Water Slime


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Though the information felt lacking it¡¯s still more than I knew so still a win. Opening the book on different ores, I notice that this one is even worse than the compendium¡­ I am not looking forward to trying to transcribe this over. I start by just looking at what different kinds of ores I could find in the area and how to extract it. Reading the directions, I come to the realization that I will need a pick even to harvest anything¡­ I don¡¯t have enough Talons for that. But just as this thought goes through my mind Notch crosses my view and a new idea forms.


    ¡°Hey, Notch,¡± after getting his attention, ¡°could you dissolve the rocks around ores so that we could collect them?¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    After thinking about it for a minute, he nods but then he points at the old clock on the wall and stretches himself out.


    This one only takes me a second to get, ¡°You can, but it will take a long time?¡±


    Another nod, ¡°Alright, do you mind doing that if we come across any?¡± Shake, ¡°Okay thanks Notch, but do you know what these ores look like in your sight?¡± Shake, ¡°Damn, you can¡¯t see the pictures on this page can you?¡± Shake, ¡°Oh well, I¡¯ll just have to keep an eye out myself.¡±


    With this new idea, at least I won¡¯t have to pay for a pick or have to learn how to use it. From there copy down what I can on a scrap page and do the same for the herbs. After about two hours of this and I decide to go to bed.


    The next day continues along the same as the last, I get up go eat, then copy more of the book over to a new volume, with Notch erasing the pages I have already done. My ribs still hurt and made everything more strenuous but not so bad that I couldn¡¯t continue with my work, but I have decided to stay out of the dungeon for now, well until I can get enough for a short sword or dagger. That doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t practice my skill though so after a few hours of copying I leave my office and make my way back over to the main guild building.


    On the way, I noticed a little difference in the library and had to ask, ¡°Notch, have you been cleaning the library while I slept?¡± He nods sheepishly in confirmation. ¡°Ha, Notch you lived in a sewer how can you be a neat freak? Or are you just hungry?¡± He just shrugs so I shake my head at how bizarre he is and leave the library behind.


    Walking into the main room Adile waves me over, ¡°Hey Nox, I got your key also Lea wanted to talk to you too she¡¯s upstairs in her office.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Adile I¡¯ll head up now,¡± I say grabbing the key she put on her desk and head up the stairs to where I saw Lea go on my first day here.


    The top foyer was small with three doors, one of them open that I can see Lea through sitting at a desk. Entering her office I see a suit of some kind of green scale mail armor sitting on a armor stand to the right of her desk and what I think is a saber in a simple but beautifully crafted sheath propped beside her desk ready to use at a moments notice. On her left was a bird stand with her Blizzard Owl, Bubo and what looks to be a big pillow on the floor near it.


    ¡°Nox, I was just about to go find you. First, I heard you ran the dungeon yesterday how did that go? Do you need any healing?¡±


    ¡°It went as well as I could have expected, didn¡¯t get far, but I will try again when I get a weapon and train up my skills a bit.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great to hear what about healing it looks to me that you''re having trouble taking deep breaths.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, a Water Slime Whipped me across the chest it may have cracked a rib or two¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah, yeah that can be troublesome for a newbie here,¡± with that she waves her hand in my direction and I instantly feel like my chest has become an ice cube. It stays like this only for a few seconds then seems to melt, and I feel no pain. ¡°There, that should help sorry for the freeze, but it¡¯s the only healing spell I have.¡±


    ¡°No, no, it¡¯s fine really thank you,¡± I say with my teeth still chattering.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad, now¡­,¡± she starts with the same calm, gentle, caring voice she has been since I entered but then she stands up and roars out, ¡°WHY IN THE HELL WOULD YOU GO INTO A DUNGEON WITHOUT A WEAPON ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID? YOU COULD HAVE DIED.¡±


    Almost tremoring in fear at the aura coming off of her and the sheer volume of her voice making me shrink down I respond meekly, ¡°I ah¡­ didn¡¯t think about it¡­ this is supposed to be the weakest dungeon I thought our magic would be enough for us to check it out.¡±


    ¡°CHECK IT OUT? CHECK. IT. OUT?! IT¡¯S NOT A GOD DAMNED PLAYGROUND; IT¡¯S A FUCKING DUNGEON FILLED WITH MONSTERS¡­,¡± she again roars with Bubo no staring daggers at me for making his master so upset.


