《Luckborn》 Welcome Howdy folks. Thanks for stopping by. Luckborn will be launching Sunday, Feb. 16. I¡¯ll be dropping the first 10 chapters, followed by 1 chapter/day the following week. Cause that¡¯s how I¡¯m told we do things round here. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. This is my first serialized web novel and I¡¯m super excited to share my story with you. I¡¯ve been a fan of the progression/litrpg genre for a while. I¡¯ve read a lot of the big names, and some of the small ones, too. See you soon! Chapter 1- Brighthaven The streets of Brighthaven bustled with life, alive with the sounds of vendors hawking wares, children laughing, and the occasional clang of a blacksmith¡¯s hammer. But for Otter Bennett, it all faded into background noise. He strolled through the market square, head down, nose hovering over his wrisplay, cycling through options with a quick tap of his finger. The auditory interface update was the System¡¯s newest feature, and Otter loved it. It allowed him to block out the world, replacing the city''s din with something calmer. Babbling brook. Rain on a tile roof. Soft birdsong. He paused on birdsongs, letting the gentle melody drown out the noise of Brighthaven. The sound reminded him of peaceful mornings, sitting by the riverbank, sketching in his notebook. Otter adjusted the laundry sack slung over his shoulder. He had to get these over to Ethel¡¯s quickly and then deliver a clean load somewhere else. He consulted his mental map, making sure he was on the quickest route. Maps were his thing. He¡¯d spent the past few months remapping every alley, canal, and shortcut in the city, convinced that if he proved his value to the System, it would finally grant him a class. He¡¯d picked up the skill primarily because the stupid compass on his wrisplay didn¡¯t work. It was supposed to point you in the direction of your current objective, but his only ever pointed north. Unfortunately, even leveling up his Navigation (urban) skill to level 4 hadn¡¯t had any effect. It had been three years since Otter received his wrisplay, and for the first two, he hadn¡¯t worried about his classless status. Most kids didn¡¯t get their class until around fifteen, usually after discovering a talent or skill that aligned with the System¡¯s pathways. But now Otter was nearing his sixteenth birthday, and the Adventurers¡¯ Academy would begin its new year in five weeks. Erin, his best friend, had already been invited. She¡¯d gotten her Scout class a couple of months ago. He couldn''t figure it out. He had more skills than she did, and her Navigation (urban) was only at level 2. But becoming an Adventurer was about more than being left behind, more than making enough coin to ensure his mother would never have to move crates at the docks again. It was how he would find his father. He never really knew his father. The man had disappeared when Otter was only five. His memories were few, but he always thought of him as larger than life. He had been an Adventurer, or at least that¡¯s what he¡¯d pieced together from overheard conversations. He honestly hadn¡¯t thought much about the man until his fourteenth birthday. That was the day he¡¯d found the letter. He¡¯d been tracking a pileated woodpecker. He knew they ate bugs and hoped to find something new for his journal. It landed on the eaves of his tiny cottage and began pecking. Otter noted the spot, then ran up and shooed the bird away and started to climb up the wall so he could ferret out whatever beetle or grub lurked within. He hadn''t gotten very far when his wrisplay buzzed, startling him. He lost his grip and fell. It wasn''t far, but he panicked, scrabbling to grab hold of anything. He caught hold of a siding board and it came loose in his hand. After he dusted himself off, he went to put the board back and saw an envelope tucked in the hole. He pulled it out and read. Dear son, I hope you never read this. I hope I¡¯ve returned to be the father you deserve. But if you ever find this, I¡¯m sorry. Do whatever you can to be invited to the Adventurer¡¯s Academy. You¡¯ll find answers there. I love you more than anything. Da That¡¯s why he had to go to the Academy. But to get invited, you had to have a Class. More importantly, you had to have an Adventurer Class. He¡¯d tried everything. Odd jobs. New skills. Mapping every corner of Brighthaven. But the System remained silent. Otter sighed, wiping the back of his hand across his brow. It wasn¡¯t fair. He¡¯d worked harder than anyone he knew, and yet he was still stuck at Level 0, with no class and no clear path forward. ¡°Come on, System,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°What am I missing?¡± As he rounded a corner, his wrisplay glitched, blasting his ears with a sharp screech. ¡°Gah! What the¡ª?¡± He dropped the sack of laundry and swatted at his wrist. Thankfully, the noise cut out, returning to the peaceful birdsong. As he bent down to pick up his fallen laundry sack, something caught his eye. A flash of purple, glinting in the sunlight. Otter froze. At the edge of the road, a beetle crawled across the cobblestones. Its iridescent shell shimmered like oil on water¡ªa rare find. ¡°A violet fendermite!¡± Otter whispered, his eyes lighting up. ¡°Haven¡¯t seen one of these in months.¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Otter abandoned his laundry and scampered off the road, chasing the beetle into a nearby alley. He felt a slight breeze at his back, but paid it no mind. He crouched over the beetle, studying it carefully. Its carapace shimmered with shades of violet, emerald, and deep blue. Otter grinned, pulling a small notebook out of a pocket. It was something he carried everywhere, just in case of times like these. He took out a pencil to make a quick sketch and scribbled a few notes in the margins, carefully detailing the beetle¡¯s unique markings and behavior. ¡°Beautiful,¡± he murmured. ¡°Absolutely beautiful.¡± Satisfied with his sketch, Otter turned back to retrieve the laundry sack and found it driven deep into the muddy rut. How did that happen? Otter wondered. Followed by, How mad is Ethel going to be about this? ¡°Eh, they¡¯re already dirty,¡± he muttered. ¡°Won¡¯t make much difference.¡± He picked up his sack and continued on his way. *** From the top of the hill, a bearded man in a fine silk suit sat at a table outside a small cafe, gazing down at the runaway cart incident. It was only a minor disturbance and folk were already clearing away the debris. No one was hurt, which was lucky. It could have been much worse. Most people dismissed the event as a simple accident. But Silas Blackwood was not most people. He had honed his Observation skill for decades, and he had witnessed everything. He had watched the cart driver struggle with a knot in his mule¡¯s reins, heard the man¡¯s triumphant shout when he loosed the beast from his harness and the following cry of alarm when the old mule bucked, kicking the cart with its hind legs. The cart shuddered then began to roll down the hill. It picked up speed on the cobblestones, the barrels inside rattling with every bounce. He watched as the cart grazed a vendor¡¯s stall, knocking over a stack of crates. The old cart driver chased the cart futilely. Most interesting to Silas was the young man walking down the center of the street who seemed to have some sort of fit, dropped the sack on his shoulder, then carelessly crawled on hands and knees to the mouth of a nearby alley. The cart missed plowing into him by inches. After a few moments, the young man turned to retrieve his burden, completely unaware of the disaster that had almost befallen him. The entire sequence of events was uncanny. Silas felt a stirring in his gut. It was a sensation he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time¡ªone of opportunity. He flagged down a server. ¡°Do you, by chance, know the name of the young fellow at the bottom of the hill carrying that muddy sack over his shoulder?¡± The server squinted his eyes, peering in the direction his customer indicated. ¡°Oh yeah, that¡¯s Otter.¡± ¡°Surname?¡± ¡°Bennett,¡± the server replied. ¡°Thank you.¡± Silas paid his bill and left the server a handsome tip. He picked up his walking cane and left the cafe. That name, Bennett, rang a bell. He needed to find out more. *** Otter pushed open the door to Ethel¡¯s Laundry and dropped the sack onto the counter. Ethel, a no-nonsense woman with a sharp tongue, narrowed her eyes at the state of the laundry. ¡°Otter! What on earth happened to these?¡± ¡°They were like that when I found them,¡± Otter said, shrugging. Ethel gave him a look that said she didn¡¯t believe a word of it. ¡°Right.¡± She handed a copper dreg to the boy and lifted a clean stack of garments wrapped in a neat brown paper package onto the counter. ¡°See that these are delivered without a speck of dirt or I¡¯ll take it out of your hide.¡± ¡°Yes ma¡¯am,¡± Otter promised with a grin. After dropping off the clean laundry only a block away, he headed back across the city toward the docks. His mother would be waiting for him. While he walked, he checked his display again. Name: Dwayne Shi¡¯longh Bennett (Otter) Level: 0 XP: 0 Class: None Life Force: 4 Stats STR 9 DEX 9 CON 9 INT 10 WIS 9 CHA 9 Luck 18 Skills Knowledge (Entomology) Novice- Lvl 3 Knowledge (Mathematics) Novice- Lvl 2 Navigation (Urban) Novice- Lvl 4 Observation Novice- Lvl 4 Persuasion Novice- Lvl 3 Reading Novice- Lvl 4 Swimming Apprentice- Lvl 5 Writing Novice- Lvl 4 Current Objective: Find Your Calling Still no change. He fought down the frustration. There was still time, he told himself. He had five weeks to ¡°Find his Calling¡± and pick a class. If he was lucky. Which, according to his stat block, he certainly was. But the odds of being offered an adventuring class were still very low. Most people ended up stuck as a level 0 class like Merchant, Craftsman, or worst of all...Villager. In a city of thousands, most people were still considered villagers by the System. As a level 0 class, the only method of advancement was through skills. Otter knew of a blacksmith who had Master level in two skills, affording him renown and a handsome chunk of coin. But adventuring classes were the real deal. With one of those, you could improve your base stats, gain access to class-based skills, increase your life force, and¡ªbest of all¡ªlearn magic. Otter swiped his wrisplay again, watching the screen glitch briefly before settling back to normal. "Strange," he muttered. The display shouldn¡¯t be acting up¡ªnot with the System''s recent updates. Bugs were rare these days, and Otter knew a thing or two about bugs. The kind that crawled around on six legs, that is. The System¡¯s inner workings were a mystery to him. The sun was on its way down, casting long shadows on the cobblestones, but work in the city was never done. Bakers stacked loaves of rye and oat onto carts, their aprons dusted with flour. Butchers sharpened knives with rhythmic scrapes of steel, and cobblers hammered nails into the soles of worn boots. The air was rich with scents: fresh bread mingling with wood smoke, the tang of fish from the docks drifting on the breeze. Children darted through the alleys, laughing as they chased wooden hoops and tossed beanbags. He wove through the crowd with ease, sidestepping a barrow full of cabbages and ducked under a banner advertising The Autumn Fair¡ªThree Days Only! He glanced at the banner and sighed. Nothing ever changed. Same fair. Same streets. Same faces. In Brighthaven, most people lived and died as Level 0 townsfolk. No adventure. No grand quests. Just work, family, and a quiet end. Otter longed for more. He passed an elderly basket weaver sitting on a low stool. Her fingers moved quickly over the reeds, weaving them into tight, perfect circles. Next to her, a young boy carved a wooden figure¡ªa simple toy soldier. He couldn¡¯t blame the kid for carving soldiers. Everyone dreamed of being a hero. But most were doomed to a boring life. Most, but not all. Chapter 2- Bran Otter turned down a narrow alley, taking a familiar shortcut toward the docks. The air grew saltier, the streets rougher. The buildings here leaned together like old friends, weathered by time and sea spray. He spotted his mother standing by a shipment of crates. She wore a simple brown dress, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and her hair was tied back in a practical braid. She was hefting a large crate into place with the ease of someone who¡¯d done it a thousand times. Otter smiled to himself. Marla was as steady as the tides. She caught sight of him and gave a sharp whistle. ¡°About time, Otter! You get lost chasing bugs again?¡± Otter grinned, holding up his journal. ¡°Found a violet fendermite. Haven¡¯t seen one of those in months.¡± Marla rolled her eyes, but there was a fondness in her expression. She always scolded him for getting distracted, but he knew she loved that part of him¡ªthe curiosity, the drive to notice what others overlooked. ¡°Laundry¡¯s delivered,¡± Otter said, handing over his copper dreg. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± Marla handed him a smaller crate. From the smell, he could tell it was filled with salted hides. ¡°Take this to the tannery,¡± she said, wiping her hands on her apron. ¡°And don¡¯t get distracted.¡± Otter hesitated, shifting the crate under his arm. The weight of his thoughts felt heavier than the wood and iron he carried. His mother caught the flicker of unease in his expression. She wiped her hands on her apron and stepped closer, placing her firm, calloused hands on his shoulders. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, son? You¡¯ve got that far-off look again. What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Otter lowered his gaze, shuffling his feet on the cobblestones. ¡°How long did it take you to find your calling, Ma?¡± Marla¡¯s brow furrowed as she studied him, then she leaned against the crate she¡¯d just moved, arms crossed. For a moment, she said nothing, letting the question settle between them like dust in the air. Finally, she spoke. ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡± Otter¡¯s head snapped up, his eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°What? What do you mean you didn¡¯t? You¡¯re classless?¡± ¡°I mean,¡± she said, ¡°I never found a calling. Because it¡¯s not something you stumble on, like a coin in the street.¡± Otter frowned, confusion etched into his features. ¡°But¡­ everyone says the System gives you a calling when you¡¯re ready. That¡¯s how it works, right?¡± Marla shook her head slowly, her expression calm but resolute. ¡°That¡¯s what they say, but it¡¯s not how it worked for me. The System doesn¡¯t hand you a path on a silver platter. It watches. It waits. And when you make a choice¡ªreally make it¡ªthe System follows.¡± Otter blinked. ¡°So¡­ you just decided?¡± ¡°I chose,¡± Marla said firmly. ¡°I decided who I wanted to be, and that was the path the System recognized.¡± Otter frowned deeper, struggling to process this. ¡°So you could have done anything? You could¡¯ve been a Spell Lord or a Commander, and you chose this?¡± Marla chuckled softly and shook her head. ¡°You think I chose to be a dockworker?¡± ¡°Well, yeah. You¡¯ve been doing it my whole life.¡± She smiled, her gaze softening. ¡°No, Otter. I didn¡¯t choose to be a dockworker. I chose to be your mother.¡± Otter froze, the weight of her words sinking in. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Marla continued, her voice gentle but unwavering. ¡°I could¡¯ve chased power, prestige, adventure. But that wasn¡¯t what mattered to me. I chose to stay. To raise you. To give you a life where you¡¯d be safe, where you¡¯d have the freedom to make your own choices. And the System? It saw that choice. It gave me the path I needed to do what I set out to do.¡± Otter swallowed hard, his chest tight. ¡°So¡­you never wanted more?¡± Marla¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Of course I did. Everyone wants more. But wanting isn¡¯t enough. It¡¯s what you do that shapes your life.¡± Otter shifted uncomfortably. ¡°What if what I want¡­ isn¡¯t here? What if I don¡¯t want to be a Level 0 Villager forever?¡± Marla¡¯s gaze hardened slightly. She stepped closer, tapping the leather-bound journal tucked under his arm. ¡°Then make more.¡± Otter stared at her, waiting for her to explain. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. She tapped him gently on the forehead. ¡°You¡¯ve got this, Otter. That brain of yours. That curiosity that won¡¯t let you leave a stone unturned or a bug uncatalogued. That¡¯s your strength.¡± ¡°But what if that¡¯s not enough?¡± he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°What if I never get a class? What if I never become anything more than¡­ this?¡± Marla lowered herself so they were eye-to-eye. Her voice softened, but her words were sharp with conviction. ¡°Listen to me, son. A class won¡¯t make you more than you already are. It¡¯s not some magic key that unlocks your future. It¡¯s just a tool. And the people who sit around waiting for the System to give them a class? They¡¯re the ones who stay stuck.¡± Otter clenched his jaw, his thoughts swirling. Marla placed a hand over his journal. ¡°You¡¯ve already got everything you need right here. You¡¯re observant. You notice things others miss. You see opportunity where others see ordinary life. That¡¯s your strength. The System will recognize it when you do. But it won¡¯t happen if you¡¯re sitting around waiting for someone to hand you the answer.¡± She straightened, resting a hand on her hip. ¡°Life is what you make of it. So make it yours.¡± Otter looked at the journal under his arm. His sketches, his notes¡ªhis whole world was in those pages. Bugs and beetles, maps and markings. Things no one else cared about. He¡¯d never thought of it as anything more than a hobby. ¡°Do you really think that¡¯s enough?¡± he asked. Marla smiled, tilting her head. ¡°I think it¡¯s more than most people ever have. It¡¯s what you do with it that matters.¡± For a moment, Otter said nothing, turning her words over in his mind. Finally, he nodded slowly. ¡°Okay.¡± Marla patted his shoulder. ¡°Good. Now take that crate to the tannery. And don¡¯t get distracted.¡± Otter couldn¡¯t help but grin. ¡°No promises.¡± Marla chuckled, shaking her head as she watched him walk off toward the alley. Her gaze lingered, her expression softening. Otter carried the crate through the crowded market, weaving between stalls and dodging a pair of boys who chased each other with sticks. His mind drifted to his mother¡¯s words. Use what you have. He glanced at the vendors, the butchers, the bakers. Everyone had a role to play. Everyone belonged to Brighthaven¡¯s endless cycle. Everyone except Otter. ¡°Oi! Look who it is!¡± a familiar voice called out. Otter¡¯s heart sank. Bran. His arch nemesis. Bran was a bully and had tormented Otter throughout his childhood. Sometimes cornering him on the way home from primary school to shove him into a canal. Sometimes wrestling him to the ground to steal any copper dregs he carried. Sometimes sucker punching him for no other reason than he could. In his fantasies, Otter used to imagine Bran as a Koasborn cult leader. One that Otter would rise up to vanquish just like in the old stories. As he grew older, though, he recognized Bran for what he was: an ass, plain and simple. Now, Bran stood with his usual smug grin, leaning against a post near a cart of fruit. His class badge¡ªa gleaming Fighter¡¯s Mark¡ªwas pinned to his chest. He¡¯d received it last month and hadn¡¯t stopped bragging since. ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t the classless wonder!¡± Bran jeered. ¡°Still running errands for your ma, Otter? Thought you¡¯d be off saving the world by now.¡± Otter gritted his teeth and kept walking, refusing to engage. Bran may have found his calling and been awarded an adventuring class, but it was the least of them. There were lots of fighters. Most never went to the Academy or progressed beyond level 1. They became soldiers or city watchmen. Bran followed. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Don¡¯t have anything to say? Or are you still waiting for the System to notice you?¡± Otter stopped. ¡°I don¡¯t need a class to be better than you.¡± Bran scowled. ¡°Better than me? Please.¡± He leaned in. ¡°You¡¯re just a sewer rat.¡± Otter readied himself to dodge. Moments like this, when he had his hands full, were the perfect opportunity for Bran to throw a punch. And he never passed up such chances. Before the situation could escalate, however, a voice cut through the tension. ¡°Don¡¯t you have something better to do?¡± Erin stepped out from behind a stall, a basket of herbs balanced on her hip. Her auburn hair shimmered in the morning light, and her green eyes were sharp. Bran straightened, his cheeks momentarily flushing. It was common knowledge that he had a thing for Erin and he always got flustered when she showed up. Composing himself, he flashed her a cocky grin. ¡°Just having some fun.¡± Erin raised an eyebrow. ¡°Grow up. Bullying people because you¡¯re bigger and stronger is so childish. It doesn''t impress anyone anymore.¡± Otter felt a flutter in his chest. They¡¯d been best friends for years, but lately, something had changed. His feelings for Erin had evolved from childhood companionship to something a bit more...grown up. If he was honest, she was the reason he was so desperate to go to the Academy this fall. There was always the chance that by this time next year, he¡¯d have a Class and could go then. But she¡¯d be a year ahead of him. She¡¯d have new friends, be in more advanced courses. He wanted to experience the Academy with her. Like best friends should. Just best friends, he told himself. Though he knew it was a lie. ¡°Your problem,¡± Erin continued, ¡°is that you¡¯re stuck in primary school. If you really want to impress people, you¡¯ve got to be better than that.¡± Bran spluttered. ¡°I¡¯m better than this sewer rat. I¡¯ve got a Class, remember?¡± He tapped the badge on his chest. ¡°Otter¡¯s better than you even without a class.¡± Bran¡¯s eyes widened and his face turned red again, but this time from indignation. Otter stared at Erin. ¡°What are you doing?¡± he whispered. ¡°Trying to get me killed?¡± Erin didn''t take her eyes off Bran. ¡°How about you two settle this once and for all. With a footrace.¡± ¡°That¡¯s dumb,¡± Bran said. ¡°If you win, I¡¯ll go on a date with you.¡± That stopped both of them short. ¡°What?¡± Bran and Otter said at the same time. ¡°If Otter wins, well, then everyone this side of the market will have your number. You¡¯ll have bigger things to worry about than picking on classless folk again.¡± Bran straightened, his ego once more asserting itself. ¡°If that¡¯s what it takes. Deal.¡± ¡°Um¡­okay, I guess.¡± Otter glanced sheepishly down at the crate in his hands. ¡°I just need to make this delivery first.¡± Bran¡¯s smug grin returned. ¡°Of course. Errand boy¡¯s got work to do.¡± ¡°Meet back here in an hour,¡± Erin said. ¡°And make sure you bring friends.¡± Chapter 3- The Race Bran sauntered off into the crowd, no doubt searching for lackeys to cheer him on. Otter watched him disappear into the crowd, then turned to Erin with wide eyes. "Are you crazy? What were you thinking?" Erin grinned, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. "I was thinking it''s about time someone put that bully in his place. Come on, let''s finish these deliveries." They walked side by side through the bustling market, dodging merchants hawking their wares and shoppers haggling over prices. The air was thick with the mingled scents of fresh bread, ripe fruit, and sizzling meat. "But a race?" Otter protested, shifting the heavy crate in his arms. "Bran''s a Fighter. Not only is he stronger than me, he¡¯s probably faster, too." Erin laughed, a mischievous glint in her eye. "You¡¯ve been running these streets your whole life. You know every shortcut, every alley, every hidden path. You¡¯ve got this." Otter couldn¡¯t help but smile at her confidence, but a knot of anxiety still twisted in his stomach. This wasn¡¯t just about winning a race. Bran wouldn¡¯t forget it if he lost¡ªand he definitely wouldn¡¯t take it well. Otter¡¯s gaze drifted toward the winding alleys and waterways beyond the square. The canals of Brighthaven twisted through the city like veins, connecting districts with narrow paths and hidden passages. Erin was right. He knew those routes better than anyone. Maybe he could win this. "And what was that about a date?" Otter asked, raising an eyebrow. Erin shivered. ¡°Yeah, well¡­ make sure you win, please.¡± The two parted ways, each having their own deliveries to make. Otter¡¯s step was a little bit lighter. Before he reached the tannery, a new thought struck him. This race might be just the thing he needed to get that elusive class. A win might not only convince Bran and all the spectators that he was more than a level 0 nobody, but it might also convince the System. Without any more distractions, Otter made his delivery. *** A small crowd had gathered as Otter and Bran stood at the newly designated starting line near the canal¡¯s edge. Word of the challenge spread quickly¡ªeveryone loved a bit of spectacle in the otherwise predictable rhythm of Brighthaven life. No doubt Bran had spent the last hour spreading the word himself, but it also appeared that Erin had as well. He saw friendly faces there to cheer him on, which he hadn¡¯t expected. ¡°Here¡¯s the rules,¡± Erin announced, in a voice loud enough for all to hear. ¡°First one to the clock tower and back wins. No weapons, no magic, no vehicles. Just skill. You must touch the tower. I¡¯ve got someone over there watching already, so no cheating.¡± Otter nodded, adjusting his sleeves. ¡°Fine by me.¡± Bran grinned, the overconfidence dripping from his every word. ¡°Better keep your head down, Otter. Wouldn¡¯t want to get lost.¡± Otter ignored him. He didn¡¯t need strength or speed to win this. He just needed to keep his head and trust his instincts. Both boys stepped up to an imaginary line. Erin raised her hand. ¡°Ready?¡± Bran and Otter nodded. ¡°Go!¡± The two racers launched off the line, sprinting down the cobbled street toward the first turn. Bran, with his fighter class bonuses, immediately pulled ahead. His heavy boots pounded the ground, and he barreled through the market like a charging bull. Otter didn¡¯t panic. He knew Bran would take the most obvious route. But the city was a maze of streets¡ªit was a puzzle. And Otter knew how to solve it. His Navigation skill kicked in. Even only at level 4, the quickest route to the clock tower lit up in his brain, almost as if he could see a map of the city in front of him with the proper path illuminated in a blue line. Main Street was the artery of Brighthaven. It wound its way from the Market Square up through Stonebridge Ward, skirted the Willowveil, before passing the Clocktower at the center of Oldkeep. It was a wide thoroughfare that saw plenty of traffic, whether cart, carriage, or bicycle. It would surely be cluttered with vendors and delivery carts this time of day, presenting plenty of obstacles to navigate. It was also a circuitous route, winding its way between the canals and cramped buildings. Otter veered into a narrow alley, ducking under a low archway and darting between buildings. He splashed through puddles as he zigzagged through the twisting alleys. He leapt over a pile of crates and scaled a low wall, landing on a narrow walkway that ran along a canal¡¯s edge. The air smelled of saltwater and algae as Otter ran, the sound of his footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Bran won¡¯t know this route, Otter thought. He¡¯ll stick to Main Street. I¡¯ll be two blocks ahead when this reconnects. But as he rounded a corner, he spotted a group of children playing with wooden hoops in the alley ahead. ¡°Move! Move!¡± Otter shouted, waving his arms. The children scattered, laughing as they ran, but one hoop rolled directly into Otter¡¯s path. He jumped, barely clearing it. His foot slipped on a wet stone, and he stumbled forward, catching himself against the wall. At that moment, a vile stream of chunky liquid rained down on the walkway ahead of him. Glancing up, he saw someone bent out of a window, emptying their stomach on the stones below. ¡°Close one,¡± he muttered, pushing himself back into a run. Just then, his wrisplay buzzed. He glanced at it and saw a message scroll across the screen, Luck¡¯s Whisper: Active His spirit soared. He had no idea what that meant, but it was something new. He¡¯d have to look into it later. Right now, he had a race to win. The canals of Brighthaven were a marvel of engineering, a complex network of waterways that served as the city''s lifeblood. They ranged from wide, deep channels that could accommodate large merchant vessels to narrow, shallow passages barely wide enough for a small gondola. The main canals, like the Grand Canal and the Merchant''s Way, were broad thoroughfares lined with bustling wharves and warehouses. Smaller tributaries branched off, winding through residential areas and marketplaces. Barges and boats of all sizes plied these fluid streets, transporting goods far more efficiently than horse-drawn carts could manage on the crowded roads. The canals allowed merchants to move heavy loads of timber, stone, and foodstuffs directly to their destinations, bypassing the congested streets above. But for those on foot, like Otter, the canals presented both opportunity and obstacle. The easiest method to cross the canals was using the various bridges around town, especially when crossing the Grand Canal, which was the widest. But that often meant taking a lengthy detour to get from point A to point B. Otter knew a faster way. He leapt off the walkway and dropped into the canal below. The water wasn¡¯t the cleanest, but Otter wanted to win. As soon as he broke the surface, he felt his swimming skill kick in and he moved through the water with smooth, efficient strokes. Meanwhile, Bran charged through the main street, knocking over barrels and shoving past startled merchants. His sheer size and strength cleared the way with ease. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. As the road veered closer to the canal¡¯s edge, he spotted Otter swimming across. He ground his teeth. Bran didn''t have a Swimming skill. With Otter taking shortcuts like that, he¡¯d would have to rely on his strength, speed, and endurance to overtake the little cheat. The Clock Tower was at least two miles further on, as the crow flew. Hopefully, he could find a shortcut. Otter reached the far side of the canal and climbed up the stone wall. Once he reached the walkway, he broke into a run again. Glancing over his shoulder, he spied Bran on the other side, and gave him a little wave, then darted toward the next shortcut. The alley narrowed, the high walls of Brighthaven¡¯s buildings pressing in on both sides. Otter knew this path well. It was one of his favorites, a hidden route that cut straight to the clock tower square. But as he rounded another corner, he skidded to a halt. ¡°Seriously?¡± he muttered. A large, rusted iron gate stretched across the alleyway. Usually, the gate was open, and Otter could use this way freely. But now it was padlocked and chained tight. There was no climbing it¡ªthe metal bars were slick from the misty air. Otter glanced around, heart pounding. Doubling back might cost him the lead. He gritted his teeth, feeling frustration bubble up inside him. He conjured up the map in his head, searching for a different path. He found one. The canals were narrower here. Not narrow enough to jump across, at least not without a serious Jumping skill or a little help. Fortunately, Otter knew just where to find that help. Two blocks back the way he¡¯d come, he ducked into a small alcove where the gondoliers kept the poles they used to propel their boats. He snagged one and used it to vault across the canal, landing heavily on the other side. Bran has finally made it across the Grand Canal. He knew Otter would be well ahead of him by this point and needed to close the gap. He kept his head on a swivel, looking for an advantage. At the end of the alley, he spotted what looked like a hastily constructed wooden bridge. It looked like a group of children had assembled it from assorted scraps to give them quick access to the other side. Without hesitation, Bran sprinted onto the bridge. It would save time. The wood groaned under his weight. With a loud crack, the bridge gave way. Bran plunged into the canal with a splash, water spraying high into the air. ¡°Damn it!¡± Bran sputtered, flailing as he dragged himself to the surface. Otter took off down the alley again, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. As he sprinted toward the clock tower, he couldn¡¯t help but laugh softly to himself. He could feel how far ahead he was of Bran. Otter was breathing hard when he touched the base of the tower. He wasn¡¯t used to running so hard for so long, but he was only halfway through this race. He still had to make it back to where they started. Being a Fighter, Bran probably had a higher CON stat which meant he could keep going longer than Otter. The route back wouldn¡¯t be any shorter and Otter knew he would be slower from here on. Plus, he needed to avoid that locked gate. He needed to find an edge. Otter¡¯s eyes darted around the square, searching for anything he could use to his advantage. His gaze landed on the clock tower itself¡ªa massive, ancient structure with winding stairs that led to a viewing platform near the top. From there, a series of rooftops stretched toward the canals. The buildings were tightly packed in this part of Brighthaven, their eaves nearly touching. Otter grinned. ¡°That¡¯ll do.¡± As Bran thundered into the tower square, Otter was already halfway up the spiral staircase. Even with all his shortcuts, he didn''t have the lead he imagined. Each step burned, but he kept moving, taking the steps two at a time despite his legs feeling like jelly. Behind him, Bran skidded to a halt at the base of the tower. ¡°What the¡ª?¡± Bran craned his neck to see Otter disappearing through a doorway above. His face twisted with rage. ¡°Get back here, you rat!¡± Otter ignored him, bursting out onto the viewing platform. The wind whipped through his hair as he stepped to the edge, looking down at the rooftops below. The gap between the clock tower and the nearest building was narrow¡ªbut dangerous. He didn¡¯t have time to hesitate. Otter took a running start and leapt. For a moment, he was weightless, the air rushing past him. Then his feet hit the tiled roof on the other side, slipping on the slick surface before he regained his balance. ¡°Made it,¡± he panted, scrambling across the rooftop. Bran¡¯s furious shouts echoed from below. Otter risked a glance back to see the fighter stomping through the square, looking for another way around. ¡°Good luck with that,¡± Otter murmured, picking up speed. Otter weaved across the rooftops, leaping from one building to the next. Each jump pushed his luck further, the narrow walkways and uneven tiles threatening to trip him up at every turn. His wrisplay flashed. New skill acquired: Jumping Novice- Lvl 1 Otter skipped a step, but he didn¡¯t falter. Luck was on his side. At one point, he came to a rooftop where a section of the tiles had caved in, leaving a gaping hole in his path. Otter skidded to a stop, peering down at the drop. ¡°Really?¡± he muttered. ¡°Now?¡± Even with a Jumping skill, there was no way he was making it across that. He glanced to his right and spotted a wooden beam stretching between two buildings. It looked barely sturdy enough to hold his weight, swaying slightly in the breeze. Again, his wrisplay buzzed. Luck¡¯s Whisper: Active That was the second time he¡¯d seen that. Maybe the System was trying to tell him something. Otter shrugged. ¡°Why not?¡± He climbed onto the beam, arms outstretched for balance, and edged his way across. The wood groaned underfoot, but it held. Just barely. Halfway across, a gust of wind caught him, and the beam creaked ominously. Otter gritted his teeth. ¡°Come on, come on¡­¡± The beam cracked just as he stepped off it, collapsing behind him. ¡°Whew,¡± Otter whispered, his heart pounding. ¡°That¡­ could¡¯ve gone worse.¡± Without wasting another second, he bolted for the final rooftop. Below him, he spotted Bran charging down Main Street, shoving aside crates and barrels as he tried to catch up, but he was way behind. ¡°Too slow, Bran,¡± Otter said, a grin spreading across his face. Otter reached the edge of the last rooftop and slid down a slanted overhang, landing in a crouch on the cobbled street. The finish line was just ahead¡ªthe square where they¡¯d started the race. The crowd had gathered again, whispering and pointing as Otter sprinted toward them. Some gasped when they saw him emerge from the rooftops, mud-splattered and breathless. ¡°Go!¡± someone shouted. Otter pushed himself harder, his legs screaming in protest. The finish line drew closer. He could hear Bran¡¯s shouts echoing through the alleyways behind him, but the fighter was too far back. Otter crossed the square, chest heaving as he skidded to a stop. The crowd erupted into cheers and scattered applause. He¡¯d won. Moments later, Bran came stumbling into the square, dripping with canal water and covered in grime. His face twisted with fury as he spotted Otter standing there, grinning. ¡°You cheated!¡± Bran spat, stomping forward. Otter shook his head, still catching his breath. ¡°Nope. Just took a different route.¡± Bran¡¯s fists clenched. ¡°You got lucky.¡± Otter smiled wider, stepping toward him. ¡°Maybe. Or maybe I¡¯m just better than you.¡± Bran¡¯s face reddened, but he didn¡¯t argue. There were too many people around to lash out. He knew he¡¯d lost. The crowd murmured in agreement, a few chuckles rippling through the gathered onlookers. Bran scowled. ¡°This isn¡¯t over, Otter.¡± Erin stepped up. ¡°Yes, it is. You knew the deal.¡± She gestured around at everyone watching. ¡°And now they do, too. If you have any brains at all, Bran, you¡¯ll focus on training. Maybe getting a job.¡± Bran muttered something under his breath and stomped off. As the crowd dispersed, Otter leaned against a post near the square, catching his breath. Erin rushed to his side. ¡°Did it work? Do you have a Class option now?¡± So that was Erin¡¯s plan all along. He swiped over to his profile, Erin watching over his shoulder. Name: Dwayne Shi¡¯longh Bennett (Otter) Level: 0 XP: 0 Class: None Life Force: 4 Stats STR 9 DEX 9 CON 9 INT 10 WIS 9 CHA 9 Luck 18 Skills Jumping Novice- Lvl 1 Knowledge (Entomology) Novice- Lvl 3 Knowledge (Mathematics) Novice- Lvl 2 Navigation (Urban) Novice- Lvl 4 Observation Novice- Lvl 4 Persuasion Novice- Lvl 3 Reading Novice- Lvl 4 Swimming Apprentice- Lvl 5 Writing Novice- Lvl 4 Current Objective: Find Your Calling ¡°Maybe it takes a little time to kick in?¡± Erin suggested. ¡°Yeah, maybe,¡± Otter said, disappointment washing over him. His victory had felt good¡ªbut not as good as he thought it would. Bran wouldn¡¯t let this defeat go unanswered, no matter what Erin said. It was only a matter of time before he¡¯d corner him in an alley somewhere and beat his frustrations out. Considering how public his loss was, it could be a severe beating. No, winning the race didn¡¯t change anything. He was still a classless Level 0 nobody, and time was running out. Otter glanced down at his wrisplay. The screen flickered again, static crackling at the edges. Otter frowned, tapping the display. He swiped through all the screens, looking for any sign of those earlier notifications? He found nothing. ¡°Hey Erin,¡± he said, still looking at his screen. ¡°You ever hear of something called Luck¡¯s Whisper?¡± Chapter 4- A Friends Departure The streets of Brighthaven were quieter than usual. The market square, typically filled with the clamor of merchants and townsfolk, was subdued. The soft clatter of wagons on cobblestones and the distant chirp of birds replaced the usual morning buzz. Even the gulls circling over the docks seemed less vocal, as if the city itself was holding its breath. Otter sat on a wooden crate by the river¡¯s edge, his journal open on his lap. It was his prized possession, but it was old. The pages fluttered in the breeze, revealing sketches of bugs, rooftop paths, and canal routes. Some of the lines were faded, the images becoming less distinct. The streets he loved seemed smaller. The secrets he¡¯d spent years uncovering felt insignificant. Footsteps approached from behind, light and familiar. He didn¡¯t need to turn to know who it was. ¡°You¡¯re early,¡± Otter muttered, still staring at his map. ¡°You¡¯re late,¡± Erin replied, her voice carrying a teasing lilt. Otter glanced up, managing a faint smile. But it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. Erin stepped closer, holding out a small package wrapped in cloth. Her auburn hair glinted in the morning light, and her green eyes sparkled with something unspoken.¡°I made you something,¡± she said. Otter blinked, surprised. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°Just open it,¡± Erin urged, her smile widening. Otter set his journal aside and carefully unwrapped the cloth. Inside was a leather-bound notebook, the dark brown cover embossed with a simple compass design. The leather was smooth, sturdy¡ªbuilt to last. ¡°For your sketches,¡± Erin said. ¡°And your maps. I figured you could use something sturdier than that old thing you¡¯ve been carrying around. It looks like its about to fall apart¡± Otter traced the embossed compass with his fingers, feeling a lump rise in his throat. ¡°Erin¡­¡± His voice faltered for a moment. ¡°Thanks.¡± She sat down beside him, her gaze drifting out over the river. ¡°I wanted to give it to you before I left,¡± she said softly. The words hung between them, heavy with meaning. Otter stared down at the notebook, his fingers tracing the edges of the pages. The weight of it in his hands felt heavier than it should¡ªlike it carried more than just blank pages. Like it carried expectation. ¡°It feels¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­ like it¡¯s happening so fast,¡± he said, keeping his voice steady. ¡°You leave next week, right?¡± Erin nodded, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. It had been three weeks since Otter had defeated Bran in the race, and he couldn''t help but remember the exhilaration that had filled him when he crossed the finish line. But now, with only a week until Erin''s departure, it felt like everything was slipping away. They had always known this day would come, but neither of them were fully prepared for it. His heart twisted at the thought of Erin leaving. They had been inseparable since they were kids, exploring every corner of the city together and dreaming of adventures. But now, Erin''s dream was coming true while Otter''s remained just out of reach. They sat in silence for a few moments, watching the boats glide by on the river. The sun was rising higher in the sky, casting warm rays over their faces. "Have you started packing yet?" Otter suddenly asked. Erin groaned and rolled her eyes. She hadn''t even thought about packing until this moment. "I suppose I should start," she reluctantly admitted. Otter chuckled. "Always leaving things to the last minute." "And you''re always too organized," Erin teased back. They stood up and stretched before heading back into the city. As they walked in comfortable silence, taking in all the familiar sights, Otter couldn''t help but feel a sense of sadness wash over him. He knew their time together was limited, but he was determined to make every moment count. ¡°I¡¯m happy for you,¡± he said quietly. ¡°Really.¡± Erin tilted her head, watching him carefully. ¡°You don¡¯t have to say that.¡± Otter finally looked at her, a flicker of pain in his eyes. ¡°But it¡¯s true.¡± A silence settled between them, broken only by the gentle lapping of the river against the docks. ¡°I wish you were coming too,¡± Erin said softly. Otter chuckled bitterly. ¡°Me? At the Academy? I don¡¯t have a Class, remember?¡± Erin frowned. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you don¡¯t belong.¡± Otter shook his head, closing the notebook. ¡°I¡¯m just a Level 0 villager.¡± Erin reached out and grabbed his hand, her grip firm. ¡°No,¡± she said fiercely. ¡°The System doesn¡¯t know you like I do. You¡¯re smart, Otter. You¡¯ve got more skills than anyone I know. You just need to find your own path.¡± His gaze softened, but he still couldn¡¯t meet her eyes for long.¡°Maybe,¡± he whispered. ¡°Don¡¯t give up hope. Your birthday is still a month away. Maybe that¡¯s what the System is waiting for. Maybe they¡¯ll invite you next semester.¡± That was certainly a possibility, albeit slim. Something told him if he didn¡¯t go to the Academy now, he¡¯d never get there. Every step he took toward Erin¡¯s cottage felt like one step farther away from his dreams. They said an awkward goodbye at her door, neither knowing what to do with their feelings, then Otter headed back to the docks. When he reached their usual spot by the crates, his mother was there, waiting. She stood with her arms crossed, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, revealing forearms strong from years of hard work. Her braided hair was fraying at the edges, and her apron bore smudges of dirt and saltwater. She watched Otter approach, her expression unreadable. ¡°Why so glum?¡± his mother asked softly. Otter shrugged, setting his new journal down on a nearby crate. She studied him for a long moment. Her sharp gaze had a way of cutting through to the truth, no matter how hard Otter tried to mask it. ¡°It¡¯s Erin, isn¡¯t it? She¡¯s getting ready to leave,¡± she said simply. Otter shrugged, tucking his hands into his pockets. ¡°She¡¯s my best friend.¡± Marla tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing with that knowing look she often gave when she wasn¡¯t buying what Otter was selling. ¡°Is that all?¡± Otter glanced away, scuffing his boot against the dock¡¯s worn boards. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter now, does it? She¡¯s off to the Academy.¡± Marla stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. Her touch was firm but gentle, the way it always was¡ªgrounding him, pulling him back from his spiraling thoughts. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she said. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. What matters is what you do next.¡± Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Otter frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Erin¡¯s not the only one who gets to move forward, Otter,¡± Marla said. ¡°You¡¯ve got a choice too.¡± Otter let out a bitter laugh. ¡°A choice? I don¡¯t have a class, Ma.¡± ¡°Who says you need a class? You¡¯ve already got everything you need. You don¡¯t need a class from the System or an invitation to the Academy to prove your worth.¡± Otter shook his head, frustration bubbling to the surface. ¡°What good are maps and sketches when everyone else has swords and magic? How am I supposed to compete with people like Bran or Erin? They¡¯ve got classes. I¡¯ve got¡­ paper.¡± Marla¡¯s gaze softened, and she turned his chin, forcing him to look at her. ¡°Listen to me, son. The world¡¯s full of Fighters, Mages, and Scouts. People who swing swords and cast spells. But you? You see things differently. You notice what others miss. You know how to read a situation before it happens. That¡¯s a skill most people would kill to have.¡± Otter swallowed hard, the lump in his throat returning. ¡°But what if that¡¯s not enough?¡± Marla¡¯s hands squeezed his shoulders gently. ¡°It is enough. It¡¯s more than enough. The problem isn¡¯t what you have, Otter. It¡¯s what you believe about yourself.¡± She let go, stepping back and folding her arms again. ¡°You¡¯ve spent your whole life exploring Brighthaven¡¯s back alleys. Finding paths no one else even knows exist. You don¡¯t need to be the strongest or the fastest. You just need to trust what you already know.¡± Otter lowered his gaze, his thoughts swirling. He traced the edges of the notebook with his fingertips. What did he want? What path did he truly want to walk? ¡°What if I can¡¯t figure it out?¡± he asked quietly. Marla smiled faintly. ¡°Then you¡¯ll learn. And you¡¯ll try again. That¡¯s how we all move forward.¡± Otter glanced up at her, surprised by the warmth in her expression. ¡°You really think I can make something of myself?¡± he asked. Marla nodded. ¡°I think you¡¯ve already started. You just need to embrace who you are.¡± Otter swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± Marla gave him a rare smile, a soft curve of her lips that carried both pride and affection. She ruffled his hair, the way she used to when he was a kid. ¡°Good. Now get to work. We¡¯ve got crates to load.¡± Otter chuckled, shaking his head as he picked up the notebook. ¡°Always with the crates.¡± ¡°Work¡¯s not going to do itself,¡± Marla teased. ¡°And remember¡ªuse what you¡¯ve got.¡± Later that evening, Otter huddled in his small, drafty room, the chill of the night creeping through the cracks in the window frame. He wrapped himself tighter in his blanket and laid Erin¡¯s parting gift¡ªthe leather notebook¡ªon his lap. The weight of it felt comforting, grounding. He flipped it open to the first blank page and stared at the pristine paper for a long time. Use what I have, huh? What do I have? With a sigh, he tapped his wrisplay, the faint glow illuminating his face in the dim light. Name: Dwayne Shi¡¯longh Bennett (Otter) Level: 0 XP: 0 Class: None Life Force: 4 Stats STR 9 DEX 9 CON 9 INT 10 WIS 9 CHA 9 Luck 18 Skills Jumping Novice- Lvl 1 Knowledge (Entomology) Novice- Lvl 3 Knowledge (Mathematics) Novice- Lvl 2 Navigation (Urban) Novice- Lvl 4 Observation Novice- Lvl 4 Persuasion Novice- Lvl 3 Reading Novice- Lvl 4 Swimming Apprentice- Lvl 5 Writing Novice- Lvl 4 Current Objective: Find Your Calling Otter frowned at the screen, tapping through the menu options as if he could discover something new by sheer will. His stats were painfully average¡ªcompletely forgettable, as Bran liked to remind him. Nine across the board, except for INT, which sat slightly above at ten. Nothing about it screamed "hero material." Except for one thing. Luck: 18. Otter stared at it, that strange number standing out in a different font from the others. He still didn¡¯t know why. After receiving his wrisplay, he remembered the official who¡¯d logged his stats commenting offhandedly that a score of 9 was completely average¡ªexactly what the System expected from a standard villager. So, if 9 was average¡­ what the hell did 18 mean? Otter had never been able to figure it out. He¡¯d asked his mother about it once, but she¡¯d brushed it off, saying only, ¡°It¡¯s higher than mine.¡± Higher than hers? That was all she¡¯d said before changing the subject. He¡¯d never met anyone who talked about their Luck stat. Maybe it wasn¡¯t something people paid much attention to. Or maybe it was, and they kept it quiet. He simply didn¡¯t know. And then there was that glitch. ¡°Luck¡¯s Whisper: Active.¡± It had appeared on his wrisplay the during the race, flickering in and out of view. It hadn¡¯t returned since, but Otter couldn¡¯t stop thinking about it. What did it mean? Slowly, thoughtfully, Otter picked up his pencil and began to write in his new notebook. At first, he jotted down simple observations about his own profile: Next, he scribbled questions, letting his mind wander freely: He paused, tapping the pencil against his chin. Then, he wrote a question in bold letters across the top of the page: Am I lucky? He stared at the words for a moment before circling them, then underlining them twice. Am I? To answer, he made a list of all the things that had happened to him recently that he considered lucky. Lucky Things That Have Happened: Otter paused, tapping his pencil against the page as he looked at that last one. He frowned and crossed it out. Beating Bran hadn¡¯t been luck¡ªnot entirely. He¡¯d worked hard for that. He¡¯d memorized the streets, taken the right shortcuts, and kept his head in the game. That wasn¡¯t dumb luck. That was earned. He flipped to a fresh page and titled it: Unlucky Things That Have Happened: He stared at it, the words feeling heavier with each passing second. Finally, he closed the notebook and leaned back against the wall, the leather cover resting on his chest. His gaze drifted to the small window above his bed, where the stars glittered in the dark sky. ¡°Find your calling,¡± he whispered to himself. ¡°That¡¯s my objective.