    ¡°...I¡¯m sorry, I really didn¡¯t think about it, but I promise, I won¡¯t delve in there again without some kind of weapon,¡± I say hurriedly and earnestly to appease her and calm her down hopefully.


    Muttering to herself, ¡°stupid, stupid child¡­,¡± then in a calmer but obviously still angry voice, ¡°good, but even if you have one do you even know how to use it?¡±


    ¡°I ah, learned a little swordplay,¡± which is true, I mean I did skip out on a lot of the lessons, but I did sometimes go, especially when my father was going to watch.


    Lea stares at me for about a minute before she responds, ¡°...when you buy yourself a weapon come to me and I¡¯ll test your skill. Then if I find you acceptable, I¡¯ll allow you access to the dungeon again.¡±


    All I can think to do is weakly nod in acceptance.


    ¡°Good, now that you understand, how has your transcribing going?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard, but I¡¯ll complete the first volume of the compendium today and start on the next one tomorrow¡­ But I did want to ask, I can¡¯t draw the pictures, but I have been leaving room for them what should I continue with that or just try my best at it?¡±


    ¡°Ah, I can find someone for that, so just continue with what you¡¯re doing and when you¡¯re done with each book just hand them off to me, and I¡¯ll get it taken care of.¡±


    ¡°Okay will do.¡±


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s all I had to say so unless you need anything you can continue with what you had planned for the rest of the day.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m sorry again Lea, I¡¯ll see you later.¡±


    Lea nods at me then starts looking at the paperwork she was doing before I entered. Leaving her office quietly I return downstairs to see Adile giving me a thumbs up and the few other people that are here stare at me¡­ they must have heard everything. Turning red, I quickly make my way to the stairs that lead down to the practice area. Almost slipping in my haste, I successfully get out of everyone''s sight without dying from embarrassment. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I notice first a strong smell of sweat and sawdust than I finally get a sight of the room. It seems to be a vast open rectangular room, on the right of the room was three aisles that I would guess are for long-range training, such as bows and magic. Most of the room though was taken up by different kinds of wooden or straw dummies, and in the back, there were multiple sparing rings that I could see two people using wooden practice weapons currently using.


    Seeing more wooden weapons in buckets scattered across the room, I can¡¯t help but think, ¡°If they have these practice weapons down here why would she want to wait to test my skill until I bought one¡­?¡± Oh well, maybe she¡¯s just busy now.


    ¡°So Notch should we practice our mana bolt then I probably should practice with a short sword¡­ it has been about a year since I last held one,¡± I tell Notch as I walked over to the ranged area to practice. Once in one of the fenced off stall, I see a wooden doll with a metal rod sitting in the corner and looking down the lane I see reinforced metal holes about every ten feet that I would assume the rod would slip into. Picking up the doll I awkwardly walk it to the ten feet marker and slid the rod into place walking back to the stall I take aim and fire my mana bolt at the doll. Hit. Okay only have enough mp for one more¡­ hope it levels soon only having two shots sucks. Firing off another one I get a surprise.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Congratulations, Mana Bolt has leveled up!


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Excitedly I open up my status again and check it out.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Mana Bolt is a spell that allows you to shoot a ball of pure mana. At level 1 this spell cost 5 mana and does 1 damage. (Every level decrease mana cost until it hits 2 then increase damage by 1 at max level 10 mp decreases to 1 mp and does 7 damage .)


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Well, it¡¯s not a huge upgrade but at least it¡¯s something still a little excited I turn to Notch.


    ¡°Alright your turn little guy,¡± Before I can say anything else from my shoulder he launches five bolts in quick succession shocking me a little at the speed. ¡°Well, that was fast I guess I¡¯ll go find a sword.¡±


    Going over to the nearest dummy and barrel of weapons I select a short sword that doesn¡¯t have too many splinters and start whaling away at the dummy with all the skill I can muster. It doesn¡¯t take long before I am breathing hard sitting on the sawdust-covered floor with my hand hurting.