¡± But how? Otter glanced at his wrisplay again, the glowing screen casting faint shadows in the room. The Luck stat still stared back at him, enigmatic and strange. His mother said it wasn¡¯t about finding his calling, it was about making his own path. He opened the notebook again, flipping to the first blank page. This time, he began sketching a map¡ªnot of the city¡¯s familiar alleys, but of ideas. Each line and symbol represented a possibility. At the center of the page, he drew a compass. And in the space beneath it, he wrote: Paths Not Yet Taken. Otter stared at the words, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He didn¡¯t have a class. He didn¡¯t have a quest. But he did have Luck. And maybe, just maybe, that would be enough. Chapter 5- An Unexpected Invitation The Council Room of the Adventurers¡¯ Academy stood at the top of a spire overlooking the city of Aurelia. Its walls were lined with ancient maps, faded banners from long-forgotten guilds, and relics of past heroes. The morning sun streamed through tall, arched windows, casting streaks of gold across the polished table where the Academy¡¯s most powerful leaders sat. At the head of the table sat Silas Blackwood, one of the Academy¡¯s senior overseers¡ªa cunning strategist, a relentless recruiter, and a man known for spotting talent where others saw none. He was tall, with sharp features and silver-threaded hair pulled back neatly. His dark suit was impeccable, his bowler hat resting on the table beside him. On the table in front of him sat a thin file folder, the edges sharp and neat. Across the top, one name was printed: Dwayne Shi¡¯longh Bennett (Otter) The other figures around the table murmured quietly, their voices low and cautious. A stern woman named Instructor Vael tapped her finger on the table. ¡°This boy hasn¡¯t received a class. And yet, you want to bring him into the Academy?¡± Silas leaned back in his chair, his expression calm. ¡°Correct.¡± Vael¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°On what grounds?¡± Silas opened the file and slid it across the table. It stopped in front of her, revealing Otter¡¯s abridged profile. Name: Dwayne Shi¡¯longh Bennett Level: 0 XP: 0 Class: None Stats: STR: 9 DEX: 9 CON: 9 INT: 10 WIS: 9 CHA: 9 Luck: 18 Notably absent was any mention of skills. Trying to maintain accurate records of that information for everyone not inducted to the Academy wouldn¡¯t be worth the effort. As it was, the administration struggled to keep up with the most basic information of all those receiving wrist displays on their twelfth birthday. Vael¡¯s gaze lingered on the Luck stat, her lips pressing into a thin line. ¡°Eighteen? That can¡¯t be right. No one¡¯s Luck is that high.¡± ¡°That¡¯s exactly why we should be paying attention,¡± Silas said, leaning forward. His voice was steady, persuasive. ¡°We¡¯ve seen countless recruits with high strength, dexterity, and intelligence stats. And yes, they make fine Fighters, Spell Lords, and Scouts. But Luck? It¡¯s unique.¡± Another instructor, a younger man with spectacles, frowned. ¡°Luck isn¡¯t a real stat. It¡¯s... abstract. Unpredictable.¡± ¡°Precisely,¡± Silas replied. ¡°And that¡¯s why it matters.¡± The room fell silent as Silas stood, his hands clasped behind his back. He paced slowly, the sound of his polished boots echoing in the chamber. ¡°Consider this,¡± he said. ¡°Most adventurers rely on their stats and skills to survive. Strength to wield a sword. Dexterity to dodge a blow. Intelligence to cast spells. But what happens when the unexpected occurs? When a trap is sprung? When a battle takes an unforeseen turn?¡± He gestured toward the file on the table. ¡°Luck is what keeps them alive.¡± Overseer Kane, a burly man with a broad nose spoke up. ¡°With stats like that, he¡¯ll never be able to compete with classed recruits.¡± Silas smiled faintly. ¡°But the Academy isn¡¯t about competition, is it? It¡¯s about cooperation. Imagine what a team of highly skilled adventurers could accomplish with someone that lucky on their side.¡± Vael leaned forward. ¡°But without a class, he has no foundation to build on. Not to mention how fragile a level 0 is. He would likely be more of a burden to the team than a help.¡± ¡°Fair point,¡± Silas conceded. ¡°There is certainly some risk involved. But what first level adventurer doesn¡¯t accept the same risk when joining the Academy? Besides, we don¡¯t send green recruits into the field on the first day. Your job¡ªour job¡ªis to make sure they are ready for the dangers they will face. And who¡¯s to say he won¡¯t get a proper class after he arrives? It has happened before.¡± ¡°Bah,¡± Kane scoffed. ¡°Those were kids with multiple high stats. They had options. They simply hadn¡¯t decided before arriving. This Bennet kid hasn¡¯t got a chance. He¡¯ll fail every test we throw at him.¡± ¡°Then he fails,¡± Silas said simply. ¡°But what if he doesn¡¯t? What if his Luck is the key to something we¡¯ve never seen before? Are we really going to let that potential slip through our fingers?¡± Vael¡¯s expression remained skeptical, and Kane¡¯s downright hostile, but the rest of those gathered had grown thoughtful. Silas leaned on the table, his gaze steady. ¡°Every hero¡¯s story begins with a risk. I say we take this one.¡± This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. *** Late one afternoon, three days before Erin was scheduled to leave, Otter was scraping barnacles off the docks. All was quiet save for the creak of boats bobbing on the water. His task was menial, requiring no thought. Which was good, because his thoughts were certainly elsewhere. He¡¯d spent every spare moment he had with Erin, but it wasn''t enough. There were always odd jobs to do. He and his mother needed every last copper dreg they could earn. At the moment, he was trying to devise a scheme to make a little extra coin. Maybe sell copies of his maps? The rhythmic tapping of boots on cobblestones pulled him from his thoughts. He turned to see a boy dressed in the crisp blue-and-gold uniform of the Adventurers¡¯ Academy walking toward him. The boy looked about Otter¡¯s age, maybe a little older, but carried himself with the rigid confidence of someone on official business. ¡°Dwayne Bennett?¡± the messenger called, his voice clear and formal. Otter froze, gripping the scraper tightly. ¡°That¡¯s me.¡± The messenger pulled a sealed envelope from his satchel and handed it to Otter. The wax seal bore the Academy¡¯s crest¡ªa capital A with a sword for the crossbar and quill extending from the apex. Otter stared at it, his heart pounding. ¡°What is it?¡± his mother asked, appearing around some nearby crates. Otter swallowed hard and broke the seal. His hands trembled as he unfolded the letter. To Dwayne Shi¡¯longh Bennett, By order of the Adventurers¡¯ Academy Council, you are hereby invited to join the incoming class of recruits. Report to the city gates of Brighthaven at dawn on the 10th day of the Harvest Moon. Transport will be provided. The path forward is yours to take. Signed, Silas Blackwood Senior Overseer, Adventurers¡¯ Academy Otter read the letter twice, disbelief washing over him. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding,¡± he whispered. Marla took the letter from his hands, reading it over quickly. Her eyes widened, and she looked up at him with a rare smile. ¡°They want you.¡± Otter shook his head. ¡°But¡­ I don¡¯t have a class.¡± Marla folded the letter carefully and handed it back to him. ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem to matter, does it?¡± Otter stared at the letter, his mind spinning. ¡°But what if it¡¯s a mistake? What if they sent it to me by accident?¡± he asked quietly. Marla placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. ¡°The Academy doesn¡¯t make mistakes like that, Otter. They want you.¡± ¡°But why?¡± Otter asked, his voice rising. ¡°Why me? I¡¯ve been waiting three years for the System to give me a class. Three years, and nothing! And now they want me at the Academy? It doesn¡¯t make sense.¡± ¡°Otter, you¡¯ve been waiting for someone to give you permission to chase your dreams. Well, here it is. Stop second guessing yourself.¡± Otter¡¯s feet pounded the cobblestones as he sprinted through the streets of Brighthaven, his breath coming in gasps, his heart hammering in his chest. The invitation letter was clutched tightly in his hand, the official seal of the Adventurers¡¯ Academy pressed into the thick parchment. He couldn¡¯t wait. He had to tell her. Erin had to be the first to know. Well¡­ the second. His mother had been first, obviously. Dodging a cart laden with barrels, he cut through Brassknuckle Row, the scent of metal and smoke heavy in the air. He barely registered the shouts of smiths and tinkers, his mind focused solely on his destination. The streets of Greenshade Quarter opened up before him, trees lining the cobbled avenues. The air here was quieter, calmer, but Otter didn¡¯t slow down. He knew the way by heart. Erin¡¯s house sat at the end of Silverleaf Lane, a small stone cottage with flower boxes in the windows and a worn wooden gate. Otter skidded to a stop in front of the gate, panting. He took a moment to catch his breath, pressing a hand to his chest. He glanced down at the invitation, his heart almost bursting with excitement. He grinned. He did it. Pushing open the gate, he darted up the path and knocked on the door, his fist thumping against the wood. A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing Erin¡¯s father, a broad-shouldered man with graying hair and a perpetual scowl that made him seem more intimidating than he actually was. He wore a work apron streaked with soot and grease, a clear sign he¡¯d been fixing something in his workshop. ¡°Otter,¡± he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. He leaned on the doorframe, crossing his arms. ¡°What brings you here in such a rush?¡± Otter shifted nervously, still catching his breath. ¡°I was hoping to see Erin, sir.¡± Erin¡¯s father gave him a long, measuring look, his sharp eyes flicking down to the parchment clutched in Otter¡¯s hand. A flicker of curiosity crossed his face, but he kept his expression neutral. ¡°She¡¯s in the garden,¡± he said after a pause, jerking his head toward the side of the house. ¡°Go on through.¡± ¡°Thank you, sir,¡± Otter said, giving a quick nod before dashing past. As Otter rounded the corner, he could feel Erin¡¯s father¡¯s eyes on his back, but he didn¡¯t slow down. He found Erin standing at a makeshift archery range. She held a bow, arrow knocked, the string pulled back to her cheek. ¡°Erin!¡± Otter called. She lost her grip on the string and the arrow zipped off, missing the target by a mile. ¡°Otter? What are you¡ª¡± He sprinted the last few steps, holding out the invitation. ¡°I got it!¡± Erin¡¯s eyes widened as she took the letter from his hands, her gaze scanning the Academy¡¯s crest and the official seal. Slowly, a grin spread across her face. ¡°You got in?¡± she whispered. ¡°I got in!¡± Otter beamed, his cheeks flushed with excitement. ¡°I¡¯m going to the Academy!¡± Erin tossed the bow aside and threw her arms around him, squeezing him tight. ¡°I knew it! I knew you would!¡± Otter laughed, hugging her back. For a moment, the weight of doubt and fear he¡¯d carried for so long melted away, replaced by pure joy. ¡°So what Class did you get? Did you get it last night? I can¡¯t believe the Academy got to you so soon.¡± Erin¡¯s questions tumbled out in a rush. ¡°Um¡­ yeah¡­ I still don¡¯t have one.¡± Erin pulled back and looked at him, her brows pinched together. ¡°Really? That¡¯s¡­ different.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t think it¡¯s a mistake, do you?¡± She shook her head. ¡°The Academy invites people with potential, not a Class. If just having a Class was a prerec, Bran would be going. But he isn¡¯t.¡± She hugged him again. ¡°Oh, Otter, this is going to be amazing!¡± Otter swallowed the lump in his throat, nodding. ¡°Thanks for believing in me.¡± Erin grinned, her excitement mirroring his own. ¡°We¡¯re going to the Academy together.¡± ¡°Together,¡± Otter agreed. The thought filled him with hope and determination. The journey ahead wouldn¡¯t be easy, but for the first time in years, he felt like he was finally on the right path. And he wasn¡¯t walking it alone. Chapter 6-Farewells That night, Otter sat by the riverbank, the invitation and Erin¡¯s notebook resting on his lap. The city lights twinkled across the water, reflections rippling with each soft wave. ¡°Report to the city gates of Brighthaven at dawn on the 10th day of the Harvest Moon.¡± That was three days from now. This was the opportunity he¡¯d wanted all his life. The chance to become an adventurer¡ªno, a hero. So why were his insides all twisted up over it? He should be ecstatic. He should still be jumping up and down with joy! But as the day wore on, the glee had been replaced with something else: Fear. He traced the edges of the notebook¡¯s leather cover, his fingers brushing over the embossed compass. Otter opened the notebook to a fresh page and began writing. Questions I Have: Why me? What do they see that I don¡¯t? What if I fail? He stared at the words, tapping his pencil against the paper. Finally, he wrote a new heading: What I Know: I¡¯ve got Luck. I¡¯m good at finding paths. I¡¯ve always wanted to be more. He paused, his thoughts swirling. But what if that¡¯s not enough? And there it was: the root of his fears. What if he wasn¡¯t enough? He¡¯d been trying to convince everyone around him for years that he was just as good as anyone with a class, but his biggest critic was still himself. No matter how big a game he talked, no matter how many races he won, in his heart, he knew he¡¯d never amount to anything without a class. And yet... The Academy had invited him to join. Somehow, they saw potential in him. Erin had believed in him, too. So did his mother. Did he believe in himself? He put pencil to paper a final time. I will be good enough. He underlined the word ¡°will¡± several times. To him, that was important. Maybe he wasn¡¯t good enough yet, but this was an opportunity for growth, to become more. The Academy wasn¡¯t an end goal. It was a place of learning, just like those courses he sat in growing up¡ªwhere he learned the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. It was required four hours a day from age five to twelve. The Academy will be no different. Well, it will be a lot different, but the same basic principle. Work hard, apply yourself, get better. That thought made him feel better, a little less scared. Determination would see him through. Later that night, Otter quietly pushed open the door to his small home. The fire in the hearth crackled softly, casting flickering shadows on the walls. The smell of stew lingered in the air, but the pot had long since cooled. Otter was about to head to his room when a quiet sound stopped him in his tracks. A sniffle. Peering into the shadows, he saw his mother sitting at the table, her head bowed, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Her shoulders trembled. ¡°Ma?¡± Otter said softly. Marla quickly wiped her eyes and sat up straighter. ¡°Oh. You¡¯re back.¡± Her voice was light, almost too cheerful. ¡°I thought you¡¯d gone straight to bed.¡± Otter stepped closer, watching her carefully. ¡°Ma, what¡¯s wrong?¡± She waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t mind me. Just being silly. It¡¯s nothing.¡± She sniffled again. Otter frowned, pulling out a chair and sitting across from her. ¡°Doesn¡¯t look like nothing.¡± His mother sighed, her shoulders slumping. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ motherly worry, that¡¯s all. You¡¯ll be leaving soon. Too soon for a mother to wrap her head around it. Much less her heart. It¡¯s a big change.¡± She offered a small smile. ¡°I¡¯m going to miss you.¡± Otter studied her face, his heart tightening. He hadn¡¯t considered how the invitation would affect his mother. If he left, she¡¯d be all alone. She¡¯d lose the extra income he made from doing odd jobs around town. ¡°I don¡¯t have to go,¡± he said quietly, feeling guilty. Her gaze hardened momentarily, then softened again. ¡°Of course you¡¯ll go. It may be my prerogative to worry, but not to stand in your way. Otter, the day you were born, your father said something that I¡¯ve tried to live by all these years. ¡®Marla,¡¯ he said. ¡®A parent¡¯s job is teach their children to not need them.¡¯ I think I¡¯ve done a pretty good job of that.¡± His father wasn¡¯t a topic they talked about often. He¡¯d asked about him a few times over the year, but she always looked so sad afterward. But since she¡¯d broached the topic... ¡°You know, you never told me what happened to my father. I think I¡¯d like to know now.¡± Marla looked away and was silent for a long time. Otter could tell she was trying to sort through her thoughts. But finally she spoke with a trembling voice. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°He left Brighthaven on an adventure. He wanted to be a hero, just like you.¡± Otter swallowed hard. ¡°What happened to him?¡± Marla looked down at her hands. ¡°He never came back.¡± Otter knew that much, of course. He¡¯d found the letter tucked behind a piece of siding on the house. Which was a really strange place to leave a letter, but he¡¯d never told his mother about it. Maybe he should have. She must have seen something in his expression because she said, ¡°Don¡¯t be angry with him, son. I¡¯ve been angry enough for the both of us. But the decision to leave wasn¡¯t his to make alone. He left with my blessing. His intentions were noble. And he wasn¡¯t supposed to be gone very long. You weren¡¯t supposed to grow up without a father. I don¡¯t know what happened. Maybe he¡¯s still out there. Maybe he¡¯s¡­ gone. I think something bad happened. Otherwise, I¡¯m sure he would have returned to us. But I never found out. And that¡¯s what scares me, Otter.¡± She reached across the table and took his hand. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll lose you the same way.¡± Otter squeezed her hand tightly. ¡°Ma¡­¡± ¡°I know you¡¯re smart,¡± Marla said, her voice steadying. ¡°I know you¡¯ve got more sense in your head than most people twice your age. But the world out there is dangerous. And even the smartest people can¡¯t predict everything.¡± Otter nodded slowly. ¡°I¡¯ll be careful.¡± Marla smiled faintly. ¡°I know you will. But that doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t worry.¡± Otter looked down at the table, his mind swirling. For so long, he¡¯d seen his father¡¯s absence as a mystery¡ªa story without an ending. Now he understood it was also a warning. ¡°I¡¯m not going to disappear,¡± he said firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll write to you. Every chance I get.¡± Marla¡¯s smile softened. ¡°You¡¯d better.¡± They sat in silence for a while, the fire crackling in the hearth. Finally, Otter stood, pulling the invitation from his pocket and placing it on the table between them. ¡°This is what I want,¡± he said quietly. ¡°I need to see what¡¯s out there. I need to know if I can be more.¡± Marla nodded, her gaze lingering on the letter. ¡°I know. And I¡¯ll be here, whenever you come to visit.¡± Otter hugged her tightly, feeling the warmth of her embrace and the strength in her arms. ¡°Thank you,¡± he whispered. ¡°Make your own path,¡± his mother said, her voice strong. ¡°And don¡¯t let anyone¡ªSystem or not¡ªtell you who you are.¡± *** The days before Otter¡¯s departure passed in a blur of quiet tasks and lingering goodbyes. There wasn¡¯t much to pack. He owned little in the way of truly valuable possessions¡ªa few changes of clothes, his old tattered journal, Erin¡¯s leather notebook, and the carved wooden compass his mother had given him on his twelfth birthday. Everything he needed fit neatly into a weathered satchel. It was sturdy, made of thick canvas with reinforced straps, the kind dockworkers used to haul supplies. He tied the flap down with a length of twine to keep it from flapping open. Packing took less than an hour. The rest of his time was spent preparing for something more important: making life easier for his mother while he was gone. Otter woke early each morning, well before dawn, and set about his chores. He cleaned the house from top to bottom, swept out the corners that often went neglected, and scrubbed the hearth until it gleamed. The old, creaky windows that never quite latched? He fixed them. The loose board on the back step that Marla always tripped over? Replaced it. When he finished, his wrisplay flashed with a notification. New skill acquired: Handyman Novice- Lvl 1 You have learned how to make minor repairs around the house. He cleared the notification and continued with his work. He even went down to the docks to barter for a barrel of salted fish¡ªenough to last his mother the better part of a month. He paid for it with the copper dregs he¡¯d collected over the years, carefully counting out each coin with precision. The exchange left him penniless. That concerned him. He had no idea how much money he¡¯d need at the Academy or if he¡¯d need any. He did know there was no tuition or cost for room and board. That much was common knowledge. The Academy trained adventurers, and adventurers went out and fought Kaosborn. Since they benefitted society, society provided for their basic needs during training. On the second day, as he knelt by the garden patch behind their house, pulling weeds and working fertilizer into the soil, his mother appeared in the doorway. She leaned against the frame, watching him quietly. ¡°You¡¯re working like you¡¯ve got a whole family to feed,¡± she teased gently. Otter sat back on his heels, wiping dirt from his hands. ¡°Just making sure everything¡¯s set before I go.¡± She crossed her arms, tilting her head. ¡°You know I¡¯m not helpless.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Otter said with a grin. ¡°But you¡¯ll be busy at the docks, and I figured you¡¯d appreciate not having to worry about the house.¡± His mother¡¯s smile softened. ¡°You¡¯ve always been like that. Quietly taking care of things when no one¡¯s looking.¡± Otter shrugged, brushing it off. ¡°It¡¯s just stuff that needed doing.¡± She stepped down from the doorway, walking over to him. She crouched beside him in the garden, running her fingers over the freshly turned soil. ¡°You¡¯re going to be fine out there,¡± she said after a long pause. Otter glanced at her. ¡°You sure?¡± She met his gaze, her expression steady. ¡°I¡¯m sure. You¡¯ve got more grit and smarts than most people twice your age. The Academy¡¯s lucky to have you.¡± Otter said nothing. Marla stood, brushing dirt from her apron. ¡°Now, come inside. I¡¯ve got something for you.¡± Back inside the house, she led Otter to the kitchen table and pulled a small bundle from a cupboard, wrapped in a faded blue cloth. Otter raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°Something your father left behind,¡± his mother said softly. Otter¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He hadn¡¯t expected that. Marla carefully unwrapped the bundle, revealing a small knife with a polished bone handle. The blade was simple but sharp, well-maintained despite its age. ¡°He carried this with him everywhere,¡± Marla said. ¡°Said a good knife could get you out of almost any trouble.¡± Otter picked it up, turning it over in his hands. It felt solid, comforting. The weight of something passed down. ¡°Are you sure you want me to take this?¡± he asked quietly. She nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve been keeping it for you. I always thought you¡¯d need it someday.¡± Otter slid the knife into his satchel, tucking it securely beside his notebook. The morning of his departure arrived too quickly. Otter stood at the city gates, his satchel slung over his shoulder. His mother stood next to him, there to lend moral support. Erin was there, too, along with her mother and father. The transport wagon waited, its horses restless. A few other recruits stood nearby, chatting nervously. Bran was notably absent. Otter couldn''t help but feel smug about that. When the wagon driver called for boarding, Otter took a deep breath and stepped forward. His mother caught his hand and pressed something firm and cool into it. ¡°One last thing,¡± she whispered quietly. Otter glanced down at the golden coin in his hand. He blinked in surprise, then looked up at his mother speechless. A golden Summa could keep his mother going for months. ¡°I¡¯ve been saving for this day your whole life. It isn¡¯t much, but it should help.¡± ¡°Ma, this is too much. You¡¯ll need this more than I will. You keep it.¡± Her eyes flashed. ¡°Its not up for debate. You¡¯ll do as your mother says one last time.¡± ¡°Yes, ma,¡± he said sheepishly. Then he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her as hard as he could. Then, with a steadying breath, he climbed into the wagon. ¡°Let¡¯s see where this path leads,¡± he whispered to himself. And, thus, the journey began. Chapter 7- Welcome to the Academy After two days of bumpy travel in the back of the wagon, Otter was sore and stiff. He¡¯d gotten out and walked from time to time, but the horses pulling the cart were hearty beasts, maybe even imbued with some magic, and they set a pace he couldn¡¯t keep up for long. But now he was reinvigorated by the sight of The Academy looming in the distance, its stone towers rising above the city of Aurelia like ancient sentinels. The late afternoon sun bathed the campus in golden light, casting long shadows across the sprawling grounds. Otter shifted on his seat as the wagon rumbled along the cobblestone path. The closer they got to the towering gates, the tighter the knot in his stomach grew. The gates themselves were carved with intricate symbols¡ªrepresentations of the core adventuring classes: Fighter, Spell Lord, Divine Conduit, Scout, and Dungeoneer. Above the arch, the Academy¡¯s motto was etched in bold letters: Strength in Order. The wagon came to a halt, and the recruits began climbing out. Otter slung his satchel over his shoulder and followed, his boots crunching on the gravel path. Theirs was not the only wagon there. Several others were also arriving, spilling their passengers onto the cul-de-sac before the gates. The crowd of new recruits buzzed with both excitement and nervousness, their chatter filling the air. Most recruits wore their class badges for all to see. Some spoke of family and comforts they¡¯d left behind. Others were too busy unloading crates, bags, and chests to bother with conversation. Was that their personal belongings? Otter wondered. He stood quietly next to Erin taking it all in. Even with her familiar presence, he couldn''t help but feel out of place. Eventually, everyone had debarked and the wagons and carriages pulled away one by one. Once they were gone, the gates slowly creaked open and the crowd fell silent in anticipation. Slowly, they filed inside, making their way into the grand courtyard, a sprawling open space with marble columns and towering statues of legendary adventurers. Otter¡¯s eyes were wide at the grandeur. ¡°Who are they?¡± Erin whispered, pointing at rows of people standing between the statues, watching the new recruits as they filed past. A raised platform took up one end of the courtyard, and a solitary figure stood upon it. Murmurs rippled through the assembled recruits. While no one had given them any direction, as one they made their way to stand before the platform, gazing up at the imposing figure. He was tall with a stern expression and piercing eyes that seemed to see straight through you. His suit was a deep blue, edged with silver trim, and he carried a staff carved with runes that glowed faintly in the fading light. ¡°Welcome to the Adventurers¡¯ Academy,¡± the man began, his voice deep and commanding. All whispered conversation fell quiet. ¡°I am Headmaster Voss. You have been chosen to join our ranks because you possess something special. Strength. Intelligence. Dexterity. But most importantly¡­¡± His gaze swept over the crowd. ¡°¡­potential.¡± Otter swallowed hard as Voss¡¯s eyes lingered on him for a brief moment. ¡°Some of you were born into privilege. Others clawed your way here through sheer grit. It doesn¡¯t matter how you arrived. What matters is what you do from this moment on.¡± He took a step forward, the tap of his staff on the stone platform echoing through the courtyard. ¡°The Academy exists to prepare you for the challenges ahead,¡± Voss continued. ¡°But let me be clear: this is not a place for weakness or hesitation. It is a place where hard work, determination, and adaptability will carry you farther than any badge or title ever could.¡± Voss paused, letting his words sink in. ¡°Strength, intelligence, agility¡ªthese things will only take you so far. It is your character that will determine whether you rise¡­ or whether you fall.¡± Several recruits exchanged glances, uncertain. Voss noticed and allowed a small, knowing smile to curve his lips. ¡°Some of you are already thinking, ¡®I have a Class. I¡¯ve already been chosen by the System. I¡¯m destined for greatness.¡¯¡± His smile faded, replaced by a steely gaze. ¡°Let me make one thing clear: Your Class is not your destiny. It is only a tool. A sword rusts if it¡¯s left unused. A mind grows dull if it¡¯s not sharpened. Your success will not be handed to you. It will be earned through sweat, persistence, and failure.¡± Voss turned, gesturing to the towering statues of legendary adventurers that lined the courtyard. ¡°These heroes? They were not born great. They became great. Every one of them faced hardships, setbacks, and doubts. But they endured. They kept moving forward when others gave up.¡± He turned back to the recruits, his expression grave. ¡°Make no mistake: You will fail here. You will fall short. You will be tested¡ªphysically, mentally, and emotionally. But what matters is not how many times you fail. It¡¯s how many times you stand back up.¡± Voss¡¯s gaze settled briefly on Otter, then swept across the rest of the crowd. ¡°This Academy and the System will not make you into something you are not. It will uncover what is already there. You will be pushed beyond your limits. And in the end, the person you become will be determined by the choices you make.¡± He raised his staff, pointing toward the gates of the Academy. ¡°The gates to opportunity and advancement are open to you. But make no mistake¡ªthey will not stay open forever. You have earned your place here, but you must fight to keep it.¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The recruits stood in silence, hanging on his every word. He gestured to the hundreds of students standing on the sides. ¡°Those gathered here have taken the first steps already, just as you are about to. They are second and third year students. They witness your arrival and welcome you with open arms. They will be your mentors, your leaders, and your companions in the years to come. Heed their advice.¡± Voss lowered his staff, his tone softening just slightly. ¡°Your journey begins now. Whether you rise to greatness, or fall to obscurity, is entirely up to you. The only thing that will carry you forward is you.¡± He stepped back, the finality of his words settling over the courtyard like a weight. ¡°Welcome to the Adventurers¡¯ Academy.¡± With that, he turned and strode away, leaving the recruits to absorb the gravity of what lay ahead. Immediately, wrisplays all over the courtyard began to light up. Otter checked the incoming notification on his. You have been INSPIRED. For the next hour, you gain advantage on all ability, skill, and attack rolls. Otter really didn¡¯t know what that meant. Headmaster Voss¡¯s speech had certainly been inspiring. In fact, he felt more confident already, like maybe he could actually accomplish something here. But that feeling deflated when he realized he had no idea what an ability, skill, or attack roll was. He knew what his skills were, but he didn¡¯t have any special abilities. He assumed those came with a class. As for attack rolls, he¡¯d never been in a real fight before. He looked at Erin. ¡°Any idea what that means?¡± She shrugged. ¡°Not really.¡± A few people appeared to share their confusion, but most were nodding with approval. Otter shook his head. It was one more thing he needed to figure out. The second and third year students began to disperse. A handful remained behind, rushing up to the platform where Headmaster Voss had stood moments earlier. ¡°Listen up, rooks,¡± one of them called out. The speaker was a lean, wiry boy with sun-darkened skin and a mop of messy brown hair that looked like it hadn¡¯t seen a comb in days. His uniform, though neat, showed signs of wear¡ªfrayed at the edges and patched in a few places, a tarnished Scout badge pinned to his chest. ¡°We¡¯re your Resident Advisors,¡± he continued. ¡°We¡¯re here to get you settled and go over a few ground rules. First things first. If your last name begins with A through C, line up over here!¡± Otter nodded to Erin, then quickly stepped into his assigned line, clutching his satchel as a few others joined him. He recognized two of them¡ªLyle and Torrin, boys from Brighthaven that he only knew in passing. The rest were strangers, their eyes darting around the Academy grounds with a mix of excitement and nervous energy. The Scout moved efficiently, breaking the recruits into smaller groups and assigning each to a different RA. Once he was finished, he trotted over to stand in front of Otter¡¯s group. ¡°All right, rooks,¡± he said, his gaze sweeping over them. ¡°My name¡¯s Cal, and I¡¯m your Resident Advisor for the year. Let¡¯s get you over to the dorms and get settled. Keep up.¡± Without waiting for a response, Cal turned on his heel and took off down a stone pathway, his steps quick and purposeful. Otter and the others hurried to follow, their boots thudding against the cobblestones. The Academy was huge. Cal led them past sprawling buildings made of gray stone, their windows glinting in the late afternoon light. Towers spiraled upward into the sky, their silhouettes sharp against the horizon. They passed a training field where some students practiced sparring. The clash of steel rang through the air as pairs of fighters circled each other, their movements swift and precise. Nearby, a group of Spell Lords practiced casting spells, glowing runes floating in the air around them. ¡°Those are second years,¡± Cal informed them. ¡°Notice their uniforms. First year¡¯s get black, second-years blue, and third years maroon.¡± The recruits stared, wide-eyed. Otter tried to take it all in, but the twisting paths and towering buildings made it hard to keep track of where they were. The alleys and courtyards reminded him of the canals in Brighthaven¡ªnarrow, winding, and easy to get lost in if you didn¡¯t know the way. Cal seemed to know every twist and turn by heart. ¡°Stay close,¡± he called over his shoulder. ¡°This place is a maze.¡± They hurried after him, weaving through covered walkways, passing under archways carved with intricate symbols. Finally, they arrived at a large stone building with a sloped roof and wide wooden doors. Cal pushed the doors open, revealing a long hallway lined with numbered doors on either side. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over the polished wood floors. ¡°Welcome to the dormitories,¡± Cal said, stepping aside to let them file in. ¡°You¡¯ll be sharing these halls with second- and third-years, so mind your manners. You¡¯ll each have your own room. It¡¯s small, but it¡¯s yours.¡± Otter glanced around, noting how quiet it was inside. The distant hum of conversation echoed from somewhere deeper in the building, but for the most part, the dormitory was calm¡ªpeaceful even. ¡°Room assignments are posted on the board,¡± Cal continued, nodding toward a corkboard near the entrance. ¡°Find your name, find your room, and get settled. Curfew¡¯s at nine. Orientation begins at dawn in the common room just down the hall. Questions?¡± One of the other recruits raised a hand hesitantly. ¡°What happens if we¡¯re late for curfew?¡± Cal grinned faintly. ¡°You don¡¯t want to find out.¡± Otter found his name quickly¡ªRoom 17¡ªand made his way down the hall. His boots creaked against the floor as he walked, the sound oddly loud in the quiet corridor. When he reached his door, he paused, resting his hand on the brass handle for a moment before pushing it open. The room was small but clean. A single bed, a wooden desk, and a wardrobe were all neatly arranged. A window above the desk overlooked the training fields, and from here, Otter could see the distant spires of the main building. He set his satchel down on the bed and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. ¡°This is it,¡± he whispered to himself. After a moment, he opened his satchel and began unpacking his few belongings. He placed Erin¡¯s leather notebook on the desk, his old one in a desk drawer. He opened the wardrobe to put away his clothes and discovered two brand new Academy uniforms hanging within. He wasn¡¯t sure what to do with his knife. He didn¡¯t know if he was allowed to carry it around campus or if he should stash it in his room somewhere. For the time being, he slipped it underneath the mattress. With all his belongings put away, he thought he¡¯d take some time to explore. It was only early evening. There was plenty of time before curfew to find something to eat. Maybe locate the library. If nothing else, he could start a new map. One of the Academy. As he began to open the door to his room he heard voices outside and something made him pause. He put his ear to the door. ¡°...can¡¯t believe he¡¯s actually here.¡± ¡°What were they thinking? Inviting a Classless.¡± ¡°I bet he washes out within the week.¡± Laughter followed before the voices faded away. Otter felt his cheeks heating up. For a long moment, he just stood there, their words echoing through his mind. The familiar sting of doubt crept in. He thought he¡¯d left the doubters and naysayers behind. How had they found out? It had to have been those other boys from Brighthaven. ¡°Let them think what they want,¡± he muttered under his breath. The desire to explore had fled. He grabbed his notebook, flipped to a blank page, and wrote a single line at the top: Objective: Prove Them Wrong. If the System wouldn¡¯t give him one, he¡¯d do it himself. Chapter 8- Forging His Own Path First thing in the morning, Otter dressed in one of the Academy uniforms from the wardrobe. He needed to do everything he could to appear like he truly belonged here. Then he left his room to meet with Cal for their orientation. The common room of the dormitory was cozy but sparse. A large stone fireplace dominated one wall, though the fire inside burned low, casting flickering shadows across the worn wooden floor. Simple chairs and benches were arranged in a loose circle around the hearth, and Otter sat on one of them. The other recruits assigned to Cal were filtering in. Some looked eager, others nervous. Lyle and Torrin were the last to arrive. Their clothes were rumpled and eyes a little bloodshot. Otter glared at them as they found seats. Cal stood by the fireplace. His posture was relaxed, but there was a sharpness in his gaze that suggested he missed nothing. ¡°Everyone here?¡± Cal asked, scanning the group. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s get started.¡± He stepped forward, hands tucked into his pockets. ¡°Here¡¯s the deal,¡± Cal continued. ¡°This isn¡¯t some noble¡¯s manor where you can sit back and ride on your family name. No one here cares if your parents are merchants, blacksmiths, or lords. The only thing that matters is your effort.¡± He glanced around the room. ¡°You¡¯ll be expected to attend classes, complete assignments, and prove yourself every day. You slack off, you fall behind, and the Academy will cut you loose without a second thought.¡± Otter sat up straighter, taking in every word. ¡°Now, as your RA, my job is to keep you alive and help you navigate the place¡ªwhen I feel like it.¡± Cal grinned faintly. ¡°You¡¯ve got questions? Ask me. You¡¯ve got problems? Bring them to me. But don¡¯t expect me to hold your hand. We don¡¯t have too many rules around here. But the ones we do have, you better follow.¡± He began pacing in front of the fireplace, ticking off the rules on his fingers. ¡°One: Curfew is at nine. Don¡¯t push it. You don¡¯t want to meet the night patrol uninvited.¡± ¡°Two: No unauthorized magic or weapons outside training areas. The instructors don¡¯t care if you¡¯re a prodigy¡ªthey¡¯ll drop you on the spot if you step out of line.¡± Good thing Otter stashed his knife earlier. ¡°Three: Respect your fellow students. That doesn¡¯t mean you have to like them, but you¡¯ll keep your hands to yourself unless you¡¯re in a sanctioned match.¡± Otter noticed Lyle smirk at that, nudging Torrin. He wondered how long it would take before someone tested that rule. ¡°Four: Clean up after yourself. Your mother doesn¡¯t live here and we don¡¯t have a clean-up crew. This is the one you¡¯ll lose privileges for. I can pull your access to the commissary, assign extra work details, pretty much make your life miserable if you act like some rich kid expecting me or someone else to clean up your messes.¡± There were a few groans at this revelation. Otter figured the loudest was probably from a noble family who had servants to do that kind of work. ¡°And lastly, Rule 5: Never put personal gain above the safety of the academy. Yes, I know we¡¯re all here to improve. Advancement is what its all about, but not at all costs. One of the most important things you¡¯ll learn here is how to work as a team. When you¡¯re out in the field, your team comes first. That¡¯s how everybody survives. That mindset starts here and now. Any questions?¡± Seven hands shot up. Cal sighed and pointed to a girl Otter didn¡¯t know. She wore a Divine Conduit¡¯s pin. ¡°You, Victoria, right?¡± ¡°What happens if we get lost? This is a really big campus. I¡¯m from a small town and I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to find my way around.¡± Cal laughed. ¡°Everyone gets lost, Victoria. You just have to find your way back.¡± He pointed to a pudgy kid named Alfred who asked about meals and where the commissary was and if they had snacks. Cal assured him they would see all the important locations on campus during their tour right after they got registered for their courses. Otter put his hand down. He was going to ask about the library, but figured Cal would point it out later. Once he had answered everyone¡¯s questions, he clapped his hands together and said, ¡°Right. Let¡¯s get some breakfast.¡± The mess hall was enormous¡ªan open expanse filled with long wooden tables, the hum of conversation echoing off the vaulted ceilings. The smell of fresh bread and sizzling sausage lingered in the air, mingling with the tang of woodsmoke from the massive hearth at the far end of the room. Students filled the space, talking, laughing, and jostling for seats. It was chaotic, noisy, and overwhelming. Cal led Otter and the other first-years inside, his sharp eyes scanning the room. ¡°Here¡¯s how it works,¡± Cal said. ¡°Go through the line, get your grub, and sit wherever you want. Try to make some new friends. The second and third years might give you a bit of a ribbing, but they¡¯re always on the lookout for quality teammates. Prove you¡¯re worth their time, and you¡¯ll do fine.¡± With that, Cal disappeared into the throng of students. Otter stood frozen for a moment. The sheer number of people was overwhelming. He didn¡¯t recognize a single face. Maybe that¡¯s a good thing, he thought. Nothing like a fresh start. With a shrug, he joined the queue at the serving line. The food looked surprisingly good¡ªheaping trays of scrambled eggs, sausages, roasted vegetables, and fresh toast slathered with butter. Otter piled his plate high, stomach rumbling at the sight of it. If they eat like this every day, I could really like this place. Balancing his tray carefully, Otter stepped out of the line and scanned the room. Most of the tables were packed shoulder to shoulder. There were a few empty ones near the back, but sitting alone felt like a sure way to mark himself as an outsider. He stood there awkwardly, tray in hand, trying to decide where to go. Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder. ¡°Hey, stranger.¡± The voice was soft, familiar, and unmistakable. Otter spun around, nearly dropping his tray in surprise. ¡°Erin! Boy, am I glad to see you. Where do you want to sit?¡± Erin chuckled and nodded toward an empty table near the window. They made their way through the bustling hall, weaving between groups of students until they reached their destination. Erin slid into a seat, and Otter followed, setting his tray down with a relieved sigh. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, eating quietly. The noise of the mess hall seemed to fade into the background. Erin broke the silence first. ¡°So how was your first night?¡± Otter shrugged. ¡°Okay, I guess. Pretty much kept to myself.¡± She nodded, taking a bite of toast. ¡°Same. This place is huge. It¡¯s a little overwhelming.¡± ¡°No kidding.¡± ¡°I did meet a couple of people in my hall.¡± She looked up as two other students approached the table. One was a tall girl with short-cropped hair and an intense gaze, a Fighter badge pinned to her cloak. The other was a boy with a nervous expression and ink-stained fingers. Like Otter, he was badgeless. Curious. I wonder why he¡¯s not wearing one. ¡°And here they are now.¡± Erin smiled at the newcomers. The girl sat down with a heavy thump, her plate piled high with food. ¡°I¡¯m Liora Valen,¡± she said, offering a firm handshake to both Otter and Erin. ¡°Fighter class.¡± ¡°Otter Bennett,¡± he replied, shaking her hand. Liora gave him a good eyeballing. The boy sat more quietly, fiddling with his spoon. ¡°This here is Milo,¡± said Liora. ¡°He¡¯s a bit shy. He¡¯s a fledgling Spell Lord.¡± Liora glanced at Otter again, curiosity flashing in her eyes. ¡°Are you the one I¡¯ve been hearing about? The kid without a Class.¡± Otter nodded and tensed, waiting for the usual sneer or mocking comment. But Liora just shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s cool,¡± she said, digging into her meal. Milo nodded, though he kept his gaze downcast. ¡°My grandad told me about this kid who was invited to the Academy without a Class once. He ended up being a Spell Lord, too. Graduated with honors. Really made a name for himself.¡± Otter had never heard anything about that. ¡°Really?¡± Milo just nodded, eyes never leaving his plate. Erin smiled softly. ¡°See Otter, I knew you belonged here.¡± For the first time since arriving at the Academy, Otter felt a little more at ease. Maybe he didn¡¯t know where he fit in yet, but for now, he had a place at this table¡ªand that was a good start. After half an hour of idle chit chat, Otter felt a whole lot better about his prospects. Cal¡¯s voice suddenly cut through the din of the mess hall. ¡°All right everyone! It¡¯s registration day. Make your way to the Hall of Assignments in the next fifteen minutes! Rooks! Find your RA, they¡¯ll show you the way.¡± Otter looked at Erin. ¡°I guess that means I need to get going. See you at dinner?¡± Erin nodded. ¡°You bet.¡± He turned to Liora and Milo. ¡°It was really nice meeting you two. I hope we get some classes together.¡± Liora¡¯s mouth was full, so she gave him a thumb¡¯s up. Milo said nothing, but met his eyes and gave him a half smile. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Otter disposed of his tray and wove through the mass of bodies until he reached Cal, who waited impatiently for all of his ¡°rooks¡± to gather. Then he led them out of the mess hall. *** The Hall of Assignments was a grand chamber lined with towering shelves of scrolls and ledgers. The air smelled faintly of parchment and ink, and the sound of scribes scratching away at their desks filled the room. The recruits stood in a long line, waiting to register for their courses. Each student approached a scribe, who recorded their names, classes, and assigned schedules. Otter shifted nervously as the line inched forward. The other recruits were chatting excitedly about what courses they might get. ¡°I¡¯m hoping for a combat course,¡± Lyle said to Torrin. ¡°Maybe I can put a hurtin¡¯ on somebody.¡± ¡°I heard the Spell Lords have to learn five new spells by the end of the year,¡± Torrin replied. Otter tuned them out, focusing on his breathing. When his turn finally came, he stepped up to the desk, where a stern-looking scribe peered at him over his spectacles. ¡°Name?¡± ¡°Dwayne Bennett. Most people call me Otter.¡± The scribe scribbled down his name, then glanced up. ¡°Class?¡± Otter hesitated. ¡°None.¡± The scribe blinked, his quill pausing midair. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡ªwhat?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have a class,¡± Otter said again, keeping his voice steady. The scribe frowned, his eyes darting back and forth behind his spectacles. ¡°I see... No class¡­ I¡¯m not sure what to do with that.¡± ¡°I have an invitation,¡± Otter said quickly, fearing he would be denied any courses. He pulled the letter from his satchel and laid it on the desk. ¡°Signed by Silas Blackwood.¡± The scribe¡¯s frown deepened as he examined the letter. ¡°Wait here.¡± He stood and walked briskly toward the back of the hall, disappearing through a door marked Overseers Only. The recruits behind Otter began whispering. Otter clenched his fists, trying to ignore them. The door swung open again, and the scribe returned. Following him was a tall man in a dark suit trimmed with the faintest hint of silver and a bushy, yet well-groomed beard covered his face. He carried a small walking cane. As the man approached the desk, his sharp eyes immediately found Otter. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Ah. Mr. Bennett.¡± The scribe stepped aside as the newcomer took the letter, holding it up to the light before placing it carefully back on the desk. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± he asked. The scribe stammered. ¡°He¡ªhe doesn¡¯t have a class, Overseer.¡± The Overseer arched an eyebrow. ¡°And?¡± The scribe blinked, clearly unsure how to respond. ¡°Class or no class, Mr. Bennett is now a member of our student body. He has great potential. I wouldn¡¯t have signed his invitation otherwise.¡± Overseer Blackwood folded the letter and handed it back to Otter. ¡°He needs to be registered for first year courses.¡± The scribe swallowed hard. ¡°Sir, without a class, I don¡¯t know what courses to place him in.¡± Silas¡¯s smile widened ever so slightly. ¡°Ah, I see.¡± He turned to Otter, his gaze steady. ¡°Mr. Bennett, generally, students are assigned an introductory curriculum based on their class. Without a prescribed curriculum, our fine associate here is at a loss as to how proceed. What would you suggest?¡± Otter, caught off guard by the question, stared speechlessly up at the Overseer. His first thought was to apologize and tell the scribe just to pick a class and put him in those courses. But there was a strange look in the Overseer¡¯s eyes that gave him pause. This is a test, Otter thought. Instead of responding right away, he thought about his answer. Maybe he could tell the scribe to put him in the courses for Scout. That way, he be with Erin. But was that what he really wanted? His mother told him to make his own path. Maybe that¡¯s what he should do. Otter¡¯s wrisplay vibrated. Glancing down he saw a flicker of text. Luck¡¯s Whisper: Active It was there and gone in an instant, but it gave Otter the push he needed. He met Silas¡¯s gaze, unsure how what he was about to say would be received. But he said it anyway. ¡°I would suggest allowing me to choose which introductory courses to take. No one knows my strengths, weaknesses, interests, and proclivities better than I do.¡± Silas¡¯s eyes twinkled and he nodded once. ¡°That is precisely what I would suggest as well.¡± He turned back to the scribe. ¡°Do you happen to have a course catalog Mr. Bennett could peruse?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± the spectacled man replied, pulling out a thick sheaf of papers and handing them over. ¡°Excellent. I will have Mr. Bennett accompany me and handle his course registration myself, then return him to you for work detail assignment. Do you find that satisfactory, Mr. Shelton?¡± ¡°Yes, yes,¡± the scribe said, handing over more paperwork. He was clearly anxious to be rid of this headache and move on to the next student in line. With a tap of his cane Silas Blackwood led Otter away from the registration desks and through the door from which he¡¯d appeared. The corridor leading to the Overseer''s office was much smaller than Otter expected. Narrow and whitewashed, the passage felt more like a servant¡¯s hallway than a path to one of the most powerful figures in the Academy. The walls were bare except for a few simple pictures¡ªlandscapes of distant mountains, sketches of ancient ruins, and a faded map that Otter thought might be Aurelia, though the borders looked different than he remembered. They passed several doors, all unmarked, and Otter couldn¡¯t help but wonder what lay behind them. Offices or storerooms, he imagined. Finally, Silas swept through one of the doors without a word. Otter followed right behind. The room beyond was much more in line with what Otter had imagined for a Senior Overseer¡¯s office¡ªspacious, meticulously arranged, and exuding quiet authority. But it wasn¡¯t grandiose or ostentatious. There were no elaborate tapestries or gilded statues. Instead, the room was marked by subtle elegance and precision. The walls were lined with dark wooden shelves filled with leather-bound books and scroll cases, each labeled in neat handwriting. Some of the books looked ancient, their spines cracked and faded with age. Others gleamed as if freshly bound. Interspersed among the shelves were strange artifacts¡ªa brass compass with an intricate dial, a silver dagger with runes etched into the blade, and a glass orb that shimmered faintly with a soft, inner light. The furniture was clearly of the highest quality, but practical in design. A large walnut desk stood at the center of the room, its surface meticulously organized. Several documents were laid out in neat stacks, alongside a brass inkstand and a quill with an emerald-green feather. Behind the desk stood a tall leather-backed chair, worn at the edges but still imposing. A pair of high-backed armchairs faced the desk, upholstered in deep green fabric that matched the rugs spread across the floor. The rugs themselves were works of art¡ªhandwoven with geometric patterns and symbols that Otter didn¡¯t recognize, though they looked vaguely like old atlas markings. On the wall behind the desk hung a large map of the known world, but it wasn¡¯t like the ones Otter had seen before. This one was different¡ªolder, perhaps incomplete. Several places were marked with small red pins, and Otter couldn¡¯t help but wonder what they signified. The only other decoration was a sword mounted above the map, its hilt wrapped in black leather and its blade polished to a mirror finish. Unlike most ceremonial weapons, this sword looked well-used. There were faint nicks along the edge, and the grip showed signs of wear. Silas moved around the desk with practiced ease, shrugging off his coat and hanging it on a hook by the door. He sat down without ceremony, gesturing for Otter to take one of the chairs opposite him. Otter hesitated before settling into the seat. The cushion was firmer than he expected, and the chair¡¯s high back made him sit straighter than usual. Silas watched him for a moment, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. The light from the windows behind him cast long shadows across the room, making it difficult to read his expression. ¡°So, Mr. Bennett... Otter. That¡¯s your preferred name, yes?¡± Silas said, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. Otter nodded. ¡°Yes, sir. That¡¯s what everyone calls me.¡± ¡°Interesting. Why is that? If you don¡¯t mind me asking¡± ¡°Not at all, sir. I grew up on the docks of Brighthaven. My mother was a dockworker, and since there was no one to watch me when I was little, she took me with her. As soon as I was old enough to walk, I started playing in the water. She said the way I splashed and played reminded her of the river otters that she¡¯d see in the canals from time to time. It kind of stuck.¡± Silas laughed. ¡°That¡¯s a wonderful story! I¡¯ll tell you a secret. My mother used to call me her ¡®little thornbutt¡¯ because I was such a pain in hers.¡± When his mirth settled he added. ¡°I¡¯m glad that didn¡¯t stick with me into adulthood.¡± He slid the sheaf of papers, the course catalog, across the desk. ¡°Now, I want you to look through these and choose four courses that appeal to you. Take your time. I have some of my own paperwork to do. When you¡¯re ready, let me know.¡± Otter picked up the catalog, untied the leather cord and opened it, revealing page after page of course descriptions, each printed in crisp, dark ink. There were a lot to choose from. He flipped through and quickly realized the catalogue contained every course the Academy offered. The introductory classes were all in the first several dozen pages. He read through them, dismissing some outright, but seriously considering others. Basic Combat Techniques Instructor: Master Horvan A foundational course in basic combat principles. Covers weapon handling, defensive stances, and unarmed techniques. Required for all recruits entering combat-based fields. Otter had never been in a real fight in his entire life. He didn¡¯t know the first thing about combat, but he figured every adventurer should learn how to defend themselves. Practical Applications of Magic Instructor: Magister Evelaine A beginner¡¯s course for those with an aptitude for magic. Covers basic spellcasting, mana management, and defensive wards. He really wanted to do magic, but without the Spell Lord class, there was no way this course would do him any good at all. Navigation and Survival Instructor: Master Carlow An overview of navigating a variety of environments, including urban, wilderness, and dungeons. Emphasis on stealth, adaptability, and survival tactics. Otter¡¯s eyes lingered on that last one. That sounded like something he¡¯d be good at. He already knew how to find hidden paths, slip through alleys unnoticed, and navigate Brighthaven¡¯s winding streets. Expanding those skills into other environments would come in handy. Then his gaze drifted to another title: Understanding the System Instructor: Overseer Silas Blackwood An exploration of the System¡¯s origins, mechanics, and anomalies. Students will be encouraged to think critically about the System¡¯s role in their lives and to challenge conventional interpretations. Otter blinked. Silas teaches a class? That caught him off guard. He glanced up at the Overseer, who remained focused on his paperwork, the faint scratch of his quill the only sound in the room. Turning back to the catalog, Otter flipped through more pages, even past the introductory section. There were courses on everything. Some sounded practical. Others felt lofty and out of reach. Beast Lore and Tracking Instructor: Tracker Varn Learn to identify, track, and handle magical creatures and beasts. Includes practical fieldwork in the Academy¡¯s hunting grounds. Advanced Mapmaking and Cartography Instructor: Master Farrow A detailed study of mapmaking, including surveying techniques, the use of enchanted cartography tools, and the art of creating hidden maps. Otter¡¯s pulse quickened. Mapmaking. His fingers traced the edge of the page. He¡¯d been drawing maps for as long as he could remember¡ªexploring Brighthaven¡¯s hidden alleys, sketching routes through the canals, noting secret passageways and forgotten corners of the city. He could feel it: this course was meant for him. The only problem was it was an intermediate level course. He wasn¡¯t sure they¡¯d let him take it. As he continued flipping through the catalog, his mind spun with possibilities. Some courses were beyond him¡ªfocused on special abilities or skills he didn¡¯t have access to. He frowned at those, feeling the weight of his classless status pressing down on him again. He has to choose four courses. And only four. ¡°Allright, Overseer. I¡¯m ready.¡± Silas¡¯s quill stopped and he looked up at Otter. ¡°My, that¡¯s didn¡¯t take long. What have you chosen?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to register for Basic Combat, Navigation and Survival, Understanding the System, and Advanced Mapmaking.¡± Silas arched an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s an interesting combination. Unfortunately, I cannot put you in the Advanced Cartography Course this semester. The Navigation course is a prerequisite. Master Farrow refuses to spend time on the fundamentals and insists anyone taking his course has mastered them beforehand. Is there an alternative that interests you?¡± Otter has anticipated this, and while he was slightly disappointed, he was prepared. ¡°Two, actually. Perhaps you could help me choose between them.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Either Adventuring Fundamentals or History and Theory of Kaos. Which would you pick?¡± Silas leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he thought. ¡°Both are excellent courses. Naturally. Adventuring Fundamentals is the more practical of the two. History and Theory of the Enemy may be more esoteric with a bent toward philosophy, but sheds light on why and how we become adventurers in the first place and the stakes involved, thus helping to shape your overall path and choices. I might suggest that whichever you don''t choose now, you pick up next semester.¡± Otter nodded. ¡°In that case, I think I¡¯ll go with Adventuring Fundamentals.¡± ¡°Brilliant.¡± Silas scratched out his course choices on the papers the scribe had given him and signed them with a flourish. ¡°All done. Now, if you¡¯ll head back to the Hall of Assignment and return to the end of the line, they will assist in determining your work detail and give you your official schedule.¡± He stood and ushered Otter out into the hallway. Chapter 9- Mapping the Unknown It took a couple of hours for the last of Cal¡¯s rooks to finish registering for courses. Otter was the last because he had the return to the end of the line. The other¡¯s were visibly impatient by the time he joined their group. ¡°All right, rooks,¡± Cal began, his tone brisk but not unkind. ¡°Time for the rest of your orientation. I¡¯m going to show you around the campus¡ªthe places you¡¯ll be spending most of your time. Stick with me. I¡¯d hate to lose anyone.¡± He smiles slyly and winked at Victoria, then took off at a trot. Their first stop was the Academy Library, a towering stone building nestled between two older halls. The arched entrance was carved with ancient runes that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Cal pushed the heavy doors open, revealing a grand hall lined with shelves stretching up to the vaulted ceiling. Enchanted lanterns floated above, casting a warm glow over the rows of books and scrolls. ¡°This is the Library,¡± Cal said, his voice echoing in the cavernous space. ¡°You¡¯ll be spending a lot of time here, especially if you¡¯re serious about your studies.¡± Otter¡¯s gaze swept across the shelves, heart quickening. He¡¯d always loved libraries¡ªthe quiet, the sense of endless knowledge waiting to be uncovered. One of the recruits raised a hand. ¡°What about the Restricted Section? I¡¯ve heard rumors.¡± Cal chuckled. ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s a Restricted Section. And no, you¡¯re not allowed in without permission from an Overseer. Trust me¡ªif you try sneaking in, you won¡¯t like the consequences.¡± Otter¡¯s eyes lingered on a heavy iron door at the back of the Library, marked with a bronze plaque that read Restricted Access. He felt a spark of curiosity and made a mental note to learn more. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder what secrets were locked away behind that door. Maybe that¡¯s where he¡¯d learn what happened to his father. Next, Cal led them to the Commissary, a large, bustling building filled with shelves of supplies and enchanted items. The scent of leather, parchment, and herbs filled the air, mingling with the chatter of students exchanging Academy credits for gear. ¡°This is where you¡¯ll buy your supplies,¡± Cal explained. ¡°Everything from cloaks and boots to enchanted gear and potions. But nothing¡¯s free. You¡¯ll need credits to buy anything.¡± Otter glanced at the price lists posted on the walls. Basic supplies were reasonably priced, but some of the enchanted items cost a fortune in credits. ¡°How do we earn credits?¡± someone asked. ¡°Through work assignments and performance,¡± Cal replied. ¡°You¡¯ll get assigned tasks based on your skills, and the better you do, the more credits you earn.¡± As an afterthought, he added. ¡°You can also buy credits, but the exchange rate is a joke. Save your dregs for liberty.¡± ¡°What¡¯s liberty?¡± a doe-eyed girl asked. ¡°That¡¯s when you can leave campus. Everyone gets five liberty days per month. You have to request them at least a week in advance at the Hall of Assignment. If they are granted, you can use them however you want. Go home for a visit, explore the city, whatever.¡± ¡°Can we trade credits for dregs?¡± Otter asked. ¡°Yeah, you can. But the exchange rate, again, is pretty abysmal. You can get more from the commissary with credits than you can in the city with the equivalent dregs. But...there are some things in the city you can¡¯t get here. Plus, there isn¡¯t any other way of making coin here. So...yeah.¡± As they made their way through campus, Cal pointed out all the academic buildings, but didn¡¯t linger. Their last stop was the Rec Hall. It was a lively, open space filled with two dozen or so students playing games, sharing stories, and lounging on cushioned benches. The sound of laughter and clinking mugs echoed through the hall, making it feel welcoming and chaotic all at once. ¡°This is where students come to relax,¡± Cal said. ¡°Games, conversation, and general camaraderie.¡± Back at the dorm, they gathered in the common room again. ¡°Last thing before I let you all go,¡± said Cal. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about work details. I assume everyone got their assignment?¡± There were nods all around. Otter retrieved his schedule from a pocket and read over it again. Work Detail: Library Duty. Report to Archivist Dane at 7:00 am. ¡°Does everyone know where they''re going in the morning?¡± Alfred raised his hand. ¡°Um, where are the stables? You didn¡¯t show us those.¡± Cal winced. ¡°Sorry. I¡¯ll show you when we¡¯re done here. It isn¡¯t on the standard orientation tour. Anyone else? If you aren¡¯t certain how to get to your work detail from here, I suggest you spend a little time this evening figuring it out. You don¡¯t want to be late your first day.¡± Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. ¡°How do we switch work details?¡± asked Lyle without raising his hand. ¡°You don¡¯t. At least not until next semester.¡± ¡°That¡¯s bullsh¡ª¡± Lyle stopped himself at a sharp look from Cal. ¡°Being respectful of your fellow recruits includes using appropriate language. If you want to talk like that, there are places for it, but not here. Understood?¡± ¡°Well, what if we really don¡¯t like our assignment? I mean...I got chore duty, whatever that is. Sounds like servant work to me.¡± Cal nodded. ¡°It pretty much is. But nobody¡¯s going to feel sorry for you. Everybody works their way through Academy. Nobody gets chore duty twice in a row.¡± ¡°What if we¡¯re really bad at it? Will they switch us out?¡± Lyle whined. ¡°Not right away,¡± Cal said. ¡°First, they dock your credits. Then they dock your liberty. If you haven¡¯t figured it out by then, they¡¯ll switch you to latrine duty.¡± Cal made a face. ¡°You really don¡¯t want to do latrine duty.¡± ¡°Okay, one final thing. When you show up for work detail tomorrow morning, you¡¯ll get a System notification with your full schedule. Don¡¯t ask me why it waits until then instead of after registration, but it does. Have a good night. And don¡¯t forget curfew.¡± Since there were a few hours left before dinner, Otter decided he would finally go exploring and start working on his map. He went back to his room and retrieved the leather journal before heading out. The courtyards were filled with students milling about. It wasn¡¯t the ideal situation to explore things thoroughly, but it was the opportunity he currently had. He decided to begin by mapping all the routes from his dorm to the library, since that would be his first destination in the morning. He stood for a moment just getting his bearings, taking note of the building layout and various paths leading to and from the courtyard. He felt his Navigation skill kick in and determined the most likely direction of the library based on the tour earlier. While their route had been circuitous, he had a pretty decent grasp of the basic layout of the campus. He picked a path that went that direction and began walking slowly, keeping his head on a swivel, looking for anything interesting. He stopped at a fork in the path, where one narrow lane twisted toward the training fields, while the other wound down toward what he assumed was the river. He¡¯d seen it from the wagon on the way in. His pencil hovered over the notebook¡¯s blank page as he sketched the fork and labeled it: Fork between Training Fields and River Docks, Shortcut potential: Unknown Otter knelt to inspect a small drainage tunnel near the fork. It was narrow, barely wide enough for him to squeeze through, but it might connect to the lower parts of the campus. He scribbled a note beside the sketch. Possible hidden route? Check later. Rising to his feet, he continued on. The path meandered quite a bit. At one point, he realized he was no longer headed in the same direction as the library and diverted onto a smaller path. He made a note of it. This path led to a small building he hadn¡¯t seen before. There was no signage identifying it at all. Which was strange. Every other building he¡¯d seen had banners or placards proclaiming what they were. He added it to his map with the label: Unknown. He walked around its perimeter and found a narrow alley running between another dorm and the alchemy building, noting the covered archways and stone staircases that twisted up toward the dormitory towers. His map was starting to take shape¡ªpaths, shortcuts, hidden corners that most students would overlook. The alley emptied out at the rear of the library. A small door was tucked away in a shaded alcove, half-hidden by ivy. He added it to the map, marking it with a star. He went around to the front of the library and readjusted his bearings, then set off a different way, hoping to find a quicker route back to his dorm. As Otter made his way back to the dorms, two things happened. First, he got a notification on his wrisplay. New Skill Acquired Cartography Novice- Lvl 1 Interesting. I¡¯ve been making maps for a while. I wonder why I just now got that? Second, he spotted Erin crossing the courtyard. She was carrying a stack of books, her auburn curls shining in the late evening sun. ¡°Erin!¡± Otter called, waving. She turned, her face lighting up when she saw him. ¡°Otter!¡± They met halfway, and Erin pulled him into a quick hug. ¡°I was wondering if we¡¯d run into each other before dinner,¡± she said, smiling. ¡°How was registration?¡± Otter shrugged. ¡°It was¡­ interesting.¡± Erin chuckled. ¡°What¡¯s your work assignment?¡± Otter asked. ¡°Messenger,¡± Erin replied. ¡°Apparently, they have a lot of messages to deliver today. They wanted me to start immediately. My legs are killing me.¡± Otter grinned. ¡°Sounds rough.¡± ¡°I¡¯m used to it. And at least I¡¯m getting to know where everything is.¡± She glanced at him, ¡°This would have been a great work assignment for you.¡± ¡°Yeah, but I ended up with a good one, I think.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Library duty,¡± Otter said, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice. Erin laughed. ¡°Of course. That¡¯s perfect for you.¡± They walked together toward the dorms, chatting about their courses and the students they¡¯d met. ¡°Hey, we¡¯re in the same Navigation and Survival class,¡± Erin said suddenly. ¡°That¡¯ll be fun. We can partner up.¡± Otter felt a wave of relief. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯d like that.¡± As they reached the dormitory, Erin paused, glancing at him. ¡°You¡¯re going to be fine here, Otter,¡± she said. ¡°I know it feels overwhelming now, but you¡¯ll find your way. You always do.¡± Otter smiled, her words giving him a sense of comfort he hadn¡¯t realized he needed. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said softly. Erin grinned. ¡°See you later.¡± As she disappeared into the dormitory, Otter stood in the courtyard for a moment, gazing up at the Academy towers. I will find my way, he thought. One path at a time. With renewed determination, he turned and headed inside, ready to tackle whatever the Academy threw at him next. Chapter 10- First Day Jitters Otter woke to the buzzing alarm he¡¯d set on his wrisplay for 5:30 in the morning. He rubbed his eyes and sat up in his small bed, the faint creak of floorboards the only sound in the room. It was still dark, save for the faint grey light that filtered through the window. He dressed quickly, buttoning up his shirt and pulling on his boots. It was early, and Otter imagined the other students on his hall were still fast asleep, no doubt exhausted from their travels and the hectic nature of registration and orientation the day before. But Otter was wide awake. He refused to be late for his first day of Library Duty. He slipped his notebook into his satchel and left the dormitory. Out in the courtyard, the cool morning air carried the faint scent of dew and woodsmoke. The Academy was a maze of secrets and mysteries, and Otter couldn''t wait to dive into them. He had become obsessed with unraveling its puzzles, and every day brought new paths to discover, new secrets to unlock. He had a feeling that today was going to be a day full of adventure. The Library¡¯s front doors loomed large in the morning light, the runes carved into the surrounding frame faintly glowing. Otter ran a hand over the smooth stone, tracing the delicate symbols with his fingers. Ancient wards, probably. He wondered if they were meant to protect the books inside¡ªor keep something out. He gave the door a push, but it didn¡¯t budge. Frowning, he checked his wrisplay. 6:50 AM. He¡¯d arrived early, but surely Archivist Dane would have been here by now. Library hours didn¡¯t start until 8:00, so it made sense that the doors wouldn¡¯t be open yet. But if he was expected to be there at seven for his shift, how was he supposed to get in? Otter waited for exactly one minute, feeling restless and anxious the entire time. He shifted from foot to foot, his fingers drumming against his satchel. Then he remembered the rear entrance. The ivy-covered door he¡¯d noted during his campus exploration. Maybe that was the entrance he was supposed to use. As fast as he could, Otter dashed around the dark gray stone walls, weaving between hedges and cutting through a narrow alley until he reached the hidden alcove in the back. The ivy-covered door stood exactly where he remembered. He reached for the handle. It turned easily. Otter pushed the door open and stepped inside. The air changed immediately. It was cooler in the Library, with a faint scent of aged parchment and leather lingering in the air with an undertone of something more pungent. Alcohol? Vinegar? He couldn¡¯t place it, but it had that kind of chemical smell. The space beyond the door was dimly lit, the only light coming from enchanted lanterns that hovered high above, casting soft golden light over the towering shelves. Otter took a few steps inside, letting the door close softly behind him. ¡°Impressive,¡± he murmured, glancing around. The Library felt endless, rows of shelves stretching into the shadows. Each shelf was crammed with leather-bound books, scrolls, and strange tomes with faded titles written in unfamiliar languages. The silence was comforting, wrapping around him like a blanket. ¡°Bennett.¡± The sharp voice startled Otter out of his thoughts. He turned quickly to see a tall, severe woman approaching from one of the aisles. She moved with purpose, her dark robes flowing around her like water. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun, and her expression was one of mild irritation, yet approval wrapped into one. ¡°Archivist Dane?¡± Otter asked hesitantly. She gave a curt nod. ¡°You¡¯re almost late.¡± Otter glanced at his wrisplay. 6:56 AM. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I wasn¡¯t sure which door to use. I went to the front entrance first...¡± Dane waved his explanation away. ¡°Nevermind. I said almost late. Which means you are on time. Punctuality is commendable. I expect nothing less. As an old professor of mine used to say, ¡®Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°Very good.¡± She gestured for him to follow as she strode deeper into the Library. ¡°Come along. We have much to cover.¡± The Library¡¯s layout was more complex than Otter had expected. It wasn¡¯t just rows of shelves¡ªit was a labyrinth of alcoves, spiraling staircases, and hidden reading rooms tucked away behind thick curtains. It also seemed bigger on the inside than it did from outside, if that was possible somehow. ¡°This Library is one of the oldest parts of the Academy,¡± Dane explained as they walked. ¡°It contains thousands of volumes¡ªsome common, some one-of-a-kind artifacts of knowledge. Your job is to help me maintain order.¡± Otter ran his fingers along the shelves as they passed, marveling at the ancient tomes. Some books glowed faintly, others seemed to hum with arcane energy. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. ¡°What kind of books are these?¡± Otter asked. Dane¡¯s expression softened slightly. ¡°Magic, history, cartography, beast lore, runes, and more. Some are mundane. Others are¡­¡± She hesitated. ¡°Let¡¯s just say they require careful handling.¡± They stopped at a large iron door near the back of the Library. ¡°This,¡± Dane said, ¡°is the Restricted Section.¡± Otter¡¯s curiosity burned as he stared at the bronze plaque mounted on the door. Restricted Access: Authorized Personnel Only. ¡°What¡¯s in there?¡± Otter asked quietly. Dane¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°Knowledge that is dangerous in the wrong hands. It¡¯s not for students to see. Only faculty and adventurers of the highest level are allowed access.¡± Otter nodded slowly, but the door called to him like a locked puzzle waiting to be solved. Suddenly, Otter¡¯s wrisplay buzzed. Dane stopped walking and looked at it. ¡°That would be your schedule. Please take a look before we go any further.¡± Otter did swiped through the screens, finally coming to one he¡¯d never seen before Academy Schedule
Time Activity Location
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Morning Prep and Book Returns Library
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Mon, Wed) Combat Basics Ironstride Training Grounds
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (Mon, Wed, Fri) Understanding the System Evershade Hall
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Tues, Thurs) Navigation and Survival Redthorne Fieldhouse
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Tue, Thurs) Adventuring Fundamentals Arkwright Hall
4:45 PM - 5:45 PM Shelving Library
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Tue and Thur) Evening Checkout and Lockup Library
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Sat) Various Duties Library
As soon as Otter had reviewed the schedule, Dane continued leading him toward the main desk, where she handed him a stack of scrolls. ¡°As you can see, you will be spending quite a bit of time here at the library this semester. I will not be your only supervisor, but I am your primary. If you plan on taking liberty, I ask that you let me know before making the official request, so I can make sure your shifts are covered.¡± ¡°I¡¯m really looking forward to it,¡± said Otter earnestly. ¡°Is there much down time, or is the library usually a busy place?¡° The archivist gave him a shrewd look. ¡°It varies. Some weeks, you''ll be so busy you won''t have a chance to breathe. Other times, it''ll feel like you''re the only one in the whole Academy who remembers this place exists." Otter nodded thoughtfully, his fingers twitching at his sides. "And... when it''s quiet?" Dane tilted her head slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing. Otter went on, ¡°When its quiet, am I allowed to read some of the books in here?¡± She arched an eyebrow. ¡°Yes. Of course. That would be an appropriate use of your downtime...if you truly have nothing else to do.¡± Otter nodded, mollified. ¡°Your first task is simple,¡± she said. ¡°File these in the appropriate cases.¡± Otter nodded and got to work. The task was tedious, but he found it strangely satisfying. Each scroll contained unique information¡ªa map of ancient ruins, a list of magical creatures, a treatise on Skill leveling mechanics. As he worked, his mind drifted to the Restricted Section. Why did he feel so drawn to it? There were hundreds or thousands of books in the rest of the Library. He could read all day, every day and not read everything in here. Why did he feel the need to explore anything else? Maybe it was Luck¡¯s Whisper guiding him to something important. Maybe the answers his father¡¯s letter mentioned. He shook off the thought and focused on his task. By the time his shift ended, Otter was tired but pleased with his work. He gathered the empty scroll tubes and carried them back to the front desk, where Dane was reviewing a ledger. ¡°Good work, Bennett,¡± she said without looking up. Otter smiled faintly. ¡°Thank you, ma¡¯am.¡± As he stepped outside, the familiar buzz of his wrisplay drew his attention. He glanced down at the screen, heart quickening at the sight of a new notification. New Objective: Gain access to the Restricted Section of the Library. Quickly, he swiped to his profile screen. Name: Dwayne Shi¡¯longh Bennett (Otter) Level: 0 XP: 0 Class: None Life Force: 4 Stats STR 9 DEX 9 CON 9 INT 10 WIS 9 CHA 9 Luck 18 Skills Cartography Novice- Lvl 1 Handyman Novice- Lvl 1 Jumping Novice- Lvl 1 Knowledge (Entomology) Novice- Lvl 3 Knowledge (Mathematics) Novice- Lvl 2 Navigation (Urban) Novice- Lvl 4 Observation Novice- Lvl 4 Persuasion Novice- Lvl 3 Reading Novice- Lvl 4 Swimming Apprentice- Lvl 5 Writing Novice- Lvl 4 Current Objectives: Find Your Calling Gain access to the Restricted Section of the Library Otter stopped in his tracks, staring dumbly at the screen. In the three years since he¡¯d gotten his wrisplay, he¡¯d only ever had the one objective. No matter how many odd jobs he¡¯d taken, how many promises he¡¯d made to himself, it had never updated. Why now? And what was so important about that restricted section? Mind whirling with questions, he made his way along the winding paths toward the Training Grounds for his first session of Combat Basics. Chapter 11- Learning the Basics The morning sun cast long shadows across the training yard behind Ironstride Keep. Rows of wooden dummies stood like sentinels, their surfaces nicked and worn from years of abuse. Students gathered in clusters, a low hum of conversation steeped in anticipation filled the air. Otter stood at the edge of the yard, feeling out of place. Around him, students were proudly displaying their class badges. Each badge was a symbol of status, and every student seemed to hold themselves a little taller because of it. Otter, of course, had no such badge. But he wasn¡¯t the only one. Milo, whom he met yesterday, didn¡¯t wear a badge. And he noticed a few other first years with bare chests. The badges weren¡¯t a requirement. And they weren¡¯t given out freely. They had to be purchased. It was likely those not sporting a symbol of their class were simply too poor to afford one. All of this set Otter apart. But he wasn¡¯t going to let that stop him. He¡¯d signed up for Combat Basics for a reason. If he wanted to survive in this world, he needed to know how to defend himself. As he scanned the yard, he listened for any snippets of conversations from nearby groups. There was plenty of bravado and boasting. A lot of nervousness, but no one commented on his presence. He breathed a little easier. A loud bark of laughter rang out across the yard, silencing the chatter. Master Horvan strode into the training yard, his heavy boots kicking up dust. He was imposing, with broad shoulders, a scarred face, and some sort of mechanical contraption in place of his left hand. ¡°Gather up, you lot!¡± Horvan¡¯s voice boomed. ¡°You¡¯re here for Combat Basics. Let me make one thing clear¡ªthis isn¡¯t about looking good with a sword. This is about staying alive.¡± The recruits shuffled closer, forming a loose circle around Horvan. ¡°This course is for all classes, not just Fighters.¡± Horvan continued, eyeing the students with a sharp gaze. ¡°Some of you think being a Fighter will give you an edge. But it won¡¯t. Not as a Level 1. Right now, my Granny could take any one of you in a fight. But by the time I¡¯m done with you, you¡¯ll be able to hold your own in any bar room brawl in Aurelia.¡± Otter felt a flicker of respect for the man. Horvan didn¡¯t seem impressed by status or titles. He cared about results. ¡°Your first lesson is all about stance and balance. I want everybody to pair up. You have thirty seconds. Go!¡± Otter watched as the other students began pairing up quickly, likely with someone they already knew. He glanced around to see if he could find a familiar face. He spotted Liora, but she was on the other side of the yard. And it looked like she¡¯d already found someone to partner with. Otter turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered boy with dark hair and intense eyes. He exuded confidence from every pore. He didn¡¯t need a badge to tell everyone he was a Fighter. That was plain to anyone with eyes to see. ¡°Guess we¡¯re stuck with each other,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m Jasper.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Otter,¡± Otter said. The boy¡¯s eyes flicked down to Otter¡¯s badgeless chest, but he didn¡¯t say anything. Horvan stomped his heavy boot into the dirt, drawing the recruits¡¯ attention. ¡°Stance,¡± he said, spreading his feet shoulder-width apart. ¡°This is where everything begins. Your feet are your roots, and if your roots aren¡¯t planted firmly, you¡¯ll be knocked down before you can swing a weapon.¡± He bent his knees slightly, his center of gravity lowering. ¡°Your knees stay loose, never locked. Weight should be evenly distributed, but you should be ready to shift at any moment.¡± Horvan gestured to his assistants. ¡°Watch.¡± One assistant, a tall boy with a Scout badge, stepped forward and adopted a rigid stance¡ªfeet too close together, knees locked. Another gave him a firm shove, and the Scout stumbled back, nearly falling. ¡°That,¡± Horvan said with a scowl, ¡°is what happens if you¡¯re too stiff. Your stance must be alive, ready to move, but anchored to the ground.¡± He turned to another girl who took her stance with knees bent and feet spread properly. The other assistant shoved her, but this time, she barely budged, adjusting her balance with ease. ¡°See that?¡± Horvan said. ¡°She¡¯s ready to absorb force without toppling.¡± Otter watched the demonstration carefully, shifting his feet, trying to mirror what he¡¯d seen. ¡°Now, face your partner, find your stance and take turns trying to push each other off balance. Try to keep both feet on the ground at all times. Readjust stances as necessary.¡± Otter and Jasper faced each other. Jasper fell into a stance with ease while Otter took his time to feel what his limbs were doing. ¡°Ready?¡± Jasper finally said. Otter nodded. Jasper lunged forward, shoving hard against Otter¡¯s shoulders. The force was stronger than Otter had expected, and he stumbled backward, his heels digging into the dirt. Too stiff, he thought to himself. He needed to loosen up. Otter shook out his arms and repositioned himself, bending his knees and relaxing his shoulders. He exhaled slowly, trying to focus. ¡°Again,¡± he told Jasper. Jasper shoved him again, but this time Otter absorbed the force, shifting his weight to his back foot. His heels stayed planted, and he managed to hold his ground. Jasper narrowed his eyes. ¡°Not bad. You a Fighter or a Scout?¡± ¡°Neither,¡± Otter said. Now it was Otter¡¯s turn to push Jasper off balance. He stepped forward, hands outstretched. Jasper planted his feet and grinned confidently. Otter pushed, but Jasper didn¡¯t budge. Horvan walked by, his gaze critical. ¡°You¡¯re pushing too straight-on, Bennett. Use angles. Shift your weight.¡± Otter adjusted his approach, circling Jasper slightly before applying pressure from the side. This time, Jasper¡¯s stance wavered, and his foot slipped in the dirt. ¡°Gotcha,¡± Otter said with a smirk. Jasper¡¯s grin vanished. ¡°Fluke.¡± ¡°Was it?¡± Otter said, stepping back. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. ¡°If you¡¯re not a Fighter or Scout, what class are you?¡± Otter shrugged, feeling more confident after his two successes. ¡°Don¡¯t have one.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°So you¡¯re that kid. I heard the rumors. Interesting.¡± Horvan strode into the circle again, addressing the entire group. ¡°Balance isn¡¯t just physical¡ªit¡¯s mental, too. A fight will throw you off, surprise you, make you question your next move. If you¡¯re rigid in your thinking, you¡¯ll fall just as easily as if you¡¯re standing on one foot.¡± He turned to Jasper. ¡°Thorne, you¡¯ve got strength, but you rely too much on it. A brute force approach only works if your opponent doesn¡¯t see it coming.¡± Jasper bristled but nodded. Then Horvan turned to Otter. ¡°And you, Bennett. You¡¯ve got good instincts, but you¡¯re still hesitant. Trust your movements. You won¡¯t always have time to second-guess.¡± Otter nodded, absorbing the advice. Horvan paced around the group, handing out advice to every pair. Then he clapped his hands, ¡°Again!¡± And the process started all over again. This time, Jasper shoved Otter harder, knocking him completely off balance and he fell flat on his butt. Jasper, learning from the last round, staggered his feet, and Otter couldn¡¯t move him at all. Again and again, the boys shoved at each other. Otter fell a few more times, but his stance and balance continued to improve until Jasper could no longer knock him over. He received feedback from several of the assistants, which helped a lot. Jasper, for his part, seemed to pick it up quickly, and Otter never could knock him off balance again. As the sun rose higher in the sky, the sharp clang of wood-on-wood echoed across the yard. More advanced classes were practicing other skills now. Otter¡¯s legs began to feel like overcooked noodles, quivering with every attempted shove from Jasper. Yet he couldn''t ignore the thrill that sparked within him with each small victory. The other students may flaunt their badges, but here¡ªsweat-soaked and dirt-specked¡ªhe felt something closer to belonging. ¡°Focus!¡± Horvan barked again, his eyes zeroing in on a nearby pair struggling to maintain balance. ¡°This isn¡¯t a game; it¡¯s your life!¡± Otter adjusted his stance, determination igniting within him once more. ¡°Right. Life,¡± he muttered under his breath, shaking off a brief flash of self-doubt. He studied Jasper with new intensity. The Fighter was solid, confident¡ªa rock in a river¡ªbut Otter had learned that even the mightiest rocks could be worn down by time and pressure. With each push, Otter could feel Jasper¡¯s strength, but what he lacked in raw power, Otter made up with agility and strategy. He watched Jasper¡¯s movements closely, observing how the boy¡¯s shoulders tensed before he lunged. ¡°I can use this,¡± Otter thought, as ideas raced through his mind. ¡°Again,¡± Horvan called out, snapping Otter back to the present. This time, instead of merely countering Jasper''s strength, he feigned a direct approach before sidestepping smoothly to the left, using Jasper''s momentum against him. Caught off guard, Jasper pitched forward slightly, a look of surprise flashing across his face as he stumbled¡ªjust for a heartbeat¡ªbut that was all Otter needed. He leaned in hard, driving sideward with a swift shove that sent Jasper stumbling onto one knee in the dirt. The other students around them gasped. Even Jasper was momentarily stunned. Jasper quickly regained his feet, brushing dirt off his knees with a scowl. His gaze locked on Otter, his expression one of intense scrutiny mixed with grudging respect. "Not bad," Jasper muttered. He straightened, his stance no longer cocky, but measured. "Didn''t expect that from someone without a badge." Otter shrugged, his heart pounding in his chest. "Guess you shouldn''t underestimate people." Jasper¡¯s smirk returned, though it was sharper now, more calculated. "Guess not. But don¡¯t get too comfortable. One lucky shove doesn¡¯t make you a fighter." Before Otter could respond, Master Horvan clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the entire yard. "Good! I see some of you are starting to get it," Horvan boomed, pacing in front of the recruits. "But don¡¯t get cocky. Balance is only the beginning. You¡¯ve got to learn to read your opponent, adapt to their movements, and strike when the time is right." Horvan stopped in front of Otter and Jasper, his sharp gaze flicking between them. "Bennett! You showed adaptation. You read your partner, found his weak point, and used it. That¡¯s good instinct." Otter blinked, startled to hear praise from someone like Horvan. "Thank you, sir." Horvan¡¯s gaze shifted to Jasper. "And you, Thorne. Your strength is an asset, but it¡¯s not your only one. You need to switch it up. Flexibility is your ally. If you give an opponent time to figure out what your doing, they¡¯ll use it against you." Jasper¡¯s jaw clenched, but he nodded stiffly. "Yes, sir." Horvan gave a curt nod and continued pacing. "Listen up, all of you! Combat isn¡¯t about brute force. It¡¯s about survival. You¡¯ve got to know when to fight, when to dodge, and when to run." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the recruits. "You won¡¯t always be the strongest. You won¡¯t always be the fastest. But if you can keep your balance and adapt, you¡¯ll survive." As Horvan dismissed the recruits for a short break, Otter stretched his aching arms, rubbing at the sore spots on his shoulders. His legs felt unsteady, his balance shaken both physically and mentally. He hadn¡¯t expected to hold his own against someone like Jasper, but he also hadn¡¯t expected the rush of satisfaction when he did. Jasper, however, lingered. He stood a few feet away, arms crossed, his brow furrowed in thought. His gaze stayed fixed on Otter, like he was trying to solve a puzzle. Finally, he spoke. ¡°So,¡± Jasper said, his voice casual but cutting. ¡°You¡¯re the classless recruit everyone¡¯s whispering about.¡± Otter wiped his hands on his trousers, keeping his expression neutral. "Guess so." Jasper¡¯s smirk was slow, deliberate. "You know, I wasn¡¯t sure if you were real or just some overblown rumor. How¡¯d you get in to the Academy anyway?" Otter met his gaze without flinching. "I was invited. Same as everyone else." That wiped the smirk off Jasper¡¯s face for a heartbeat. But it returned, colder this time. "You know what I think? I think you¡¯re either connected, you¡¯re a cheat, or you got really lucky." Jasper stepped closer, his boots kicking up dust as he closed the distance between them. His voice dropped low, meant only for Otter to hear. "Let me tell you something. Cheaters get caught. Connections can be broken. And Luck runs out. When one of those happens, I hope I¡¯m around to see it." Otter¡¯s pulse quickened, but he held his ground. He wasn¡¯t about to let Jasper see any cracks in his composure. "Funny. I heard Fighters were supposed to be brave, not scared of what they don¡¯t understand." Jasper¡¯s jaw tightened, and for a moment, Otter wondered if he¡¯d pushed too far. But instead of taking a swing, Jasper leaned back, that cocky grin resurfacing. "You¡¯ve got guts. I¡¯ll give you that, Otter." That last word was said with derision. All Otter could hear was sewer rat. ¡°But it¡¯ll take more than that to survive here. It¡¯ll take skill, ability, talent¡­and class.¡± The insult hung in the air between them, sharp and deliberate. Otter stiffened, but before he could respond, Horvan¡¯s voice boomed across the yard. "Enough chit-chat! Find a new partner and repeat the exercise!" Jasper stepped away without another word, but his gaze lingered for just a moment longer, filled with challenge and warning. It took a few moments for the students to reorganize themselves. Otter found a kid with a Scout badge to pair up with. He was shorter than Otter, and fast. Otter knocked him off balance a couple of times, but the kid had this way of regaining it before he stumbled or fell. Because he was shorter, the Scout was able to shove Otter from entirely different angles than Jasper had, resulting in him being knocked over. Otter squatted deeper into his stance, lowering his center of gravity which fixed the problem. After what felt like an eternity, Horvan finally concluded the session. Otter collapsed to the ground, completely drained of energy. As he looked around, he noticed that some of the others didn¡¯t seem as exhausted as he was, even though they were breathing heavily and stretching their muscles. A few minutes later, Liora''s towering figure appeared over him. "You doing okay, kid?" she asked. "Yeah," Otter groaned. "Just not used to this." She reached out a hand, and Otter used it to pull himself up. "It''ll get easier. I had to go through all of this a while back. My father wanted me to have some basic training before coming to the Academy. It sucks for the first week or two until your muscles start to toughen up, but they will. Where are you headed next?" "Lunch, I guess. Then Evershade Hall for Understanding the System." Liora scrunched up her face. "Ugh, that sounds boring." "Maybe," Otter shrugged. "I''ll find out soon enough." "I''m heading to Graymere for Beast Handling. After lunch, of course." She grinned. "Would you mind if I tag along? I might need a ride if my legs give out." Liora chuckled. "Sure thing, pipsqueak." Otter noticed Jasper walking away from the training grounds and stared after him. Liora noticed his gaze and asked, "You got a problem with him?" "I''m not sure," Otter replied honestly. Chapter 12- Unraveling the System Otter approached Evershade Hall with a buzzing curiosity. The building had tall, arched windows framed in dark stone, with ivy creeping along its edges. It stood slightly apart from the other academic halls, shrouded by ancient oak trees whose branches hung low, casting dappled shadows on the path. The name itself intrigued him¡ªEvershade¡ªevoking thoughts of secrets and hidden knowledge. This was where he¡¯d find his next class: Understanding the System. Otter adjusted the strap of his satchel and glanced at his wrisplay. He was early. Good. He didn¡¯t want to be the one to stumble in late and draw unnecessary attention. Not here. Not with Overseer Blackwood teaching the class. The interior of Evershade Hall was dimly lit, with high vaulted ceilings and walls covered in shelves of old tomes. A large chalkboard dominated the front of the room, filled with complex diagrams of classes, skills, and System pathways¡ªall of which were barely comprehensible at first glance. Otter found a seat near the middle of the room and pulled out his notebook. Around him, other students filed in. The room was nearly full by the time the door at the front of the hall opened. Silas Blackwood strode in with the air of a man who held secrets others craved. His coat was midnight blue, trimmed with silver embroidery. His dark eyes scanned the room with calm precision, and his beard was neatly trimmed. He moved with purpose, setting a leather-bound journal on the desk before turning to face the class. "Welcome to Understanding the System," Blackwood said, his voice smooth and measured. "You are here because you believe the System governs your lives. It does. But how it does so is something most of you have never questioned." The room fell silent. Blackwood¡¯s gaze swept across the students, lingering briefly on Otter before continuing. "This course is not about memorizing facts. It¡¯s about challenging assumptions. About asking why." He moved to the chalkboard, tapping the diagram of class paths. "The System shapes your skills, abilities, and opportunities. It assigns your classes. It defines your stats. But the real question is¡ªwho defines the System?" A murmur rippled through the room. Blackwood raised a hand for silence. "Let¡¯s start with the basics. How does the System decide whether you succeed or fail at any given action?" No one answered. The silence stretched. Otter hesitated before raising his hand. "Is it like¡­ a roll?" That mystifying inspiration he¡¯d received after listening to Headmaster Voss¡¯s speech coming back to him. Blackwood turned to him, his dark eyes glinting with interest. "Ah. An excellent question, Mr. Bennett. Yes. A roll." He turned to the chalkboard and began writing. ¡°Every action you attempt in the world is tied to a probability of success.That probability is determined by your stats, skills, and situational advantages. The System calculates the odds and determines success or failure. This is called a ¡°roll¡±. Blackwood tapped the chalkboard again. "Think of it this way. If you try to jump across a narrow gap, the System takes into account your Strength, Dexterity, and Jumping skill. The higher those numbers, the better your odds. But no matter how high your stats, there¡¯s always a chance of failure." Otter leaned forward, intrigued. "And that¡¯s the roll?" "Exactly," Blackwood confirmed. "The System makes a calculation, applying bonuses and penalties. It¡¯s also called measurable probability." A Fighter near the front raised his hand. "So¡­ it¡¯s all math?" Blackwood smiled faintly. "At its core, yes. But there¡¯s more to it. The human element matters. Your choices, your reactions, your ability to adapt¡ªthese all influence the outcome." Someone else spoke up. ¡°I heard we could upgrade our wrist displays to see those rolls.¡± Silas chuckled. "Ah, the infamous upgrade debate," Blackwood mused, his tone dripping with amusement. "Yes, some believe that seeing the numbers behind the roll will grant them more control. A glimpse into the unseen machinery of the System, if you will. But remember¡ªknowledge can be a double-edged sword. What happens when you see your odds laid bare and they¡¯re not in your favor?" A shift in the room occurred as students shared glances¡ªsome with wide eyes and gaping mouths, others with lips pressed together in thing lines and furrowed brows.. Otter felt a flicker of excitement spark within him. It was as if Blackwood had opened a door to a labyrinth of possibilities. ¡°Imagine,¡± Blackwood continued, pacing slowly before the chalkboard, ¡°if you could look at your wrisplay and see that you have only a 25% chance to leap across that gap. Would it not make you hesitate? Would you not consider other options?¡± He paused dramatically, letting the question hang in the air like a freshly woven web. ¡°But to answer your question¡­yes. You can purchase upgrades to your interface. Some have a larger display screen but are still worn on the wrist. What you are likely referring to are the spectacles our more seasoned adventurers prefer. They are a more advanced System interface and a useful tool when used correctly.¡± Otter scribbled all of this information in his notebook. Rolls. Probabilities. It made sense. But one question gnawed at him. "What about Luck?" he asked, raising his hand again. The room fell silent. Several students turned to stare at him, their expressions ranging from curious to annoyed. Blackwood¡¯s gaze sharpened. "Ah. Luck. One of the most misunderstood stats in the System." He tapped the chalkboard, writing the word Luck in bold letters. "Luck is¡­ difficult to quantify," Blackwood admitted. "It¡¯s not as straightforward as Strength or Intelligence. It doesn¡¯t directly improve your physical or mental abilities. Instead, it influences probabilities in subtle ways." Otter leaned in, hanging on every word. "Think of Luck as a hidden factor," Blackwood continued. "It might increase your odds of finding a rare item, or it might cause unexpected opportunities to present themselves. It could even turn a failure into a success¡ªthough how or when that happens is unpredictable." A girl across the room raised her hand. "But if it¡¯s so unpredictable, why does the System track it at all?" Blackwood smiled. "Because the world is unpredictable. Luck represents the unknown variables that the System can¡¯t control. It¡¯s what makes life interesting." Otter scribbled furiously in his notebook. His own Luck stat had always puzzled him. It was higher than any of his other stats, and he¡¯d always wondered why. Now, he was starting to understand¡ªLuck wasn¡¯t about control. It was about possibility. His mind tumbled over all the ¡°accidents¡± he¡¯s had that led to something more fortunate, all the rare insects he¡¯d found, and even his invitation to the Academy. Were all those things a result of his high Luck stat? But Blackwood wasn¡¯t finished. "Luck, however, can be a double-edged sword. After all, you can have both good and bad luck. Correct?¡± There were nods around the room. ¡°Our understanding is that, generally, the higher the Luck stat, the more often favorable outcomes and opportunities present themselves to that individual. But always remember that one person¡¯s fortune may be another¡¯s misfortune.