    ¡°That is a lot more work then I remember it being,¡± I tell Notch as he slimes down onto the floor. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Without any wiggle in response, he starts striking the dummy with a tentacle over and over again. Honestly, it looks like he is just tapping it but I can tell he is actually trying to hurt it. Granted with his small body there is only about half a foot of tentacle if that being used to hit it so there can¡¯t be much force behind it. He continues doing this for about a minute then stops seeming to breathe hard by expanding his body out and then in over and over. That¡¯s when it hits me¡­


    ¡°Notch¡­ are you making fun of me¡­,¡± I say a little mad.


    That¡¯s when I see him start to wiggle in laughter. Watching him laugh at my expense I just mutter, ¡°Little shit,¡± then walk over to an empty area to meditate trying my damnedest to ignore my still laughing partner. Unable to lose myself as I did in the dungeon I sit there for a few minutes then give up for now. Getting up I decided I¡¯ll get some work done while waiting for my mana to recharge then I¡¯ll come back down. Heading back upstairs, a little sullen over everything I walk back to my office without even glancing over at Adile. Sitting down behind my desk I start to copy over the next page. After a few hours of work, I finally forgive Notch and we leave to eat.


    When I get to the stables I go to drop off Notch as I have been but the stable boy runs up to me and nervously tells me, ¡°Sir, I¡¯m sorry to say but Reg says that since you¡¯re coming twice a day to help clean the stalls that I can only pay you one Talon a day instead of for each vist¡­¡±


    A little disappointed that I was going to lose out on a extra Talon every day, but I have no choice so I just tell him, ¡°That¡¯s fine I understand, I¡¯ll be back after I¡¯m done.¡±


    With a nod, I head in and eat returning after only a bit getting Notch and leaving back to the Guild. Once there I see I only have enough mp for one mana bolt so I decide to just skip it and go to bed.

 Chapter 26

    Waking early the next morning, I look around for Notch, but I don¡¯t see him anywhere in the small room. Peeking out of the door and into the library I call out for him. From between the cramped bookcases, I see my little green friend start to slime towards me.


    ¡°Were you cleaning the library again? You know that¡¯s not our job right?¡± I can¡¯t help but say to him shaking my head. He just shrugs and continues to make his way over to me. ¡°Alright, I guess if you want to do it it doesn¡¯t matter.¡± From there I start my morning routine eventually returning to my office.


    Today, I finally finish the first book lying it to the side I start on the next, but as I do, Notch slimes over opens the book with a tentacle and begins absorbing all of the ink from each page one by one.


    ¡°Notch, can every slime control their dissolving property as you do?¡± He shrugs¡­ I don¡¯t know what I expected eh, doesn¡¯t matter it was just a stray thought. After this minor distraction, a thought occurs to me. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back Notch,¡± he nods, and I walk to the training area shoot off two mana bolts then back to the up to my office. If I do this at any point, my mana reaches four I¡¯ll hopefully raise my skill level a lot faster then just at the end of the day.


    The day passed by quickly overall I spent twelve transcribing with a break every four hours to run down to the training hall and fire a mana bolt. There¡¯s no visible progress in my magic, but I feel like I can manifest and fire off the orb a mana a little faster¡­ but that could be my imagination. Leaving my office with Notch on my shoulder we walk down to the training hall again. First, I fire off another mana bolt then step back to the same dummy picking up a short sword on the way.


    As I¡¯m trying to remember my sword forms and hitting the dummy over and over, I hear laughing behind me. This distracted me enough that on my next swing I stumble forward into the dummy then back on to my butt. Embarrassedly I look behind me to see Lea laughing even harder now.


    ¡°Nox¡­ what in the hell were you doing? Cause it looked like you were just trying to chop my dolls into firewood, unsuccessfully at that.¡±


    ¡°I am a, uh... little rusty¡­,¡± is all I can think to say in response to her mocking me.


    She takes some visible deep breaths to stop laughing and then asks, ¡°Nox, that looks more like you have only ever been shown a sword maybe even was allowed to hold it but never swing it. But I have another question for you, are you part of an adventuring team?¡±


    I was getting ready to defend myself against her accusations on my swordplay, but her question stumped me, ¡°No, it¡¯s just Notch and me¡­ why?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll answer that if you can answer this, are you planning on fighting with a short sword in this dungeon?¡±


    ¡°I ah, was, I mean it was the only one I was trained with¡­,¡± I respond even more confused and now embarrassed that I am confused.