¡± He paused to let that sink in. Otter reeled. Was it possible his Luck had caused something awful to befall his father? ¡°But here¡¯s the most important thing to remember about Luck," he said, turning to face the class. "It doesn¡¯t guarantee success. It merely opens doors. The question is¡ªwill you recognize those doors when they appear?" Otter¡¯s heart quickened. The Restricted Section. The thought hit him like a lightning bolt. Was that why he¡¯d been drawn to it? Was it one of those doors? Blackwood¡¯s gaze landed on Otter again, as if sensing his thoughts. "Some people spend their lives ignoring the doors Luck opens," Blackwood said. "Others learn to see them. The rare few? They step through." Otter swallowed hard. He knew which kind of person he wanted to be. As the session wore on, Otter found himself filled with more and more questions. He hoped they would be answered in due time. By the time the Overseer dismissed them, Otter had filled five pages of his journal with notes. That was no good, he decided. The journal Erin gave him was special and should be filled with personal thoughts. While taking notes for class was important, he should get some other notebooks for that purpose. After Understanding the System, Otter had several hours before he had to be back at the Library. He decided to check out the Commissary. ¡°Is there any way I can check if I have any credits available?¡± he asked the attendant when he got there. It turned out all he had to do was ask. The attendant opened a ledger and found his name. ¡°Sorry,¡± he said. ¡°You¡¯re at a zero balance.¡± Otter thought about trading in his golden Sun for credits, but quickly decided against it. ¡°Is there any way to borrow some until I get paid?¡± ¡°Depends,¡± the attendant said. ¡°Some course supplies can be loaned out or charged to your account.¡± Otter perked up. ¡°What about notebooks?¡± A few minutes later, Otter left the Commissary with a stack of four new notebooks. They were very similar to his old one¡ªloosely bound sheaves of paper with a cheap cardstock cover. But they were exactly what Otter needed. And he¡¯d have more than enough credits to cover the charge after his first week of work detail. He stuffed the notebooks down in his satchel and did a bit more exploring before returning to the Library. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Being the first day of courses, the Library was notably quiet that evening. Archivist Dane gave him a few tomes to reshelve, but instructed him to familiarize himself with the organizational system¡ªthe Huey Metric¡ªthat she and ¡°every other rational Archivist" used in a library. After the intense day he¡¯d had, it was a relaxing way to spend the evening. He lingered a while in the Entomology section, agog at the number of books pertaining to the matter. His evening shift wasn''t long, however, and when it was over, he found himself eager to return the next day. The smell of roasted meat and baked bread wafted through the Mess Hall, mingling the chatter of students sharing their first-day stories. The atmosphere was more relaxed than breakfast, with clusters of students gathered at long wooden tables, laughing and exchanging tales of their new instructors and coursework. Otter entered, spotting Erin at a table near the far wall. She was seated next to Liora. Milo was nowhere in sight. They were deep in conversation, but Erin¡¯s face lit up when she saw Otter approach. ¡°Hey!¡± Erin waved him over. ¡°Grab a plate!¡± Otter nodded, heading to the serving line. He loaded his plate with stew, a hunk of bread, and a wedge of cheese before weaving his way through the tables to join Erin and Liora. It was far less crowded than at breakfast. He figured it had to do with varied work details and staggered schedules. Liora stood as he approached. ¡°I¡¯ll catch you later, Erin. Good luck tomorrow.¡± She gave Otter a quick nod and disappeared into the crowd. Otter slid into the seat across from Erin, setting his tray down with a clatter. ¡°How was your first day?¡± Erin grinned. ¡°Pretty great, actually. Tracking and Foraging is right up my alley. Combat Basic in the afternoon was a chore, though.¡± ¡°Tell me about it. We spent the whole session learning about stances and balance.¡± Erin leaned forward. ¡°Same. Who was your partner?¡± Otter¡¯s expression darkened slightly. ¡°Jasper Thorne.¡± Erin frowned. ¡°I take it from your tone that you didn''t get along?¡± ¡°Not really. He¡¯s got the whole Fighter attitude. Real cocky. Not much respect for people who aren''t Fighters.¡± ¡°Another Bran, huh?¡± Otter hesitated, swirling his spoon through the thick stew. ¡°Not exactly. There¡¯s something about this guy that I can¡¯t put my finger on. Bran¡¯s a completely self-absorbed ass. This Jasper guy doesn¡¯t have the same¡­I don¡¯t know¡­aura.¡° Otter shook his head. ¡°Anyway. How was being a messenger today?¡± ¡°Busy. But I like it. What about you? How¡¯s the Library?¡± Erin asked, curious. ¡°Honestly?¡± Otter chuckled. ¡°I think Archivist Dane is made of stone. She¡¯s intense. Gave me a rundown of the library and a stack of scrolls to file. But it wasn¡¯t bad. I like it there. It¡¯s¡­ quiet.¡± Erin¡¯s tone softened. ¡°And what about Understanding the System? You said you were excited about that one.¡± Otter¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°It was fascinating. Overseer Blackwood is brilliant. He talked about how the System calculates everything through something called ¡®rolls.¡¯ Every action we take is tied to a probability of success.¡± Erin frowned. ¡°Like¡­ dice rolls?¡± ¡°Sort of,¡± Otter said. ¡°He explained that stats, skills, and situational factors affect the roll. Higher numbers mean better odds.¡± Erin nodded slowly. ¡°Makes sense. So, what¡¯s your takeaway?¡± Otter hesitated, then leaned in. ¡°Luck.¡± Erin blinked. ¡°What about it?¡± ¡°Blackwood said it¡¯s the least understood stat. But it¡¯s important. It affects rolls in ways we can¡¯t predict.¡± Otter¡¯s voice lowered. ¡°I think that¡¯s what makes me different.¡± Erin stared at him for a moment before speaking softly. ¡°You¡¯ve always been lucky, Otter. But maybe it¡¯s more than that. Maybe it¡¯s your path.¡± ¡°Speaking of which, tomorrow should be fun, eh? ¡°Absolutely.¡± *** Otter arrived at Redthorne Fieldhouse with a renewed sense of energy. After the mental exertion of Understanding the System, he was looking forward to something more practical. The fieldhouse itself was a sprawling structure, its high wooden beams and stone walls giving it the appearance of a fortified outpost. The scent of pine wood and fresh earth filled the air, and through the wide-open doors, Otter could see patches of forest and rocky hills that stretched as far as he could see. "Hey," Erin said with a small wave as she made her way over, politely stepping between the other students. "How was your morning?" ¡°Okay. I had some more time to peruse the Library. I don¡¯t have a lot of time for breakfast, though.¡± Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the class instructor, a grizzled man with sharp eyes and a scar that ran from his temple to his jawline. He wore beat up leathers and a cloak made from thick, weatherproof fabric, the edges frayed from years of use. ¡°I am Instructor Carlow, and this is Navigation and Survival,¡± he began, his voice gravelly and commanding. ¡°Out there¡±¡ªhe gestured toward the forest beyond the fieldhouse¡ª¡°is a world that will test your instincts, your resourcefulness, and your ability to stay alive. This course is designed to teach you the skills you will need, not for fighting Kaosborn, but to survive the journey just to reach the closest dungeon.¡± Carlow paced in front of the students, his boots crunching on the gravel floor. ¡°If you can¡¯t find your way, you¡¯ll get lost. If you can¡¯t read the land, you¡¯ll starve. And if you can¡¯t think on your feet, you¡¯ll die.¡± A heavy silence settled over the group. ¡°Now,¡± Carlow said, clapping his hands together, ¡°let¡¯s see if any of you can read a basic map.¡± Carlow handed out crude, hand-drawn maps to each student, along with a compass. Otter traced the lines of the map with his finger, noting landmarks, elevation changes, and distance markers. ¡°This,¡± Carlow said, holding up a map, ¡°is a map of the Redthorne Wilds.¡± He gestured to the nearby forest. ¡°It is a vast tract of land smack in the middle of Aurelia. But you¡¯ll find no signs of civilization within its bounds. It is owned by the Academy and is used specifically for this type of training. Your task is simple: find the quickest route from here to the Scout camp marked on your map as Point B. As this is both a training exercise and preliminary assessment, you will be closely monitored. The first three students to arrive at the camp will receive bonus credits at the end of the week.¡± Otter¡¯s heart raced at the prospect of this challenge. He exchanged a glance with Erin, who raised an eyebrow, clearly excited about the competition. ¡°Ready to show them what we¡¯ve got?¡± she whispered, grinning. ¡°Always,¡± he replied, adrenaline coursing through him as Carlow clapped his hands again, rallying the students. ¡°Alright, gather around! You¡¯ll have exactly fifteen minutes to plot your course and then head out. Use your compass and map wisely. Move quickly, but mind the terrain. The wilds have a way of surprising those who rush.¡± With that, the students huddled together in clusters, studying their maps as if their lives depended on it. He and Erin did the same. Otter was used to looking at maps of streets and canals, not the wilderness, but he quickly realized many of the same principles applied. Otter¡¯s eyes darted across the hand-drawn lines, taking in the twisting trails, streams, and dense clusters of trees that marked the Redthorne Wilds. Unlike the streets of Brighthaven, this terrain was unforgiving, with steep ridges and marshy patches that could easily slow someone down¡ªor worse, get them lost. ¡°Look here,¡± Erin whispered, pointing to a narrow path that cut diagonally across the map. ¡°If we follow the main trail, it¡¯ll take too long. But this shortcut¡±¡ªshe tapped the path¡ª¡°looks faster.¡± Otter frowned, tilting the map and glancing at his compass. ¡°It¡¯s faster, sure, but look¡ªthere¡¯s elevation gain here. If it¡¯s too steep, we¡¯ll lose time climbing.¡± Erin nodded thoughtfully. ¡°What about this route?¡± She traced a winding trail that hugged the edge of a stream. ¡°It¡¯s longer, but the terrain looks more manageable.¡± Otter traced both routes with his finger, weighing the options. Efficiency versus safety. The clock was ticking, and he needed to decide. ¡°Alright,¡± he said after a moment. ¡°We take the flatter route.¡± Erin grinned. ¡°Thought you might say that.¡± Carlow¡¯s voice rang out across the field. ¡°Time¡¯s up! Grab your gear and move out!¡± The students scattered, clutching their maps and compasses, some dashing off immediately without much thought. Others lingered, second-guessing their plans. Otter and Erin didn¡¯t rush. They walked briskly to the trailhead, consulting the map one last time before heading into the shadows of the trees. The air was cooler here and the only sounds were the whisper of leaves and the trickle of a nearby stream. Otter glanced at his compass, aligning it with the northeast heading on the map. ¡°We¡¯re on the right path.¡± ¡°Think we¡¯ll get there first?¡± Erin asked, her voice hushed as if the forest itself demanded quiet. ¡°Maybe.¡± Otter gave her a sideways grin. ¡°Depends on how many of them got lost already.¡± They moved quickly, keeping to the narrow trail. Otter¡¯s mind ticked through everything he¡¯d learned about navigation so far¡ªidentifying landmarks, noting elevation changes, and making sure they weren¡¯t veering off course. Suddenly, Erin stopped short, holding up a hand. ¡°Wait. Listen.¡± Otter stilled, his ears straining. There was a rustling in the underbrush¡ªa sound too deliberate to be the wind. They both glanced around, their eyes scanning the trees and bushes. Otter spotted movement to their left¡ªa flash of brown fur darting between the trees. ¡°A deer?¡± Otter whispered. Erin shook her head. ¡°Too quiet for a deer. Could be a scout companion.¡± Otter¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Scout companion?¡± ¡°It¡¯s something Scouts get at higher levels. An animal that bonds with the Scout. They¡¯re great for gaining access to places you can¡¯t and keeping an eye on things¡­or people.¡± ¡°Huh. That sounds pretty cool.¡± They kept moving, keeping their eyes peeled. Before long, they reached the split in the trail. The left hand path led up a steep incline. Their chosen path, the gentle stroll along the creek veered right. Erin looked at her wrisplay. ¡°We¡¯re on track. My arrow is pointing to the right.¡± ¡°Hang on a second,¡± Otter said as he double checked the map. ¡°Something doesn''t feel right.¡± Luck¡¯s Whisper: Active ¡°What¡¯s that mean?¡± Erin asked, pointing to his wrist. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯ve gotten it a few times, but there¡¯s never an explanation. I think it has something to do with my Luck stat, though.¡± ¡°Is it a special ability?¡± ¡°How could it be? I don¡¯t have a Class.¡± Otter pointed to something on the map. ¡°Look here. That trail to the right looks like the best way, but I don¡¯t think it is. See where it crosses the stream there?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Erin said, peering over his shoulder. ¡°There¡¯s no symbol for a bridge like there is over here.¡± He pointed to a different spot on the map. ¡°And look how wide the stream is here. There¡¯s no way we¡¯re getting across without a bridge of some kind. I say we take the steep route.¡± Erin glanced at her blue arrow, pointing toward her current objective. ¡°Okay. I trust you. Let¡¯s go.¡± The slope was tougher than it looked. Loose stones slid beneath their feet, and tangled roots jutted from the dirt, threatening to trip them with every step. Otter¡¯s legs burned, and sweat trickled down his back despite the cool forest air. ¡°Slow and steady,¡± Otter said, adjusting his balance as he grabbed a tree branch for support. Erin followed, her breathing measured but steady. Halfway up the slope, they heard the distant sound of rushing water¡ªthe creek they¡¯d chosen to avoid. Otter glanced back over his shoulder and saw movement through the trees. ¡°Look,¡± he said, pointing. Far below, a group of students stood at the edge of the creek crossing, pacing along the bank. ¡°No bridge,¡± Erin murmured. Otter grinned. ¡°Told you. Hey guys!¡± The people below looked up. ¡°You need to go back and take the left fork! Go up the hill!¡± Erin smacked him on the shoulder. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Being helpful. Cal, our RA, mentioned that we¡¯re training to be part of a team. So¡­shouldn''t we help each other?¡± Erin looked skeptical. ¡°Besides, they¡¯re too far back to catch up now.¡± He grinned. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go.¡± They scrambled over the last ridge, and the trail leveled out. Ahead, a clearing opened up, and in the distance, Otter could see the smoke from a campfire rising into the sky. ¡°The Scout camp,¡± Erin whispered. ¡°We¡¯re close.¡± Just as they broke into the clearing, they heard a shout behind them. ¡°Hey!¡± Otter and Erin turned to see Jasper¡ªthe broad-shouldered Fighter from Combat Basics¡ªcharging up the hill, his eyes locked on them. ¡°Thanks for the tip about taking the left fork. Saved me a lot of time. I¡¯ll save you a seat by the fire.¡± He took off then, blasting past Otter and Erin, leaving them standing there in shock. They shared a look, then took off after him. Unfortunately, Jasper was too fast. Erin pulled ahead of Otter, but she was still a dozen feet behind when they crossed into the circle of stumps set around the campfire. Carlow sat on one of the stumps, watching them. ¡°And here¡¯s the first three. Make a note to credit their accounts,¡± he told an assistant standing nearby. ¡°Well done, you three. Have a seat and catch your breath while we wait for the rest.¡± Chapter 13- New Friends New skill acquired: Navigation (wilderness) Novice- Lvl 1 Skill synergy detected. Navigation (urban) and Navigation (wilderness) have been combined. New skill acquired: Navigation Apprentice- Lvl 5 Otter¡¯s wrisplay buzzed and flashed, alerting him of the new notifications. ¡°Nice,¡± he said. ¡°What?¡± asked Erin. ¡°What does it say?¡± ¡°I just leveled my Navigation skills. Something about synergy. I dunno. But I¡¯m now an Apprentice navigator.¡± ¡°Excellent. I just got 100 XP for finishing top 3 in that little race.¡± ¡°Really? How much do you have total now?¡± Erin checked her own wrisplay. ¡°175. Still a long way to go to level 2.¡± ¡°At least you¡¯re getting experience.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re getting skill points. Remember, once you have a Class, you only get those on level up.¡± ¡°True,¡± Otter admitted. ¡°I guess it¡¯s not too bad, all things considered.¡± ¡°What¡¯s next for you?¡± ¡°Adventuring Fundamentals. You?¡± ¡°Herbology.¡± ¡°See you later?¡± ¡°You bet.¡± Adventuring Fundamentals was in a big auditorium style lecture hall. When Otter walked in, he was shocked to see how many people were there. It seemed like most of the first years were in attendance. Not everyone, of course. Erin wasn¡¯t there, and he didn''t see Milo or Torrin. A knot of people had formed around someone Otter hadn¡¯t met yet. He could just barely see the object of their attention Curiosity pulled Otter closer. A young man with tousled black hair stood in the midst of the onlookers holding some sort of puzzle box. He was short but radiated an infectious energy that was impossible to ignore. Every word he spoke dripped with enthusiasm, and laughter rippled through the crowd like a wave. Otter edged closer, straining to catch snippets of his charming banter. ¡°...so the trick is to twist this left ¡®til you hear it click, and voil¨¤! You¡¯ve got yourself a treasure map!¡± The boy demonstrated with flair, twisting the puzzle box in a dazzling display while the crowd oohed and aahed. ¡°Who is that?¡± Otter whispered to a girl next to him who was practically bouncing on her toes. ¡°That¡¯s Levi,¡± she replied breathlessly, eyes shining. ¡°He¡¯s a Dungeoneer! He can solve puzzles faster than anyone.¡± ¡°Dungeoneer, huh?¡± Otter mused, his interest piquing again. Just then, a tall woman with an owl-like expression slipped through the group to stand behind Levi. ¡°That¡¯s quite the toy you have there,¡± she said, plucking it from his grasp and inspecting it carefully. ¡°It¡¯s not a toy, ma¡¯am. It¡¯s a puzzle box, designed to keep would-be thieves flustered.¡± His words were still full of enthusiasm as he explained, not the whiny tone Otter might have expected. ¡°I see,¡± the woman said, then handed the disassembled box back to him. ¡°Well, I hope your mind is as nimble with the complex topics you¡¯ll be learning in this course.¡± She turned to the rest of the students. ¡°Find a seat so we may begin!¡± Intrigued by this fellow, Levi, Otter made sure to claim a seat next to him, though he did so to the jealous glare of several female students hoping to do the same. ¡°I am Instructor Windemere,¡± the older woman said as she climbed several small steps to the stage. ¡°Welcome to Adventuring Fundamentals.¡± As the instructor launched into a review of the course syllabus, Otter¡¯s mind drifted to other topics. While he¡¯d told Erin that advancing his skills was just as good as earning XP, he didn''t believe it. There were so many advantages to having a Class that outweighed the advancement he was likely to make without one. Otter tuned back in to listen to Windemere go over the basics of each Adventuring Class. He had heard most of this information before, but when she got to the description of the Spell Lord Class, his interest was piqued once again. The variety and power that came with being a Spell Lord was unmatched. They were able to manipulate and control all forms of magic, making them formidable opponents in any battle. Not to mention the utility spells. Some Spell Lords preferred to stay away from the front lines, researching new magics for the betterment of all people. Otter couldn''t help but imagine himself as a powerful Spell Lord, casting spells with ease and mastering all types of magic. But then Windemere moved on to the Dungeoneer Class and Otter found himself leaning forward in his seat, eager for more information. He didn''t know anyone with that Class, which made it all the more mysterious and intriguing. Windemere described how Dungeoneers were experts in solving puzzles and navigating through dangerous dungeons. They were also skilled in deciphering ancient texts and finding hidden treasures. Otter''s mind raced with possibilities as he imagined himself as a clever Dungeoneer. It seemed like he already had a relevant skill set. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. He couldn''t decide which Class he wanted more - the power of a Spell Lord or the agility of a Dungeoneer. But one thing was for sure, he was determined to earn an Adventuring Class. He glanced over at Levi and realized he was drawing some intricate pattern on a piece of paper. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Otter whispered. Levi shrugged. ¡°Just a maze. I started out solving them. Now I like to draw them.¡± Otter looked at the twisting lines with renewed interest. It took a couple of moments, but eventually his Navigation skill kicked in and the solution revealed itself¡ªthe correct path glowing a faint blue in his vision. ¡°Cool,¡± he said. ¡°You like mazes, too?¡± asked Levi. Otter nodded. ¡°You ever draw any? I can¡¯t find any that challenge me anymore.¡± Otter considered. He hadn''t ever tried. He liked drawing his maps. They were something real and concrete. A tool he could use. A maze wouldn¡¯t be much different, except it would use his imagination. ¡°No. But I could try. I¡¯ll see if I can come up with something before the next session.¡± ¡°Cool,¡± said Levi. The last thing Instructor Windemere talked about before dismissing the session was their primary assignment for the quarter. They were to choose a Class, other than their own, to write a paper about. That meant Otter could write about anything. As everyone began packing up and leaving, Otter turned to Levi. ¡°Dungeoneer seems like a pretty fascinating Class. I think I might write my paper on that.¡± Levi¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°It¡¯s the best Class! I¡¯d be happy to talk you through some things if you want. Not that I¡¯m an expert, but I don¡¯t think enough people are that interested.¡± ¡°Definitely,¡± said Otter. ¡°Cool. I¡¯ll see you later¡­¡± ¡°Otter.¡± Levi smiled. ¡°Cool name. I¡¯m Levi. I gotta run. See you around.¡± *** Archivist Dane had sent Otter to find a scribe named Piper. ¡°She¡¯ll be your direct supervisor from here on out. I don¡¯t have time to babysit.¡± Otter didn''t feel like he needed babysitting, but if this Piper was less intense than Dane, answering to her was fine by him. As he rounded a corner, he nearly collided with someone balancing a precarious stack of books. ¡°Whoa!¡± Otter reached out to steady the pile. ¡°Sorry about that.¡± The girl peered around the books, her ink-stained fingers clutching them tightly. Her curly brown hair was pulled back into a messy bun, and her glasses perched precariously on her nose. She offered a shy smile. ¡°No harm done,¡± she said softly. ¡°New here?¡± Otter nodded. ¡°Yeah. Library duty.¡± ¡°Ah. Lucky you.¡± She set the books down on a nearby table and extended her hand. ¡°I¡¯m Piper Ward.¡± ¡°Otter Bennett.¡± He shook her hand, noting the ink smudges on her fingertips. ¡°I was actually looking for you. Archivist Dane said you¡¯d be my direct supervisor during my shifts.¡± Piper nodded, pushing her glasses up her nose. ¡°Excellent. My job primarily deals with cataloging and book restoration. Mostly, I chase down missing volumes and try to make sense of this place.¡± Otter glanced around at the towering shelves. ¡°Looks like a full-time job.¡± ¡°It is,¡± Piper said with a laugh. ¡°But I love it. There¡¯s something magical about old books, don¡¯t you think? They hold stories¡ªand secrets.¡± Otter couldn¡¯t argue with that. He followed her as she picked up the stack of books and began walking through the aisles. He watched as she meticulously organized the books each time she shelved one, often reordering those around it. Piper glanced at him, a hint of a smile playing at her lips. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t hold you to the same standards I have for myself. Putting things in order is a bit of an obsession for me. I enjoy it. Sometimes, I think the other scribes move things around just so I can put them back. Come on, I¡¯ll show you where the returns are and tell you the most efficient way to deal with shelving them.¡± She made her way back to the front desk and pointed out a large bin underneath. ¡°Mundane titles and textbooks get put in there. In addition to the more specialized items in the Library, we also carry plenty of light reading¡ªnovels and such. We¡¯ll start with those.¡± They worked in companionable silence for a while before Piper spoke again, her voice quieter, more hesitant. ¡°Have you¡­ noticed anything strange while you¡¯ve been here?¡± Otter raised an eyebrow. ¡°Strange how?¡± Piper glanced around, as if making sure they were alone. ¡°Books moving on their own. Shelves rearranging themselves overnight. And sometimes¡­ whispers.¡± ¡°Whispers?¡± Otter repeated, skeptical. ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± Piper nodded. ¡°It¡¯s always in the West Wing, near the Restricted Section. The other Scribes avoid that area. They say it¡¯s haunted.¡± Otter chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Haunted bookshelves? Sounds like a campfire story.¡± ¡°I thought so too,¡± Piper said, her voice lowering to a near whisper. ¡°But I¡¯ve heard them. And the books¡ªthey don¡¯t just move randomly. It¡¯s like they¡¯re looking for something.¡± Otter¡¯s skepticism wavered as he saw the earnest look in her eyes. ¡°And no one¡¯s investigated?¡± Piper shrugged. ¡°Archivist Dane says it¡¯s nonsense. Just tricks of the mind. But I know what I¡¯ve seen.¡± As they reached a quiet corner of the Library, Otter bent down to place a spicy romance novel in its designated slot when his wrisplay buzzed unexpectedly. He glanced down to see static flickering across the screen, followed by a brief, cryptic message: Luck¡¯s Whisper: Active ¡°What the¡ª?¡± Otter muttered, tapping the screen. The message disappeared, replaced by the usual display of his stats and skills. Piper noticed his reaction. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Otter straightened. ¡°Nothing. My wrisplay just glitched.¡± Piper¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Mine¡¯s never done that, but like I said, there¡¯s something strange about this place.¡± ¡°Maybe.¡± Otter rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Piper tapped her fingers against her stack of books, her expression thoughtful. ¡°Or maybe it¡¯s not a glitch. Maybe it¡¯s a message.¡± Otter frowned. ¡°From who?¡± ¡°Or what,¡± Piper added, her voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°What if the Library itself is trying to tell you something?¡± The idea sounded absurd, but Otter couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that she might be right. In a way, the Library felt alive, humming with unseen energy. And that Luck¡¯s Whisper message was just as mysterious. But he¡¯d seen that outside the Library. So maybe the message wasn¡¯t from the Library. Maybe the System was trying to tell him something. Piper¡¯s gaze met his, her brown eyes gleaming with curiosity. ¡°We should investigate.¡± ¡°Now?¡± Otter asked, glancing around. Piper shook her head. ¡°You have closing shift tonight, right?¡± Otter nodded. ¡°After dinner, we can explore the West Wing without anyone interrupting.¡± ¡°You mean, go in the Restricted Section?¡± ¡°No, no. That¡¯s off limits, of course. But there¡¯s lots of other areas we can investigate.¡± Otter hesitated, torn between excitement and apprehension. The idea felt a little reckless, but his curiosity burned brighter than his caution. ¡°Alright,¡± he said finally. ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡± Piper grinned, her ink-stained fingers clutching the edges of her books. ¡°Great.¡± As Otter left the Library to get some dinner, his thoughts swirled with anticipation and unease. He glanced back at the towering shelves, their shadows stretching long in the dim light. Secrets were hidden in those shelves¡ªhe was sure of it. And he intended to find them. Chapter 14- Night at the Library The lock clicked with a satisfying thunk as Piper turned the heavy key. She stepped back from the Library¡¯s front doors, listening as the ancient mechanisms settled into place. Beside her, Otter stood feeling a little nervous. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± Piper said, slipping the key into a pocket. ¡°Officially locked up.¡± She glanced around and flashed a mischievous smile. ¡°Ready?¡± ¡°As I¡¯ll ever be,¡± he replied, trying to sound casual and failing miserably. They moved quietly through the dimly lit corridors of the Library, the faint glow of enchanted lanterns casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. Their footsteps echoed softly in the silence. ¡°You sure we won¡¯t get in trouble for this?¡± Otter whispered, glancing at Piper. ¡°Why would we? We¡¯re not breaking any rules. Just because the doors are locked doesn''t mean all the staff has left. Besides, I¡¯m pretty much your boss.¡± ¡°What about curfew? I¡¯m supposed to be back in my dorm by 9.¡± ¡°I can write you a pass,¡± she said with a shrug. Her words were clearly meant to put him at ease, but he couldn''t help but feel like she was leaving something out. ¡°And Archivist Dane?¡± Piper waved it off, but said nothing in response. Despite the uneasiness, Otter couldn¡¯t help but feel a spark of excitement. Mystery. Discovery. It was what he¡¯d always craved. And now, he wasn¡¯t alone in it. Piper led the way toward the West Wing. Once there, she lowered her voice to a whisper. ¡°Keep an eye on your display. If it glitches, let me know.¡± The first five minutes was uneventful, though Otter couldn''t shake off the eerie feeling that they were being watched. Then they came to a section Otter hadn¡¯t seen before. The Museum Annex was unlike any other part of the Library. Ancient artifacts filled the room¡ªsuits of armor rusted with age, tattered articles of clothing, crystal shards and orbs sheltered behind glass cases, and other, stranger pieces he couldn''t begin to identify. "Wow, would you look at this place?" Otter breathed out as they stood amidst relics that had seen centuries pass by, treasures so old that Otter suspected some might remember the world being flat¡ªif artifacts could remember things, which, given the setting, wasn''t entirely off the table. "Each one has a tale," Piper said, her voice filled with reverence as she brushed her fingers over the glass protectively. "Imagine the secrets they keep." "Probably lots of ''I was lost, I was found, someone dropped me''¡ªyou know, riveting stuff," Otter quipped, but his heart raced with the reality of it all. There were items here that had likely changed the course of history, or at least sat in the room while history changed around them. Otter¡¯s gaze swept across the room, finally landing on something that captured his attention as nothing else did: an ornate display case at the far end of the hall. Inside, perched on a velvet cushion, was a cracked compass, its brass casing tarnished with age. Piper led him to it, her eyes gleaming with fascination. ¡°That¡¯s the compass of Emrys Gale.¡± Otter leaned closer, peering at the artifact. The compass looked ancient, its face a spiderweb of fine lines, testament to its age and the countless hands it must have passed through over the centuries. Its glass was foggy with time''s breath, but there was no mistaking the way it seemed to be waiting, like a slumbering beast anticipating the touch of dawn. The needle twitched slightly, even though the case was sealed. ¡°Emrys Gale?¡± Otter asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°One of the Academy¡¯s founders,¡± Piper said softly, staring in awe at the artifact. ¡°A legendary adventurer. But no one knows where this compass came from¡ªor why it was left here. Some say it guided him to the Academy¡¯s original location.¡± Her fascination was infectious, and Otter could almost imagine the compass guiding grand ships across unknown waters, charting courses into the realms of fantasy she so adored in her secret readings. Otter traced the edge of the display case with his finger, feeling a chill creep up his spine. ¡°It feels¡­ important.¡± As he leaned in to get a better look, a sudden chill enveloped the room. The air grew noticeably colder. Piper huddled closer, and he felt her shiver against him. The lamps on the wall dimmed, casting eerie shadows across the artifacts. "It feels like... like..." "Like we''re not alone," Otter finished for her, swallowing the lump in his throat. Then, faint whispers echoed through the room. The voices were fragmented, indistinct, like a conversation just out of earshot. They seemed to come from the very walls, threading through the air like a ghostly breeze. Otter straightened, glancing around. ¡°Did you hear that?¡± Piper nodded, her expression wary. ¡°That¡¯s what I was talking about!¡± The whispers grew louder, swirling around them. "Maybe Emrys Gale left behind more than just a compass," Piper breathed, her eyes wide behind her glasses as she stared at the case, entranced by the notion that they might be standing on the cusp of unraveling a mystery woven into the fabric of the Academy itself. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Otter felt like the air was growing thinner with every word the walls uttered. He was no stranger to bizarre occurrences¡ªhis life was a testament to that¡ªbut this was a different kind of oddity, one that set his nerves jangling like alarm bells in a storm. Otter''s fingers hovered mere inches from the ancient display case, the air around it charged with an inexplicable tension. With a tentative stretch, he let his fingertips graze the glass. Suddenly, his wrisplay buzzed, the screen glitching as static crackled across it. His heart leapt into his throat as a message appeared: Error¡ªObjectives Not Met. ¡°What does that mean?¡± Piper asked. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Otter said, his voice tight with both excitement and unease. ¡°I¡¯ve gotten strange messages before, but¡­ this is different.¡± The compass inside the display case began to glow softly, casting a faint, ethereal light. Its cracked needle spun erratically, as if responding to an unseen force. Piper gasped. ¡°It¡¯s never done that before.¡± Otter¡¯s mind raced. Was this connected to his Luck? The strange glitches on his wrisplay? He pressed a hand against the glass, curiosity burning within him. Before they could investigate further, the sound of footsteps echoed through the Library. Piper¡¯s eyes widened. Her prior confidence evaporated like mist under the rising run. ¡°Archivist Dane. Hide!¡± They ducked behind a towering shelf full of ancient bones, pressing themselves against the cold stone. The footsteps grew louder, deliberate and measured. ¡°I thought you said we wouldn¡¯t get in trouble.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t, but I¡¯m your boss. I certainly will. Now shush.¡± Archivist Dane strode into the Museum Annex, her dark skirt brushing the floor. Her sharp gaze swept across the room, taking in the artifacts and the flickering torches. She paused near the display case, her eyes narrowing as she examined the glowing compass. For a moment, Otter thought she might open the case and inspect it further¡ªbut then she shook her head, muttering something under her breath. "Ridiculous. Every time there''s a flicker or a draft, these old relics start acting up. Knock it off," she said, addressing the whispering compass as though it were a mischievous scribe caught doodling in the margins. ¡°You¡¯ll scare the help. Or worse, the students.¡± Otter dared to peek around the side of the lectern. Dane had turned her back to them, inspecting a shelf laden with ancient scrolls. Her shadow danced on the stone floor as if mocking their silent plight. "Is she talking to the artifacts?" Piper mouthed to Otter, her face a canvas of bafflement and awe. Otter shrugged, heart pounding. If they made it out of this without earning themselves a write-up, or worse¡ªlatrine duty¡ªhe''d consider it a win for his infamous Luck stat. Dane continued her rounds, oblivious to the two stowaways trying to turn themselves invisible. Maybe there¡¯s a cloak in here that does that, thought Otter. With every step she took away from them, the pressure in Otter''s chest eased a fraction, replaced by the bubbling effervescence of mischief and narrow escapes. Finally, with one last disapproving glance at the glowing compass, Dane exited the Annex, her footsteps fading into the library beyond as she muttered to herself. ¡°Circulation is already down, and now the old ghosts want to make it harder on me¡­¡± Otter and Piper didn''t move, didn''t even dare to exhale fully until the echo of those steps had vanished completely. Once the coast was clear, they emerged from their hiding spot. ¡°That was close,¡± Otter whispered, his heart still pounding. Piper nodded, her expression a mix of relief and excitement. ¡°Did you hear what she said? Haunted relics.¡± "Knock it off," Otter whispered, mimicking Dane''s stern reprimand to the empty air, before he and Piper burst into quiet laughter, the kind born from relief and the shared exhilaration of narrowly dodging catastrophe. "Seriously though," Piper said, her voice still a whisper but now edged with a steel of determination that surprised Otter, "we can''t let this go. That compass... there''s something about it." Otter stole a glance at the glowing compass, his mind buzzing with thoughts. "There''s definitely more to this place than meets the eye," he finally said. ¡°Dane didn¡¯t seem too concerned, though.¡± Piper bit her lip. ¡°I guess not. But what was up with your wrisplay? That has to mean something.¡± Otter agreed. Whatever this was¡ªwhatever the compass meant¡ªhe needed to know. ¡°We should research Emrys Gale and see if we can find any clues.¡± Piper smiled. ¡°Absolutely.¡± As Otter left the Library, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the night¡¯s events were more than coincidence. The compass. The whispers. The glitch on his wrisplay. Luck. It wasn¡¯t just a stat. It was connected to something bigger. Something older. Otter''s steps carried an unusual buoyancy as he made his way back to his dormitory. The evening''s revelations about the compass and its potential link to both Emrys Gale and his own peculiar Luck filled him with both exhilaration and trepidation. With each turn down the stone-lined corridors, his mind spun faster than the compass needle itself, ricocheting between excitement over the uncharted adventure ahead and the gnawing thought that all this might somehow intertwine with the enigma of his father''s disappearance. Could Da have stumbled upon something like this? he wondered, stepping into his room. He let the door thud shut behind him, sealing off the world outside. He flopped onto the bed, gazing up at the ceiling as if it held the answers written in invisible ink. "Focus, Otter," he chided himself, sitting upright. "You need something... tangible. A puzzle to untangle the mind." His gaze landed on his journal. He slid off the bed, and sat at the desk. Retrieving his father¡¯s knife from under the mattress, he carefully sharpened a pencil. "Right, a maze. For Levi." It was a simple task, designing a maze for the roguish Dungeoneer. Yet, as the marks took shape under Otter''s hand, the lines twisted and turned with whimsical abandon, mimicking the chaotic dance of his thoughts. "Okay, so we start with a spiral here, and¡ªno, wait, dead end," he mumbled, scratching out lines with fervor. He plotted twisty pathways, laid traps and false leads, crafting a miniature world where he was in control, a stark contrast to the unpredictable whirlwind that was his life. He could feel the tension unwind, thread by thread, as the maze grew more complex, and for a fleeting moment, he was just a boy with a penchant for puzzles, not the key to a mystery steeped in ancient lore and family secrets. The door to his room shook suddenly, jolting him from his reverie. Otter glanced up, only to see the culprit: a draft slipping through the window he''d left ajar. With a chuckle, he tied the final knot in the maze, the endpoint tucked neatly in the center. He admired his handiwork. It was intricate and baffling¡ªa metaphor for the night''s escapades, perhaps¡ªbut solvable, given enough patience and wit. Just like the riddle of Emrys¡¯s compass, Otter hoped. "Let¡¯s see how long this takes you." Otter grinned, tearing the page from his journal and rolling it up neatly. He stowed it in his satchel, ready to be gifted at their next meeting. As he extinguished the candles in his room one by one, darkness embraced him, a comforting blanket woven with threads of uncertainty and adventure. "Game on," he repeated, a silent promise in the stillness. Tomorrow''s light would bring research and secrets to sift through, but tonight, Otter would dream of mazes and maps and the faint whisper of destiny calling his name. Chapter 15- Growing Pains ¡°Dude. This maze is crazy!¡± Levi held the paper up to the light, turning it this way and that, looking at it from different angles. ¡°You made this?¡± Otter nodded, a sheepish grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. ¡°I needed to something to do the other night.¡± They sat together in the Academy¡¯s Rec Hall, a large, airy space filled with mismatched chairs and tables. The walls were adorned with banners representing different classes and guilds. Students drifted in and out. Some played card games, others enjoyed a steaming cup of keffir while hanging out with friends. Levi traced his finger along the intricate twists and turns of the maze, eyebrows raised in admiration. ¡°You¡¯ve got way too much time on your hands. This thing¡¯s a work of art.¡± He glanced up with a mischievous smile. ¡°How long did it take you?¡± Otter shrugged, brushing a hand through his hair. ¡°A couple hours, maybe. I don¡¯t know.¡± He didn¡¯t mention how the maze had been a distraction from his swirling thoughts about the compass, his father, and the strange glitches on his wrisplay. ¡°A couple hours?¡± Levi shook his head. ¡°I¡¯d need weeks to make something like this.¡± He held it up again, marveling at the complexity. The paths wove through towers and tunnels, past what looked like tiny monsters and traps drawn in exquisite detail. Levi tilted his head. ¡°Is this¡­ a hidden message?¡± Otter¡¯s grin widened. ¡°You noticed!¡± Levi squinted at the page, following the twists and turns more closely. ¡°Hold on¡­ oh! There it is!¡± He pointed to a section of the maze where the paths spelled out a word if you looked closely enough: LUCK. ¡°Luck, huh? What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Otter leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. ¡°It¡¯s what you¡¯ll need to solve that thing.¡± Levi laughed. ¡°Is that so? Well, when I finish it this afternoon, I¡¯ll hang it up in my dorm. Right next to my map of the Redthorne Wilds.¡± He laughed again, then turned serious. ¡°You¡¯ve got a real talent, you know that?¡± They got up, ready to head to their next session. Otter shrugged again, though warmth bloomed in his chest. ¡°It¡¯s just something I¡¯ve always done. Maps, mazes. I like figuring out paths, finding ways through things.¡± ¡°I bet you¡¯d make a great Scout.¡± Otter felt his cheeks warm. They hadn¡¯t talked about his Class, or lack thereof, yet. ¡°Maybe.¡± ¡°Oh man, I¡¯m sorry. I didn''t mean¡­I mean, I¡¯d heard¡­you know what? Nevermind. Thanks for this.¡± He tapped the map against his palm. ¡°It¡¯s really awesome.¡± Otter felt like taking a risk. ¡°I¡¯m actually thinking a Dungeoneer Class would be my preference.¡± Levi nodded. ¡°That might be a good fit, too. Scouts are good at wilderness stuff, but us Dungeoneers have a knack for navigating¡­well¡­dungeons. Labyrinths. That sort of thing. We have to be, to find all the loot.¡± Otter chuckled. ¡°I never really thought about that.¡± As they walked, Otter felt a little lighter. His circle of friends was growing. *** The end of the week was payday. Most of the first-year students flocked to the Commissary on Friday after course sessions were finished to see how many credits they¡¯d earned. Otter beat the rush because he only had Understanding the System that day. The attendant told him he had 20 credits¡ª15 from his Library Duties and an extra 10 from the bonus he¡¯d earned in Navigation and Survival minus 5 for what he owed for the notebooks. He perused the racks, looking for anything that he might want to purchase. There was a section for basic adventuring gear that contained items like boots, belts, and backpacks. If he did get the Dungeoneer class, he would certainly need those supplies. He almost bought a new backpack and some rope right then, but reconsidered. First-year students were held on a pretty tight leash and he highly doubted he¡¯d be doing any dungeon delving soon. Still, it was nice to know the stuff was there. He browsed a shelf of books, but figured the Library would have anything he wanted and borrowing them was a better fit for his budget. As he neared the back of the store, a delicious smell hit him and he went to investigate. There was a counter with all sorts of baked goods¡ªsweet rolls, meat pies, cookies, and even chocolate. Otter¡¯s mouth watered. While the mess hall provided plenty of tasty meals, desserts were not included. He and his mother rarely had enough money to splurge on such treats, and he lingered for a while. Eventually, though, he moved on. His birthday was coming up soon, and he decided he¡¯d wait to treat himself until then. He found a locked glass case harboring an assortment of magical trinkets and paused to read the description of each one. Whisper stone- A smooth stone that records and plays back a short message. 5 credits Warming Charm- A tiny rune-inscribed pebble that keeps your hands warm. 4 credits Illusory Pet Token- Summons a small, harmless illusory creature for 1 hour. 8 credits Glowstick- Emits a soft light for several hours before recharging. 2 credits Lucky Charm Pendant- Said to subtly influence Luck in minor ways. 7 credits Enchanted Marbles (x3) Roll them and they create harmless light bursts. 3 credits Spell Candle (Single Use)- Burns with a colored flame and can reveal invisible writing. 5 credits Self-Shuffling Deck. A deck of cards that shuffles itself. 6 credits Chameleon Ribbon- A ribbon that changes color based on the wearer¡¯s mood. 5 credits The Lucky Charm pendant jumped out at him. How would that work together with his already high luck stat? Maybe he should get that. Although, he might not ever know if it worked. Plus, his Luck¡¯s Whisper already seemed to function in a similar way. The glow stick was also tempting. He imagined those could come in handy when exploring the dark recesses of some dungeon. The Spell Candle was the most intriguing. With the work he¡¯d be doing in the Library, trying to uncover secrets about Emrys Gale, the cracked compass, and his father¡¯s fate, revealing invisible writing might come in handy. Of course, the candle only worked once. He¡¯d have to be judicious with its use. The last section he looked through was labeled Hobbies and Interests. It contained a variety of board games, card decks, dice, puzzles, and art supplies. When he¡¯d made a complete circuit of the Commissary, he considered his options. Part of him wanted to spend everything he¡¯d earned, but growing up poor had instilled a thriftiness deep within him that he couldn¡¯t shake. Finally, he settled on buying the Spell Candle and a Fizzy Elixir¡ªa sparkling fruit flavored drink in a resealable bottle. He figured he could use the bottle for something else. The total came to 7 credits, leaving him with 13. He¡¯d save those for something important later. As he was leaving the Commissary, he spotted Lyle and Torrin standing shoulder to shoulder by one of the shelves. They were clearly watching him, though they turned their attention to a piece of adventuring gear they were holding as soon as they realized he¡¯d seen them. Otter guessed they didn¡¯t have a single point of Stealth between them. They followed him as far as the door, then called after him. ¡°Hey sewer rat. They gave you Bran¡¯s spot. He¡¯s the one should be here, not you.¡± Otter pretended like he hadn¡¯t heard them and kept walking. But his stomach was doing somersaults. He hadn¡¯t known Lyle and Torrin back in Brighthaven. And he assumed they didn¡¯t know him. It was a big city after all. Not as big as Aurelia, but big enough that someone living in The Docks might never meet someone from Oldkeep. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Yet, it seemed he¡¯d been wrong. The fact that the pair also knew Bran just made it worse. He got the feeling he was in for a long semester with those two. *** Piper dropped a stack of books on the counter with a loud bang, the noise reverberating through the otherwise quiet Library. Several nearby students glanced up from their workstations, eyebrows raised in annoyance. Piper didn¡¯t seem to care. Otter looked up from his own stack he was preparing to reshelve, startled by both the sound and her intensity. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Piper adjusted her glasses and crossed her arms, giving him a look that suggested she had zero patience for his cluelessness. ¡°This is everything I¡¯ve found about Emrys Gale.¡± She tapped the top of the stack for emphasis. ¡°As you can see, there¡¯s quite a bit. But not as much as I¡¯d hoped. We need to divvy these up.¡± Otter blinked at the precarious tower of books. Some had titles in languages he couldn¡¯t even begin to decipher. ¡°Um¡­ maybe I can read one,¡± Otter said hesitantly. ¡°But I¡¯ve already got a lot of reading to do for my courses.¡± Piper narrowed her eyes at him, her lips pressing into a thin line. ¡°I thought you wanted to investigate this.¡± ¡°I do! I do¡­¡± Otter stammered, holding up his hands defensively. ¡°I just¡ªthere¡¯s a lot on my plate right now.¡± Piper¡¯s glare didn¡¯t soften. If anything, it sharpened. ¡°Oh, I see,¡± she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°So you¡¯re fine chasing down spooky whispers and glowing compasses in the middle of the night, but when it comes to the actual research part, suddenly you¡¯re too busy?¡± Otter winced. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡± Piper huffed, pulling a thick, leather-bound book from the top of the stack and shoving it toward him. ¡°Fine. You read this one.¡± Her voice was clipped, but there was a hint of mischief in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll read through the rest. In all of my spare time.¡± Otter took the book, feeling the weight of both the tome and her judgment. ¡°Thanks, Piper. You¡¯re a real saint.¡± ¡°I know,¡± she said, flipping open another book with a dramatic flourish. ¡°It¡¯s exhausting.¡± Otter chuckled, but Piper wasn¡¯t done. ¡°I¡¯m serious, Otter,¡± she said, softening a little as she glanced at him over the top of her book. ¡°If we¡¯re going to figure out what¡¯s going on with that compass¡ªand why your wrisplay keeps glitching¡ªwe need to take this seriously. Emrys Gale wasn¡¯t just some adventurer. He was one of the Academy¡¯s founders. And a bit of a mystery himself.¡± Otter leaned on the counter, curiosity sparking again despite his lingering self-doubt. ¡°What kind of mystery?¡± Piper¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement. ¡°No one knows where he came from. His origins are completely undocumented. And there are rumors¡ªwild ones¡ªthat he didn¡¯t follow the System¡¯s usual pathways. That he had¡­ alternative methods.¡± Otter frowned. ¡°Alternative methods?¡± ¡°Yeah. Like maybe he didn¡¯t have a Class. Or he found a way to bypass the System entirely.¡± Otter¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°You think that¡¯s why the compass is acting weird?¡± ¡°Maybe.¡± Piper shrugged. ¡°Or maybe it¡¯s just a cool old artifact with a bunch of creepy stories attached to it. Either way, we need to dig deeper.¡± Otter glanced at the book in his hands. The title was faded, but he could make out the words Gale¡¯s Journeys: Forgotten Paths of Aurelia. Piper grinned, seeing the shift in his expression. ¡°See? Now you¡¯re interested.¡± Otter nodded slowly. ¡°Yeah. I guess I am.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Piper adjusted her glasses again, the fire in her eyes returning. ¡°Because I¡¯m not letting you off the hook that easily.¡± Otter flipped open the book and began skimming the first few pages. ¡°So¡­ what¡¯s our plan?¡± ¡°Our plan,¡± Piper said, leaning in, ¡°is to figure out what Emrys Gale discovered¡ªand if it¡¯s connected to you.¡± Otter glanced at her, startled. ¡°To me?¡± Piper nodded. ¡°Those glitches. The compass reacting when you were near it. I don¡¯t think its a coincidence, Otter.¡± He has a feeling she was right. Especially if that rumor about Emrys being Classless was true. ¡°All right,¡± he said quietly. ¡°But it¡¯s going to take time. I have to stay on top of my coursework. If I flunk out, we won¡¯t learn anything.¡± Piper sighed. ¡°Fair enough.¡± And with that, they turned back to their Library duties. *** The morning sun hung low over the Ironstride Keep Training Grounds, casting long shadows across the dirt yard. Otter shifted nervously as he adjusted his practice sword, the wooden blade feeling awkward in his hands. They¡¯d progressed quickly from stance and balance on the first day through some simple unarmed combat techniques, which Otter had kind of picked up on, though he¡¯d need a lot more practice. But all too soon, they moved on to using practice weapons. Master Horvan paced before them, his heavy boots kicking up small clouds of dust. His mechanical left hand clicked softly with each step, the gears within whirring faintly. He stopped suddenly, turning to face the students with a stern gaze. "Today, we''re working on defense techniques," Horvan barked. "Blocking, parrying, countering. This isn¡¯t about brute strength. It¡¯s about balance, awareness, and control. I hope you see the theme." Otter swallowed. He had his stance and balance down¡ªor at least he thought he did. If today¡¯s lesson built on that foundation, maybe it wouldn¡¯t be so bad. ¡°Form up ranks!¡± Horvan bellowed. Immediately, everyone fell into neat rows, facing the Master Warrior. ¡°Swords out!¡± Otter held his sword out in front of him. It felt heavy in his hand and he struggled to keep it in the correct position. ¡°Many people mistakenly believe that fighting with a sword is flashy, showy, with big, sweeping motions. Those people end up dead.¡± An assistant squared off against Horvan, and lunged at him in slow motion. Horvan, holding his sword in position 1, simply shifted his wrist to the right by about two inches and the assistant¡¯s wooden blade slid harmlessly past him. ¡°Did everyone see that?¡± He looked around at the student, then demonstrated one more time. ¡°Your turn. Position 1! Parry!¡± Again and again they went through the motion. The instructors circulated, making adjustments, giving advice. ¡°Keep your sword tip up, Bennett,¡± one of them said. He tried. He tried really hard, but with every repetition, his arm got weaker. It burned. And his sword tip got lower. Finally, Horvan called a break, directing them to stretch and rest. Then... "Pair up! And, Bennett¡ª" his sharp gaze landed on Otter, "with Thorne." Otter¡¯s stomach twisted. Jasper? Seriously? The Fighter seemed to be a prodigy. He mastered every lesson with ease. No one wanted to partner with him after only two weeks. He made everybody look bad. What was Horvan thinking? They were supposed to be sparring with someone at their own level, not someone who could potentially break his bones with one well-aimed strike. Otter looked around and saw Lyle and Torrin whispering with a small group of students, occasionally throwing glances his way. What were they up to? Then Jasper, already grinning, strode over with his usual swagger. The confidence radiating off him made Otter want to gag. ¡°You sure you want to do this?¡± Otter asked, keeping his tone neutral. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want you to get embarrassed in front of everyone.¡± Jasper¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Embarrassed? By you?¡± He leaned in, his voice low and mocking. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Bennett. I¡¯ll go easy on you.¡± But that crew back there,¡± he nodded toward the knot of students with Lyle and Torrin at their center, ¡°is betting on how long you¡¯ll last.¡± Otter forced himself to keep his expression blank, but his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Stay calm. Focus. ¡°It¡¯s a simple exercise,¡± Horvan said. ¡°Lunge. Parry. Riposte. Begin!¡± Otter swallowed hard. His heart pounded in his chest as he raised his practice sword. The wooden blade felt heavy in his hand, but he adjusted his grip, planting his feet in the stance Horvan had drilled into him. Jasper twirled his sword lazily, clearly enjoying the moment. ¡°Ladies first,¡± he said, smirking. Otter ignored him. He took a breath, focusing on balance. Awareness. Control. He stepped forward cautiously, sword raised. Jasper lunged. The attack came faster than Otter anticipated, and he barely managed to block the strike. The impact jarred his arm, sending a tremor up to his shoulder. His knees buckled slightly, but he kept his footing. ¡°Too slow,¡± Jasper taunted. ¡°You¡¯ll never survive out there if that¡¯s the best you¡¯ve got.¡± Otter gritted his teeth. Now it was his turn. He lunged, sword tip driving for Jasper¡¯s chest. Jasper flicked his wrist and Otter¡¯s sword slipped past his shoulder. Jasper, it seemed, had already mastered this parry. Before Otter could fully recover, the Fighter riposted. Otter scrambled back, trying to parry as well, but again he was too slow. The blunted sword tip jammed into his shoulder and pain bloomed. You¡¯re okay. It¡¯s just a little pain. He returned to position 1. ¡°Keep your sword tip up!¡± Jasper barked at him as he lunged. Otter focused on keeping his movements small and fast, and this time he parried successfully. They went back and forth a few more times, but Otter never could score a hit. His arms were on fire, his muscles felt like someone held a hot poker to them. ¡°Sword. Tip. Up.¡± Jasper growled between clenched teeth and stuck again. Otter tried to parry, but as Jasper had warned, his sword tip was too low and instead of the blade slipping off to the side, it slipped over his own and slammed into his chest. He felt something crack, saw the sky suddenly appear in front of him, and heard someone yell, ¡°Healer!¡± Chapter 16- A Liability Otter¡¯s eyes fluttered open. A kind face hovered over him. ¡°You¡¯ll be good as new in a few minutes. Give the magic time to work.¡± Otter lay there, unsure of what happened. As his senses returned, he realized combat practice was still going on around him. The dull ache in Otter''s chest gradually faded as the healing magic did its work. His head buzzed, and his mind tried to piece together what had happened. Jasper. The strike had been reckless, too forceful for a sparring match. Otter had tried to block, but the sheer power behind Jasper¡¯s attack must have cracked his sternum. His breath had been knocked clean out of him, and darkness had followed. He pushed himself up onto his elbows, wincing as the last of the pain faded into a faint tingle. "Easy there," the healer¡ªa middle-aged man with graying hair¡ªsaid, gently pushing Otter back down. "Just because you¡¯re healed doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re ready to run a marathon." Otter nodded, though his attention had already drifted to the voices carrying from the other side of the training yard. ¡°Did you see that?¡± Jasper¡¯s voice, fuming with indignation, reached Otter¡¯s ears. ¡°Bennett has no business being here. He can barely hold a sword, let alone fight.¡± Otter¡¯s fingers dug into the dirt beneath him. Another voice, one of Jasper¡¯s adoring fans, chimed in. ¡°You think it¡¯s because he has no Class?¡± Jasper snorted. ¡°Probably. I don¡¯t understand why they let him in. If he can¡¯t advance, he¡¯s going to get someone killed.¡± Otter¡¯s chest tightened. His heartbeat, still steady from the healing, quickened with anger. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your breath,¡± a third voice added. ¡°Horvan will send him packing after this. They¡¯ve got to have standards.¡± Otter forced himself to sit up fully, ignoring the healer¡¯s concerned muttering. His gaze locked on the training yard, where Jasper stood with a few other students. There was no mirth in their words or expressions. At least none in Jasper¡¯s. He seemed truly upset. A shadow loomed over him. ¡°Bennett.¡± Otter looked up to see Master Horvan towering above him, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held a flicker of disappointment. ¡°Can you stand?¡± Horvan asked. Otter nodded and got to his feet, a little unsteady but managing. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Horvan¡¯s gaze swept the yard, lingering briefly on Jasper before returning to Otter. ¡°You¡¯re sitting out for the rest of the session.¡± Otter¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°No buts.¡± Horvan¡¯s tone was firm. ¡°You were reckless. You failed to protect yourself, and now you¡¯re a liability to your partner.¡± Otter bristled. Liability? It was Jasper who¡¯d gone too far. ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Enough.¡± Horvan cut him off with a sharp gesture. ¡°I¡¯m writing you up. Report to the infirmary for a follow-up. Dismissed.¡± Otter¡¯s cheeks burned with shame and anger as he gathered his things. The other students watched him with a mix of curiosity and pity. As he trudged toward the edge of the training yard, he caught one last snippet of Jasper¡¯s conversation. ¡°Maybe he¡¯ll finally get it through his skull.¡± Otter¡¯s jaw tightened, and he quickened his pace, the words echoing in his mind. Everything checked out at the infirmary. He¡¯d have a bruise and be sore for a few days, but nothing terrible. Otter fumed as he made for Evershade Hall and Understanding the System. He was being written up. For what? For being ruthlessly attacked by a bully? For not having a Fighter Class? He didn¡¯t even know what being written up meant! Would he lose Commissary privileges? Latrine duty? It just wasn¡¯t fair. He stormed into the room and slumped into his usual spot near the middle, dropping his notebook on the desk with more force than necessary. His fingers tapped restlessly against the cover, the tension in his chest refusing to subside. ¡°It¡¯s not fair,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°None of it is fair.¡± The door opened with a soft creak, and Overseer Blackwood entered, his dark coat trailing behind him like a shadow. His gaze swept across the room, landing briefly on Otter before continuing. ¡°Good afternoon, class,¡± Blackwood said, his voice smooth and measured. He moved to the chalkboard and tapped it with a piece of enchanted chalk. The words System Mechanics: Order vs. Chaos appeared in elegant, flowing script. ¡°Today,¡± Blackwood began, ¡°we will discuss the purpose of the System. Not just its mechanics, but its philosophy. Why does the System exist? Why do we have Classes, Stats, and Skills? Why are some paths open to you and others closed?¡± The room fell silent. The students leaned in, eager to hear Blackwood¡¯s insights. ¡°The System,¡± Blackwood continued, ¡°exists for one reason: to provide order. Without order, there is only Kaos.¡± He tapped the chalkboard again, and the word Kaos appeared, jagged and menacing. ¡°Long ago, before the System was established, there was no balance. No structure. People were at the mercy of wild magic, uncontrollable forces, and chaotic beings. Entire civilizations were wiped out because they couldn¡¯t harness the power available to them.¡± Otter leaned forward, scowling. Order. The word grated on him. ¡°But why does the System have to control everything?¡± Otter asked, his voice cutting through the silence. ¡°Why can¡¯t people choose their own paths? Why can¡¯t everyone choose any Class they want?¡± Several students turned to stare at him, some with curiosity, others with disdain. Blackwood¡¯s gaze locked onto Otter, calm but unwavering. ¡°An interesting question, Mr. Bennett. But let me ask you this¡ªdo you believe that everyone would make wise choices if left to their own devices?¡± Otter¡¯s hands clenched into fists. ¡°I believe people should have the opportunity.¡± Blackwood nodded slowly. ¡°And what happens when someone who wants to be a Fighter lacks the strength or constitution to wield a blade? What happens when someone who wants to be a Spell Lord has no affinity for magic? The System isn¡¯t perfect, but it prevents people from making inappropriate choices that would destroy them.¡± Otter bristled. ¡°So, the System decides who¡¯s worth something and who¡¯s not?¡± The tension in the room thickened. Several students whispered among themselves. One of the Fighters in the front row¡ªJasper¡¯s friend Owen¡ªsnorted. ¡°Of course you¡¯d have a problem with the System.¡± Otter shot Owen a glare but ignored the jab, focusing on Blackwood. ¡°The System gives some people every advantage and leaves others with nothing. How¡¯s that fair?¡± Blackwood¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Fairness is irrelevant when survival is at stake.¡± Otter¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°Irrelevant? So you¡¯re saying it doesn¡¯t matter if people get left behind? If someone¡¯s stuck as a Level 0 their whole life? If the System decides they don¡¯t deserve a chance?¡± Blackwood¡¯s tone remained calm, but his gaze sharpened. ¡°I¡¯m saying that the System doesn¡¯t care about fairness. It cares about balance. Structure. Stability. Without it, we¡¯d fall to the forces of Kaos.¡± This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. He tapped the chalkboard again, emphasizing the jagged word Kaos scrawled across it. Otter stood, unable to contain himself any longer. His voice rose above the murmurs in the room. ¡°But what if the System is wrong? What if it misses something¡ªsomeone? What if there¡¯s more to people than what it recognizes?¡± The room went dead silent. Blackwood¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°What are you suggesting, Mr. Bennett?¡± Otter took a deep breath, feeling the weight of every gaze in the room pressing down on him. ¡°I¡¯m suggesting that people shouldn¡¯t be defined by the System. That it¡¯s too rigid. Too... controlling. People aren¡¯t just stats and skills. We¡¯re more than that.¡± A ripple of whispers spread through the class. Some students nodded in quiet agreement, while others looked at Otter like he¡¯d lost his mind. ¡°The System¡¯s supposed to help people grow,¡± he continued. ¡°But it feels like it just puts everyone into boxes. If you don¡¯t fit, you¡¯re stuck.¡± Blackwood approached the front row, clasping his hands behind his back. ¡°Tell me, Mr. Bennett. What do you think would happen if the System wasn¡¯t so ¡¯restrictive¡¯ as you suggest? What if it didn''t guide them through its process?¡± Otter crossed his arms. ¡°Maybe people would be happier. Maybe they¡¯d have more control over their lives.¡± ¡°Or maybe there would be anarchy,¡± Blackwood countered. ¡°Choice paralysis, perhaps. Maybe people would run headlong into danger they weren¡¯t prepared for¡ªand die because of it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a risk people should be allowed to take.¡± ¡°Is it?¡± Blackwood¡¯s voice was cool, but there was an edge to it now. ¡°And when their failure puts others at risk? When their lack of preparation costs lives? Who¡¯s responsible then?¡± Otter faltered, his mind racing. ¡°People... learn. They adapt.¡± ¡°Not always.¡± Blackwood¡¯s voice cut through the air like a knife. ¡°The System exists because history has proven that without it, people succumb to Kaos. The world becomes unpredictable. Dangerous. The System provides order. It ensures that people are prepared for the challenges they¡¯ll face.¡± Otter shook his head. ¡°It feels more like it¡¯s holding people back.¡± The Overseer shook his head. ¡°We¡¯re talking in circles, Mr. Bennett. I can see you feel very strongly about this topic, but we have digressed from today¡¯s lesson.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°Enough.¡± It was harsh, but it silenced Otter completely. ¡°Come see me in my office when we have concluded here.¡± Otter couldn¡¯t focus for the remainder of the session. His thoughts were a jumbled mess, chasing each other around his brain like a puppy chasing its own tail. When Silas dismissed them, Otter began to pack his things to leave, but Blackwood caught his eye and crooked a finger toward him. Otter¡¯s stomach dropped, but he took a deep breath, slung his satchel over his shoulder, and followed the Overseer out of the room. The corridor was cold and quiet, the stone walls pressing in on Otter as he walked behind Blackwood. Was he wrong? Was the System truly the only thing standing between order and chaos? Or was there something more¡ªsomething people like Blackwood weren¡¯t telling him? When they reached his office door, Blackwood unlocked it and Otter thought he saw a faint shimmer around the frame as it swung open. ¡°Sit,¡± Blackwood commanded, gesturing to a chair opposite his desk. Otter sat, his heart in his mouth. Blackwood leaned against the desk, arms crossed. ¡°You¡¯re frustrated. That much is clear. And I suppose that is understandable, considering your circumstance. But I expect decorum during our sessions. Is that understood?¡± Otter lowered his head. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°Good. Now, let me see if I can clear up a few misunderstandings for you. First and foremost is your claim that the System doesn''t allow for choice. You are wrong in that regard. The System considers an individual¡¯s strengths, weaknesses, and desires before presenting them with a Class. And often, it offers people options. It isn¡¯t unusual for a young person to be offered three Classes to choose from.¡± Otter¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°What?¡± Silas nodded. ¡°Indeed. Even those that aren''t offered an Adventuring Class are usually given a list of professions to choose from.¡± ¡°Professions?¡± Now it was Silas¡¯s turn to show surprise. ¡°You mean you don¡¯t know about level 0 professions?¡± Otter shook his head. ¡°No. I mean I know people have professions like blacksmith, baker, and that sort of thing. But I didn''t know it was assigned by the System.¡± ¡°They aren¡¯t assigned, Mr. Bennett. They¡¯re offered. Where are you from again? Brighthaven was it?¡± He moved around to the other side of his desk and retrieved a quill and parchment, making a note. ¡°I¡¯ll need to speak with the Overseer of the primary schools there. This lack of basic knowledge is unacceptable.¡± Otter struggled to fit this new information into his current understanding. ¡°Sir, if that¡¯s true, it kind of makes things worse.¡± Silas paused and studied Otter carefully. ¡°How so?¡± ¡°Well, if the System usually offers everyone more than one Class¡­why hasn''t it offered me even one?¡± Silas didn''t reply for a long moment. When he did, his tone was softer. ¡°I wish I knew, Otter. May I call you that?¡± Otter nodded. ¡°It is very strange, indeed. I¡¯ve seen students come through this Academy with unusual circumstances,¡± Silas continued. ¡°Late bloomers. Class mismatches. Even some who rejected their initial Class outright and waited years for the System to offer another. But you¡­¡± He shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re an anomaly.¡± Otter felt tears well up in his eyes. ¡°Is there something wrong with me?¡± ¡°No, my dear boy. Of course not. The System¡¯s logic is difficult to comprehend, even for those of us who¡¯ve spent decades studying it. It works in ways that appear both calculated and unpredictable. But one thing is certain¡ªit rarely acts without purpose.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not exactly comforting.¡± ¡°No, I suppose it¡¯s not.¡± Silas stood and began pacing slowly. ¡°But consider this. The System isn¡¯t just about granting power or status. It¡¯s about responsibility. Every Class comes with expectations¡ªroles that must be fulfilled for society to function and for Kaos to be kept at bay. The fact that it hasn¡¯t offered you a Class could mean many things. Perhaps it¡¯s still evaluating you.¡± Otter frowned. ¡°Evaluating me? For three years?¡± ¡°Patience is not the System¡¯s strong suit. So that leaves another possibility.¡± Silas turned to face him. ¡°It may be that what the System sees in you doesn¡¯t fit neatly into one of its pre-established categories.¡± Otter blinked. ¡°You mean¡­ it doesn¡¯t know what to do with me?¡± Silas smiled faintly. ¡°Precisely.¡± Otter¡¯s mind reeled. He thought back to all the times he¡¯d tried to trigger a Class. The odd jobs. The hours spent mapping the alleys of Brighthaven. The desperate attempts to prove himself. And still, nothing. Was it because I don¡¯t fit? ¡°But what am I supposed to do in the meantime?¡± Otter asked, his voice quiet. ¡°I can¡¯t keep pretending like I belong here. Jasper¡¯s right¡ªI¡¯m a liability. I¡¯m going to get someone hurt.¡± Silas¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare believe that nonsense. Your presence here is not a mistake.¡± ¡°But I can¡¯t keep up. Without a Class, I can¡¯t bump my stats.¡± Silas arched an eyebrow. ¡°Do you know what the difference is between a level 0 Villager and a 1st level Fighter?¡± Otter shrugged. ¡°About 4 points of Life Force,¡± Silas said. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± ¡°That¡¯s it.¡± Otter slumped back in the chair. He¡¯d always imagined getting a Class would be a big jump in power and abilities. It appeared he¡¯d been wrong. Otter sat in silence, processing this new information. His gaze drifted to the shelves lining Blackwood''s office, filled with weathered leather covers that whispered secrets of forgotten realms, and mysterious artifacts. His eyes lingered on the brass compass he noticed last time he was here. It reminded him of Emrys Gale. ¡°You said I¡¯m an anomaly. Does that mean I¡¯m unique? Or have there been other anomalies?¡± Silas steepled his fingers. ¡°There are always oddities¡ªvariations in every new group of students. But I¡¯ve never met someone your age who hasn''t been offered a Class. Though I have heard stories. Rumors. Most of them faded into obscurity. But there are a few names that stand out. Otter leaned forward. ¡°Emrys Gale.¡± Silas¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Where did you hear that name?¡± Otter hesitated. He wasn¡¯t sure how much to share. ¡°I¡¯ve been doing some reading.¡± Silas studied him before nodding. ¡°I see.¡± He folded his hands together. ¡°There are conflicting accounts regarding Emrys Gale. Some stories suggest that he never received a Class. Others imply that, if he did, it was something¡­ different. Something outside the standard Adventuring Classes.¡± Otter felt a jolt of excitement. ¡°So, it¡¯s possible? There could be a way to advance without a Class?¡± Silas sighed. ¡°Possible, yes. Proven? No. If Emrys did find another way, he left behind very little concrete evidence.¡± His expression grew serious. ¡°Be careful, Otter. Pursuing these kinds of questions can be¡­ challenging.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Otter pressed. ¡°Because the Academy was built on the idea that the System provides order. That it is the best¡ªperhaps the only¡ªway to fight against Kaos. If you start questioning that order, people will resist you.¡± Silas tapped a finger on the desk. ¡°Some will find your questions dangerous.¡± Otter swallowed hard. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to fight the System. I just want to understand my place in it.¡± ¡°That, Mr. Bennett, is what the Academy is all about.¡± Silas straightened and smoothed out his coat. ¡°That will be all for today. I suggest you keep your head down, focus on your training, and continue to learn what you can within the confines of the Academy. The answers you seek may come with time.¡± Dismissed, Otter rose to leave. He hesitated at the door, glancing back at Silas, who was already returning to his notes. ¡°Thank you,¡± Otter said quietly. Silas didn¡¯t look up, but he nodded once. ¡°Good luck, Mr. Bennett.¡± Otter stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, his mind racing. If there was truly so little difference between him and a Level 1 Fighter, then there was no reason he shouldn¡¯t be able to keep up in Combat Basics. No reason he should be struggling the way he was. Maybe I¡¯ve been thinking about this all wrong. The System didn¡¯t assign Classes randomly. It followed rules. Parameters. What if he needed to do the same? What if, instead of trying to brute force his way through training like the Fighters, he approached things the way the System would? Maybe it wasn¡¯t about forcing a Class. Maybe it was about defining one. His mind buzzed with the implications as he headed back to the dorms, ideas and theories already forming. Chapter 17- The Lessons You Learn Later that evening, Otter knocked on Cal¡¯s door. ¡°One second,¡± he called from the other side. A moment later, the door swung open, revealing the disheveled RA. ¡°Yeah, mate?¡± ¡°Uh¡­evening Cal.¡± Cal just stared at him. ¡°I was wondering. Is there a student directory or anything like that?¡± Cal blinked. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Like a book or something that tells you where other students are staying?¡± ¡°Oh. Um. Yeah. There¡¯s supposed to be one in the lounge. I might have one in here, too. Want me to look?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll check the lounge first. Thanks.¡± Cal nodded and closed the door. It didn¡¯t take long for Otter to find what he was looking for: Liora¡¯s room number. Liora was one of the more enigmatic members of their friend group. Cool, confident, and more than a little intimidating, she had a sharp mind and an even sharper tongue. But she was also a damn good fighter. If anyone could help him figure out how to make up for his lack of raw strength, it was her. He just had to convince her to help. The commons were mostly empty as Otter crossed the open lawn, the crisp night air hinting at colder weather in the near future. The lanterns along the stone pathways flickered in the breeze, casting long shadows over the manicured grass. If he wanted to survive at this Academy, he needed to get better¡ªfast. His ribs still ached, but the pain had dulled to something manageable. A reminder that he was still fighting to be here. Liora¡¯s dorm wasn¡¯t far. If he¡ª A figure stepped into his path. Otter stopped short. Lyle. Torrin emerged a second later, cutting off his escape from behind. Otter¡¯s pulse spiked, but he kept his expression neutral. He hadn¡¯t had any run-ins with Lyle or Torrin since his first week at the Academy, but he hadn¡¯t forgotten them. And clearly, they hadn¡¯t forgotten him either. Lyle took a slow step forward, his ever-present smirk in place. ¡°Out for a late-night stroll, Bennett?¡± Otter forced himself to stay calm. ¡°Something like that.¡± Torrin cracked his knuckles. ¡°See, that¡¯s funny,¡± he said, voice low and casual. ¡°Because we were just talking about you.¡± Otter sighed. ¡°I¡¯m flattered, really.¡± Lyle chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°You should be. Not every classless nobody gets our attention.¡± His smirk widened. ¡°But here¡¯s the thing¡ªwe¡¯re tired of watching you pretend like you belong here.¡± Otter clenched his fists. ¡°I do belong here.¡± Torrin snorted. ¡°That so? Because from where we¡¯re standing, you¡¯re nothing but dead weight.¡± Lyle folded his arms. ¡°Look, Bennett. We¡¯re doing you a favor. You leave now, save yourself the embarrassment, and no one gets hurt.¡± Otter lifted his chin. ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± Lyle¡¯s grin sharpened. ¡°Then we make sure you regret it.¡± Otter swallowed hard. His mind worked quickly, calculating his options. He could try to run, but Torrin was faster. He could try to fight, but his ribs were still healing, and Lyle was a dirty fighter. A faint buzz rang in his ears. His wrisplay flickered. Luck¡¯s Whisper: Active. A loud crack split the night. All three of them flinched. One of the lanterns lining the commons sparked, then flared. There was another loud pop and the lantern exploded, sending down a torrent of blue sparks¡ªright between Otter and Lyle. Lyle leapt back with a curse. Torrin stumbled, nearly losing his balance. ¡°What the hell¡ª?¡± Otter didn¡¯t wait. He turned and bolted, dodging past the fallen lantern and sprinting toward Liora¡¯s dorm. ¡°Bennett, you little¡ª!¡± Lyle¡¯s shout rang out behind him, but Otter was already gone. He didn¡¯t slow until he reached the steps of the dormitory, heart pounding. Otter let out a shaky breath, half a laugh. He didn¡¯t know how or why, but somehow¡ªsomehow¡ªhe had just gotten lucky. Again. Reaching Liora¡¯s room, Otter hesitated for a split second before knocking twice. There was a pause. Then a muffled, ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Otter.¡± Another pause. Then, ¡°What do you want, pipsqueak?¡± Otter swallowed. ¡°To talk?¡± A sigh. The sound of shuffling. Then, the door cracked open, and Liora peered at him through the gap, her golden eyes glinting under the dim hallway lanterns. ¡°It¡¯s late. Talk fast.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s not a good time, I can come back later.¡± Liora studied him for a long moment, then fully opened the door, arms crossed. She was wearing a loose nightgown, her uniform jacket draped over the back of a chair. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± Otter took a breath. ¡°I need help with Combat Basics. Specifically, I need help with not getting my ribs caved in every time I pick up a sword.¡± A smirk tugged at the corner of Liora¡¯s lips. ¡°Well, yeah. You¡¯re fighting like a Fighter when you¡¯re not a Fighter.¡± Otter groaned. ¡°I know. That¡¯s why I came to you. I need a different approach. Something faster, more precise. Less about brute force and more about¡ªI don¡¯t know¡ªnot dying.¡± Liora tapped a finger against her chin, considering. ¡°You¡¯re talking about dueling techniques. That¡¯s not what they¡¯re teaching you in Combat Basics.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care. The way they teach isn¡¯t working for me. I need to figure out what does.¡± Liora exhaled through her nose. ¡°Alright. Meet me in the training yard tomorrow before work detail. 6:00.¡± Otter blinked. ¡°Wait¡ªjust like that?¡± ¡°You want to train, I¡¯ll train you. But I¡¯m not going easy on you.¡± Otter grinned. ¡°I¡¯d be insulted if you did.¡± Liora rolled her eyes. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Now get out. I was in the middle of something.¡± ¡°Right, sorry,¡± Otter said, backing out of the doorway. ¡°See you tomorrow.¡± As the door clicked shut behind him, he let out a slow breath. That had gone way better than expected. The next morning did not go so well. Otter¡¯s alarm went off at five. He snoozed it twice before clawing his way out of bed, threw his old clothes on, and ran out the door. By the time he reached the training yard, his breath was coming in short, misty puffs in the early morning chill. He scanned the open space for Liora, but the yard was empty. The Academy¡¯s enchanted lanterns were dimmed this early, and the shadows stretched long across the ground. Was she already here? Or had he just beaten her to it? Otter took a few steps into the yard, rubbing his arms to warm himself up. He still wasn¡¯t entirely sure what he¡¯d gotten himself into. Training outside of class? With Liora? She was a monster. The thought was almost laughable. But after getting his ribs broken by Jasper, he needed a new approach. A smarter one. Moving toward the weapons rack, Otter let his fingers trail over the hilts and grips of the various practice swords. He¡¯d spent weeks swinging a standard longsword in Horvan¡¯s class, but it always felt wrong in his hands¡ªtoo heavy, too slow, like trying to fight with a metal club rather than a blade. He wasn¡¯t strong enough to use it effectively, and trying to keep up with the others had only proven that. If he couldn''t match their strength, he had to rely on something else. Speed. His gaze landed on a rapier. Slender, elegant, with a protective swept hilt. It was noticeably lighter than the longsword, and when he picked it up, it felt¡­ right. He adjusted his grip, testing the balance. The weight was concentrated near the hilt, allowing for quick, precise movements. Not meant for hacking and slashing like the heavier weapons¡ªthis was a weapon of finesse. Of control. He took a few experimental steps, shifting his stance into something that felt more natural¡ªless brute force, more precision. Already, this was better. "You don¡¯t strike me as the dueling type." Otter nearly dropped the rapier as Liora emerged from the shadows near the edge of the yard, arms crossed. She was already dressed for training. "How long have you been standing there?" he asked, trying to slow his racing heart. Liora smirked. "Long enough." Her golden eyes flicked to the practice weapon in his hand. "So, why that one?" Otter looked down at the rapier, rolling his wrist experimentally. "Because swinging around a giant board isn¡¯t working for me. I need something faster. More precise. I can¡¯t win with brute strength, so I have to win another way." Liora nodded approvingly. "Good answer." She walked past him, picking up a two handed-sword from the rack. "Alright, Bennett. Let''s see what you can do." Otter swallowed hard. This is gonna hurt. And then she lunged. Otter jumped backward and brought the rapier tip up into the parry position. While most of the practice swords were wooden, the rapier was metal with a blunted tip, giving it enough strength to fend off the attacking blade. ¡°Good!¡± Liora bellowed. ¡°The lessons you learned sank in.¡± Otter''s heart raced as he settled into a defensive stance, adrenaline surging through him. ¡°I just wish I could say the same about my instincts!¡± he replied, narrowly dodging another swing from Liora''s massive sword. ¡°Instincts are just fancy reactions. You have to train them!¡± she shot back, her voice sharp but laced with amusement. She stepped forward, her weapon a blur of motion, forcing Otter to shift his footing and concentrate on her rhythm. The clashing sounds echoed in the yard as he blocked another strike, the impact jarring his arms. ¡°Easier said than done!¡± he grunted, pivoting to create distance. Just then, Liora feigned a downward strike before pivoting low and sweeping at his legs. Otter barely sidestepped in time. He stumbled but managed to stay upright. "Whoa! That was sneaky!" Eventually, she ceased the onslaught and stepped back. Otter didn¡¯t drop his guard. Liora nodded at him, not even breathing heavily. ¡°How does your arm feel?¡± He considered for a second. It wasn¡¯t burning and didn¡¯t feel weak like it had with the long sword. ¡°Fine. I think I could keep this up for a while.¡± ¡°Good. Practicing with the heavier weapon is working,¡± she said. ¡°Wait. What?¡± She smiled. ¡°In class, we use those weapons to build strength. Not everyone will use a long sword when adventuring. If you had started with the rapier, you¡¯d probably be having the same problem. But since you¡¯re practicing with a heavier weapon, a lighter one is easier. At least at this point. ¡°Here¡¯s my advice. Come down here every morning and run drills with the heavier sword. Everything they¡¯ve taught so far. During lessons, when you feel yourself start to tire, ask if you can switch weapons. Then keep going. The instructors will appreciate you knowing your limits. Even more so using your brain to keep going safely instead of quitting.¡± Otter thought that was a great idea. ¡°I should have thought of that.¡± Liora smiled again. ¡°Eh, I¡¯m more than just a pretty face.¡± *** When Otter returned to his dorm he found a note pinned to his door. It read: Go home rat. You don¡¯t belong here. He already knew who it was from. Lyle and Torrin had made their feelings perfectly clear earlier that evening. They¡¯d promised to make his life miserable unless he quit. Unless he walked away from the path he¡¯d chosen. His fingers curled around the parchment. He could almost hear Lyle¡¯s smug laughter, see the sneer on Torrin¡¯s face as they¡¯d cornered him in the commons. The threat wasn¡¯t subtle. It wasn¡¯t even creative. But it was a reminder¡ªone he didn¡¯t need¡ªthat there were people at this Academy who would never see him as anything but a classless nobody. For a brief moment, doubt clawed at the edges of his mind. What if they were right? What if he really didn¡¯t belong? He was struggling just to keep up. He had no guaranteed future. No Class to advance. The System itself had turned its back on him. And every time he started to believe he might actually carve out a place here, something like this yanked him back down. Otter exhaled slowly, then, with deliberate intent, crushed the note in his fist. No. He wasn¡¯t leaving. He wasn¡¯t giving up. Lyle and Torrin thought they could scare him off? Thought a few threats and a piece of parchment would be enough to break him? They had no idea who they were dealing with. Otter stepped into his room, tossed the crumpled note into the waste bin, and locked the door behind him. He had training in the morning. He had a father to find. He had secrets to discover. And if Lyle and Torrin wanted to waste their time trying to break him, they were in for a disappointment. Chapter 18- Happy Birthday Otter awoke to the soft glow of dawn filtering through the narrow window of his dormitory. He blinked up at the ceiling, his mind sluggish as the remnants of sleep clung to him. It wasn¡¯t until he shifted under the blanket, stretching his sore limbs, that the realization hit him. Sixteen. He exhaled slowly, staring at the beams overhead. Sixteen was supposed to be a milestone, a turning point. His mother always made a big deal out of birthdays, even when they barely had enough coin for a proper meal. There would have been sweet rolls from the bakery, warm and flaky with cinnamon. A small, hand-carved trinket¡ªsomething practical but meaningful. A quiet evening together, watching the lanterns flicker on the docks as the waves lapped against the piers. But today, there would be no sweet rolls. No quiet evening. No Brighthaven. Otter clenched his jaw, forcing himself to push the homesickness aside. He wasn¡¯t a child anymore. He had come to the Academy with a purpose, and that hadn¡¯t changed just because the date on his wrisplay had. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. No one was going to make this day special for him¡ªunless he made it so himself. And he¡¯d been planning for this. He¡¯d spent almost none of his hard earned credits at the Commissary. He was going to splurge today. Or so he thought. The moment he stepped out of his dorm, Erin ambushed him, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "Happy birthday, Otter!" she said, shoving a wrapped package into his hands before he could react. Otter blinked at her, then at the package. "You¡ªwhat?" "And that''s not all," Erin said, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "We¡¯re going out. You, me, and a few others. You didn¡¯t think we¡¯d let your sixteenth pass without a celebration, did you?" Otter turned the package over in his hands, bewildered. He hadn¡¯t expected anything¡ªhadn¡¯t wanted anything. And yet¡­ Then the rest of her words hit him. "Who¡¯s ¡®we¡¯?" Erin simpered. "Liora, Milo, Piper, and Levi. We''re heading into Aurelia for the evening." Otter hesitated, but Erin didn¡¯t give him time to protest. She grabbed his wrist and started dragging him toward the mess hall. "Come on, breakfast first. You¡¯ve got a big day." Erin had put a lot of thought into planning and made the appropriate arrangements. She¡¯d taken care of his liberty request days earlier, and had even notified Archivist Dane of his impending absence. Being Friday, he only had one class, which there was no way out of, but that was no bother. He was really enjoying Understanding the System after his talk with Overseer Blackwood. After breakfast, he had the morning to himself, which he dutifully spent working on his paper for Adventuring Fundamentals followed by a little light reading about Emrys Gale. He was halfway through the book Piper had assigned him. Then he snuck down to the Commissary. Lyle and Torrin had taken to stalking him whenever they caught sight of him. Thankfully, they hadn¡¯t caught him unawares again, and he always had a quick route to safety. All of his early exploring and mapping was coming in handy. But avoiding them was exhausting. He knew it wouldn¡¯t be long before they¡¯d corner him again and things would likely come to blows. He just hoped it wasn¡¯t today. Today, he was going to spend some credits. He got himself a pork pasty, a sweet roll for dessert, and a fizzy fruit drink to wash it all down. Then he bought a whisper stone. He learned from the clerk that it would hold a message of up to twenty-five words. It could be played by anyone a maximum of five times before the magic was spent. He also asked about trading credits for coin. Erin had told him that his friends had agreed to split the cost of his evening so he shouldn¡¯t need to pay for anything that night, but it wouldn''t hurt to be prepared. Cal was right. The exchange rate was pitiful: 8 credits to one copper dreg. He still had the gold coin his mother had given him, but he couldn''t bring himself to spend it. He cashed out 4 dregs and stuck them in his pocket. While enjoying his meal, he scrolled through his profile, admiring several new skills. Name: Dwayne Shi¡¯longh Bennett (Otter) Level: 0 XP: 0 Class: None Life Force: 4 Stats STR 9 DEX 9 CON 9 INT 10 WIS 9 CHA 9 Luck 18 Skills Cartography Novice- Lvl 1 Handyman Novice- Lvl 1 Jumping Novice- Lvl 1 Knowledge (Entomology) Novice- Lvl 3 Knowledge (Mathematics) Novice- Lvl 2 Knowledge (System Mechanics) Novice- Lvl 1 Navigation Apprentice- Lvl 5 Observation Novice- Lvl 4 Persuasion Novice- Lvl 3 Reading Apprentice- Lvl 5 Survival Craft Novice- Lvl 2 Swimming Apprentice- Lvl 5 Writing Novice- Lvl 4 He¡¯d earned Survival Craft after the second week of Navigation and Survival, having learned how to start several types of friction fires, set snares for small game, and build an emergency shelter from forest debris and leaf litter. System Mechanics was a surprise, but he was devouring all the course reading material, which made the bump to his Reading skill make sense. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Finishing up, he went back to his room and recorded a message for his mother on the whisper stone, then went to the mail room to have it sent. Back in Brighthaven, it cost two dregs to send a letter to Aurelia, but the Academy offered the service for free. That afternoon, he could barely focus on the lecture. He couldn''t wait for the night out. By the time the group gathered, the sun was setting and the air had a crispness to it that prickled the skin. Not everyone had met Piper, so they did a quick round of introductions. As they stepped through the Academy¡¯s main gates and onto the winding road that led into Aurelia, Otter felt his breath catch in his throat. Brighthaven had always been a place of winding alleys, crowded canals, and the ever-present scent of brine and fish from the docks. The city had a tangled, lived-in feel, its buildings packed together like old friends whispering secrets. People moved with a familiar kind of chaos¡ªhaggling in the markets, laughing in the streets, cursing over toppled carts. It was messy, unpredictable, and full of hidden corners where a clever boy could disappear if he needed to. Aurelia was nothing like that. The city stretched out before him, sprawling yet orderly, built in concentric rings that radiated from the towering structure at its heart¡ªthe Grand Spire. It loomed above everything else, its white-stone walls streaked with veins of shimmering silver, catching the light of the twin moons above. Dozens of smaller towers curled around it like frozen tendrils, their pointed tips crowned with multi-colored panels. Unlike Brighthaven¡¯s earthy, practical architecture, Aurelia felt magical. Buildings soared high, their facades carved with intricate patterns that shimmered faintly with residual enchantments. Instead of simple wooden signs, many shops displayed glowing sigils above their doors, shifting colors to indicate whether they were open or closed. Bridges of enchanted stone arched gracefully over wide streets, defying gravity with a quiet hum of magic that Otter could almost feel in his bones. The streets were clean, too. Almost unnaturally so. Back home, you¡¯d have to step over discarded scraps of parchment, bits of old rope, or the occasional puddle of something you didn¡¯t want to think too hard about. Here, the streets gleamed, free of grime or clutter, and the air smelled of spiced wine, baked fruit, and a hint of a floral fragrance, reminiscent of a distant memory just out of grasp. Instead of oil lamps or flickering torches, glowing lumistones lined the streets, hovering in delicate orbits above ornate metal posts. Their light was steady and golden, illuminating the walkways without ever seeming too bright or harsh. Some were set into the roads themselves, guiding carriages and enchanted wagons along predetermined routes. Otter barely had time to take it all in before something whooshed past his ear. He flinched, spinning on his heel just in time to see a floating carriage glide by¡ªfour glowing orbs hovering beneath its frame, keeping it aloft just above the cobblestone. It moved without wheels, without horses, without any visible means of propulsion, yet it floated forward effortlessly, weaving through the city streets with precise, smooth turns. "That," Milo said, whistling low, "is the coolest thing I¡¯ve ever seen." Otter had to agree. People bustled through the streets, but unlike Brighthaven¡¯s rough-and-tumble crowd, these folks carried themselves differently. Many wore fine suits embroidered with silver thread, their belts fastened with polished metal clasps in the shape of their guild or family crests. Even the street performers were something out of a dream¡ªone man conjured living illusions, little golden dragons that flitted around his head and chased after laughing children. Otter¡¯s head spun. Aurelia was thriving. Alive with magic in a way Brighthaven wasn¡¯t. It wasn¡¯t just a city¡ªit was the city, the very heart of civilization. Not for the first time since arriving at the Academy, Otter felt very, very small. ¡°Keep an eye on your coin-purses,¡± said Levi. ¡°Magic keeps the streets clean, and thieves will pick your pockets clean.¡± ¡°Really,¡± said Otter. ¡°Everything looks so...I don¡¯t know, nice. I thought the people would be, too.¡± ¡°People are people no matter where you go. The Council likes to keep the surface pretty for tourists, but there¡¯s an ugly side to Aurelia, too.¡± Otter nodded, not completely convinced, but Levi grew up here, so he should know. Erin led them through the streets to a small, quaint looking tavern. The Hearth and Hammer. The moment Otter stepped inside, he was swallowed by warmth, sound, and the thick, comforting scent of roasting meat and fresh bread. The heavy oak doors shut behind them with a muffled thud, sealing them off from the bustling streets of Aurelia. Unlike the refined elegance of the city outside, the Hearth & Hammer felt lived-in, worn, and welcoming. The tavern was a patchwork of textures and colors¡ªwooden beams darkened with age, iron lanterns dangling from chains, their enchanted flames flickering in hues of soft orange and gold. A massive stone hearth dominated one wall, a roaring fire crackling within, its embers casting dancing shadows across the room. Above the mantel hung a colossal greatsword, its edges dulled by time, its hilt wrapped in weathered leather. Etched into the blade were the words: "For Those Who Fight, For Those Who Fall." The tavern was packed, yet it didn¡¯t feel crowded. Adventurers, guild members, and other Academy students on liberty filled the space, their conversations blending into a low, steady hum. The clinking of tankards, the occasional burst of laughter, the scrape of chairs against the wooden floor¡ªit all layered together into something rich and full, like the notes of a song. Near the bar, a minstrel strummed a lute with silver strings, his voice weaving a soft melody through the air. It was an old tune, something about lost love and distant shores, the kind of song that made even the rowdiest patrons pause for a moment, eyes unfocused as they remembered something long gone. The group claimed a round wooden table near the back, the worn surface covered in faint carvings¡ªinitials, tally marks, small sigils left behind by past patrons. Someone had even etched a crude drawing of what looked like a furious chicken wielding a dagger. A barmaid with a sharp grin and quicker hands arrived almost instantly, setting down wooden mugs of cider before they could even order. ¡°Courtesy of the house for Academy folk,¡± she said with a wink. ¡°If you¡¯re looking to add a little extra bite to that cider, just say the word.¡± Levi leaned forward, intrigued. ¡°What kind of bite we talking?¡± The barmaid smirked. ¡°That depends. You the type that likes to feel your face in the morning?¡± Liora snorted. ¡°He isn¡¯t.¡± Erin shot Levi a warning look, and he slumped back in his chair, defeated. ¡°Fine, fine. No extra bite.¡± Milo raised his mug. ¡°To Otter,¡± he said quietly. ¡°To Otter!¡± the others echoed, lifting their drinks in a toast. Otter felt the warmth spread in his chest before he even took a sip. He looked around at his friends, at their easy smiles and genuine laughter, and for the first time in a long while, he didn¡¯t feel like an outsider. For once, he wasn¡¯t a Level 0 struggling to keep up. He was just Otter. And he belonged. The food arrived¡ªsteaming plates of roasted pheasant, thick slices of buttered bread, and bowls of root vegetables soaked in rich broth. Conversation flowed freely between bites, shifting from stories about disastrous training sessions to Milo¡¯s latest ridiculous invention (which, according to him, only mostly exploded). Otter was just about to steal a piece of bread from Levi¡¯s plate when the atmosphere shifted. A sudden hush rolled through the tavern¡ªnot absolute silence, but a noticeable dip in sound. A moment where laughter faltered, conversations paused, and even the minstrel¡¯s fingers stilled against the strings of his lute. Someone new had entered the Hearth & Hammer. Otter glanced toward the door, and that was when he saw the newcomer. A tall man stood just inside the entrance, a heavy cloak draped across his shoulders. His boots were caked with mud, his armor dented and worn, but it was his eyes that sent a chill down Otter¡¯s spine¡ªsharp, assessing, the kind that missed nothing. The man¡¯s gaze swept the room like a cougar on a ledge, scanning the forest below for prey. And then he saw Otter. The man¡¯s expression darkened with recognition. He stepped forward, pushing through the crowd with purpose. The warmth in Otter¡¯s chest evaporated. Something was very, very wrong. Chapter 19- The Bounty Hunter The man strode forward with the slow, deliberate steps of a predator who knew his prey had nowhere to run. His cloak, dark and weatherworn, parted just enough to reveal the worn leather harness strapped across his chest, where an array of daggers, vials, and strange metal implements were secured in tight loops. He moved like someone accustomed to violence, his steps light despite his imposing build. The flickering lantern light shadowed his face, but as he neared, the details became clearer¡ªstrong, angular features, a jaw lightly dusted with stubble, and the kind of scars that told stories he didn¡¯t bother to share. Otter couldn¡¯t tear his gaze away from the man. The barmaid, who had been ferrying drinks to another table, took one look at the man and promptly turned heel, disappearing into the back. A few other patrons casually shifted their chairs away, but there were a few long and appraising looks falling on the man. This was, after all, a tavern for Adventurers. The man¡¯s eyes¡ªsharp, colorless as river stones¡ªswept the room again. Hunting. Then, they locked on Otter. Otter felt the weight of that stare settle over him like a net being drawn tight. He swallowed. "Otter?" Erin''s voice was barely more than a whisper beside him, her fingers tightening subtly around her mug. "Do you know that guy?" "No," Otter said, too quickly. "I don''t think so." The stranger crossed the room without hesitation. Though he had to weave through tables, he made it look as though he were taking the most direct path toward where Otter sat. His steps were smooth, unhurried. Otter forced himself to breathe. He had no idea what this man wanted, but he was here with his friends. Surely there was safety in numbers. And then, the stranger was there. For a long moment, he simply stared. Then he pulled something from his belt¡ªa small, metallic device¡ªand tapped it once. A soft chime rang out and the air above the device lit up with projected text. Officer: Varek Holloway WARNING: ACTIVE BOUNTY DETECTED. SUBJECT: MATCH LIKELY. STATUS: UNCLAIMED. Otter¡¯s heart skipped a beat. A bounty? On him? Milo, sitting across the table, noticed the way Otter¡¯s face drained of color. ¡°Uh¡­what was that?