    ¡°Alright, let''s see if you can figure out the problem, Notch can you help us out?¡± He nods, ¡°Alright, Nox step away from the doll and face Notch in your fighting uh, ¡®stance¡¯ and swing your wooden sword at him.¡±


    Not understanding I follow her directions standing in my fighting stance, even if she doesn¡¯t like it, and swing my sword, slowly, at Notch¡­ but it swings above his head.


    ¡°So, I need to crouch more in my stance?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what you got from that?¡±


    ¡°...Yes?¡±


    ¡°Fine squat down further till you can reach Notch there and then I want you to try to move around like that,¡± she says all this shaking her head at my apparent stupidity.


    Still not understanding why I crouch down, reach out my sword to see if it would hit Notch. Confirming that it would hit Notch, I start to do a kind of crab walk and swing my sword around him, that is until my leg cramps up and again fall.


    ¡°Okay, now what do you think is wrong?¡± Lea asks with a small smirk.


    ¡°It¡¯s unrealistic to fight crouched like that¡­¡±


    ¡°Correct, now do you know in what situations a short sword should be used?¡±


    ¡°To uh¡­ stab things?¡±


    ¡°Well you¡¯re not wrong, it should be used with a shield if at all possible and for short stabbing or slashing attacks from behind it. That is why I asked if you were in a group because then if you are just supposed to just guard against attacks while the rest of your group attacks then using a shortsword is fine. Otherwise, I¡¯d hold off on using that kind of weapon in this dungeon.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Oh, I guess that makes sense but then what do I do?¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s really up to you, but I can give you a few suggestions if you want,¡± she says walking over to one of the barrels of practice weapons.


    ¡°I¡¯d be more than happy to take your suggestions.¡±


    Lea started looking through the barrel and took out three weapons pointing at each, ¡°Quarterstaff, Saber, and a Short Spear. Each of these has advantages but also a weakness. The quarterstaff is considered a weak if not useless weapon by many but that is completely wrong, I would personally consider it one of the most powerful and adaptive weapons out there, but it does not have an edge so this weapon may not be able to hurt some monsters that have a strong defense, and in a dungeon the length may be more of a hindrance than a help. The saber, and as you probably saw in my office, my personal favored weapon, is great for both slashing and stabbing with a length of about 36ins shouldn¡¯t be a problem in the dungeon while still giving you enough reach to hit your target, but it¡¯ll take a lot of training and practice to get up to a proficient level of skill. Last but not least is the short spear, this weapon can give you reach while also not getting in your way and like the quarterstaff, there is a lot of adaptability with this weapon, but while this weapon has all the strengths of a quarterstaff and little to none of its major weaknesses it is still at the end of the day a stabbing weapon meaning it will not be as effective against certain enemies like many earth-based monsters.¡±


    Picking each weapon up she demonstrates a few attacks and guards as she describes each one, ¡°Now these are the weapons I would suggest for you and for this dungeon they may not be the best choice for a different one. I¡¯ll leave you with that you should swing around each one and find one you like.¡± With that, she leaves me stunned at her explanation and a small demonstration.


    Picking up each weapon I swing them around in my now secluded corner. After playing with each one, I look to Notch, ¡°Any ideas, I¡¯ve never used any of these weapons before and have no idea which one I should pick.¡± He gives me a shrug and slimes his way over to the shooting range. I guess he won¡¯t be able to help me with this one¡­ well, let''s try to think about this logically. Starting with the quarterstaff, well I remember my former uncle and leader of the Lightningstorm family uses a metal quarterstaff as his primary weapon, I think it¡¯s just too long for the dungeon. Now that leaves the saber and the short spear¡­ the short spear is a great weapon with a lot of versatility and range but without being overly long. But the saber is a sword, so I do have some small foundation in it plus Lea does use it, so maybe I could get her to train me¡­ they don¡¯t let just anyone become a guild leader so she must be pretty strong. Saber or spear¡­ saber or spear¡­


    <table>


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    <td>


    Notch¡¯s Mana Bolt has leveled up!


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    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


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    <td>


    Mana Bolt is a spell that allows you to shoot a ball of pure mana. At level 6 this spell cost two mana and does three damage.