¡± The bounty hunter¡¯s voice was gravel and steel. ¡°Stand up.¡± Otter didn¡¯t move. ¡°I think you have the wrong person.¡± The bounty hunter barely blinked. ¡°My tracker doesn¡¯t seem to think so.¡± Levi¡¯s hand drifted toward his belt, where a small dagger was sheathed. Liora didn¡¯t move at all, but Otter felt the change in her posture¡ªa shift in weight, a quiet readiness. Piper swallowed hard. ¡°This is¡­a misunderstanding, right?¡± The bounty hunter¡¯s gaze flicked to her, then back to Otter. His expression was unreadable, but his stance shifted¡ªmore controlled now, more prepared. ¡°I don¡¯t make mistakes,¡± he said flatly. Otter felt the press of a hundred eyes on him. He forced himself to stay calm. ¡°I don¡¯t have a bounty.¡± Varek tapped his device again. ¡°That¡¯s not what this says.¡± Otter¡¯s mind raced. As he read the notice again, he saw something off. The bounty wasn¡¯t his. Not exactly. The name wasn¡¯t fully displayed. Only the surname remained. Bennett. Otter¡¯s blood turned to ice. Not him. But the bounty hunter didn¡¯t know that. ¡°I¡¯m telling you,¡± Otter tried again, voice steady despite the way his pulse thundered in his ears, ¡°you¡¯ve got the wrong person.¡± ¡°Stand up.¡± Otter¡¯s fingers tightened around the edge of the table. Fight or flight coiled in his muscles, a decision pressing against his ribs. And then Erin moved. She stood abruptly, her chair scraping back against the wooden floor. ¡°I think we¡¯re done here.¡± She grabbed Otter¡¯s wrist. And hissed under her breath¡ª¡°Move.¡± The hunter¡¯s eyes flicked to her. It was only a fraction of a second, but Levi was ready. With a sharp kick, he sent their table crashing over, scattering plates, mugs, and silverware across the wooden floor. Milo¡¯s fingers danced as he whispered an incantation, and a sudden burst of light erupted between them and the bounty hunter. A brilliant, blinding flare, white-hot and dazzling, engulfed their immediate surroundings. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Otter flinched as his vision whited out. Shouts rang through the tavern¡ªconfused, angry, alarmed. The bounty hunter let out a harsh growl, staggering back as the spell disoriented him. ¡°Go, go!¡± Erin shouted, gripping Otter¡¯s sleeve. They darted right, trying to slip around the stunned bounty hunter, but his reflexes were too sharp. Even half-blinded, he turned and snapped out a hand, fingers closing like a vice around Otter¡¯s collar. The force of the grab yanked Otter backward, nearly off his feet. ¡°Not so fast,¡± Varek snarled. His grip was iron, pulling Otter toward him. Then Liora barreled into the man from behind. She slammed into his back like a cannonball, sending him lurching forward¡ªstraight into a table of unsuspecting patrons. Chairs tumbled. Drinks spilled. A burly man with scarred knuckles and a thick beard stood so fast his chair skidded back, knocking over yet another table. ¡°What the hell¡ª?¡± The next moment, the entire tavern exploded into mayhem. Someone grabbed Varek, thinking him the cause of the disturbance. A fist swung. Another chair flipped. Within seconds, a full-on brawl had ignited around them. ¡°Perfect,¡± Erin muttered, eyes darting toward the door. ¡°Let¡¯s¡ª¡± She stopped abruptly. Their exit was blocked. A small man in a dark coat stood in the doorway, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. He had an air of quiet menace, the kind that made Otter¡¯s instincts scream danger. ¡°Another one?¡± Milo hissed under his breath. The bounty hunter had a partner. And they were trapped. Suddenly, a wild shove from the brawl sent Otter stumbling backward. His boots caught on something, and he crashed into a tapestry hanging from the wall. The fabric tore from its wall anchors and instead of falling into a stone wall¡ªhe was falling into empty space. A narrow, dusty corridor yawned open behind him, concealed behind the tapestry. He barely had time to process what happened before Erin grabbed his arm and hauled him through. ¡°Come on!¡± she hissed. Liora followed without hesitation, dragging Levi and Milo behind her. They tumbled into the dark passage, the muffled sounds of the tavern brawl still raging behind them. Piper yanked the tapestry back up and hastily fastened back into place. It wouldn''t withstand much of an inspection, but it might buy them a few seconds. Then she slipped inside, and shadow swallowed the passage. They stumbled forward through the narrow tunnel, coughing as dust swirled around them. Otter¡¯s heart pounded. He didn¡¯t know where they were going, but at least it was somewhere else. After what felt like an eternity, the passage opened into a wide, dimly lit chamber. They emerged into what looked like an old, forgotten cellar. Barrels and crates sat stacked in the corners, covered in cobwebs and dust. The air was thick with the scent of stale ale and damp earth. A wooden door was set into the far wall. With a hearty shove, Liora forced it open, and they spilled into a darkened alley. Outside, they paused. Milo coughed, peering left and right. ¡°Where are we?¡± Otter wiped sweat from his forehead. ¡°No idea.¡± The group took a moment to catch their breath, exchanging glances. No one spoke. Then, after a few moments of silence, they realized something. No footsteps. No pursuit. Liora exhaled slowly. ¡°I think¡­ we lost them.¡± Relief swept through them like a wave. Levi chuckled, leaning against a barrel. ¡°That was way too close.¡± Levi grinned. ¡°Well, at least it was fun.¡± ¡°Lucky thing you found that secret exit,¡± Erin said. ¡°Yeah, lucky,¡± Otter murmured, wondering just how much his Luck stat had helped. ¡°Okay, which way back to campus? I think I¡¯ve had enough excitement.¡± Otter swiped his wrisplay, landing on the arrow that always pointed north. He quickly got his bearings and said, ¡°Follow me. Pretty sure its this way.¡± He moved down the alley at a brisk walk, the others right on his heels. This felt a lot more like home. He turned a corner and bounced off something solid. Then a hand clamped down on his shoulder. Somehow, the bounty hunter had tracked them here. He stood in the only exit, his presence filling the space like a storm cloud. His eyes gleamed, cold and predatory, like a wolf that had finally run its prey to ground. The easy smirk was gone. Now, he simply looked focused. ¡°This has been fun, kid,¡± Varek said, voice low and measured. ¡°But I¡¯m done chasing you.¡± He took a step forward. Otter¡¯s fingers tightened into fists. Behind him, he felt his friends tense. Then the cold bite of metal snapped around Otter¡¯s wrists. The sound sent a jolt of pure panic through his system, but his body was too rigid to react. Steel cuffs. Heavy and rune-etched. Designed to suppress magic¡ªnot that he had any to suppress. ¡°Finally,¡± Varek muttered, securing the manacles with a click. ¡°You sure made me work for this one, kid.¡± Otter¡¯s friends were frozen, silent but seething. Liora¡¯s fists clenched at her sides. Levi¡¯s foot shifted ever so slightly¡ªlike he was calculating how hard he could kick the man in the ribs before he could react. Milo was probably seconds away from casting something reckless. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Otter warned, meeting Milo¡¯s eyes. ¡°Just¡­ hold on.¡± Milo gritted his teeth but held back. Otter took a deep breath, forcing himself to think. His heart was hammering. Likely match. That¡¯s what the notification had said in the tavern. Likely. Not definitive. Not confirmed. Otter looked up at Varek sharply. ¡°Wait. You said your tracker tagged me as a match, right?¡± The bounty hunter didn¡¯t even look at him. ¡°Obviously.¡± ¡°But it said likely match.¡± ¡°That¡¯s generally as good as it gets. The client will verify.¡± ¡°And what if you¡¯re wrong? I¡¯m a student at the Academy. Surely there are consequences for you if you arrest the wrong person.¡± The man hesitated, but only for a second. ¡°Show me your wrisplay.¡± Otter held up his arm and showed him his profile page. The man inspected it quickly. ¡°Yeah, it says your surname is Bennett. That¡¯s a match.¡± Otter shook his head. ¡°I know that¡¯s what your tracker said, but it didn¡¯t show a given name. Why is that?¡± He shrugged. ¡°You must have some other way to verify? What about your objective? Doesn''t that provide more specific details?¡± The bounty hunter narrowed his eyes, but looked to his own wrisplay and swiped through a couple of screens. After a moment, he frowned. ¡°Let me see your profile again.¡± He looked at Otter¡¯s. ¡°Dammit.¡± Then he called to the small man standing behind him. ¡°Stand down, Sherm. He¡¯s not the right guy.¡± Otter didn''t need to see the man¡¯s display to know what it said. Current Objective: Apprehend Elias Bennett. His father. The father he barely remembered. The father who disappeared over a decade ago. The father everyone assumed was dead. Varek shook his head and pressed a rune on the cuffs. The metal bindings snapped open, releasing Otter¡¯s wrists. He stared hard at him for a long moment, then bent down and in a softer voice said, ¡°Do you know where he is?¡± Tears formed in the corners of Otter¡¯s eyes, but he shook his head. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen him since I was little.¡± Varek nodded, then straightened. ¡°Sorry about the mix-up, kid.¡± With that, Varek turned and walked back down the alley in the direction he¡¯d come, Sherm following in his wake. Otter¡¯s brain, swirling with thoughts, finally made a connection and he blurted out, ¡°Does this mean he¡¯s still alive?¡± Without stopping, Varek shrugged. ¡°I hope so, kid. Finding him is the only way I get paid.¡± Chapter 20- Injustice The road back to the Academy was quieter than before. The air still buzzed with tension, but no one spoke. Their steps felt heavier, weighed down by the conversation they all knew was coming. Otter kept his hands stuffed into his pockets, fumbling with the whisper stone he¡¯d purchased earlier. He could still hear Varek¡¯s words ringing in his ears: "Finding him is the only way I get paid." Was his father truly alive? On the run? While he couldn''t know for sure, he suspected that the key to finding him lay within the Restricted Section of the Library. Otter swallowed hard and took a deep breath. It was time. "Back there," he started, voice steady despite the tightness in his chest. "With Varek¡ªI didn¡¯t tell you everything." The group slowed their pace. Eyes turned to him. Erin¡¯s brow furrowed, concern already forming. Milo shoved his hands into his coat pockets, silent but attentive. Levi tilted his head, curiosity clear on his face. Piper folded her arms, waiting. Liora¡ªever still, ever observant¡ªsaid nothing. "My father left a note for me before he disappeared," he said. "I found it¡­accidentally, I guess you could say." Erin gave him a knowing look. "What did it say?" Piper asked. Otter took a breath and recited the words he had long ago committed to memory: "I hope you never read this. I hope I¡¯ve returned to be the father you deserve. But if you ever find this, I¡¯m sorry. Do whatever you can to be invited to the Adventurer¡¯s Academy. You¡¯ll find answers there." Silence. Piper leaned in, her voice hushed. ¡°But¡­ why here? What does the Academy have to do with your father?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. I heard rumors when I was little that he was an Adventurer, but my mom never talked about it.¡± ¡°So maybe he was a student here,¡± said Liora. ¡°But that would be ancient history. Do you think he was here more recently?¡± Otter shrugged. ¡°Hang on a second,¡± said Erin. ¡°You¡¯re all assuming these answers have anything to do with his father¡¯s disappearance. What if it has nothing to do with that?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± She took his hand in hers. ¡°Think about it, Otter. Sure you want to know what happened to your dad. But isn¡¯t there something else you¡¯re dying to know the answer to?¡± He didn¡¯t even need to think about it. ¡°You mean why I haven¡¯t been offered a Class.¡± She nodded. ¡°Where better to uncover the answer to that question than at the Academy?¡± ¡°Maybe. But how would he have known about that so long ago? He disappeared when I was just a toddler.¡± Erin frowned as she considered that fact. ¡°Well, if there¡¯s anything to find, we¡¯ll help you,¡± said Milo quietly. ¡°I appreciate that,¡± said Otter. ¡°But there¡¯s more.¡± He turned his wrisplay toward them. The glow of the screen illuminated the surrounding road, casting long, shifting shadows. Current Objectives: The words seemed to pulse on the screen, as if mocking the weight they carried. Erin stiffened, letting her hand drop. Milo exhaled. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s an actual system objective?¡± Piper shook her head, looking almost sick. ¡°Otter, that¡¯s¡ª¡± ¡°The Restricted Section,¡± Erin finished, her voice tight. Otter squared his shoulders. ¡°That¡¯s where the answer is. My father wanted me to find something.¡± Erin¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°No. That¡¯s too far. The Restricted Section isn¡¯t off-limits because they¡¯re hoarding secrets¡ªit¡¯s off-limits because some knowledge is dangerous. You know that.¡± Otter met her gaze. ¡°And what if that¡¯s the point? What if my father was onto something? Something important?¡± ¡°Or something forbidden,¡± Erin shot back. ¡°There¡¯s a reason they don¡¯t let just anyone in.¡± Levi glanced between them. ¡°Okay, but why is the System telling him to go there? It doesn¡¯t just throw out objectives for fun.¡± ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I have to do this,¡± Otter pressed. ¡°The System itself is pointing me there. That means the answer¡ªthe truth¡ªis inside.¡± Erin¡¯s hands curled into fists. ¡°And what if it¡¯s not the answer you want?¡± Otter opened his mouth, then shut it. He didn¡¯t know. Liora¡¯s voice was cool, measured. ¡°If you¡¯re caught, they¡¯ll expel you.¡± Otter turned to her. ¡°Not if I do it right.¡± Milo swallowed. ¡°You¡¯re really serious about this.¡± Otter nodded. Another tense silence settled over them. ¡°I¡¯ll help,¡± Levi said, stepping forward. ¡°No way I¡¯m missing out on a secret Library mission.¡± Milo hesitated, then sighed. ¡°Me too.¡± Piper wrung her hands, torn. ¡°Otter, I¡ª¡± He softened. ¡°I get it, Piper. You don¡¯t have to.¡± She bit her lip. ¡°...I¡¯ll think about it.¡± Otter turned to Erin. ¡°Erin¡ª¡± ¡°No,¡± she said, shaking her head. ¡°I can¡¯t do this.¡± His chest tightened. ¡°Why?¡± She let out a sharp breath, stepping closer. ¡°Because, Otter. You¡¯re not thinking straight. This isn¡¯t a game. You don¡¯t even know what you¡¯re looking for.¡± He clenched his jaw. ¡°Then I¡¯ll find out.¡± She shook her head again, frustration in her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re going to get yourself kicked out, and I¡ª¡± She cut herself off, exhaling. ¡°You worked so hard to get here. I won¡¯t help you sabotage yourself.¡± The words stung more than Otter expected. Another long silence stretched between them, heavy and unresolved. Finally, Erin turned away, walking ahead of the group without another word. Stolen novel; please report. Otter watched her go, something in his chest sinking. He had always counted on Erin to stand by him. To be on his side. But this time¡­ she wasn¡¯t. And that scared him more than he wanted to admit. They continued toward the Academy in uneasy silence, the rift between them widening with every step. Once they passed the gates, the group of friends dispersed, each heading off their own way, lost in their own thoughts. Otter lingered in the grand square lined with towering statues of past Adventurers. He watched each of them depart. He was glad to have Levi and Milo¡¯s support, but that couldn''t overcome the heaviness he felt at Erin¡¯s reticence. Not that he could really blame her. He gazed up at the stony face of some hero whose name he didn''t know. He exhaled sharply, pressing his thumb against the stone, as if grounding himself. What if Erin was right? What if he was making a mistake? ¡°You look troubled, Mr. Bennett.¡± Otter stiffened. He turned sharply, half-expecting to see Blackwood emerging from the shadows. But it wasn¡¯t Blackwood. It was Headmaster Voss. The old man stood a few paces away, his hands clasped neatly behind his back. The soft lantern light from the nearby walkway flickered over his worn, brown coat, highlighting the gold-threaded embroidery along the sleeves. His gray beard caught the glow, lending him an air of quiet authority. But his expression wasn¡¯t stern or disapproving. It was¡­ curious. Otter swallowed. ¡°Headmaster.¡± Voss studied him for a long moment, then glanced toward the statue Otter had been examining. ¡°Auric Plavix. A great Spell Lord,¡± Voss murmured, more to himself than to Otter. ¡°One who believed that knowledge was the greatest tool an Adventurer could wield.¡± Otter hesitated, unsure how to respond. Voss shifted his gaze back to him. ¡°Something weighs on you.¡± Otter¡¯s fingers curled into a loose fist. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± The headmaster raised a bushy brow. ¡°A curious statement for someone who looks as though Sisyphus carried but a pebble.¡± Otter¡¯s throat tightened. He should have expected this. Voss was sharp¡ªtoo sharp. Still, he wasn¡¯t about to confess everything. ¡°I just¡­ had a rough night,¡± he admitted. ¡°Learned some things I wasn¡¯t expecting.¡± Voss hummed thoughtfully. ¡°Knowledge can be like that.¡± He studied Otter¡¯s face for a long, unreadable moment before speaking again. ¡°Tell me, Mr. Bennett. Do you believe knowledge is always worth the price?¡± Otter frowned, shifting on his feet. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± The headmaster nodded, as if he had expected the answer. ¡°Few do.¡± A breeze rolled through the courtyard, rustling the ivy that crept up the Academy walls. Voss took a step back, preparing to leave. ¡°Seek the truth,¡± he said, his voice quieter now. ¡°But beware the cost.¡± Otter¡¯s stomach tightened. Before he could say anything else, the Headmaster turned and strode away, his footsteps barely making a sound on the stone path. Otter stood there for a long moment, his thoughts a tangled mess. Finally, slowly, he made his way back to the dorms.Voss had meant those words as general advice. Otter was sure of that. And yet¡­ They felt far too relevant to ignore. Otter barely made it halfway across the courtyard before something slammed into his side. A hand clamped over his mouth. Another wrapped around his torso, pinning his arms to his side before he could even think to react. Pain jolted through his shoulder as he was yanked backwards, dragged off the path and into the shadows between two buildings. Before he could cry out, something was shoved into his mouth. A gag. A balled up sock or some other rag, by the feel of it. He thrashed, kicking out blindly, but another pair of hands grabbed his legs, lifting him clean off the ground. ¡°Struggle all you want, rat,¡± a voice sneered. ¡°No one¡¯s coming to save you.¡± Lyle. Otter bucked against their grip, but Torrin¡¯s laughter rang in his ear. ¡°Damn, he fights more than I expected. Thought he¡¯d just roll over and take it.¡± ¡°Guess he hasn¡¯t learned his lesson yet.¡± Lyle¡¯s grip tightened. ¡°Time we fix that.¡± Otter thrashed harder, trying to get a foot on the ground, anything to shift their hold, but they were stronger. Bigger. And they¡¯d planned this. They hauled him across the courtyard, moving fast and silent. The Academy¡¯s massive stone structures loomed around them, the warm glow of lanterns spilling from distant windows, but it was late. Taking liberty had bought him an extra two hours before curfew, and even that was almost up. Which meant no one was out to see the abduction. They turned down a narrow side path, away from the dormitories. Where are they taking me? He pulled up the map of the Academy in his head, trying to figure out where they were headed. There were too many options to be sure. Lyle pulled a key from his pocket and opened a small side door to a building Otter had never been in before, but it smelled musty and earthy¡ªkind of like the heart of Redthorne. Then he opened an interior door, revealing a dimly lit room filled with shelves of supplies. Otter barely had time to suck in a breath before they threw him inside. He hit the ground hard, rolling onto his back just in time to see the door slam shut. A lock clicked. Then silence. Otter lay still, heart hammering, mind racing. A laugh drifted from the other side. ¡°Hope you¡¯re comfortable, rat.¡± Otter pressed his forehead against the door, inhaling sharply through his nose. ¡°You have to be kidding me.¡± ¡°Aw, don¡¯t sound so mad,¡± Torrin drawled. ¡°We did warn you, didn¡¯t we?¡± Otter¡¯s jaw clenched. They were actually doing this. They were actually locking him in a damn closet. ¡°To teach me a lesson?¡± he snapped. ¡°Smart boy,¡± Lyle sneered. ¡°You¡¯ve been a real pain. And now you¡¯re a liability. You heard Jasper. Guess we¡¯ll see how much the instructors like it when you miss curfew.¡± ¡°You do know this is a closet, right?¡± he said, forcing his voice to stay level. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure someone¡¯s going to open it in the morning.¡± Lyle chuckled. ¡°Yeah. Morning. Which means you¡¯ll be real late getting back to your room.¡± There was more laughter, then footsteps echoed as they walked away, leaving him in the suffocating dark. Otter exhaled sharply, pressing his back against the wall. He scanned the shelves, then searched them. Maybe there was something he could use. A pry bar? A loose hinge? Nothing. He tried the lock anyway. No give. He shoved his shoulder against the door. Nothing. He was trapped. For the first time in a long time, he felt helpless. Otter inhaled slowly through his nose, forcing himself to calm down. This wasn¡¯t over. Not yet. But no matter how much he searched, he found no way out. Minutes stretched on. Then an hour. How long had he been in here? He kicked one of the shelves in frustration. Above, something shifted and toppled from the top shelf. There was something metal in it and it clanged and banged as it fell, knocking into other supplies, creating a cascade of falling items. When the dust settled, Otter coughed. Then he heard a scratching sound at the door. A key rattled in the lock and the door swung open. Otter blinked at the unexpected sight of a stocky man wearing overalls with the Academy¡¯s crest stitched across the front. The man squinted at him, then down at the mess on the floor. Otter raised a hand. ¡°Uh. Hi.¡± The janitor¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°What are you doing in here?¡± Otter opened his mouth to respond, but the janitor didn''t give him a chance. ¡°Nevermind, you¡¯re coming with me.¡± He grabbed Otter by the arm and steered him out of the closet. They hastened the short distance to the nearest dorm, where a resident advisor on duty sat behind a desk, half-asleep over a pile of paperwork. The janitor cleared his throat, and the RA¡ªan older student with a stern face¡ªlooked up, his eyes sharpening. ¡°Caught this one breaking curfew. Found him rummaging around in the groundskeepers'' building,¡± the janitor said. Otter¡¯s heart sank. ¡°I wasn¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°Save it,¡± the RA snapped, already reaching for his ledger. He scribbled something down, then looked up, eyes cold. ¡°Name?¡± ¡°Dwayne Bennett,¡± Otter muttered. The RA nodded, making another note. ¡°Breaking curfew, unauthorized presence in a restricted area. You¡¯ll be written up. An administrator will meet with you in the morning to determine consequences. Understood?¡± Otter gritted his teeth, nodding stiffly. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ¡°Good. Now, let¡¯s get you back to your room.¡± The RA led Otter back to his own dorm. When they reached Otter¡¯s door, the RA gave him a hard look. ¡°Stay out of trouble.¡± Otter nodded again, waiting until the RA turned and walked away before slipping inside. Otter shut the door to his room behind him, the latch clicking into place with a finality that sent a shiver down his spine. He exhaled, rubbing his hands over his face before sinking onto the edge of his bed. His mind churned, replaying every moment of the evening. His birthday was supposed to be a happy occasion. Tonight had been anything but. Lyle and Torrin¡¯s ambush had taken him completely by surprise. He¡¯d been utterly helpless, unable to defend himself. Was this how he would always be? Outmatched, overpowered, and alone? Anger flared, but it quickly melted into something colder. No. Lyle and Torrin were bullies and cowards. He wouldn¡¯t give them the satisfaction of seeing him give up. He¡¯d come here to find answers about his father, to make something of himself. He wouldn¡¯t let those two drive him away. And then there was Varek. He hadn''t yet come to terms with that encounter. The more he thought about it, the more questions he had. Why was the bounty hunter looking for his father? Who had hired him in the first place? There had to be some way to find those answers. They might not tell him where his father was now, but it would be a place to begin. The revelation ignited something in his chest¡ªsomething urgent, something unrelenting. He had always known there was more to his father¡¯s story, but now, the weight of that knowledge pressed down on him like an iron chain. The System had set him on this path, but it hadn¡¯t warned him what it would cost. The Restricted Section held answers. That much he was sure of. And he would find a way in, no matter what. Even if it meant sneaking past wards designed to keep people like him out. Even if it meant risking his standing at the Academy. Even if it meant keeping secrets from Erin. Erin. He clenched his jaw. She had been his anchor since the day he arrived, a tether to the life he had left behind. She would understand, wouldn¡¯t she? No¡ªshe would try to stop him. She would tell him that he was getting reckless, that the System had its own rules for a reason, that he was playing with forces he didn¡¯t understand. And she would be right. But he couldn¡¯t stop now. Otter leaned forward, pressing his forehead against his clasped hands. Was it worth it? If he went too far, if he got caught, if Erin turned away from him because she couldn¡¯t watch him destroy himself in pursuit of a ghost¡­ would he regret it? A cold breeze rattled the windowpane, and he looked up, staring at the night sky beyond the glass. His father had disappeared into the unknown. And Otter had spent his whole life wondering if he¡¯d been abandoned or if something darker had taken his father. That question had gnawed at him for years, a wound that had never quite healed. He needed to know. Even if it cost him everything. Chapter 20.5 Otter stood before Administrator Vex¡¯s office. He¡¯d heard the man was strict, unforgiving. The heavy oak door loomed before him, its brass handle cold under his palm. He took a steadying breath before pushing it open. Vex sat behind a sleek gray desk. Aside from a neat stack of folders, an inkwell, and a ticking timepiece, it was bare. There were no richly colored tapestries or bookshelves of dark wood in the room. It was plain, functional¡ªunforgiving. Just like the man himself. The Administrator didn¡¯t look up immediately. His eyes skimmed a document from behind a pair of spectacles before setting it aside with deliberate precision. Finally, he met Otter¡¯s gaze. ¡°Mr. Bennett.¡± Otter swallowed hard and stepped forward. ¡°Sir.¡± Vex gestured to the chair in front of his desk. ¡°Sit.¡± Otter obeyed, gripping the worn wooden arms of the chair to steady himself. ¡°You¡¯ve been written up for breaking curfew and unauthorized presence in a restricted storage building,¡± Vex said, folding his hands. ¡°Would you care to explain?¡± Otter straightened, forcing himself to sound calm. ¡°I wasn¡¯t there by choice. Lyle Ainsworth and Torrin Hale ambushed me outside my dorm and locked me in that closet.¡± Vex arched a single dark brow. ¡°You have evidence of this?¡± Otter clenched his jaw. ¡°No, sir. But I¡ª¡± ¡°Then what you have is an accusation, not a defense,¡± Vex interrupted smoothly. ¡°And without proof, I cannot act on your claim.¡± Frustration boiled under Otter¡¯s skin. ¡°But they told me themselves that they wanted me gone. They¡¯ve been after me for weeks¡ª" ¡°Do you have witnesses?¡± ¡°No, but¡ª¡± ¡°Mr. Bennett.¡± Vex sighed, sitting back in his chair. ¡°I do not doubt that some students hold resentment toward you. However, I cannot hand down punishment based on suspicion alone. You must understand that justice requires evidence.¡± Otter bit his tongue to stop himself from snapping. Justice? Was that what this was? ¡°However,¡± Vex continued, tone as even as before, ¡°I am aware that Mr. Ainsworth has been assigned a work detail in the particular building where you were discovered.¡± Otter watched as Vex¡¯s eyes darted back and forth behind his lenses. Was he reading something? ¡°And there are records establishing a certain pattern of behavior. Which means there is likely some truth to your story.¡± Otter dared to hope. ¡°However, policy dictates you must face consequences. While I could dock you credits or assign you latrine duty, I am inclined to be more lenient. I think the best option is to revoke your liberty privileges for a month.¡± Otter¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°What?¡± Vex regarded him coolly. ¡°The rules apply to everyone, Mr. Bennett. You were found outside after your already extended curfew in an unauthorized location. Furthermore, according to the custodian, you had made quite the mess. The consequence is firm and non-negotiable.¡± Otter¡¯s hands clenched into fists beneath the desk. Without liberty privileges, he couldn''t leave campus. Not that he had, other than last night. But he was hoping to make some inquiries about Varek and his father at the Adventurer¡¯s Guild in the city. Now that would be impossible. ¡°Understood,¡± he muttered, barely keeping his anger in check. Vex studied him for a long moment, as if gauging his reaction. Then, with a sharp nod, he said, ¡°Dismissed.¡± Otter rose stiffly and left the office, shoulders taut. The Academy grounds bustled with students heading to and from their course sessions. But as Otter walked, he noticed the hushed murmurs. The sideways glances. He didn''t know what it was about, but it seemed people were talking about him. Which couldn''t be good. Otter grit his teeth and quickened his pace. He found his friends in the courtyard beneath the sprawling willow tree, their usual meeting spot. Levi was sprawled across a bench, Milo sat cross-legged in the grass, and Liora leaned against the trunk, arms crossed. Erin stood a few paces away, watching something in the distance. At his approach, they all turned to him expectantly. ¡°You look awful,¡± Levi observed. Otter let out a humorless laugh. ¡°Thanks, Levi.¡± He dropped onto the bench beside him, exhaling sharply. ¡°I got written up.¡± ¡°What?¡± Erin¡¯s brows knit together in concern. ¡°For what?¡± Milo asked. ¡°For breaking curfew.¡± Otter¡¯s voice was laced with bitterness. Erin crossed back to the group.¡°But we got back last night with time to spare. What happened?¡± She suddenly looked very suspicious. Otter hesitated. Then, with a sigh, he said, ¡°Lyle and Torrin jumped me last night and locked me in a supply closet.¡± Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Erin¡¯s expression shifted from suspicion to outrage. ¡°Are you serious?¡± ¡°They did what?¡± Liora¡¯s voice was ice-cold. Levi sat up straighter, eyes wide. ¡°Hold on. They kidnapped you?¡± Otter shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s a little dramatic, but¡ª¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not,¡± Milo said quietly, his usual calm demeanor darkened by something colder. Liora folded her arms. ¡°They left you locked up on purpose? Just to get you in trouble?¡± ¡°Pretty much.¡± Silence. Then Liora pushed off the tree and cracked her knuckles. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill them.¡± Otter groaned. ¡°Liora¡ª¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m serious.¡± Her violet eyes burned with barely restrained fury. ¡°They jumped you. They locked you up so you¡¯d break curfew, and now you¡¯re the one getting punished? That¡¯s actual bullshit.¡± ¡°Believe me, I tried telling Vex,¡± Otter said. ¡°But since I don¡¯t have any proof, he can¡¯t do anything.¡± Liora¡¯s lip curled. ¡°So he just decided to screw you over instead?¡± Otter sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t think he wanted to. He said without evidence, he can¡¯t make a ruling against them.¡± ¡°That¡¯s convenient,¡± Milo muttered. Erin crossed her arms, her jaw tight. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Vex.¡± Otter blinked. ¡°Erin¡ª¡± ¡°No, this isn¡¯t okay, Otter.¡± Her voice was firm, unwavering. ¡°People already treat you like you don¡¯t belong here. If you just take this, it¡¯ll only get worse.¡± ¡°She¡¯s right,¡± Milo said quietly. ¡°If we don¡¯t push back, they¡¯ll keep testing how far they can go.¡± Otter ran a hand through his hair, frustration mounting. ¡°What do you guys want me to do? I can¡¯t prove anything. And Vex isn¡¯t going to just take my word for it.¡± Erin let out a slow breath, her fists still clenched. ¡°There has to be an appeal process. I¡¯m sure someone saw something.¡± ¡°I doubt it. Even if there was something, I don¡¯t think Vex would back down. Maybe those two jerks would get a worse punishment, but I think I¡¯m stuck with mine.¡± ¡°Either way,¡± Liora seethed. ¡°They won¡¯t get away with this.¡± Otter had a sinking feeling he wouldn¡¯t like whatever she was planning. ¡°Speaking of things getting worse,¡± Levi interjected, glancing around conspiratorially, ¡°have you guys heard the new rumor?¡± Otter groaned. ¡°There¡¯s a new one?¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s a good one,¡± Levi said with an exaggerated grin. ¡°Apparently, word¡¯s spread that Varek was after you.¡± Otter stiffened. Levi continued, his tone a mix of amusement and warning. ¡°Some people are saying you¡¯ve got a criminal past.¡± Otter dragged a hand down his face. ¡°Great. Just great.¡± ¡°Who¡¯s saying this?¡± Erin demanded. Levi shrugged. ¡°The ones who were there last night, mostly. But, you know, people love a good story.¡± Erin turned on her heel. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it.¡± Otter blinked in surprise. Levi whistled. ¡°Guess we¡¯re all in the mood to ¡®handle¡¯ things today.¡± Erin ignored him, still fuming. ¡°You don¡¯t deserve this, Otter.¡± Otter¡¯s throat tightened. After everything¡ªafter the strain between them¡ªhe hadn¡¯t expected her to jump to his defense so quickly. ¡°Thanks, Erin,¡± he said quietly. She nodded, her expression fierce. ¡°Of course.¡± Otter went to the rest of his sessions and pretended that losing his liberty privileges didn¡¯t bother him. But as the day dragged on, frustration clawed at him. His confinement meant he couldn¡¯t investigate Varek¡¯s contract or look for information about his father in the city. He had trouble concentrating on the lectures and found himself listening in on other people¡¯s conversations to see if they were talking about him. Later that evening he found himself in one of the few places where he could clear his head: The Library. Unlike the rest of the Academy, where his presence felt scrutinized, here he was just another body moving among the towering shelves, another pair of hands reshelving books and fetching scrolls. Normally, he found comfort in the quiet routine, but tonight, the weight of the day pressed heavy on his shoulders. His liberty privileges were revoked. Erin was out fighting his battles for him. And the rumors about the bounty hunter had spiraled into something far worse than he anticipated. ¡° I heard you got written up. Again.¡± Otter turned to see Piper standing beside the checkout desk, arms crossed, an unimpressed look on her face. Her ink-stained fingers drummed against her sleeve. ¡°¡°Unfortunately.¡± Piper gave him a flat look. ¡°Congratulations, then. You¡¯re officially more trouble than the third-years, and they drink in the dorms.¡± Otter sighed, leaning against the desk. ¡°If it makes you feel any better, it wasn''t my fault.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not better,¡± she deadpanned. ¡°That¡¯s worse.¡± Otter huffed a laugh despite himself. ¡°Yeah, well, try telling that to Vex.¡± Piper shook her head. ¡°Unbelievable.¡± Then, after a moment, she added, ¡°You okay?¡± The genuine concern in her voice caught him off guard. He hesitated before answering. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I felt like I was finally getting somewhere, proving myself, but now¡­¡± She nodded and was silent for a moment. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your dad.¡± Otter shrugged. ¡°Thanks. I was really hoping to learn more about him. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll find anything here.¡± He gestured to the Library at large. ¡°I doubt he came here before he disappeared. But Varek¡­that felt like a lead I could follow. Maybe.¡± ¡°They might have a record of the bounty at the Adventurer¡¯s Guild.¡± ¡°Yeah, well, I can¡¯t leave campus. So that¡¯s a no go.¡± Piper tapped her chin thoughtfully. ¡°Then let me handle it.¡± Otter blinked. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go to the Guild for you,¡± she said simply. ¡°I¡¯ll ask around, see what I can dig up.¡± Otter stared at her. ¡°You¡¯d do that?¡± Piper rolled her eyes but lowered her voice to the barest whisper. ¡°I already agreed to help you break into the Restricted Section. A few questions at the Guild is hardly a step up.¡± A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Fair point.¡± ¡°One caveat,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°If I¡¯m chasing down this lead for you. You need to pick up the slack on the Emrys Gale research.¡± ¡°I can do that. Midterms are coming up, and I need to make sure I¡¯m prepared for those, but yeah, I can put in a few more hours here.¡± ¡°Good.¡± She turned to leave, then added, ¡°And don¡¯t get locked in any more closets.¡± Otter laughed and Piper left to finish her duties. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Friends were a wondrous thing. Chapter 21- Lost Paths Otter¡¯s candle had burned low, its wax pooling unevenly in the brass holder. Shadows flickered against the walls of his dorm, stretching and warping with every uncertain shift of the flame. His desk was a disaster¡ªbooks stacked precariously, loose parchment scattered like fallen leaves, ink stains smudged across the wood where he¡¯d carelessly set his quill down hours ago. His wrisplay glowed faintly at his side, the soft light illuminating the countdown like a silent taunt. Four days, eleven hours, thirty-two minutes. Midterms loomed over him like a storm cloud. Otter rubbed his temples, eyes burning with exhaustion. He could hear the faint sounds of his dormmates moving about in the halls¡ªmuffled voices, the occasional door creaking open, footsteps fading into the quiet hum of the Academy at night. His fingers drummed absently against the edge of a textbook. He had to keep going. He had to keep up. For weeks now, every spare moment had been spent catching up¡ªon lessons, on training, on existing in an Academy where everyone else seemed destined for greatness. And of course, searching for secrets. He flipped through a tome on Kaosborn classifications, scrawling notes in the margins of his paper. His quill scratched against the parchment, the only sound accompanying the soft crackle of the candle. He jotted down quick observations, facts he knew would be on the exam. Veil Stalkers¡ªpredators that phase in and out of reality. Lurkers¡ªambush creatures that thrive in confined spaces. Hollow Beasts¡ªreanimated husks animated by residual Kaos energy. His hand paused, glancing at the pile on his desk. His life was now nothing but books. Books cluttering his living space. Books stuffed in his satchel to be read during lunch. And then there were the books at the Library. His shifts in the Library had become less about research and more about keeping up with the sheer influx of students preparing for midterms. There was hardly any time for mystery anymore. Even Piper had been buried in work. He¡¯d barely seen her outside of their shared shifts, and when he did, she was running ledgers, recording book checkouts, and snapping at students who returned tomes with dog-eared pages. They¡¯d both been drowning in responsibilities. The thought sent a flicker of guilt through him. Emrys Gale. The Restricted Section. His father. Piper was still searching. Still looking for answers, but her inquiries at the Adventurer¡¯s Guild had turned up empty. They had no record of Varek¡¯s bounty. It must have come from somewhere else. Otter sighed, running a hand through his hair. His brain was full for the moment. He needed a break. Maybe spend an hour at the Library looking for information on Gale. A sharp knock at the door startled him. ¡°Otter?¡± It was Milo. Otter blinked, realizing how stiff his back had become from leaning over his desk for so long. ¡°Yeah?¡± Milo cracked the door open, peering inside. His brows lifted slightly at the disaster that was Otter¡¯s desk. ¡°You¡¯re still at it?¡± Otter yawned and stretched, wincing as his shoulders popped. ¡°Just making sure I don¡¯t fail spectacularly.¡± Milo gave him a knowing look. ¡°Levi and I are heading to the Library. Thought you might want to study somewhere¡­ less apocalyptic.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± he said, grabbing his satchel. ¡°I was going to head over there anyway. I need a breather from all this.¡± The Academy¡¯s Library was a sanctuary of knowledge. Its grand, arched ceilings stretched overhead like the ribcage of some long-dead beast, the glow of enchanted lanterns casting a warm, steady light across the rows of towering shelves. It was a fortress of learning. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. And tonight, it was packed. Students occupied nearly every available space¡ªat tables, in corners, some even sitting cross-legged on the floor between shelves, books and scrolls spread out around them like battle plans. The low murmur of frantic whispers filled the air, stress and exhaustion palpable in every hunched shoulder and furrowed brow. Otter and Milo found Levi already at a table, fidgeting as he muttered formulas under his breath. His quill twirled between his fingers, ink smudging on the sleeve of his uniform. ¡°Finally,¡± Levi said as they sat down. ¡°I was starting to think you were planning to sleep through exams and let fate decide your grades.¡± Otter let out a tired sigh. ¡°Tempting. But I figured the spectacle of my utter failure would be more entertaining.¡± Levi snorted but didn¡¯t press. Across the Library, Otter spotted Erin and Liora, heads bent over their own books. Erin was deep in her notes, quill moving furiously, while Liora remained eerily composed, absorbing everything in her usual quiet way. Things between them had mostly returned to normal. They still sat together at meals, still studied together, still partnered together in Navigation and Survival without hesitation. But every so often, Erin would glance his way¡ªlike she was about to say something¡ªonly to stop herself at the last second. The moment would pass, the words unsaid, and she¡¯d turn her attention elsewhere. Otter felt the gap between them like a loose thread in his shirt, small but impossible to ignore. He knew if he tugged at it, the whole thing might unravel. So instead, he left it alone and pretended not to notice. He sat at the table with Milo and Levi, staring blankly at his notes while their quills scratched across parchment. He could feel the weight of midterms pressing down, but his focus was nowhere near the words in front of him. Instead, his thoughts churned over everything¡ªthe bounty hunter, the Restricted Section, the rumors about his father. The Academy felt bigger than ever, but somehow, he still felt trapped. With a quiet sigh, he closed his notebook. ¡°I need a walk.¡± Levi barely glanced up. ¡°Try not to get abducted again.¡± Otter rolled his eyes and pushed away from the table. He wandered past rows of occupied desks, nodding to Piper as she hurried by with an armful of returns. The library was busier than usual, students hunched over books in a last-minute scramble before exams. He wasn¡¯t sure where he was going, just that he needed something different¡ªat least for a little while. His feet carried him deeper into the stacks, where the air grew still, untouched by the stress radiating from the study halls. The sounds of frantic page-turning and whispered debates faded. He let his eyes wander over the shelves. The section he found himself in was unfamiliar. He couldn¡¯t recall ever reshelving anything here. Sometimes, it felt like the Library was a living thing, expanding and rearranging itself over time. Then his wrisplay buzzed. Otter stopped. The faint words flickered across the screen. Luck¡¯s Whisper: Active. A familiar thrill ran down his spine. His gaze swept the shelves. The books here were different¡ªnot the polished, often-borrowed texts of the main hall, but older, dustier tomes. He ran his fingers along the cracked spines, following the pull of instinct. Then he saw it. A thick, timeworn volume, its title barely visible in the dim light. He pulled it free and brushed the dust from its cover. The Lost Paths: Unverified Accounts of Forgotten Classes A shiver of unease¡ªand excitement¡ªrolled through him. Otter flipped it open, the parchment stiff beneath his fingertips. The book was dense, filled with speculation, but one passage immediately caught his eye. "...Emrys Gale, one of the Academy¡¯s founding figures, is speculated to have wielded a Class no longer recognized by the System. While official records list him as an Explorer, several conflicting accounts suggest abilities that do not align with any modern Class. Some sources claim he belonged to an era when additional, now-forgotten, Classes were available to Adventurers¡ªpaths that have since been lost to time, either by System intervention or deliberate suppression..." Otter¡¯s breath caught. He read the passage again, heart pounding. Lost Classes? If the System had once offered Classes that no longer existed¡­ what did that mean for him? His pulse thrummed in his ears. This wasn¡¯t an answer¡ªnot yet¡ªbut it was something. A crack in the certainty that the System had left him behind. A sliver of possibility. Maybe he wasn¡¯t broken. Maybe he wasn¡¯t forgotten. Maybe there was still a path waiting for him. Before he could dig deeper, a voice cut through the quiet. ¡°Ah. Mr. Bennett.¡± Otter snapped the book shut and turned to see Archivist Dane standing at the end of the aisle, her sharp eyes narrowing in disapproval. "You should know better than to loiter in the archives at this point in the semester,¡± she said coolly. ¡°Your time would be better spent preparing for your exams.¡± Otter swallowed hard. ¡°Yes, Archivist Dane.¡± Her gaze lingered on the book in his hands before she held out her palm. Otter hesitated but handed it over. Dane tucked it beneath her arm, then gestured toward the main hall. ¡°Off you go.¡± Otter clenched his jaw but obeyed, stepping past her without another word. He had to tell Piper about this. By the time he returned to the study tables, Milo and Levi shot him questioning looks, but he just shook his head, dropped back into his seat, and scribbled a few notes in his notebook. He tried to focus, tried to force himself back into the rhythm of studying. But all he could think about was that book. The Midterm Trials loomed ahead, but now another challenge pressed at the edges of his mind. If Emrys Gale had walked a lost path¡­ maybe Otter could find one too. Chapter 22- Written Exams The exam room was stifling. Despite the frigid weather outside, the temperature here was oppressive due to all the bodies crammed into the room. Otter stared down at the blank paper, waiting for the proctor to say ¡°Begin.¡± As soon as he did, Otter picked up his pencil and watched words appear on the page. The first section was 50 multiple-choice questions. Some were tricky, but Otter thought he did pretty well. The second section consisted of 4 essay questions. Explain the primary function of the System and its role in the balance between Order and Kaos. Otter frowned. He could answer this in his sleep.
  1. The System exists to impose structure. It governs stats, skills, and Class progression, preventing unchecked chaos from taking hold. Without it, magic would be unpredictable, and civilization would collapse into disorder...
So far, so good. This was the expected answer. "However," he continued, "while the System claims to provide order, its methodology is rigid. Class allocation is based on predetermined archetypes, leaving little room for adaptability. The System does not grant power equally, nor does it acknowledge potential that exists outside its established parameters. This is a strength, in that it prevents people from pursuing paths they are ill-suited for, but it is also a weakness because it limits possibilities." He paused, considering whether to push further. Then, he did. "A rigid system may maintain order, but true survival often demands flexibility. History shows that some of the greatest Adventurers were not those who simply followed the System¡¯s guidance, but those who defied expectations and adapted beyond its limitations." He set down his pencil and rubbed his temples. That answer would either impress or irritate Blackwood. Maybe both.
  1. Describe the significance of Stats and their impact on an individual¡¯s growth within the System.
Otter took another deep breath. Stats serve as the foundation of an individual¡¯s growth, measuring both physical and mental attributes. Strength dictates combat effectiveness, Intelligence affects spellcasting, Dexterity governs precision and speed. Every action taken contributes to the refinement of these attributes over time, reinforcing the individual''s capabilities in alignment with their assigned Class." But that wasn¡¯t the whole answer. "However," he wrote, "one Stat remains largely misunderstood: Luck." Otter glanced around the room before continuing. "While Strength and Dexterity have clear applications, Luck is more enigmatic. It is often dismissed as a secondary stat, something that passively affects outcomes rather than being actively controlled. But if the System governs all things, then what does Luck truly influence? Is it merely probability? Or is there something deeper that the System does not¡ªor cannot¡ªfully regulate?" He hesitated, then added: "If the System is designed to impose order, then Luck, by its very nature, introduces unpredictability. If the System were infallible, why would it include a stat that allows for variance? Could it be that Luck represents a factor the System itself cannot quantify?" By the time he finished, his heart was pounding. He¡¯d never dared to put his suspicions into writing before.
  1. Explain the System¡¯s classification of Adventuring Classes and their purpose in the greater societal structure.
Otter wrote quickly, reciting what he knew to be fact. "Adventuring Classes are divided into categories that best suit the needs of society. Fighters and Scouts serve as frontline combatants, engaging in direct encounters with threats beyond the safety of cities. Spell Lords and Healers wield magic to either protect or support. Dungeoneers use their skills to solve puzzles, dissect traps, and navigate the mazes often found in Kaosborn dungeons. Together, they form a balanced network, ensuring that civilization remains functional and that Kaos does not gain ground. He tapped his quill against the page, considering. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. However, he added, this classification assumes that these are the only paths available. The System does not account for variance outside its preordained Classes. But historical texts suggest that in ancient times, there were Classes that no longer exist today. Blackwood wouldn''t appreciate unfounded speculation, but if he cited his source, it might actually impress the man. According to Echoes of the System: Forgotten Histories or Exaggerated Rumors? by Weathersby Folsom, Emrys Gale may have actually had a Class different from the five base Classes offered today. Whether these were phased out due to inefficacy, or simply lost due to unknown circumstances, remains unclear. If the System is truly adaptive, why do these lost Classes no longer appear? The question begs to be answered.
  1. How Does the System Resolve Success or Failure of a Given Action?
Otter stared at the question. His fingers twitched against his pencil. This was it. This was the question that had been haunting him since he first started to suspect his Luck wasn¡¯t just a meaningless number. The System determines success or failure based on an individual¡¯s stats, skills, and external conditions. A Fighter with high Strength is more likely to land a powerful blow. A Spell Lord with high Intelligence can cast spells with greater efficiency. Scouts succeed in evasion due to their Dexterity. These numbers are variables in an algorithm designed by the System to determine the probability of whether an attack hits an opponent, how much damage is done by a spell attack, or whether an Adventurer successfully disarms a trap. These mechanics provide predictable outcomes based on numerical advantages, ensuring that those who invest in their skills are rewarded accordingly. But that wasn¡¯t the whole truth. Otter gritted his teeth and kept writing. "However, probability also plays a role. Two individuals with equal stats may not always achieve the same results. Factors such as environment, timing, and, most notably, Luck, can influence the outcome in ways that are not entirely predictable. He hesitated before underlining the next words: Luck is the only stat that does not directly correlate with a skill or ability. It is not tied to a Class, nor does it govern a specific discipline. It exists outside the System¡¯s clear structure, acting as a variable that affects outcomes without a defined metric. If the System is designed to ensure stability, why allow a factor that introduces unpredictability? Why assign Luck at all, if everything else is determined by logic and progression?" Otter¡¯s heartbeat pounded in his ears. "If Luck exists as an influencing factor, it may be that the System is not, in fact, the antithesis to Kaos. The very existence of probability and randomness intrinsic to the System¡¯s nature suggests that it is not a tool for Order, but rather a method of balancing Order and Kaos. He exhaled slowly, staring at the words he had just written. For a long moment, Otter just sat there, staring at the exam paper, his pulse hammering against his ribs. Then, slowly, he placed his pencil down, sat back, and let out a shaky breath. This was either going to get him some very interesting attention... or some very dangerous scrutiny. The Adventuring Fundamentals exam wasn''t nearly as philosophical, though it was still highly theoretical. Most of the questions were about tactics, strategy, and survival in dangerous situations. Otter found himself breezing through the multiple-choice section with only a few truly tricky questions. But it was when he moved on to the essays that he truly found his element. Rather than giving rote answers, he could think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to complex problems. He especially enjoyed a question about optimal group compositions and formations. Otter wrote feverishly for almost an hour straight, pouring his heart and imagination into his answers. Instead of describing the typical adventuring team make-up, he created his own ideal composition. He theorized that a balanced party didn''t necessarily need to conform to the Fighter, Spell Lord, Scout, and Healer archetype. What if a team had two scouts instead, using stealth and speed to avoid unnecessary fights? What if a dedicated survivalist took the place of a Healer, preventing injuries before they happened? He laid out formations for different environments¡ªtight corridors, open plains, dense forests¡ªadjusting for visibility, terrain hazards, and enemy types. He even included contingencies for when a team had to work with fewer than optimal numbers. When he finally set his pencil down, his fingers were stiff, his wrist aching. Otter exhaled slowly and leaned back in his chair, stretching his hands. He had no idea if his answers were what the examiners wanted, but he didn¡¯t care. They were his. With a satisfied nod, he sat back and looked around the room. Many students were still busily writing, but a few had finished. Levi was one of them. He sat with his feet propped up, hands laced behind his head. The confidence that guy had was unreal¡ªbut probably warranted in this case. After time was called and papers were collected, Levi caught up with him. ¡°How do you think you did?¡± ¡°Pretty good.¡± Otter smiled at him. ¡°There were a few tricky ones. I doubt I got them all right, but pretty sure I passed by a good margin.¡± ¡°Yeah. I heard Windemere always throws in a few questions with no right answer just to make it impossible to get a perfect score.¡± As they made their way across campus, many students were already beginning evening revelries. After all, they had just finished what they considered the most difficult part of the semester. Why shouldn''t they be happy? Otter had a different opinion. Today had been easy. Well¡­maybe not easy, but fun. Tomorrow, however, were the practicals. Navigation and Survival shouldn¡¯t be a big problem, but there was a good chance he would fail Combat Basics. Chapter 23- Practicals The ground around the fieldhouse glittered with frost when Otter arrived for the Navigation and Survival exam. Other students shuffled about, some yawning, others anxiously adjusting their gear. All worked to stave off the chill. The exam setup was nearly identical to their initial assessment¡ªa timed course through the Redthorne Wilds, using only a map, compass, and their instincts to find checkpoints. The only difference was that now, everyone was expected to perform at a higher level. At each checkpoint, they were required to complete a different task¡ªstarting a fire, building a shelter, distinguishing between edible plants and poisonous ones. Unlike the preliminary assessment, this one was individual. Each student had their own starting time and location. Otter could neither see nor hear anyone else when his turn came. And, he assumed, no one could see or hear him either. As soon as the signal was given, Otter set off at a steady, confident pace. His Navigation skill lit up the best path before he even checked the map. When he did pause to confirm, it was only out of habit, not necessity. He could already tell which trails were deceptive. They were the ones that looked easy but led to steep drops, dead ends, or tangled brambles. By the time he reached the second checkpoint, he had caught up to a few other students. Scouts. They nodded to him, but no words were exchanged. While this wasn¡¯t a race, and cooperation was discouraged. Otter wouldn¡¯t be going to the same place as they were for the third checkpoint anyway. The next leg required him to cross a river, and Otter barely broke stride. With the freezing temperatures, he didn¡¯t dare wade or swim across. There was a pile of various materials on this side¡ªpieces of wood, some rope, and a few other things, but Otter didn¡¯t bother to inspect it. He glimpsed a fallen tree a few dozen yards upstream. It was partially obscured from the path, and he wasn¡¯t certain if it was there intentionally, but it was much quicker than constructing a makeshift bridge. Rule #1 of survival was to use everything to your advantage. He had no trouble with the fire or the shelter build, but the plant ID gave him pause. There were two mushrooms that looked very similar. Fungus wasn''t really his thing. He didn¡¯t particularly care for them and avoided them in most dishes. He racked his brain trying to remember what he was supposed to be looking for, then finally remembered to flip them over and check under the caps. One had white gills. The others were a darker tan. He was pretty sure the white gills were poisonous. He stole a glance toward Erin, but the assistant helping her blocked his view completely. Finally, he held up the mushroom with darker gills. ¡°This one is safe,¡± he told the old woman marking his answers. ¡°I¡¯d rather not eat it, though. Not unless I have to.¡± The old woman cackled. ¡°Smart lad. Never eat a ¡®shroom unless you¡¯re certain it¡¯s safe. Be on with you then.¡± He reached the finish line with plenty of time to spare, and ahead of a lot of the Scouts, though not all. A few eyed him curiously. They didn¡¯t say anything, but Otter could tell what they were thinking. He didn¡¯t look like a Level 0 Villager to them. When the exam officially ended, Otter checked his wrisplay, heart skipping at the familiar notification: Skills Leveled Up! Navigation Apprentice- Lvl 6 Survival Craft Novice- Lvl 3 Otter grinned. Other than his mushroom choice, he was certain he¡¯d passed this exam with flying colors. And then he remembered he still had Combat Basics to look forward to and his grin evaporated. Several sparring rings were set up on the training yard. Master Horvan stood in the center of one. ¡° For today¡¯s exam, you will each face an opponent in single combat. Weapons are blunted. Victory is determined by clean strikes or disarming your opponent. First person to five points wins. My third year students will be scoring your performance. A loss in the ring doesn''t necessarily mean a failing score. Furthermore, we will treat this as a tournament. Winning a match will take you to the next round.¡± A murmur rippled through the students. Otter swallowed hard. He had expected a one-on-one sparring assessment, but a tournament? That changed things. He had originally planned to go all-out, to give his opponent everything he had. But on the off-chance that he won, he¡¯d have no strength left for the next round. No. Now he¡¯d have to conserve stamina, which meant a different kind of fight. Although, that made sense. Horvan had impressed on them that real fights were rarely one-on-one and even the best fighter could be worn down over time. He exhaled slowly, glancing down at his rapier. The others had already retrieved their weapons of choice¡ªsome wielding broadswords, axes, or daggers, all suited to their respective Classes. Jasper, predictably, had chosen the long sword. Otter ignored him. Instead, he focused on the weapon in his grip, letting the weight settle in his hand. The thin, agile blade wasn¡¯t built for slashing through armor and flesh, but it was fast. Precise. It didn¡¯t rely on strength, but on technique and control¡ªsomething he had worked on with Liora. And right now, precision was his best shot. For his first match, Otter was paired against a Scout¡ªa wiry, sharp-eyed boy named Marvin Hensley. ¡°Ready?¡± Master Horvan called. Otter lowered into a balanced stance, one foot slightly forward, knees bent. Marvin mirrored him, twirling a pair of daggers. Horvan gave the signal. Marvin moved first, lunging low and fast, aiming to slip inside Otter¡¯s guard. But Otter had expected that. Marvin was quick, but his reach was short. He stepped back, twisting his rapier just enough to deflect the attack, then struck cleanly to his opponent¡¯s shoulder. Point: Otter. The Scout scowled and came again, this time feinting left before cutting right. Otter read the move too late and the dagger tagged him in the ribs before he could parry. Point: Marvin. Otter adjusted. He couldn¡¯t rely solely on reaction speed. He needed to control the fight. As they approached each other again, he baited Marvin into an attack¡ªa wide slash¡ªthen stepped in, knocking his dagger aside and thrusting straight to his chest. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Point: Otter. Marvin growled in frustration. His strikes became more reckless, more predictable. Otter dodged and landed two more points, ending the match at five to two. As Otter stepped back, panting, Master Horvan gave him a small nod of approval. Otter grinned. One win down. The next round paired Otter against Eda Rowan, a broad-shouldered Fighter wielding a shortsword and buckler. She was steady, methodical, and didn¡¯t take risks. Otter quickly realized that fighting her was like trying to outmaneuver a wall. The match began, and Otter tested her defenses with a few probing strikes, looking for openings. None appeared. Eda didn¡¯t overextend, didn¡¯t lunge recklessly like Marvin had. Instead, she used her shield to deflect his rapier, forcing him back, then retaliated with quick, sharp strikes. Otter tried to sidestep, but she pressed too close, keeping him on the defensive. He took two hits in quick succession. Point: Eda. Point: Eda. Otter exhaled sharply. Think. Improvise.. Instead of waiting for her to attack, he took the initiative, feinting a strike toward her shielded left side. As expected, she shifted her weight to brace for impact, but Otter never committed to the swing. Instead, he abruptly changed direction, pivoting low and darting to her exposed right. Before she could fully recover, he struck a clean hit to her ribs. Point: Otter. Eda¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. She adjusted too, tightening her defenses even more. The fight stretched on, each of them scoring, neither gaining the upper hand. Four to four. Match point. Otter was breathing hard now. His arms ached, and his legs burned from dodging and feinting. Eda, on the other hand, still looked composed¡ªdetermined, but not nearly as winded as he was. Otter swallowed. He needed to end this quickly. Eda stepped in, leading with her shield, preparing a powerful downward strike. Otter braced himself to dodge¡ª Then the ground beneath him shifted. His foot slipped on a loose stone, sending him stumbling forward¡ªdirectly into Eda¡¯s shield arm. Her swing went wide as Otter collided into her unsteadily, his rapier accidentally flicking against her side before they both staggered apart. Point: Otter. Silence. Otter blinked. Eda scowled, eyes darting from the stone he had tripped on to Master Horvan, who raised an eyebrow. ¡°The strike was clean,¡± the instructor said. ¡°Point awarded. Match over.¡± Otter stood there, stunned. Did I just win¡­ by tripping? Levi¡¯s cackle from the sidelines confirmed it. Eda sighed, rubbing her temples, but eventually offered a begrudging nod. ¡°Luck¡¯s on your side, Bennett.¡± Otter wasn¡¯t sure whether to feel embarrassed or victorious. Either way, he was moving to the next round. Jasper Thorne stood across the ring glaring at Otter. Luck may have been on his side in the last round, but it certainly wasn¡¯t now. He¡¯d done his best to avoid the brutish teen for weeks, but now there was no getting around it. He was about to get his ass kicked. Otter looked at the third year who¡¯d be judging their match. ¡°Can I concede?¡± The older student stared at him, mouth slightly open. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Can I concede the match?¡± Jasper narrowed his eyes. He must have been hoping for the chance to thrash Otter good. Master Horvan stepped up the ring. ¡°Explain,¡± he commanded. Otter hesitated only a second. ¡°Well, sir¡­I may have made it to the third round, but I¡¯m no match for Jasper. I¡¯ve watched him all semester. He¡¯s far better than I am. I have no illusions that I can win.¡± Master Horvan studied Otter for a long moment, his sharp eyes assessing something beyond just his stance. Then, with a short nod, he said, "Very well. I accept your concession." A ripple of murmurs spread through the watching students. Some looked confused, others disappointed¡ªno doubt expecting a dramatic fight. Jasper, however, seemed torn between smug satisfaction and something more complicated. Horvan turned to address the gathered students. "There are those who will say a warrior should never back down from a challenge. That to yield is to show weakness." His voice carried easily across the training yard. "But true wisdom lies in knowing when to fight and when to walk away." He glanced at Otter, then back at the students. "Bravery is not recklessness. If you walk into battle knowing you will lose, knowing you will gain nothing from the struggle except injury and wasted effort¡ªwhat have you truly accomplished? Strategy is the mark of a survivor. And survivors are the ones who live to fight another day." Otter let out a slow breath. He hadn''t expected validation from Horvan, but hearing those words made the knot in his stomach loosen slightly. Jasper, however, was scowling. His hands were clenched at his sides. Otter braced himself for a sneer, an insult¡ªsomething to turn this into another moment of humiliation. But then¡­ Jasper did something unexpected. He scoffed, shaking his head. "Seems you got lucky again. I¡¯d have flattened you." But there was no real venom in his tone. Instead, there was an almost grudging acknowledgment in his gaze as he looked at Otter. A flicker of something that might have been respect¡ªor at least, the realization that Otter wasn¡¯t as idiotic as he¡¯d once assumed. Otter met Jasper¡¯s gaze, then gave a small shrug, as if to say, Yep. Pretty much. Jasper huffed but didn¡¯t press the issue. Horvan gestured for Otter to step out of the ring, then turned back to Jasper. "Your match is concluded. You advance to the next round." Jasper gave a curt nod, but his eyes lingered on Otter for just a second longer before turning away. As Otter stepped out of the sparring ring, he exhaled slowly. Maybe he¡¯d given up a chance to prove himself. Maybe some students would think less of him for it. But he knew the truth. He wasn¡¯t a fighter. He never would be. His strength would have to lie elsewhere. And as he walked past the other students¡ªsome of whom were watching with curiosity, others with something like newfound consideration¡ªhe realized something else. Jasper hadn¡¯t looked at him like a joke. Not this time. But Lyle and Torrin were glaring. There was nothing short of hatred in their eyes. If they thought they could get away with giving him a beating in front of all these people, they¡¯d probably try. Neither of them had made it past the second round. Which meant they now knew Otter could hold his own in a fight. Not to mention Liora was there. Otter still didn¡¯t know what had happened between Lyle, Torrin, and Liora, but the bullies hadn¡¯t come after him since the closet incident. Once, he saw them walking toward him in the courtyard when they abruptly changed direction. A moment later Liora caught up to him and walked with him to the mess hall. He didn¡¯t ask about it, and she didn¡¯t tell. Whatever she¡¯d said or done, though, has made his life easier over the last several weeks. Otter stuck around to see who would win. His money, of course, was on Jasper. Until he realized who he¡¯d be fighting in the final round. Liora. If Otter had been nervous before his own matches, he was absolutely beside himself with anxiety as they shook hands and took their places in the ring. Jasper showed no sign of the disdain he held for Otter when facing Liora. He viewed her as an equal, a worthy opponent. The air in the training yard felt charged as Liora and Jasper squared off. Unlike Otter¡¯s match, this wasn¡¯t a one-sided affair¡ªboth of them had reputations as the strongest fighters in the class. The crowd sensed it too, leaning in, watching every move with anticipation. Master Horvan gave the signal, and the match began. The two fighters were a blur of motion, trading blows and parries faster than Otter could track. Every clash sent a jolt of electricity down his back. The two seemed evenly matched, then, after several long moments, Jasper scored the first point. Liora wasn¡¯t one to crumble under pressure, however, and the next point went to her. Back and forth they went for what seemed like an eternity, until Jasper finally scored the final point. By the time it was over, both Fighters were drenched in sweat, and the entire class was cheering them both. Even Horvan was grinning from ear to ear at the display of prowess from these two first-year students. With their final exam behind them, the atmosphere was filled with celebratory joy. But the most exciting announcement was yet to come. Chapter 24- What We Bring to the Table The grand courtyard was packed with students. The murmur of voices filled the cool evening air, an undercurrent of exhaustion and nervous energy rippling through the gathered first-years. They had survived the written exams, endured the grueling practicals, and now, finally, they were done. Or so they thought. Otter stood near the back of the crowd, shifting on his feet, trying to shake the stiffness from his limbs. His ribs and shoulders still ached from the Combat Basics tournament, and his mind was clouded with fatigue. He wasn¡¯t the only one feeling it. Around him, students rubbed sore muscles, stifled yawns, and exchanged uneasy glances, all wondering the same thing. Why were they still here? On the platform, a line of instructors stood waiting. Their faces were unreadable, but there was a sharpness in their eyes that set Otter on edge. Then, Headmaster Voss stepped forward. The hum of voices faded instantly. Voss¡¯s piercing blue eyes swept across the gathered students, taking them all in at once. Around them, the statues of legendary Adventurers loomed, silent sentinels in the dim torchlight. When he spoke, his voice was measured, calm, and inescapable. "You have all worked hard these past few days. The written exams tested your knowledge. The practicals measured your individual abilities. But Adventuring is not an individual pursuit." A weight settled over the courtyard. "The tests you have taken thus far," Voss continued, "are merely a snapshot. They tell us how you function on your own. However, an Adventurer¡¯s greatest strength is not found in their own prowess¡ªbut in their ability to work with others." Otter felt a prickle of unease. "You may have thought your exams were over," Voss said, his gaze sweeping across them, "but there is one final test." A collective breath of dread passed through the crowd. "The Dungeon Simulation." A hush settled over the courtyard. Voss clasped his hands behind his back. "Tomorrow, you will be placed into assigned teams and given a singular objective: to navigate a simulated dungeon and complete your mission. Each of you will be expected to contribute, to plan, and most of all¡ªto work together." A few nervous glances were exchanged. "This will not be a mere exercise," Voss went on. "You will not simply be observing illusions. The Academy¡¯s Spell Lords have crafted a fully immersive experience, one that will test you in every possible way." His eyes darkened slightly. "The dangers will feel very real. Your minds and bodies will react as though they are." A murmur rippled through the students. Voss let the moment stretch before speaking again. "Instructors will be observing and taking notes. Your performance in this trial will be heavily weighted in determining your future here. For some of you, it will prove your capability. For others..." He let the sentence linger. Otter swallowed hard. He knew what that meant. This was the test that truly mattered. Some students wouldn¡¯t be coming back next semester. "You will receive your team assignments in the morning," Voss concluded. "Use the day wisely. Learn your teammates¡¯ strengths and weaknesses. Prepare yourselves. Because when you enter that dungeon¡­ no one succeeds alone." His eyes scanned them one last time. Then he turned sharply and strode away, the instructors following behind. The courtyard remained eerily silent for a long moment. Then, all at once, the conversations erupted. *** Otter wasn¡¯t sure what he had been expecting, but as he stood in the common room first thing in the morning, staring at the names scrawled on the parchment listing his team, he felt like he might throw up. Team Five Why did it have to be Jasper? What was wrong with these instructors? Were they trying to sabotage him, too? At least Erin and Milo were with him, but that did little to ease the tension coiling in his chest. Cal was in the middle of giving them instructions. ¡°Each team has been assigned a meeting room on campus. Think of it as your ¡®war room.¡¯ You¡¯ll have more detailed directions and your objective assigned when you assemble there. You¡¯ll have the rest of the day to plan. The simulation begins promptly at eight tomorrow morning. You won¡¯t all go in at once. Only a few teams can run the simulation at the same time. You won¡¯t know your actual starting time until tomorrow. Any questions?¡± There were none. Otter left his dorm and began making his way to the meeting room. His team was assigned one in Evershade Hall. He ran into Levi on the way. ¡°This is going to be so epic,¡± Levi said. He was practically skipping down the path. ¡°Maybe for you. I have to deal with Jasper,¡± Otter grumbled. Levi sobered up. ¡°Listen. I know you two have some history, but he isn¡¯t really a bad guy. He¡¯s intense, yeah. And he wants to be the best Adventurer he can be. But he¡¯s not a bully. Not like Lyle.¡± ¡°Why do you think he has it out for me, then?¡± Levi shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know that he does. I mean, you haven''t really had any issues with him outside of Combat Basics, right?¡± ¡°I guess not. But the issues we did have were pretty big.¡± ¡°All I¡¯m saying is you¡¯re supposed to work together now, not compete with each other. Maybe that¡¯ll make a difference.¡± Otter didn''t respond. He didn''t know what to think. Levi was one of the most clever people he knew. He¡¯d need to consider his words. They split off and Otter quickly arrived at Evershade. He found his assigned room and pushed open the door. The room was small, tucked away on the third floor of the hall. A round table sat in the center, surrounded by wooden chairs. Erin and Milo were already seated. Erin looked up and gave him a small smile, but Milo¡¯s gaze darted nervously to the other side of the room. Jasper was leaning against the far wall, arms crossed over his chest, exuding his usual self-assured intensity. Next to him sat Sage, her posture poised and serene, hands folded neatly on the tabletop. Her stark white robes stood out against the Academy¡¯s deep green banners lining the walls. Unlike the rest of them, Sage didn¡¯t look the least bit tense. The Divine Conduit was striking, with pale blonde hair cropped short at her chin and luminous green eyes that seemed to hold something distant and unreadable. She wore the traditional white robes of her Class, embroidered with golden filigree along the cuffs and collar. A staff rested against her shoulder, its headpiece an intricate lattice of metal and crystal that pulsed faintly with divine energy. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Otter didn''t know much about Divine Conduits. They¡¯d discussed the Class in Adventuring Fundamentals¡ªtalked about how integral they were to an adventuring team¡ªbut he didn''t actually know any. He took the last empty seat. At the center of the table lay a single envelope, its wax seal unbroken. ¡°This our mission?¡± Otter asked as he slid into a seat beside Milo. Erin nodded. ¡°We were waiting for you before opening it.¡± Jasper scoffed. ¡°Took you long enough.¡± Otter ignored him. Instead, he reached for the envelope, broke the seal, and unfolded the parchment inside. The others leaned in as he read aloud: A team of Adventurers entered the ruins beneath the Academy seeking an ancient relic but never returned. Your mission is to find them, determine what happened, and, if possible, bring them back alive. Silence settled over the group. ¡°Well,¡± said Jasper, ¡°that sounds cheerful.¡± Erin frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t like the wording of that.¡± ¡°Which part?¡± Milo asked. ¡°¡®If possible.¡¯¡± Otter exhaled slowly. ¡°It means there¡¯s a good chance they¡¯re dead.¡± Sage tapped her fingers against the table. ¡°It also means we may not be the only ones looking for them.¡± Jasper leaned forward, his expression turning more serious. ¡°Exactly. If this were just a simple retrieval, they¡¯d tell us to extract them. But they¡¯re giving us leeway, which means something went wrong. And I¡¯d bet we won¡¯t be the only team with an objective related to these missing Adventurers.¡± Otter¡¯s mind raced. If other teams had conflicting or tangential objectives, it meant they could be walking into a trap¡ªor worse, an ambush. ¡°So we need a plan,¡± Erin said firmly. ¡°A good one.¡± Jasper cracked his knuckles. ¡°Then let¡¯s start with roles.¡± His sharp gaze locked on Otter. ¡°And make sure everyone can pull their weight.¡± Otter stiffened. Milo sucked in a breath, but before he could speak, Erin slammed her palm onto the table. ¡°Oh, shut up, Jasper. He made it to the third round in the Combat Basics tournament. Remember?¡± Jasper¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°Erin, stop.¡± Otter sighed, rubbing his temple. ¡°I can fight my own fights.¡± He turned to Jasper, meeting his glare head-on. ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m not a Fighter. I¡¯ll never be as strong as you or as fast as Erin. But if you think I¡¯m just dead weight, you¡¯re wrong.¡± Otter took a steadying breath. ¡°I can read terrain and maps better than anyone here. I can spot hazards before we walk into them. I know how to find hidden paths, avoid traps, and work through obstacles in ways you wouldn¡¯t think of. I have good instincts, and¡ª¡± he hesitated before grinning, ¡°¡ªI¡¯m also ridiculously lucky.¡± Jasper let out a disbelieving scoff. ¡°Lucky?¡± Otter nodded. ¡°Yeah. And I don¡¯t just mean that in a ¡®oh, I stumbled into good fortune¡¯ kind of way. My Luck stat is unusually high. I don¡¯t know why, and I don¡¯t know how it works, but it¡¯s saved my life more times than I can count.¡± Sage¡¯s interest piqued. ¡°Luck is a System attribute, but it¡¯s rarely discussed. Most people don¡¯t think of it as an active force.¡± ¡°Maybe it isn¡¯t for most people.¡± Otter shrugged. ¡°But I¡¯ve learned to trust it. I am an asset to this team. Not a liability.¡± Jasper still didn¡¯t look convinced, but his expression had shifted from dismissive to considering. Sage straightened in her chair. ¡°Then let¡¯s put that to use. We need to cover all our bases. Jasper, as the Fighter, you¡¯ll be our front line¡ªour brute force.¡± Jasper smirked. ¡°Obviously.¡± Sage turned to Erin. ¡°You¡¯re a Scout, which means you¡¯ll handle forward reconnaissance. Traps, patrols, and securing high ground.¡± Erin nodded. ¡°Milo, you¡¯re a Spell Lord, so you¡¯ll focus on ranged support and area control.¡± Milo swallowed, but his determination shone through. ¡°I¡¯m more of a utility guy. Behind the scenes kind of stuff.¡± Sage nodded. ¡°We can work with that. Can you provide us with your spell list?¡± ¡°Um¡­sure.¡± Then she looked at Otter. ¡°You¡¯ll navigate and make tactical calls when we need them. We¡¯ll rely on you to find the best route and to avoid unnecessary risks.¡± Otter nodded, relieved that she wasn¡¯t questioning his presence. ¡°And what about you?¡± Jasper asked, arching a brow. Sage folded her hands. ¡°I¡¯m a Divine Conduit. I¡¯ll put you back together when the bad guys cut you apart.¡± Otter tilted his head. ¡°I¡¯ve never actually worked with a Divine Conduit before.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because the Academy keeps us separate,¡± Sage said smoothly. ¡°Different faiths, different paths of devotion¡ªit complicates things.¡± Jasper snorted. ¡°Or it¡¯s because some of your order thinks they¡¯re too good to train with the rest of us.¡± Sage gave him a placid smile. ¡°Or perhaps the Academy doesn¡¯t want the complexities of piety interfering with standard adventuring education. But, as I am here, I suggest we focus on our task instead of philosophy.¡± Jasper rolled his eyes but said nothing further. Sage continued, ¡°Now, back to the mission. We need to assume the missing team encountered resistance. Which means we might, too. Best case scenario, they¡¯re injured but alive. Worst case¡­ we find bodies and something strong enough to take out a group of Adventurers.¡± Silence fell again. Otter exhaled. ¡°Alright then. We only have a few hours to prepare. Let¡¯s make them count.¡± Jasper nodded, arms still crossed but his posture slightly less rigid. Erin gave Otter a sidelong glance, something like approval flickering in her expression. Milo wrote out the spells in his repertoire and slid the paper across the table where everyone could see. 0-Level: Spectral Hand, Mind Spike, Minor Illusion 1st Level: Grease, Light Show, Understand Languages, Shield ¡°I have enough mana to cast two 1st Level spells before I need to take a rest. O level spells take very little mana. I can cast them as often as I want.¡± ¡°Wow, you weren''t kidding about being a utility guy. You have almost no offensive spells,¡± said Jasper. ¡°You might be surprised, Jasper. They might not look like it on the surface,¡± retorted Otter, ¡°but some of those can be used creatively to mess with an enemy. I¡¯ve seen him do it.¡± Then Sage picked up the paper and made her own list. 0-level: Stabilize, Heaven¡¯s Touch, Minor Resistance Level 1: Holy Blessing, Cure Minor Wounds, Shield of Faith ¡°I have the same situation with mana.¡± Jasper scanned the list and let out a short laugh. ¡°Great. Our Spell Lord is all backstage smoke and mirrors and our Divine Conduit is a glorified medic.¡± Sage raised an eyebrow, unfazed. ¡°Would you prefer I let you bleed out when you take a sword to the gut?¡± Jasper rolled his eyes. ¡°I¡¯d prefer not to get hit in the first place.¡± Otter leaned forward. ¡°Then it¡¯s a good thing we have options.¡± He tapped the spell list. ¡°Milo¡¯s spells are about control and interference, which means we dictate the battlefield. And Sage¡¯s healing means we don¡¯t drop the second something goes wrong.¡± Erin nodded. ¡°It¡¯s actually a solid balance. Remember that versatility is a strength. We¡¯re all in agreement that you¡¯re our point man if we get into a fight. That¡¯s your specialty. You certainly won¡¯t be alone in a fight. I¡¯m good with a bow. You¡¯ve seen Otter hold his own.¡± She looked to Sage questioningly. ¡°I have been trained in basics as well,¡± the Divine Conduit acknowledged. Erin continued, ¡°But if we all focused on damage output, we¡¯d be ill-equipped to deal with other challenges.¡± Jasper grunted but didn¡¯t argue, turning his attention back to the mission letter. ¡°Fine. We locate the missing expedition and report back. That means we don¡¯t fight everything we see.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Sage said. ¡°We avoid unnecessary risks. We need to be smart about when we engage.¡± Otter drummed his fingers on the table. ¡°And about what we bring with us. What¡¯s the supply situation?¡± Jasper shrugged. ¡°You don¡¯t think they¡¯ll give us whatever we need?¡± Otter frowned. ¡°We shouldn''t assume that. No one has said anything about it, so I think we should get our own stuff. We need torches, rope, extra water, maybe some climbing gear. We don¡¯t know what kind of environment we¡¯re walking into.¡± ¡°Good point.¡± Erin added. ¡°If it¡¯s a cave system, we might need pitons and a hammer. If it¡¯s ruins, maybe crowbars.¡± Sage tilted her head. ¡°I should stock extra bandages and alchemy supplies, just in case.¡± Milo sighed. ¡°I should probably pick up extra mana restoratives, too. Spell slots don¡¯t come back on willpower alone.¡± Otter tapped his chin. ¡°Alright. We divide the gear so no one¡¯s overloaded. I¡¯ll take climbing supplies. Erin, you handle light sources. Jasper, weapons and armor maintenance. Sage, medical. Milo, magic-related supplies.¡± They all nodded in agreement. Jasper sat back, arms crossed. ¡°Alright. We¡¯ve got our roles, our loadout, and something resembling a plan.¡± His gaze flicked to Otter. ¡°Still don¡¯t know how Luck fits into all of this.¡± Otter grinned. ¡°You will.¡± Jasper rolled his eyes, but it didn''t feel truly dismissive. Sage smirked. ¡°Now, let¡¯s talk strategy.¡± As the discussion continued, their scattered ideas solidified into an actual plan. By the end of it, they weren¡¯t just a group thrown together by chance. They were a team. Chapter 25- Beneath Ironside Keep The first-year students gathered in the predawn chill, murmuring among themselves as they waited in the training yards outside Ironside Keep. The tension was palpable¡ªthis was it, the final test of the semester. Though the air was cold, Otter could feel the nervous energy radiating from the crowd. He stood with his team near the back, adjusting the straps on his new backpack while Milo fidgeted beside him. Otter had spent more of his hard earned credits at the Commissary to buy some adventuring supplies: the backpack, rope, a couple of glowsticks, and a grappling hook. That had been the most expensive purchase, and it left him with only a few credits. Jasper looked as relaxed as ever, arms crossed, weight shifted onto one leg, while Erin kept scanning the crowd, as if searching for something¡ªor someone. Sage remained unreadable, her hands clasped in front of her as if in silent prayer. When the massive wooden doors to the keep creaked open, conversation died instantly. Headmaster Voss emerged, flanked by several instructors, including Blackwood, Horvan, and a few Otter hadn¡¯t interacted with before. The headmaster surveyed them, his expression unreadable as always. ¡°First-years,¡± he said, voice effortlessly carrying over the crowd. ¡°You stand at the threshold of your final test. Up until now, your exams have measured your individual skills and theoretical knowledge. But an Adventurer never works alone.¡± His gaze swept the students, lingering just long enough to make each of them feel as if he were speaking directly to them. ¡°Today, we test your ability to work as a team. Follow me.¡± Without another word, he turned and strode forward. The students hesitated, exchanging confused glances before hurrying after him. Otter frowned as they crossed the training grounds and entered Ironside Keep. He¡¯d been inside before¡ªmostly for Combat Basics¡ªbut this was different. Instead of heading toward the usual sparring halls or armory, they were led deeper into the fortress, past towering suits of armor and ancient battle banners. At the end of a dimly lit corridor, a set of massive stone doors loomed, their surfaces etched with unfamiliar runes. Otter was certain they hadn¡¯t been there before. ¡°Was this always here?¡± he whispered. ¡°No,¡± Erin murmured. ¡°Or if it was, it¡¯s been hidden.¡± The instructors positioned themselves at either side of the doors. With a flick of Voss¡¯s wrist, the stone groaned and shuddered, splitting down the center and swinging inward. A gust of stale, cool air rushed out to meet them. Beyond the threshold was a descending stone staircase, disappearing into the darkness below. Otter swallowed. The Academy had an underground complex. And no one had ever spoken of it. Voss turned back to them, his expression unreadable. ¡°Proceed.¡± One by one, the students stepped inside. Otter felt the weight of the stone above him as they descended, lanterns flickering along the walls to guide them. The air grew cooler, the scent of damp stone and something faintly metallic filling his nostrils. The stairwell eventually opened into a vast chamber, its high ceilings supported by thick stone columns. Magical sconces lined the walls, casting a cold blue glow over the room. At the far end, a series of heavy wooden doors stood in a row, each one marked with an arcane symbol that pulsed faintly. The instructors spread out, some standing near the doors, others observing the gathered students. Voss addressed them again. ¡°This underground facility exists for one purpose,¡± he announced. ¡°To test those who would call themselves Adventurers. What lies beyond those doors is a simulated expedition, created and maintained by the Academy¡¯s finest Spell Lords. While nothing inside is truly real, the experience is designed to be as authentic as possible.¡± He gestured, and a few assistants stepped forward, each carrying a small wooden box. ¡°The markers you are about to receive will track your status within the simulation. Consider them a measure of your life force. Every attack you take, every injury you sustain, will deplete the marker accordingly. If your marker reaches zero, you will be teleported out of the simulation immediately. Remember, if your team is unable to complete your objective before time expires or if your entire team is removed from the simulation, you will fail.¡± A murmur spread through the gathered students. Otter watched as one of the assistants approached and handed him a small circular badge, about the size of a silver coin. The moment his fingers touched it, it pulsed once with a soft red glow before fading. Voss continued, ¡°Your teams have been assigned a starting time. You will enter the simulation in waves, allowing instructors to monitor your progress. The first teams will begin shortly.¡± He raised a hand, and one of the assistants unrolled a long parchment. ¡°Listen carefully for your team number.¡± One by one, names were called. The first group of students¡ªsome of them looking far too confident, others already pale with nerves¡ªstepped toward the first door. Levi was among them. He seemed absolutely giddy. A Spell Lord moved to activate the entrance, chanting softly under his breath. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Otter exhaled as more names were called. Then¡ª ¡°Team Five.¡± Otter felt his stomach flutter as they stepped forward. ¡°You will begin during the third round,¡± the assistant continued, marking something down on his parchment. ¡°Prepare yourselves accordingly. You have a few hours before your trial begins.¡± Voss cast one last look over the students. ¡°Use your time wisely.¡± And with that, the first team stepped through the arcane door. It flared with light as they disappeared inside. Otter watched them go, then turned his attention to the surrounding crowd. Though the light down here was dim, he tried to find Liora. Her size should make her stand out, but instead he spotted Lyle and Torrin watching him, whispering to each other. Wonderful, he thought. They¡¯re going to try something. The underground chamber buzzed with tension as teams clustered together, speaking in hushed voices. Otter¡¯s group stood near one of the stone benches, their expressions more serious than before. Their earlier planning session had given them a foundation, but now¡ªafter hearing the full rules of the simulation¡ªthey needed to adjust. Jasper crossed his arms, scowling. ¡°Four hours. That¡¯s not a lot of time.¡± Erin nodded. ¡°We need to move fast. No wasting time on dead ends.¡± Otter leaned against the bench, tapping his fingers on the stone. ¡°We still don¡¯t know how big the dungeon is, but we can assume it¡¯s not straightforward. There will be obstacles.¡± ¡°We stick to the original plan,¡± Jasper said. ¡°I take point in combat, Erin scouts, Sage keeps us alive, Milo supports where needed, and Otter¡­¡± He hesitated before finishing, ¡°finds the best way forward.¡± Otter smiled. It wasn¡¯t exactly praise, but it was better than before. Milo adjusted the strap of his satchel. ¡°If we get separated, I can use Minor Illusion as a signal. We should establish a pattern now, so we don¡¯t mistake it for an enemy trick.¡± Sage lifted a brow. ¡°Good thinking. Something distinct.¡± Milo thought for a moment. ¡°How about three flashes in a row? If it¡¯s safe to regroup, I¡¯ll hold the last one a little longer.¡± ¡°Wait. There¡¯s no guarantee we¡¯d be able to see that. Unless we¡¯re walking into a labyrinth with walls but no ceiling, I don¡¯t think that would work. Can Minor Illusion make sounds?¡± Milo nodded. ¡°Okay, instead of a flash, use a series of high-pitched notes.¡± ¡°I can do that.¡± Erin glanced toward the archway where the first team had already entered the portal. ¡°We also need a plan for if we run into another team.¡± ¡°They might be friendly,¡± Otter said. ¡°They might not.¡± Jasper snorted. ¡°There¡¯s a chance someone might have a ¡®kill the expedition¡¯ objective. They won¡¯t be looking for allies.¡± ¡°Which means avoiding unnecessary fights,¡± Sage said. ¡°We won¡¯t win if we burn out early.¡± With their plan adjusted, there was nothing left to do but wait. The cavernous chamber felt heavier now, the looming stone portal radiating an eerie hum of energy. One by one, teams were called forward, stepping into the glowing archway and vanishing from sight. Otter clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay loose. The anticipation was almost worse than the actual danger ahead. ¡°We should check our gear,¡± Erin suggested, already double-checking the straps on her daggers. ¡°Make sure we¡¯re not scrambling once we¡¯re inside.¡± Everyone murmured agreement. They moved to one of the unoccupied benches, spreading out their supplies. Jasper unsheathed his longsword, inspecting the edge. Then he checked the string on a crossbow he¡¯d brought. Erin tightened her bracers. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if we¡¯ll find any supplies inside. Better not forget anything.¡± Otter unfastened his backpack and took inventory¡ªrope, chalk, water flask, torches, glowsticks, grappling hook, and his father¡¯s knife. They had been told to bring real weapons for this and it was the only one Otter had. He removed the knife from his backpack and considered how best to carry it. ¡°You got a sheath for that thing?¡± Jasper asked. Otter shook his head. ¡°Just the knife. I didn''t have enough credits left to get one at the Commissary.¡± Jasper heaved a deep sigh, then rummaged in his own pack, finally withdrawing a knife of his own. His was in a sheath. He pulled it free and tossed the sheath to Otter. ¡°See if that works. You won¡¯t have time to get that knife out of your pack if you need it.¡± Otter stared at it for a moment, then looked at Jasper. It was the first real gesture of goodwill he¡¯d made. ¡°Thanks.¡± Jasper shrugged, then turned back to checking over his own weapons. Milo held up a few small glass vials filled with shimmering liquid. ¡°Mana restoratives. Not much, but enough to keep me casting.¡± Sage murmured a quiet prayer over a small silver pendant, eyes closed in concentration. Otter had seen other Divine Conduits do something similar before. Preparing themselves. ¡°Anything we should know?¡± he asked her. Sage opened her eyes, tucking the pendant beneath her tunic. Jasper smirked. ¡°Praying for us?¡± ¡°Praying you don¡¯t get yourself killed,¡± she deadpanned. Otter held back a grin. He liked Sage. Their group fell into a quiet lull. Across the chamber, other teams prepared themselves, too. Some stretched, others sat in deep focus. Otter looked up at the towering walls of the underground space, tracing the strange runes carved into the stone. ¡°Did any of you know this place existed?¡± Erin shook her head. ¡°Not a clue.¡± Milo frowned. ¡°I thought I knew every building on campus, but this¡ªthis feels ancient.¡± Jasper rested his hands on the pommel of his sword. ¡°Makes sense. The Academy wouldn¡¯t train us to fight Kaosborn without a proper testing ground.¡± Sage exhaled slowly. ¡°A testing ground built beneath an old fortress. Seems fitting.¡± Otter¡¯s gaze returned to the portal. Soon, it would be their turn. Soon, there would be no more waiting. He rolled his shoulders and took a deep breath. ¡°Alright, then. Let¡¯s do this.¡± Chapter 26- The Simulation A shimmering blue glow engulfed the stone archway as another team stepped through, vanishing in a ripple of light. Their turn was coming. Otter flexed his fingers, his heart pounding harder than he¡¯d like to admit. He wasn¡¯t afraid¡ªnot exactly. But the weight of the unknown pressed against his ribs, a constant reminder that this was more than just another Academy exercise. This was a test. One that could determine his future. A robed official standing beside the portal glanced at the roster in his hands. ¡°Team Five¡ªstep forward.¡± That was them. Otter exchanged glances with his teammates before they moved toward the portal as a unit. Jasper rolled his shoulders, Milo adjusted his belt, and Erin let out a slow, measured breath. Sage stood as composed as ever. ¡°Initiating simulation,¡± the official intoned. The air grew thick with static. Otter felt the hairs on his arms rise as arcane energy swirled around them. The runes carved into the archway blazed to life, casting strange shadows across the chamber. The glow intensified. Suddenly, the ground beneath him lurched. A cold wave of magic rushed over him like plunging into deep water. The chamber, the portal, the Academy¡ªall of it vanished in an instant. And then¡ª His feet hit solid ground. The damp, musty scent of old stone filled his nose. The air was thick and stale, more stagnant than the chamber they¡¯d just left. It was pitch black. Otter heart hammered in his chest. He half-expected an ambush from Lyle and Torrin¡¯s team. They were the last team to come in. He fumbled a torch from his backpack and lit it. When it flared to life, it cast long shadows across crumbling pillars and moss-covered walls. Erin turned in a slow circle, her dagger drawn. ¡°Well. At least they got the setting right. This gives me the creeps.¡± Milo adjusted his glasses, peering down the hallway that stretched ahead of them. ¡°This place looks¡­ ancient.¡± ¡°Probably because it is,¡± Sage murmured, brushing a hand along the weathered carvings on the nearest wall. Faded inscriptions, almost indecipherable, wove around the stone in intricate patterns. ¡°They weren¡¯t lying when they said the Academy was built on top of ruins.¡± Otter ran his fingers over one of the carvings. The stone was cold beneath his touch, but there was something almost alive about it. Jasper exhaled sharply. ¡°Alright, fascinating as this is, we¡¯re not here for a history lesson. Let¡¯s get moving.¡± He wasn¡¯t wrong. Otter took a deep breath, adjusting the grip on his father¡¯s knife. They had their mission. They had their team. And now, they had to survive. ¡°Alright,¡± he said, nodding toward the shadowy corridor ahead. ¡°Let¡¯s find that expedition.¡± Erin took the lead, stepping forward into the ancient corridor, the echoes of their movements bouncing off the stone walls. The place felt utterly abandoned, yet the weight of unseen eyes pressed against his back. Whether it was the magic of the simulation or something else, Otter couldn¡¯t say. ¡°We need a direction,¡± Jasper said, glancing down three branching paths ahead. ¡°Unless you want to wander aimlessly.¡± ¡°No,¡± Otter said, scanning their surroundings. ¡°We look for signs of passage. If the expedition came this way, they had to leave something behind.¡± Sage nodded. ¡°Agreed. Let''s split the search. We don¡¯t move forward until we have a lead.¡± With that, they spread out, each taking a section of the chamber. Milo knelt near one of the walls, running his fingers over the thick layer of dust on the ground. ¡°No footprints here,¡± he murmured. Erin crouched near the leftmost passage, eyes narrowed. ¡°Something¡¯s off here¡­¡± She reached into her pouch and pulled out a small, powdered substance, sprinkling it into the air. The dust settled unnaturally against an invisible surface. ¡°A tripwire,¡± she said, nodding in satisfaction. ¡°Looks like someone¡ªor something¡ªset up defenses.¡± Otter, meanwhile, turned his attention to the middle corridor. He walked a few steps inside, scanning the walls for any disturbances. Then, faintly, he spotted something¡ªscratches, unevenly spaced, barely noticeable. He reached out and ran his fingers across them. ¡°These marks¡­¡± he muttered. ¡°Like someone dragged something heavy.¡± Sage stepped beside him. ¡°Or someone,¡± she said grimly. ¡°Could be someone¡¯s blade making those marks.¡± Jasper eyed the tripwire Erin had uncovered, arms crossed. ¡°If the expedition set this, that means they didn¡¯t want to be followed.¡± ¡°Or they set it to keep something from coming after them,¡± Sage countered. Otter ran a hand through his hair. ¡°So, either they didn¡¯t want to be pursued, or they were protecting their escape.¡± He gestured to the left path. ¡°If this was meant to keep people out, maybe that¡¯s exactly where they went.¡± Erin frowned. ¡°Or something else chased them into the middle tunnel.¡± She pointed at the drag marks Otter had found. ¡°This could mean someone was injured. Maybe they were carrying a wounded teammate.¡± Milo adjusted his glasses. ¡°Or¡­ it could mean someone was dragged off by an enemy.¡± The group fell silent at that. Jasper exhaled. ¡°Great. So, to summarize: one tunnel is rigged with traps, meaning someone deliberately set up defenses. The other has drag marks, which could mean someone was injured or abducted.¡± He looked at the third path, which was dark, empty, and undisturbed. ¡°And the right one looks like it hasn¡¯t been touched at all.¡± Otter followed his gaze. It was tempting to take the safest-looking option, but they weren¡¯t here for safety. They had an objective. ¡°So,¡± Jasper said, crossing his arms. ¡°We thinking left or middle?¡± Sage leaned against her staff. ¡°If they did set those traps, we have no way of knowing whether it was to keep pursuers out or to keep something else in. Either way, we¡¯d be moving blindly through them.¡± ¡°I can try to disable them,¡± Erin offered. ¡°But how many are there?¡± Milo asked. ¡°If they barricaded themselves, they wouldn¡¯t stop at just one.¡± Jasper rubbed his jaw. ¡°And the middle?¡± Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Sage exhaled. ¡°The marks suggest movement. If something hunted them, we might be walking into whatever got them. But if they escaped that way, it means they had a destination in mind.¡± Otter considered both sides. He was inclined to go with the middle tunnel¡ªmovement meant direction, meant something to follow. Either way seemed just as likely. He glanced down at his wrisplay, wishing Luck¡¯s Whisper would give him a nudge, but there was nothing. ¡°We go middle,¡± he said. Jasper raised a brow. ¡°That confidence or wishful thinking?¡± Otter shrugged. ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s just a guess.¡± Sage studied him for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Right then. If no one has objections, middle it is.¡± With that, they adjusted their formation and stepped into the passageway, deeper into the ruins. The air grew colder, and the walls narrowed around them. The stone archways were cracked, thick roots breaking through the structure as if nature itself was trying to reclaim the underground labyrinth. Otter gazed at the crumbling walls as they walked. Something about this place felt¡­ old in a way that didn¡¯t just mean years. It felt ancient, buried beneath layers of forgotten history. Erin paused, tilting her head. ¡°Do you hear that?¡± Everyone stopped. At first, there was nothing. Just silence. Then, a faint drip¡­ drip¡­ drip¡­ Jasper nodded. ¡°Underground stream, maybe?¡± Erin frowned. ¡°Maybe. But¡­¡± She pointed down the path ahead. ¡°I swear I hear something else. Like a faint rustling.¡± Milo swallowed. ¡°Please tell me it¡¯s not rats.¡± ¡°Big rats,¡± Jasper corrected. Milo groaned. ¡°Even better.¡± ¡°Could be what made those scratches,¡± Otter said. ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving,¡± Sage said. They pressed on. They all carried torches now, and the flickering light cast oddly twisting shadows across the walls, floor, and ceiling. Otter felt like a Kaosborn might jump out at them any time from anywhere. Erin called a stop a few minutes later when the tunnel came to an abrupt halt at the edge of a deep chasm, stretching at least twenty feet across. The remnants of a collapsed stone bridge jutted out from either side, its supports crumbling and unreliable. Jasper peered over the edge, kicking a loose rock into the darkness below. It took several seconds before they heard the faint plunk of it hitting water. He exhaled sharply. ¡°Well. That¡¯s a problem.¡± ¡°What are the odds they managed to get a wounded team-mate across this?¡± Otter wondered. Sage shook her head. ¡°Not good.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t eliminate the possibility that something else, something that could climb or fly, carried a captive across,¡± Erin pointed out. ¡°True,¡± admitted Otter. ¡°But I don¡¯t see any way for us to cross. Remember, time is a factor here.¡± ¡°So we double back. Take the trapped tunnel,¡± suggested Jasper. ¡°Sorry, guys,¡± Otter said. ¡°Didn¡¯t mean to waste our time.¡± Milo patted him on the arm as they turned around and went back the way they came. Erin didn¡¯t try to disable the trap. Simply knowing the tripwire was there was enough to avoid setting it off. Besides, if someone came after them, it might slow them down. They stepped carefully over the thin wire and into the tunnel beyond. The stone beneath their feet was uneven, with loose debris and jagged edges threatening to trip anyone who wasn¡¯t paying attention. Otter¡¯s heart raced a little faster with every step, his senses on edge, his mind attuned to the slightest shift in the environment. The passage stretched out before them, but the ground didn¡¯t make things easy. Erin¡¯s sharp eyes caught the faint outlines of pressure plates set into the floor¡ªhidden traps, perhaps just waiting for an unwitting step. ¡°Watch your footing,¡± she muttered, her voice low. They moved cautiously, their eyes sweeping the passage for any further dangers. The tunnel stretched ahead, winding deeper into the underground complex. Then, as they rounded a bend, Erin suddenly stopped short. ¡°Blood.¡± Everyone tensed. Otter stepped forward and saw what she meant. A dark stain marred the stone floor, smeared as if something¡ªor someone¡ªhad been dragged. The trail led further down the tunnel, disappearing into the shadows. ¡°That¡¯s fresh,¡± Sage murmured, her brow furrowing. Milo swallowed. ¡°How fresh?¡± Sage knelt, examining the stain closely. ¡°Hard to say exactly, but not ancient. It hasn¡¯t dried completely, which means whatever happened here wasn¡¯t that long ago.¡± Otter followed the drag marks with his eyes. The sight made his stomach churn. ¡°That means someone from the expedition could still be alive.¡± ¡°Or,¡± Jasper countered, ¡°whoever did this is still down here.¡± Silence settled over them. Erin rose to her feet. ¡°We should move.¡± Otter nodded. ¡°Agreed. But carefully.¡± With renewed caution, they followed the trail of blood deeper into the passage. The air grew colder, the walls narrowing slightly. Every sound felt amplified¡ªtheir breaths, their steps, the distant drip of water from somewhere unseen. Midway through the tunnel, Erin suddenly held up a hand. ¡°Wait.¡± She pointed to the wall ahead. Embedded deep in the stone were several rusted bolts, their tips still gleaming faintly with what might have once been poison. Opposite them, on the ground, lay the shattered remnants of a dart trap¡ªbroken wooden mechanisms and a snapped tripwire. ¡°Someone triggered this,¡± Erin murmured. ¡°And not that long ago.¡± Otter crouched beside the ruined trap, running his fingers over the splintered wood. The dust hadn''t fully settled around the broken pieces. He exchanged a glance with the others. ¡°Whoever passed through here might still be ahead of us.¡± Jasper exhaled sharply, flexing his grip on his weapon. ¡°Then we keep moving.¡± They pressed on, navigating the uneven terrain. Scorch marks marred the walls at irregular intervals, blackened streaks suggesting that others before them had triggered fire-based traps. Some had faded with time, but others looked more recent. Then Milo stiffened. ¡°Hold on,¡± he said, raising a hand. His fingers twitched slightly as he whispered a quick incantation, his eyes scanning the passage ahead. A faint shimmer pulsed in the air just beyond the next bend¡ªan almost imperceptible ripple in the dim torchlight. ¡°What is it?¡± Otter asked, his pulse quickening. ¡°There¡¯s an active magical trap up ahead,¡± he confirmed. Otter''s stomach clenched. A physical trap was one thing, but magic? That was harder to predict¡ªharder to counter. ¡°What kind?