    </td>


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    </tbody>


    </table>


    My introspection was interrupted by some great news rushing over I see Notch sliming back over to me like it was no big deal, ¡°Great job Notch, you¡¯ll have to show me more tips on Mana Bolt again.¡± He shrugs then gives me a nod. Back to my quandary¡­ let''s see they can both be used with one hand so that will be useful if I start focusing on spells I¡¯ll still have a hand to use, but I can also use both with two hands, depending on the saber, of course, to increase the power behind my melee attacks. This is hard¡­ fine screw logic, well¡­ maybe not screw it, but I¡¯ll look at it from a different angle if Lea teaches me then I¡¯ll choose saber if not then I¡¯ll select spear. There it¡¯s decided.


    ¡°Hey Notch let¡¯s go see Lea,¡± I say picking up my partner and putting him in his customary seat. Heading upstairs I go up to Adile.


    ¡°Hey, Adile is Lea in her office?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she went up there a little bit ago muttering about stupid kids. Did you upset her again? You know it¡¯s not a good idea to annoy your boss Nox,¡± Adile says all this while smirking and holding back a laugh.


    Even though I can tell she is just teasing me I can¡¯t help but feel worried, I really like my bed and do not want to have to sleep outside so I can only respond in a dispirited voice, ¡°...I know, I¡¯ll try not to.¡±


    Adile¡¯s face goes from the teasing smirk to worry, ¡°Nox, I was just messing with you. You don¡¯t have to worry about your job Lea is just worried about you.¡±


    I am only able to nod then head up to Lea¡¯s office. Getting upstairs I see Lea¡¯s door is open and she is doing paperwork. Knocking on her door, she looks up.


    She greets me with a smile gesturing to the chair and then asks, ¡°Ah, Nox I was wondering when you would be up here did you pick one of my suggestions or decide to go with something else?¡±


    Still thinking about what Adile said I meekly respond, ¡°Well I kind of choice but I had a question first¡­ Will you teach me how to use a saber?¡±


    She sits in her seat looking at me for a bit then nods, ¡°I will, but know it¡¯ll only be the basics, your monster choice, and spells will heavily change your fighting style if you continue to grow.¡±


    With more excitement than I felt when I came in, ¡°Thank you, Lea when do we start?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm, well we both still have jobs to do so we can either do it first thing in the morning or the evening. But a little exercise in the morning is good for waking you up so let¡¯s do morning. So starting tomorrow come done to the training grounds at five.¡±


    ¡°Okay, five it is then, thank you again, Lea,¡± I say backing out of the room.


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me yet, good night Nox,¡± She said giving me an evil smile.


    Walking out of the room with a slight shiver at her last remark I¡¯m able to make it downstairs before finally turning to Notch, ¡°So, uh that last part was a joke right?¡± He definitively shook his body, ¡°...Yeah, I didn¡¯t think so either.¡±


    While trying not to let it get to me, I make the walk over to the inn for food and to get paid the one Talon for Notch''s work cleaning the stables. Getting back to the guild I first head down and shoot another bolt off in the range then head up to bed for what is probably going to be a long and painful morning.

 Chapter 27

    ...What the hell is in my ear, is the first thought I have before I almost jump out of bed in fright and confusion. How can something be slimy, wet, and weirdly rough all at the same time¡­ staring at the culprit for my rude awaking in a voice somewhere between dead tired and pissed off I say, ¡°Notch, why did you just violate my ear with your tentacle?¡± I don¡¯t know why but even saying it made me squirm in discomfort. To make matters worse he just points at the old clock in my room, looking over I see I only have ten minutes to get to the training area to meet Lea. ¡°...I guess I should say thank you, Notch¡­ but really¡­ wasn¡¯t there a better way to wake me. Like by hitting me with a mana bolt or just slapping my face a few times¡­,¡± now the little guy is just shaking all over in his version of what I know is a giggle¡­ jack ass¡­


    Deciding just to drop it because Lea will probably skin me alive if I¡¯m not there on time. So I rush out of my room and to the training room, seeing that Lea isn¡¯t there yet I relax a little and do a lite jog over to the training weapons but only make it halfway there when I trip over something. Falling face first I see the floor getting closer and closer when smack I hit something hard and¡­ furry? This is not the floor... I can still see it about a foot below me. Before I can have delusions of floating in the air the seemingly empty air below me changes into a light blue colored fur and I hear a very angry growling. Looking over to my right I see the massive head of a cat with foot long clear canines glaring at me menacingly.


    ¡°Ah¡­ sorry,¡± Is all I get out before it throws me off its body and onto the floor where it puts one of its front paws on my chest growling even louder now. Feeling its claws starting to poke into my chest I hear the most beautiful thing in the world, at least for this moment anyway.


    ¡°Dagger, stop playing with Nox,¡± Lea calls out as she is walking down the stairs. ¡°What has gotten into you? You¡¯ve seen him the few times he has been in my office.¡±


    With the pressure of Dagger¡¯s paw leaving my chest I take a shuddering breath before sitting up and telling Lea, ¡°It''s my fault, I ah, tripped over him in my rush to get a practice weapon.¡±


    Lea, now petting the purring Dagger¡¯s head, ¡°Is that right Dagger did the mean old Nox trip over you,¡± Dagger¡¯s response was to purr louder and rub against her leg. ¡°Ha, you can''t-fool me Dagger I know you better than that you were invisible and purposely tripped him.¡± Dagger¡¯s purring stops momentarily and he seems to hunch down like a child that has been caught in a lie. ¡°I swear, Bubo is a bad influence on you¡­¡± Patting him on the side, she walks over to me helping me to my feet. ¡°Sorry, about him Nox ever since he evolved into a Crystal Ice Tooth Dagger likes to turn invisible to mess with people,¡± giving a playful glare towards the huge blue-tinged tiger.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine; he only gave me a small scare, you said he''d seen me before? Oh, that large pillow in your office I was wondering what that was for,¡± I say without thinking, I''m still stunned over what just happened.


    ¡°Yup, that¡¯s where he likes to spy on all my guests, anyways get a saber and I¡¯ll show you some forms that you will have to practice until well, really you¡¯ll always have to practice these forms they will help with flexibility and some muscle memory,¡± Lea tells me this first in an overindulging mothers voice while looking at Dagger then in a very serious tone in the end looking me in the eye.


    Running over I grab a wooden saber and face Lea, ¡°Alright first I¡¯ll show you the first ten movements and after you¡¯ll copy with me correcting.¡±


    Drawing her saber out of its sheath I gasp in shock then in a hushed worshiping voice, ¡°That¡¯s a Dragon¡¯s Weapon.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm? You¡¯ve seen one of these before?¡± Lea asks in shock.


    Damn, what was I thinking very few commoners will ever be able to identify let alone see a Dragon¡¯s Weapon up close. But I just couldn¡¯t help myself seeing the Ice Dragons imprinted on the sides of Lea¡¯s saber surprised me too much. With a few seconds passing before I answer in a lame, even to me, lie, ¡°I uh, heard them described before by a bard¡­¡±


    With a scrutinizing stare, she says, ¡°Uh huh¡­ but yes this is my saber Icecicle a Dragon¡¯s Weapon. So you know what that means then right?¡±


    In awe I reply, ¡°Yes, you¡¯re a master of the saber¡­¡±


    ¡°Correct, so now forget about it and close your mouth before you catch a fly, observe carefully, and I¡¯ll start,¡± after saying this I was stunned even more what does she mean forget about it? SHE WAS A WEAPON MASTER, A GOD DAMNED DRAGON¡¯S WEAPON¡­ what the hell is she doing in this backwater town she at the very least should have been adopted into the Waterstorm family. Very few people ever become a Dragon¡¯s Weapon it¡¯s mostly just the heads of the family and maybe there one of their top generals¡­ Before I can continue down this rabbit hole, Lea stops moving.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°Alright, now your turn don¡¯t worry about getting it perfect on the first try.¡±


    Staring at her, I have no idea what she is talking about¡­ my turn for what?


    After a minute of us looking at each other Lea has on a confused expression and says, ¡°Nox? Do the forms¡­¡±


    With dawning realization, I remember why I¡¯m here... why didn¡¯t pay attention this person in front of me is the same as a Noble what if she decides to punish me as Axel did she¡¯d have every right to do it too, so with a pained expression try to lie, ¡°I was ah, mesmerized by your skill can you please do them again but slower, Ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°Nox, you weren¡¯t paying attention were you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I was just shocked about your identity as a Dragon Weapon, ma¡¯am,¡± I reply very formally with a bow.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing Nox?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand Ma¡¯am,¡± I say trying not to remember how many times I was disrespectful to this powerful individual. I called her by a nickname¡­


    ¡°Nox, come here.¡±


    Running over to obey her as quickly as I can, I stand in the exact spot she pointed to, and before I can even say anything, she knocks me on the head with the pommel of her saber. Falling to the ground, I look up at her in confusion¡­ I followed all her orders did I do something wrong?


    ¡°Nox, let me make this very clear, I am a normal human being, not some goddess of war you are to treat me just the same as you have been before you knew,¡± she tells me this with the tip of her saber lightly poking me in the chest effortlessly cutting through the material of my clothes and even drawing some blood.


    Thinking that maybe I should use her proper title, I say, ¡°But Dragon Weapon, it would be improper of me to do so.¡± I continue to stay on the ground bowed down in complete terror shacking with flashbacks of Axel and his spider Arachne.


    Seeing my state Lea gets on the ground with me and grabs me into a hug, ¡°Nox, what is wrong why are you acting this way, you''re shaking more now than when Dagger was threatening you with his massive claws.¡±


    Unable to reply I am trapped in a cycle of terror seeing the Black Mist Spider in my mind''s eye staring at me in hunger. When I feel a slap across my cheek I stare dumbly at Lea, noticing for the first time that she is holding me in her arms I start to become terrified again when Notch slaps me again on the cheek seeing, and my partner I am able to gain a semi-balance of normalcy.


    Seeing reason return to my eyes Lea says, ¡°Nox? Are you okay?¡±


    I nod and try to leave her embrace, but she doesn¡¯t let go.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m sorry if I scared you with my poke, but I wanted to make sure you knew I was serious about you treating me like a normal person or at the very least like your boss. Got it?¡±


    I nod again, and she lets me go, standing up I turn to her and say, ¡°Sorry, I was just uh, overwhelmed a little¡­. Lea.¡±


    ¡°You scared me; you were shaking all over, should we do this later?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine now thank you,¡± I say as confidently as I can.


    ¡°...Alright, but Nox if you need to talk about anything you can come to me okay?¡±


    I nod again.


    ¡°Okay, now pay attention, and I¡¯ll do the first ten forms again,¡± after saying that she picks her saber back up and starts moving in a slow almost dance-like formations.


    A short time later I try moving in the same way she does, but my body seems to stutter as I move about. Lea doesn¡¯t say anything until I finish what I remember of the ten forms.


    ¡°Alright, not too bad for your first time do it again but this time I¡¯ll do it with you.¡±


    Starting again I realize all of my body is aching, and after only mimicking the first four forms I have to stop, or I would fall in exhaustion.


    Seeing my state Lea says with a small grin, ¡°It¡¯s a lot tougher than you thought it would be right?¡±


    Tiredly I reply, ¡°very much so, you make it look so easy, but my muscles feel like they are on fire already and I''m not even able to do it fluidly like you.¡±


    ¡°Practice, now did I say you could stop start again,¡± she says in her serious tone.


    Standing up straight I start again but this time I was able to make it to the fifth form before I had to stop but before I could even rest properly, ¡°Again!¡±, ¡°Again!¡±, ¡°Again!¡±, ¡°Again!¡± over and over until I am unable to get up off the floor.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s a start we¡¯ll do this again tomorrow,¡± without any more sympathy her and Dagger leave me on the floor still gasping for breath and unable to lift a single finger.


    After what feels like a lifetime I am finally able to sit up only to see Notch cleaning the gym. Shaking my head, I call him over, and we slowly make our way to the inn for breakfast and back again more painfully to the guild. Entering I see Adile waving me over.


    With a massive grin on her face, she says in greeting, ¡°Hey Nox, Lea told me to tell you to make sure you move around a lot today, or your muscles will become stiff and tomorrow¡¯s training with being even more painful.¡±


    I am unable to build up the effort to reply with anything more than a nod and a, ¡°Thank you,¡± I walk back to my office and try to get some work done. With a break now and then I move around stiffly and make sure to go back down to the training hall to shoot a few mana bolts. Before getting food, a Talon, and collapsing into bed exhausted only to awake with nightmares of spiders multiple times in the night with Notch calming me back down each time.