¡± Erin asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Milo narrowed his eyes, focusing on the shimmering distortion. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know. It¡¯s not something I recognize.¡± Jasper¡¯s gaze flicked to the walls, to the debris scattered across the floor. ¡°If it¡¯s magical, could it be something triggered by movement? Or could it be triggered by something we touch?¡± Erin crouched down, examining the ground where the pressure plates had previously been. ¡°Either is possible. But whoever¡¯s ahead of us got through somehow. The blood trail continues forward.¡± Otter stepped forward, his hand on his knife, ready to react at a moment¡¯s notice. ¡°Maybe there¡¯s a way to deactivate it.¡± Cautiously, they all began searching but came up with nothing. ¡°Wait. What¡¯s that?¡± Erin pointed down the hallway toward what looked to Otter like a smudge on the wall. He squinted, but couldn¡¯t make out any details. ¡°I think it¡¯s a rune,¡± said Milo, adjusting his glasses. ¡°I bet that deactivates the trap.¡± ¡°Can you reach it with your spectral hand?¡± Milo shook his head. ¡°It''s out of range.¡± Suddenly, Jasper bent over, picked up a loose rock from the floor and tossed it down the hall. As soon as it crossed some invisible barrier, a burst of arcane energy crackled through the air, striking the rock mid-flight. It disintegrated instantly, raining tiny pebbles down on the ground. Everyone stood there dumbfounded for a moment before Jasper took a step forward. Milo grabbed his arm. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± ¡°What? I just tripped it. We can go now.¡± Milo shook his head. ¡°I don''t think it¡¯s a one-shot trap.¡± He glanced around until he found another rock and tossed it forward. And it got blasted to smithereens, too. Jasper¡¯s face fell. ¡°Oh.¡± Sage frowned, deep in thought. ¡°I have an idea. I can cast Minor Resistance on myself and try to get through. Once I¡¯m on the other side, I can disable it.¡± Jasper scoffed. ¡°Or you cast it on me, and I go.¡± Everyone turned to him. Jasper rolled his shoulders. ¡°I¡¯ve got more Life Force than any of you. If anyone¡¯s getting through, it¡¯s me.¡± Sage hesitated. ¡°Even with a resistance boost, that thing could still hit hard.¡± Jasper smirked. ¡°Good thing I can take a hit.¡± Everyone exchanged glances. Otter shrugged. ¡°Go for it,¡± Erin said. Sage exhaled, then reached out, resting a hand on his arm. A faint, golden light pulsed from her fingertips. ¡°Minor Resistance won¡¯t block everything, but it¡¯ll help. Be careful.¡± Jasper stepped forward, bracing himself. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± he said. Otter shifted uneasily. The trap still crackled faintly ahead, like a storm barely contained. There was a very real possibility this thing would zap Jasper right out of the simulation. Then¡ª Something rustled near Otter¡¯s feet. A rat, fur matted and eyes gleaming, scurried over Milo¡¯s boot. He yelped, and jumped forward crashing into Otter, who like a string of falling dominoes, tumbled into Jasper. Jasper lurched forward across the threshold, then threw himself backward, landing on top of Otter just as a surge of energy exploded from the trap, blasting the space above them. The magic scorched the air, leaving behind a trail of blackened stone. Otter groaned. He felt his wrisplay buzz. Luck¡¯s Whisper: Active Jasper let out a sharp breath. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡± Otter turned his head to the side and noticed something. Near the floor, half-hidden beneath an uneven stone slab was a tiny circular indentation. A button. ¡°Hang on,¡± Otter said. Ignoring Jasper¡¯s grumbled curses, he reached out and pressed it. With a low rumble, a portion of the wall beside them slid upward, revealing a narrow passage. A stale, cool breeze drifted out. Otter picked himself up and turned to the others. ¡°Shortcut?¡± Erin peered into the gap, then grinned. ¡°Looks like.¡± Jasper huffed as he got back to his feet. ¡°Lucky,¡± he muttered. Otter smirked. ¡°Yeah, I get that a lot.¡± One by one, they slipped through the opening, leaving the magical trap behind. Chapter 27- Guardians The passage was narrow, forcing them to move single file. Dust swirled in the light of their torches. They pressed forward in tense silence, ears straining for any hint of movement beyond their own. Shortly, the passage turned a sharp corner and led them back in the direction of the trapped corridor, eventually spilling back into it. Erin stopped, holding up a fist. Otter nearly walked into her. ¡°What is it?¡± he whispered. She pointed to a small alcove carved into the rock, just a few feet ahead. It was barely noticeable, the entrance partially obscured by a collapsed portion of the wall. Inside, scattered debris littered the floor¡ªshredded scraps of cloth, the remnants of a burned-out torch, and something that looked like a book. Seeing no sign of further traps, Erin led them into the alcove. The book¡¯s cover was cracked leather, worn and peeling at the edges. The pages, though yellowed, had mostly held together¡ªexcept for the ones near the middle, which were torn and darkened with rust-colored stains. Jasper crouched beside it, flipping it open with careful fingers. ¡°Looks like a journal.¡± Otter knelt beside him. The writing was hurried, the ink smeared in places. He skimmed through the first few pages¡ªmostly mundane notes on supplies and terrain¡ªuntil something caught his eye. A section near the end, written in jagged, uneven script. He read aloud: "The relic is close. We can feel it. The air hums with its power, but the others are uneasy. They speak of shadows moving when no one is looking. Of whispers in the dark. I tell them it is only their nerves. That we must press on." Otter turned the page. The next few lines were more frantic, the ink heavier, like the writer had pressed too hard. "We were wrong. Gods help us, we were wrong. They are real. They were waiting. The guardians¡ª" The rest of the page was smeared beyond recognition. A cold silence settled over the group. Milo exhaled. ¡°That¡¯s¡­not great.¡± Erin crossed her arms, her jaw tight. ¡°Guardians?¡± Otter scanned the next few pages, but there was nothing else. The entries stopped abruptly. The last page had deep creases, as if someone had clenched the book tightly before dropping it. Jasper let out a sharp breath. ¡°So, not only are we looking for a missing expedition, but now we¡¯re dealing with some unknown threat guarding this relic.¡± ¡°Looks that way,¡± Otter muttered. Sage ran a hand over the bloodstains. ¡°Our mission is;t to retrieve the relic. It¡¯s to bring back survivors.¡± Otter¡¯s fingers tightened around the journal. The weight of it was heavier than it should have been. He glanced up at the others. ¡°We keep moving?¡± Erin nodded, determination hardening her features. ¡°We keep moving.¡± Otter tucked the journal into his backpack, thinking it might be the only thing left of the missing expedition. At least they hadn''t found any bodies yet. They had been walking for nearly twenty minutes since finding the journal, each of them lost in their own thoughts about what guardians might be waiting for them deeper in the ruins. It had been over an hour since they¡¯d entered the simulation. They were making progress, but Otter wondered if they were making it fast enough. It was tempting to pick up the pace, but he knew doing so would be reckless. The passage ahead widened into a cavernous chamber, its high ceiling lost in shadow. Jagged stone formations jutted from the floor, and remnants of crumbling pillars hinted at some long-forgotten structure buried beneath the Academy. A cracked fountain stood at the center, its dry basin layered in dust and debris. Otter¡¯s team hesitated at the entrance, fanning out instinctively. The room was open, but something about it felt¡­ wrong. Erin was the first to spot them. ¡°Company,¡± she muttered. Across the chamber, partially obscured by a pile of rubble, stood five figures. Lyle, Torrin, and three others Otter didn¡¯t know. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Jasper tensed beside him. ¡°Get ready.¡± For a long moment, no one moved. The tension thickened, pressing against Otter¡¯s chest. Then Lyle smiled, lazy and knowing. ¡°Well, well," he drawled. "Look who made it this far.¡± Otter rolled his shoulders, forcing himself to stay calm. ¡°Lyle.¡± Torrin stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. ¡°You look like you¡¯re having a good run, Bennett. Shame if that changed.¡± Jasper crossed his arms. ¡°You looking for a fight?¡± Lyle gasped. ¡°Us? No, no. We¡¯re just making conversation.¡± His gaze flicked over their team, calculating. ¡°It¡¯s always interesting to see who¡¯s still in play.¡± Something was off. Lyle¡¯s tone was too sugary¡ªlike he already knew something they didn¡¯t. ¡°We should go,¡± Sage murmured, her voice quiet but firm. ¡°Agreed,¡± Erin said, gripping her bow. Lyle took a step back, making a grand gesture toward the chamber. ¡°By all means. Don¡¯t let us keep you.¡± Jasper narrowed his eyes. ¡°Why are you being so cooperative?¡± Torrin chuckled. ¡°Relax, we¡¯re just catching our breath.¡± Before anyone could react, Jasper took a step forward¡ª Click. A deep, mechanical grind echoed through the chamber. The cracked fountain in the middle of the cavern shuddered violently. Otter¡¯s breath caught in his throat. That wasn¡¯t good. With a shuddering groan, the fountain collapsed inward. Dust exploded into the air as something beneath the stone moved. A pair of glowing, amber eyes flickered to life within the rubble. Then, the construct rose. It was massive¡ªeasily eight feet tall, its body an intricate lattice of bronze and steel, its limbs reinforced with thick, mechanical plates. Ancient engravings glowed faintly along its arms, pulsing with stored energy. The grinding of metal against metal echoed through the chamber as the construct lurched to life. What had once been an inanimate collection of rusted gears and plating now stood tall, its singular glowing eye flaring to life with a pulsing red light. Its massive, clawed arms whirred as ancient servos engaged. Dust cascaded from its shoulders, and the ground trembled as it took its first thundering step forward. Otter¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°What is that thing?¡± ¡°Level 3 Construct,¡± hissed Milo between clenched teeth. Otter shot him a questioning look. ¡°I have an Identify special ability.¡± Otter¡¯s pulse pounded. ¡°Run?¡± Jasper drew his sword. ¡°Fight.¡± With a snarl, he surged ahead, his longsword flashing in the dim light as he brought it down in a mighty arc toward the construct¡¯s center mass. The blade met metal with a deafening clang, sending vibrations up Jasper¡¯s arms. ¡°No good! It¡¯s too thick!¡± he barked as he yanked his weapon back. The construct pivoted unnaturally fast, swinging one of its massive arms at Jasper. He barely had time to throw himself to the side before the clawed limb smashed into the floor where he had just been standing, leaving a crater in the stone. ¡°Okay, okay¡ªuh, new plan!¡± Milo stammered, already pulling mana into his hands. He pointed toward the creature¡¯s feet and muttered an incantation. ¡°Grease!¡± A slick, shimmering pool of oil spread across the floor beneath the construct¡¯s feet. The moment it took another lumbering step forward, its massive metal foot slipped, throwing its balance off. Gears screeched in protest as it staggered, trying to adjust. ¡°Nice one!¡± Erin shouted, knocking an arrow. Otter darted toward the nearest column, assessing the battlefield. The construct was off-balance, but that wouldn¡¯t last long. It was too heavy¡ªif it managed to regain its footing, it would be just as dangerous as before. Sage¡¯s voice cut through the noise. ¡°We need to disable it somehow! There must be a weak point!¡± Otter scanned the construct¡¯s frame, taking in every bolt and plate, every joint and seam. Then he saw it¡ªwires and gears exposed beneath its left arm, still rusted and brittle. ¡°There! Under the arm! We have to get in close to damage it!¡± he called. ¡°I¡¯ll cover you!¡± Erin loosed an arrow aimed at the weak spot. The shaft struck home, but barely embedded itself in the rusted metal. The construct flinched but kept moving. A sharp whirring filled the chamber, and a hidden compartment in the construct¡¯s chest slid open. A thin nozzle extended outward, a faint orange glow beginning to pulse from within. ¡°Oh. That¡¯s not good,¡± Erin muttered as she dove to the side. A jet of scorching fire erupted from the nozzle, bathing the area where Erin had stood in searing heat. She barely managed to evade the flames, her cloak catching at the edges. She hit the ground in a roll, frantically patting the singed fabric. Sage¡¯s hands moved in a swift, practiced motion. ¡°Shield of Faith!¡± A shimmer of golden light surrounded Jasper as he charged in again, bringing his sword down in a brutal downward swing toward the construct¡¯s knee joint. Metal buckled under the sheer force, and the construct staggered again, its movements stuttering. But it retaliated, knocking Jasper aside with a swipe of its arm. But the attack caused it to stumble on the slick lubricant at its feet once more. Jasper grunted as he hit the ground, but quickly regained his feet. Otter¡¯s mind raced. He grabbed a loose chunk of stone from the broken floor, weighed it in his hands, and launched it directly at the construct¡¯s chest. The stone struck the exposed nozzle. A sharp crack sounded as something inside snapped. The construct stuttered again. The fire nozzle sparked once¡ªthen sputtered out completely. ¡°It worked!¡± Otter shouted. With one last bellow, Jasper swung his sword in a final, crushing blow to the knee joint. The construct toppled, crashing to the floor in a heap of useless metal and broken gears. Its glowing eye flickered once¡ªthen went dark. Silence filled the chamber, broken only by the team¡¯s heavy breathing. ¡°Well,¡± Milo said, stepping over a piece of rubble. ¡°That was terrifying.¡± Jasper sheathed his sword, shaking dust from his hair. He glared across the chamber¡ª But Lyle and his team were already gone. Otter groaned. ¡°Cowards.¡± Erin let out a breath. ¡°I hate those guys.¡± Otter nudged one of the construct¡¯s shattered pieces with his foot. ¡°Not as much as I hate this thing.¡± Jasper wiped sweat from his brow. ¡°You and me both.¡± Otter exhaled slowly, still catching his breath. Their first real fight, and they had won. But something told him the real challenge was still ahead. Chapter 28- Symbols in the Maze Two other passages led out of the cavern. From the way they¡¯d entered, one was on the left side where they¡¯d seen Lyle and Torrin, and another was on the far right side of the room. Since Lyle¡¯s group hadn''t crossed through the center of the cavern during the fight, they must have gone out of the left passage. Otter was tempted to give chase, but decided they should check out the other exit first. Erin found traces of blood. Not nearly as much as they¡¯d seen back in the trapped hallway, but enough to confirm that they needed to continue that direction. After five minutes of following the corridor which seemed to loop slowly downward, they found themselves staring at an enormous stone door, carved with intricate reliefs of winding paths, strange symbols, and four evenly spaced recesses. Jasper ran a hand along the smooth, cold surface. ¡°No handle. No hinges.¡± He sighed. ¡°Great. It¡¯s a puzzle.¡± ¡°Of course it is,¡± Erin muttered. Milo stepped forward, eyes scanning the inscriptions that framed the door. ¡°I can¡¯t read any of this,¡± he admitted. ¡°But it¡¯s definitely not gibberish.¡± ¡°I might be able to help with that,¡± Sage said, stepping beside him. ¡°Divine Conduits sometimes learn ancient texts as part of their training, but I¡¯d need time to piece it together.¡± Otter frowned. ¡°Do we have time?¡± ¡°No,¡± Milo answered. ¡°But I have a shortcut.¡± He flexed his fingers and cast Understand Languages, his irises flashing briefly with golden light. When he blinked, his pupils refocused as if seeing the symbols in a new way. He exhaled sharply. ¡°Got it.¡± He skimmed the carvings, muttering the words under his breath before reading aloud: "To pass beyond, the path must be traced, The lost found, the weight embraced. Four marks reveal the final way¡ª But mind the order, lest you stray." Jasper crossed his arms. ¡°Could that be any more vague?¡± Otter stepped closer, tracing his fingers over the engraved reliefs. ¡°The path traced,¡± he repeated. ¡°There¡¯s a maze carved into the center here.¡± He tilted his head. ¡°This part moves.¡± At the base of the door was a circular indentation, a stone dial with a miniature labyrinth etched into it. A small metallic slider rested at the entrance of the maze. Otter¡¯s pulse quickened. He cracked his knuckles. ¡°I think I know what to do with this.¡± He crouched, studying the etched labyrinth. The grooves were narrow, and convoluted. He could feel his Navigation skill at work. It took a few moments, but finally, the correct path lit up. This time, the correct path was illuminated in a soft silver glow instead of blue. That was interesting. Now confident, he gripped the slider and guided it through the maze. The moment he reached the center, a soft click sounded. The slider locked into place, and a small section of the wall next to the door swung open revealing four indentations of a peculiar shape. Otter ran his fingers along the freshly revealed recesses, his brow furrowing. ¡°These aren¡¯t just marks. Something fits in here.¡± Jasper folded his arms, eyeing the recesses. ¡°Great. And what exactly are we supposed to put in them?¡± Sage examined the edges of the slots. ¡°They look mechanical¡ªlike something was meant to slot in.¡± Otter¡¯s eyes widened as realization clicked into place. ¡°The construct.¡± The others turned to him. ¡°The thing we fought,¡± he clarified. ¡°It was built like clockwork¡ªgears, cogs, mechanical joints. What if¡ª¡± He spun on his heel, dashing back the way they came. ¡°Otter?¡± Erin called after him. ¡°We need to check the wreckage!¡± They followed him to the remains of the construct, which still lay in a heap on the stone floor. Though it was severely damaged, it was largely intact. ¡°Let¡¯s see if we can¡¯t uncover the innards of this thing.¡± Together, Otter and Jasper began prying pieces of metal off its midsection, doing their best to steer clear of the fire nozzle. No sense in tempting fate. After several minutes, they had a hole large enough to reach a hand through. Carefully, Otter reached in and began removing parts. Soon he had a pile of assorted gears and wires. ¡°You think these will fit?¡± Jasper asked. ¡°There are four indentations,¡± Otter said, breathing heavily. ¡°And I¡¯m counting four big gears in this mess.¡± He grabbed one and wiped the grime off its surface. ¡°They¡¯re about the right size.¡± Milo nodded. ¡°It makes sense. The inscription said, ¡®The lost found.¡¯ Maybe this thing was originally part of the door mechanism.¡± ¡°One way to find out,¡± Erin said, already picking up another gear. They returned to the massive stone door and, one by one, slotted the gears into place. Each fit snugly into its recess, clicking into place with a satisfying thunk. Nothing happened. ¡°What are we missing?¡± Sage wondered aloud. ¡°The next bit says the weight must be embraced,¡± said Milo. ¡°Anybody see anything heavy around?¡± Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. They spread out to search. Jasper ran his hands over the door. ¡°Hey, I think this slab protrudes a bit. Maybe it needs to be pushed in. It¡¯s pretty heavy.¡± ¡°Do it.¡± Otter said. Jasper heaved on the protrusion and it slid smoothly into the door. Four runes on the corners of the door lit up. Two at the bottom, and two way up high. ¡°Ha! That wasn''t so hard.¡± Then the slab slid back out and the runes went dark. ¡°Oh. I guess I need to hold it in place.¡± Jasper pushed on the slab again, leaning into it. The runes lit up again. ¡°Those must be the marks revealing the final way,¡± Milo said. ¡°I guess we need to touch them in a certain order. Any idea what that order is?¡± Milo shook his head. ¡°Um, guys,¡± Jasper grunted. ¡°This thing is pushing back. Hard.¡± Otter wiped his palms on his tunic, eyes scanning the runes. Now that they were glowing, he could make them out more clearly¡ªa towering mountain, a flowing river, a rising sun, and a crescent moon. He frowned, something about them tugging at his memory. ¡°The path must be traced¡­¡± Milo murmured, rereading the inscription. Then, his eyes widened. ¡°The maze!¡± Otter blinked. ¡°What?¡± ¡°The maze you solved earlier¡ªit wasn¡¯t just to reveal the indentations,¡± Milo said quickly. ¡°It might show us the order of the runes.¡± Otter rushed back to the stone slab he had worked on, retracing the winding paths with his fingers. As his eyes moved along the twists and turns, he noticed something¡ªtiny, faded carvings etched into the route. His heart pounded. ¡°There are symbols in the maze,¡± he called back. ¡°And they match the runes on the door.¡± Jasper, still holding the slab in place, gave a strained growl. ¡°Any time now.¡± Otter swallowed and called out the sequence. ¡°Sun first. Then river. Then mountain. Then moon.¡± Sage moved first, pressing the rising sun rune at the bottom. It pulsed with light. Jasper¡¯s feet started to slip on the floor, so Sage placed her back against his and helped him push. Erin ran up, reaching for the flowing river on the other corner. Another pulse. Jasper gritted his teeth. ¡°Hope this works.¡± Milo jumped up as high as he could, but couldn¡¯t reach the top of the door. ¡°Who¡¯s got the best climbing skill?¡± Otter asked. Erin looked at him. ¡°I have a 4.¡± Everyone else shook their heads. ¡°I guess it¡¯s up to you, then.¡± ¡°Hurry up, please,¡± Jasper growled through clenched teeth. ¡°I¡¯m not sure I can hold this much longer.¡± Erin considered the door for a moment. Then, ¡°Otter, give me a boost. There aren¡¯t any good handholds down low. But I see some about halfway up.¡± Otter knelt down and clasped his hands together, giving Erin a sturdy place to place her foot. ¡°On the count of three. One¡­two¡­three¡­¡± Erin jumped and Otter put all his meager strength into heaving her upward. It was enough. She grabbed hold of the top edge of the protruding border of a rune with her fingertips, and began pulling herself up. Her feet scrabbled before finding purchase, and she began to climb. It wasn¡¯t incredibly high, but it was high enough that if she fell, she would take some damage to her Life Force for sure. Jasper panted and grunted. His arms were shaking violently from the strain of holding the stone in place. Erin reached the Mountain and tapped it. I lit up like the others. With the door as wide as it was, she couldn¡¯t simply reach across and touch the other symbol. She had to climb sideways, which proved tricky. Otter gasped as her foot slipped from a toe hold and she lost her grip with her right hand. He positioned himself beneath her, hoping to break her fall as she dangled from the top of the door by one hand. ¡°Hurry up!¡± Jasper called. ¡°It¡¯s pushing harder!¡± Like a pendulum, Erin swung herself back and forth once, then grabbed another handhold. Time seemed to slow. Otter felt every heart beat in his chest as Erin found her footing and crossed the rest of the distance before slapping the crescent moon. A deep, echoing thud reverberated through the chamber as the stone slab finally locked into place. Jasper stumbled forward as the force resisting him vanished. Erin lowered herself to a safe distance, then dropped the rest of the way to the floor. The gears they placed earlier turned. Dust rained down as the massive door shuddered and slowly began to part, revealing a yawning darkness beyond. Otter breathed a heavy sigh, adrenaline fading. ¡°Well¡­ that was intense.¡± Milo clapped him on the back. ¡°Good call on the maze.¡± The stone door groaned as it slid open, revealing a wide passage beyond. Unlike the crumbling ruins they had navigated so far, this corridor was pristine¡ªits walls smooth, carved with faintly glowing glyphs that pulsed softly, as if reacting to their presence. The air was cold and dry. A dim light flickered ahead. Cautiously, the team stepped inside, weapons at the ready. Otter¡¯s heart pounded as his eyes adjusted to the gloom. The source of the light became clear¡ªa small campfire, or at least what was left of one. The embers smoldered weakly, casting long, flickering shadows across the chamber. Seated near the fire was a woman and what appeared to be a sleeping man with his head resting in her lap. She didn¡¯t react to their approach at first. Her head was bowed, long strands of chestnut hair falling over her face. She wore the tattered remains of a Scout¡¯s uniform, though her cloak was smeared with grime and dried blood. Her arms trembled as she cradled the motionless figure. The team exchanged wary glances before Sage stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. ¡°Miss? Are you injured?¡± At the sound, the woman stiffened, her head snapping up. Her eyes were hollow, ringed with exhaustion. But beneath the grief, there was sharp awareness¡ªher fingers twitched toward the knife at her belt. Jasper immediately lifted a hand. ¡°We¡¯re not here to hurt you.¡± She stared at them for a long moment before exhaling shakily, as if realizing just how tense she¡¯d been. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°We¡¯re students from the Academy. Sent to rescue you,¡± said Erin, taking another step forward. The woman hesitated, then gave a tired nod. ¡°I am Alisha.¡± Otter took a cautious step forward, eyes flicking down to the still figure in her arms. A man¡ªolder, maybe in his forties¡ªhis chest slick with darkened blood. Not sleeping. Dead. ¡°I take it¡­ he was one of your team?¡± Otter asked quietly. Alisha¡¯s throat bobbed as she swallowed. ¡°He was our leader.¡± Milo shifted uncomfortably. ¡°How did you get through the door? We had to solve a puzzle to open it.¡± Alisha blinked, glancing back toward the stone threshold. Her brows furrowed. ¡°It was already open when I got here.¡± Jasper scowled. ¡°And it closed after you passed through?¡± She nodded. ¡°I thought it was safe. A place to rest¡­ to mourn.¡± Otter shivered. Something about that detail unsettled him. If the door had been open, then who or what had closed it? Erin crouched beside her, eyes filled with quiet understanding. ¡°Can you tell us what happened?¡± Alisha exhaled, the weight of exhaustion pressing into her shoulders. ¡°It started when we found the relic.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Milo asked, leaning forward. Alisha shook her head. ¡°We never figured it out. But we weren¡¯t the only ones looking for it.¡± Jasper narrowed his eyes. ¡°Meaning?¡± Her lips parted to answer¡ª Then a blood-curdling scream tore through the corridor. It was a scream of pure horror. And maybe pain. Alisha¡¯s head snapped up, her eyes suddenly clear. ¡°What was that? Blackwood! Something is wrong.¡± Every member of the team exchanged quizzical glances. Then, as one, their wrisplays buzzed. They all had the same notification. New Objective: Rescue your fellow students from the Kaosborn. Chapter 29-Not Just A Glitch Deep beneath Ironside Keep, within the Academy¡¯s restricted arcane facilities, a sprawling chamber pulsed with the glow of enchanted displays. The walls thrummed with arcane energy, tracking every movement, spell, and action within the simulation. Overseer Blackwood stood near the largest of the scrying mirrors, arms crossed, his sharp gaze flicking between different teams as they navigated their respective challenges. Around him, instructors and administrators murmured among themselves, making notes on students¡¯ performances. At another table, Master Horvan observed a group of Fighters struggling against a particularly nasty illusory beast, his expression unreadable. Administrator Vex stood with hands behind his back, stone-faced as always, serving as Blackwood¡¯s right hand. It was a well-oiled system¡ªone they had used for decades. Until now. A sharp, unnatural flicker rippled through the displays, distorting the carefully woven illusion. One Spell Lord, a wiry man in Academy blue, operating part of the simulation stiffened.¡°What was that?¡± he called, urgency tightening his voice. ¡°Blackwood! Something is wrong.¡± Blackwood was at his side in an instant. ¡°Report.¡± The Spell Lord gestured to the scrying mirror he controlled. The hazy projection of a group of students shifted erratically, their forms distorting before snapping back into focus. ¡°An anomaly just appeared in Quadrant Five. Something we didn¡¯t put there.¡± Blackwood¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°Define ¡®anomaly,¡¯¡± Vex said, stepping forward. ¡°Illusion magic is layered and controlled, but this¡ªthis wasn¡¯t woven by us. It forced its way in. And¡­¡± The Spell Lord trailed off, his fingers flying across the rune-covered controls, adjusting the arcane matrix that kept the simulation stable. ¡°I think it¡¯s¡­ alive.¡± A ripple of unease spread through the room. Blackwood¡¯s fingers drummed against his arm. ¡°Show me.¡± The Spell Lord twisted his hand through the air, adjusting the view of the simulation. The projected image zoomed in on Quadrant Five, revealing a large, open chamber beyond the sealed door. Inside, the students, Bennett and his team, were clustered around a woman. They were all staring at their wirsplays. The image wavered again. The illusion flickered and distorted, but this time, it wasn¡¯t the controlled, static disruption of a failing spell. It was something else. Something chaotic. Then the screams came again, only this time, they weren¡¯t from inside Quadrant Five. The screen flickered to another team¡ªone deeper in the ruins. The students there were fleeing in terror, their formations broken, their weapons clutched in trembling hands. Shadows flickered against the stone walls, but the visual feed wavered, then cut to static. Only the sound remained. Shrieks of terror. Clanging steel. A wet, horrible crunch. Then static. A heavy silence fell over the control room. ¡°Pause the simulation!¡± Blackwood barked. ¡°We can¡¯t!¡± Another Spell Lord frantically twisted dials and traced runes into the air. ¡°The system isn¡¯t responding! Something¡¯s overriding our control¡ª¡± ¡°The emergency failsafe,¡± Vex demanded, voice sharp as a knife. ¡°Shut it all down.¡± The Spell Lords scrambled to comply. A sequence of arcane symbols glowed on their control panels. A moment passed¡ªthen another. Nothing happened. ¡°The failsafe isn¡¯t activating.¡± The Spell Lord¡¯s voice was barely above a whisper. ¡°Something is blocking it.¡± Blackwood¡¯s fingers curled into a fist. ¡°Then we have a problem.¡± The static crackled. More indistinct sounds filtered through¡ªrunning footsteps, panicked shouts. A voice, ragged and breathless, shouting, ¡°Fall back! FALL BACK!¡± Blackwood turned to Vex, his voice low and cold. ¡°Get Voss.¡± The Headmaster needed to see this. Because this wasn¡¯t just a glitch in the simulation. This was an invasion. *** Otter stared at his wrisplay, rereading the notification. New Objective: Rescue your fellow students from the Kaosborn. What did that mean? Why were they getting a notification from the System? Something was very wrong. ¡°They¡¯re not supposed to be real,¡± Milo muttered, adjusting his glasses. ¡°The Academy wouldn¡¯t risk something like this, not even for a final exam.¡± Jasper gritted his teeth. ¡°So what is this? Another test?¡± Otter shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t think so. If this was planned, they would have told us.¡± Before anyone else could speak, Alisha stiffened, her vacant expression sharpening into focus. Then, in a voice not her own, she said: ¡°This is Spell Lord Vasha. There has been a glitch in the simulation. Overseer Blackwood has ordered you to return to your starting point as soon as possible for extraction.¡± Silence. ¡°We need to move,¡± Sage said, already adjusting the straps on her pack. Otter turned to Milo. ¡°You should drink one of your mana potions. We might need the extra spells.¡± Milo grimaced but nodded, fishing one from his belt pouch. ¡°Yeah. You¡¯re probably right.¡± He uncorked the vial and downed the shimmering liquid in one gulp, shuddering at the taste. Sage sighed. ¡°Wish I could do the same.¡± ¡°Wait¡ªyou can¡¯t?¡± Erin asked. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Sage shook her head. ¡°Divine mana doesn¡¯t replenish the same way arcane mana does. I have to rest and pray for it to return naturally.¡± ¡°Fantastic,¡± Jasper muttered. They hurried out of the chamber, retracing their steps back the way they¡¯d come. Otter¡¯s heart pounded in his chest¡ªnot just from the urgency of the situation, but from the creeping dread that settled deeper with every step. When they reached the cavern where they had fought the construct, a sound stopped them cold. Screams. The unmistakable clash of steel. The sounds echoed from the passage they had not explored. ¡°Lyle¡¯s team,¡± whispered Erin. For a brief moment, no one moved. Then Otter said, ¡°We have to help them.¡± Jasper groaned. ¡°Do we?¡± Sage shot him a look. ¡°Yes.¡± Jasper grumbled something under his breath, but when Otter took off toward the tunnel, he followed, as did the rest of the team. The passage twisted and turned before opening into another chamber. Otter and the others skidded to a halt as they entered the chamber. Chaos was unfolding before them. Lyle, Torrin, and the rest of his team were locked in desperate combat with five monstrous creatures. Gaunt, flickering things with elongated limbs and glowing red eyes. They seemed to phase in and out of existence, their movements erratic and unnatural. Otter turned to Milo. ¡°Tell me everything you know. Now.¡± Milo¡¯s eyes darted between the creatures. ¡°They¡¯re Rift-Hounds¡ªLevel 2 Kaosborn. They shift between physical and incorporeal states at will, making them nearly impossible to hit. They¡¯re pack hunters, smart enough to coordinate attacks. They¡¯re fast, vicious, and they don¡¯t stop.¡± Jasper cursed. ¡°Great. Any weaknesses?¡± ¡°They have to become solid to attack. Disoriented by bright light.¡± Milo¡¯s voice was urgent, his hands already moving to cast a spell. ¡°If you time it right, you can hit them¡ªbut only then.¡± Otter¡¯s mind raced. That was all they needed to know. ¡°Then let¡¯s move!¡± The team sprinted across the room. Torrin spotted them and shouted, ¡°Help! Help us!¡± Before they could get there, Otter watched as one of the Rift-Hounds turned and lunged for Lyle. Torrin tried to intercept, but he was too slow. The creature¡¯s claws tore across Lyle¡¯s chest, cutting deep. He staggered, gasping, blood spilling down his front. The Rift-Hound pounced again, and this time, it sank its fangs into his throat. Lyle¡¯s body went limp before it hit the ground. Torrin screamed in rage and drove his sword into the Rift-Hound¡¯s side, but the creature flickered and reappeared a few feet away, unscathed. The remaining students fought on, but they were losing ground. One girl was clutching a wounded arm, barely keeping a short sword in her grip. Another boy was limping, his movements slowed. They wouldn¡¯t last much longer. Otter¡¯s team reached them just as one of the Rift-Hounds turned its glowing red eyes on Erin. Sage raised a hand and Heaven¡¯s Touch flared to life. A column of radiant light descended on the beast. It barely had time to react before the searing energy engulfed it. It let out an unearthly screech and stumbled back, shaking itself furiously as its smoky black fur smoldered. Jasper seized the opening. With a roar, he swung his longsword, catching the Rift-Hound across the flank as it stabilized. His blade bit deep, and this time, the creature didn¡¯t flicker away. The Rift-Hound let out a strangled yelp before collapsing into a burst of black mist. ¡°Three left!¡± Erin shouted. Otter¡¯s breath came hard and fast. They had to finish this now. He glanced at Milo. ¡°You got any tricks left?¡± Milo wiped sweat from his brow. ¡°Just one.¡± Otter nodded, gripping his father¡¯s knife tightly. ¡°Then let¡¯s make it count.¡± Despite taking down one of the creatures, the fight was still stacked against them. The Rift-Hounds may have been outnumbered, but they held the real advantage. The remaining Rift-Hounds proved formidable foes, moving with uncanny speed and agility. Each strike from the team was met with swift retaliation as the beasts flickered in and out of visibility. Jasper grunted as a Rift-Hound''s claws found purchase on his side, drawing blood. Erin narrowly avoided a deadly swipe by firing an arrow that missed its mark as the creature vanished. Another lunged for Milo. Too fast. Too close. At the last second, he raised a glowing hand and cast Shield. The magical barrier flared to life, deflecting the Rift-Hound¡¯s snapping jaws. Sage pressed her hands to Jasper¡¯s side, channeling a Cure Minor Wounds¡ªher last 1st-level spell¡ªto slow the bleeding. As they continued to engage the Rift-Hounds, their movements shifted from coordinated strikes to individual skirmishes. The beasts were relentless in their attacks, testing the team''s resolve and strength. Nearby, Torrin and his teammates were losing ground. One of them¡ªthe boy with the limp¡ªwas too slow. A Rift-Hound phased behind him and slammed him into the ground. The impact should have triggered the simulation¡¯s safety measures. It didn¡¯t. The boy let out a ragged gasp, struggling against the weight of the creature. He wasn¡¯t being teleported out. Otter¡¯s stomach turned cold. The simulation safeguards were gone. If they got torn apart in here¡­ they¡¯d actually die. We have to end this. Now. But how? They couldn¡¯t hit what they couldn¡¯t see. Force them to stay solid. Otter¡¯s mind raced. We need to make them all attack at the same time. The Rift-Hounds had been methodical, darting in and out, making probing, calculated attacks. But if they could force them into a pack strike¡ª It was reckless. Really reckless. If this didn''t work, he¡¯d be dead. But if he didn''t do something, they¡¯d all be dead soon anyway. Otter took a deep breath. ¡°Milo¡ªget Light Show ready.¡± Milo blinked. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Just do it! When I give the signal, cast it!¡± Milo hesitated¡ªthen nodded and raised his hands. Magic crackled at his fingertips. Otter turned to the others. ¡°We make them commit. Stop giving them easy targets. Close ranks!¡± Jasper scowled but followed Otter¡¯s lead, stepping closer. The others followed, forming a tight circle. The Rift-Hounds hesitated. Their prey wasn¡¯t acting like prey anymore. They didn¡¯t like it. Otter took a deep breath¡ªthen dropped his knife. Jasper swore. ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± Otter raised his arms. No weapons. No defense. Completely open. Luck¡¯s Whisper: Active The Rift-Hounds noticed. They locked onto him, their muscles coiling. The pack instinct kicked in. Instead of picking off one at a time, they went for the weakest member. All three Rift-Hounds lunged¡ª ¡°Now!¡± Milo threw his hands wide and a burst of searing light exploded from his fingertips. The Rift-Hounds shrieked, their phase abilities failing as the magical light stunned them mid-leap. For one brief, brief moment they were all completely solid. ¡°Hit them now!¡± Otter yelled. Jasper cleaved through one in a single swing. Erin¡¯s arrow found another¡¯s eye. Two of Torrin¡¯s team hacked into a third, and Torrin drove his sword into the last one¡¯s chest. Each Rift-Hound let out a final, unearthly wail¡ªthen burst into black mist. Silence. Otter¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps. Then Jasper barked out a laugh. ¡°You absolute madman.¡± He clapped Otter on the back, nearly knocking him over. ¡°I can¡¯t believe that worked.¡± Otter let out a shaky breath. ¡°Me either.¡± Sage knelt next to Jasper again, checking his wound. ¡°That was reckless.¡± ¡°But effective,¡± Milo murmured, still looking dazed. Erin shook her head, a small grin creeping onto her face. ¡°That Luck of yours is something else.¡± Otter smiled. ¡°It¡¯s my best trait.¡± Torrin, panting, wiped the blood off his sword and gave Otter a long look. Then, reluctantly, he muttered, ¡°I hate to say it, but¡­ good call.¡± Otter raised an eyebrow. ¡°Come again?¡± Torrin rolled his eyes. ¡°Never mind. Let¡¯s get out of here.¡± Otter turned to the rest of the team. ¡°Agreed.¡± With one last glance at Lyle¡¯s fallen body¡ªstill unmoving, still drenched in red¡ªthey pressed on. Chapter 30- Another Rescue They ran. Through the winding corridors of the ancient ruins, back the way they had come, lungs burning, boots pounding against cold stone. Their torches cast erratic shadows against the crumbling walls as they pushed forward, driven by the single goal of reaching extraction. But the ruins had not been kind on the way in¡ªand they weren¡¯t kind now. ¡°Watch your step!¡± Erin called, narrowly avoiding a jagged fissure in the floor. The once-stable ground had begun to shift and crack under the pressure of Kaos energy. Small vibrations trembled through the stone as if the dungeon itself was coming apart. They skidded past the corridor where they¡¯d disabled the magic trap earlier, Sage barely yanking Milo out of the way before he could step on a pressure plate they¡¯d missed before. Jasper, leading the charge, stopped just in time before a slab of rock slid down from above, blocking off a path. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Otter panted. ¡°Kaos,¡± Sage replied. ¡°It¡¯s changing the simulation.¡± ¡°Keep moving,¡± Jasper ordered. They wove through the debris and half-collapsed archways desperate to reach their starting point. Finally, the familiar cavern came into view. The extraction zone. And it was¡­ empty. No shimmering portal. No Overseers waiting to pull them out. They came to a staggering halt. Otter pulled his wrisplay up and checked the screen. His stomach twisted at what he saw. The objective was still active. Rescue your fellow students from the Kaosborn. They weren¡¯t done. Jasper whirled on Torrin. ¡°Have you seen anyone else down here?¡± Torrin, still catching his breath, wiped blood off his forehead and nodded. ¡°Yeah¡ªbefore we ran into the Rift-Hounds. We cut through a different tunnel. There were others ahead of us¡ªwe saw them, but then we had to run. We don¡¯t know what happened to them.¡± Erin looked around. ¡°Where are the Overseers?¡± she asked. ¡°They should be pulling people out.¡± No one had an answer. Jasper clenched his jaw. ¡°That¡¯s it, then. We¡¯re going back.¡± Torrin¡¯s head snapped up. ¡°Are you insane?¡± ¡°Those are other students. Level 1s. Up against Kaosborn. We¡¯re not leaving them here to die. If we fight together, we stand a chance of surviving until the Overseers figure out what¡¯s wrong and fix it.¡± Otter stared at Jasper. He hadn''t seen this side of the fighter before. It was noble. Heroic even. He just hoped it didn''t get them all killed. ¡°We¡¯re not leaving anyone behind,¡± Sage said firmly. Torrin ran a hand through his hair, looking like he wanted to argue. His team¡ªthose still conscious¡ªwere in no shape to go anywhere. One boy sat against the wall, barely able to hold himself upright. ¡°Fine,¡± Torrin muttered. ¡°You wanna play heroes? Be my guest.¡± ¡°Stay here,¡± Erin told him. ¡°Keep your heads down. When help comes, tell them where we are.¡± But as they turned back toward the depths of the ruins, Otter wasn''t certain that help would come. They moved fast. Back through the dim corridors, past broken pillars and fractured stone, to the cavern where they had fought the Rift-Hounds. The battle site was a mess. Deep claw marks gouged the floor, blood stains marred the ground. The scent of burnt ozone still clung to the air from Milo¡¯s Light Show spell. Jasper barely spared the wreckage a glance. ¡°Find the trail.¡± Erin crouched near Lyle¡¯s body. Her sharp eyes flicked over scattered footprints, deep scrapes along the ground, and signs of struggle. She moved toward the tunnel exiting the room and reached out, running her fingers over a jagged groove carved into the stone. ¡°Rift-Hound tracks,¡± she confirmed. ¡°A lot of them.¡± Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. The team fell silent. Erin moved ahead, tracking with precision, the group following at her heels. She led them through a jagged tunnel, past more signs of battle¡ªscorch marks on the walls, broken arrows snapped in half. Otter¡¯s stomach twisted. There were more of those things around. They could be in another fight for their lives at any moment. Then, abruptly, Erin stopped. ¡°¡­I lost them.¡± Everyone halted. ¡°What?¡± Jasper asked sharply. Erin¡¯s eyes darted across the floor. The Rift-Hound tracks continued forward, gouging deep into the stone¡ªbut the human footprints had vanished. ¡°There were signs of people earlier,¡± she muttered, stepping in a slow circle, scanning for anything out of place. ¡°They should be here. The Rift-Hounds didn¡¯t just¡­ stop chasing them.¡± Otter frowned. ¡°Maybe they¡ª¡± ¡°Shh.¡± Erin lifted a hand, her expression tightening. ¡°Give me a second.¡± They hadn¡¯t passed any other tunnels branching off. So either Erin was wrong, or¡­ She doubled back, moving carefully, scanning every inch of the tunnel. Sage ran a hand along the walls, looking for any indication of where the missing students might have veered off. Milo flicked a finger, muttering a spell, his eyes glowing faintly as he searched for latent traces of magic. Nothing. They had disappeared. Jasper looked back the way they had come, his grip tightening on his sword. ¡°Where the hell did they go?¡± Otter stilled. Something in the back of his mind shifted. Not words, exactly. Not a voice, per se. Just¡­a whisper. Luck¡¯s Whisper: Active He turned his head, his eyes drifting over the dark stone walls. Something was here. Something hidden. His fingers itched with the same familiar sensation that had led him to the Lost Paths book. He took a step toward the wall. ¡°What is it?¡± Sage asked. Otter lifted a hand and pressed his palm against the stone. At first, nothing happened. Then he heard a faint sound. Barely audible. Something shifted behind the wall. Otter¡¯s pulse kicked up. ¡°There¡¯s something back here.¡± Jasper was already at his side, gripping the hilt of his blade. ¡°A secret passage?¡± Otter ran his fingers along the surface, feeling for seams. Sage joined him, pressing lightly against different sections of the wall. Then Milo snapped his fingers. ¡°Look.¡± Near the base of the wall, dust had been disturbed¡ªlike someone had passed through recently. Otter pushed against the stone again, testing different areas, until¡ª Click. A section of the wall lurched outward. A hidden door. As it slid open, revealing a darkened alcove, several wide-eyed faces stared back at them. Four students huddled in the small chamber, breathing heavily, covered in dirt and bruises. Otter exhaled. ¡°Found them.¡± ¡°Thank the gods,¡± said Erin. One of the students, a wiry boy with short black hair, blinked at them. ¡°You¡¯re not Kaosborn.¡± Jasper snorted. ¡°You don¡¯t say.¡± Sage knelt down, scanning them for injuries. ¡°Any wounds? Anything serious?¡± A tall girl with braided hair shook her head. ¡°No. We heard them coming and ran. We found this little alcove before and, well¡­¡± She gestured at the small space. ¡°Figured hiding was our best bet.¡± Otter nodded. ¡°Good thinking.¡± If they¡¯d tried to fight, they might have ended up like Lyle. Milo glanced over his shoulder, ears strained for any sound of movement. ¡°We need to get moving. The Rift-Hounds might still be out there.¡± Jasper rolled his shoulders. ¡°Then let¡¯s move.¡± They gathered quickly, ushering the rescued students into formation before retracing their steps back to the extraction point. The journey back was tense. Every footstep echoed against the stone, every shadow seemed to stretch a little too long. They passed the remnants of the battle¡ªthe broken construct, the bloodstains from Lyle¡¯s fight. No one spoke. When they finally arrived at the extraction point, Torrin and his remaining teammates stood waiting. The moment they saw them, relief flooded their faces. ¡°You actually found them,¡± Torrin muttered. He sounded surprised. Jasper shot him a glare. ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Any word from the Overseers?¡± asked Sage. Heads shook all around. ¡°What¡¯s taking them so long?¡± Erin huffed. ¡°We¡¯ve seen signs that the simulation is being corrupted by Kaos. If that is the case, it is likely that many of the controls and safeguards have also been corrupted. Unless and until the source of the corruption is found and removed, there may be nothing that can be done. We¡¯ll just have to wait.¡± Otter felt a sinking sensation. They were stuck and on their own. Rift-Hounds were on the loose. Yeah, his Luck was performing spectacularly at the moment. He didn¡¯t have long to dwell on it, however, because at that moment, his wrisplay started buzzing again. New Objective: Defeat the Kaosborn. Then, the ground shook. A deep, guttural roar echoed through the cavern. Every head snapped up. From the far tunnel¡ªa shadow moved. Something massive. Something wrong. It stepped forward into the glow of their torches and Otter¡¯s blood froze. The approaching monster was no Rift-Hound. This thing was bigger. Towering over them, its form twisted and warped, jagged bone protruding from its shoulders, eyes glowing with sickly violet light. Its skin rippled, constantly shifting, like reality itself was struggling to contain it. Milo choked. ¡°That¡¯s¡ªthat¡¯s not level two. That¡¯s a level 6 Kaosborn.¡± ¡°Anything else?¡± Otter asked sharply. ¡°No. It just says Level 6 Kaosheart. I think it may be what¡¯s causing all the problems. I think we have to kill it. ¡°Oh fu¡ª¡± Otter¡¯s words were drowned out by the next roar as the monstrosity lumbered them. Chapter 31- The Kaosheart There was no time to think. Their months of training kicked in. ¡°Fighters, with me!¡± bellowed Jasper. ¡°Hit it with every ranged attack you have.¡± Otter pulled his knife and ran to Jasper¡¯s side. ¡°Not you, Otter. Not this time. If that thing sneezes on you, you¡¯re dead. Stay here and think of a way to use that Luck of yours.¡± And then Jasper, Torrin, and three others wielding swords were sprinting toward the giant. Otter fell back as Erin nocked an arrow and let fly. Both Sage and Milo began casting spells. Several other students also pulled out bows and began to fire. Three arrows skidded harmlessly off the monster¡¯s plated hide, but one found its mark. Sage finished her spell and holy flames sprung up around the creature¡¯s legs. It let out a guttural roar of pain. ¡°Nice work, Sage!¡± Otter cried. ¡°I don¡¯t think it likes that.¡± Milo¡¯s spell was much less flashy. In fact, Otter saw no outward signs of its effect except the monster paused in its steady march toward them and shook its head. Then the fighters were on it, swarming around its spiky legs, chopping and stabbing. Most of their blades clanged harmlessly off its armor, but Jasper and the tall girl with braids from the group they¡¯d just rescued managed to find a weak spot, their swords trailing a black, wispy ichor. The Kaosborn halted its plodding charge and swatted at the girl who had just injured it. Its long, serrated claws parted armor and flesh alike. The fighter screamed, and was tossed lifelessly to the floor. Otter screamed. Yet another death he couldn¡¯t prevent. More arrows streaked toward the beast¡ªone sinking deep into its mouth when it roared. Sage cast Heaven¡¯s Touch again, immolating the creature. Her spells seemed to have the most affect. ¡°Fight defensively!¡± Otter called. ¡°Stay out of its way! Let the casters do the damage!¡± Why hadn¡¯t he realized that before? Stupid. Jasper nodded almost imperceptibly, but Otter saw a shift in his stance. Milo cast Mind Spike again. The Koasborn roared in psychic pain and dropped to a knee. The fighters danced around it, lunging and feinting, but their attacks did no damage. Their primary purpose was to keep the beast occupied and avoid getting themselves killed in the process. Torrin barely escaped being skewered as the Kaosheart swiped at him before deciding the magic users were the bigger threat and lumbered toward them, ignoring the fighters. ¡°Dammit,¡± Otter swore, trying to think of something he could do to buy them more time. He looked around the room frantically, searching for some advantage. He found nothing. He just had to hope some of his luck would rub off on the others. More arrows flew as the archers in the group backpedaled to keep their distance. This time, none of them got through the shifting black plates. Sage was in the middle of calling Heaven¡¯s Touch yet again, but the creature was too close and she lost concentration, fumbling her spell at the last second. In its rage, the creature shrugged off Milo¡¯s next spell, closing to melee range. Unless something changed quickly, one of the spellcasters was about to die. Seeing their predicament, Jasper hurled himself at the beast, climbing up its leg to strike at a more vulnerable area. His blade could not penetrate the monster¡¯s thick hide. It did, however, grab the thing¡¯s attention. It reached back, plucking Jasper from its rump, and hurled him into the wall. Jasper crumpled into a broken heap on the floor. He didn''t stand back up. He didn''t move at all. ¡°No!¡± screamed Otter. Finally, Sage regained her sense and cast her spell again. When she did, the whole room lit up with a golden glow as Divine flames consumed the shadowy Koasborn. It roared in defiance, but its flesh burned away before the radiant power, dissipating into nothingness. When the flames vanished, the creature was gone. The chamber went quiet. Only the sounds of ragged breathing could be heard. ¡°Jasper!¡± Otter shouted. But Sage was already on the move, kneeling over Jasper¡¯s body. With a touch, she cast Stabilize. Otter couldn''t tell if he was alive or dead, but Sage gave him a nod. ¡°He will live.¡± The other fighter that had fallen wasn''t so lucky. That made three students who had died today in what was supposed to be a simple, harmless simulation. Otter couldn¡¯t begin to imagine what had gone wrong or how Kaos had taken over, but he was certain the administrators were going crazy trying to figure it out. Otter¡¯s wrisplay buzzed. Objective(s) Complete: He breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the attack was over. A deep rumbling vibration coursed through the walls. The air shimmered. A flickering light¡ªlike the shifting patterns of the simulation¡¯s illusionary magic¡ªsputtered to life around them. The underground ruins, once corrupted by Kaos, began to reassert themselves as part of the Academy¡¯s domain. The cracks and fissures in the walls and floors disappeared, smoothing over, appearing as they had when the simulation began. Erin let out a long breath. ¡°Thank the gods.¡± A sharp pulse of energy filled the cavern. Otter barely had time to process the familiar tingling sensation before the world twisted around him. The cavern blurred, light bending and warping. Then, with a sudden jolt¡ªthe ground was gone. A heartbeat later, Otter and the others reappeared in the underground complex beneath Ironside Keep, standing in a massive chamber filled with Spell Lords, Overseers, and other students. Gasps erupted from the gathered faculty. A dozen figures rushed toward them. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Otter barely had time to register it before his knees buckled. *** Blackwood and several other Overseers stood watching as the students were retrieved from the simulation. The last few minutes had been the most harrowing of his entire career. He was responsible for each one of those students. His job was to keep them safe. When he had realized the extent of the corruption in the simulation, he had immediately notified the Headmaster. But there was little he could do either. Nothing they attempted to regain control of the simulation had worked. They were utterly and completely locked out. Except for a few Spell Lords still connected to their illusions, they had no way to contact the students, no way to give them instructions. All they could do was stand idly by and listen to the sounds of battle. Then, suddenly, whatever was interfering with their control vanished. It only took them seconds to re-establish visuals and realize all the students still stuck in the simulation had gathered at Otter¡¯s team¡¯s extraction point. And even less time to teleport them back. They had been prepared for the students¡¯ arrival, with several high level Divine Conduits ready to administer healing, but none of them looked relieved. ¡°Damage report?¡± Blackwood asked, eyes locked on the returning students. Overseer Kane consulted his records. ¡°Thirty-two students entered the simulation. Twenty-nine returned.¡± A heavy pause. Blackwood¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°The three missing?¡± ¡°Lyle Ainsworth. Edris Morran. Elise Fortran.¡± A hush fell over the room. Even though the Overseers had been powerless to stop it from happening, they were responsible. The Academy had lost three students. Vex let out a sharp breath, folding his arms. ¡°We need answers. Immediately.¡± *** Otter barely felt the healer¡¯s hands on him, checking for injuries. His body ached from exhaustion, but he was in one piece. Unlike some of the others. Unlike Lyle. The reality of everything that had happened still felt surreal, but his thoughts were sharp. His mind raced, fitting the pieces together, trying to make sense of it all. Blackwood approached, his boots clicking against the stone floor. ¡°Bennett.¡± His tone was unreadable, but his eyes were sharp, dissecting. Otter forced himself to stand straighter. ¡°Sir.¡± ¡°What happened in there?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, sir.¡± ¡°We lost visuals as soon as the Kaosborn arrived. Tell me everything that happened from that moment forward.¡± Otter did. Silas remained stone-faced for most of his explanation, but Otter saw him frown at the mention of the Kaosheart. He also nodded several times, as if approving of the decisions they made to help the others. When Otter finished his story, Silas looked off into the distance, pondering his words. ¡°You did well. Without all of you working together, I think we¡¯d have a lot more families to contact.¡± ¡°How did this happen, sir?¡± Otter asked. Blackwood¡¯s eyes turned back to him. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But rest assured, we will find out.¡± He turned his attention to the other Overseers. ¡°¡°Double security on all restricted archives relating to Kaos incursion theories,¡± he ordered. ¡°I want a full report on every anomaly detected before and during the event. And I want every student who participated in that simulation debriefed personally.¡± *** Otter, Erin, Sage, and Milo sat in a waiting area. Jasper had been taken to the infirmary where he could receive better medical attention. The Kaosheart had really messed him up. It was only because of Sage¡¯s quick intervention he had even survived. The other survivors were placed in different areas to rest before the debriefing as well. For a long time, no one spoke. It was Otter that finally broke the silence. ¡°You really worked a miracle in there, Sage.¡± The Divine Conduit bowed her head. ¡°It wasn''t me. It was Elarion working through me. That creature was the antithesis of all that Elarion stands for. It was they that burned it from this plane of existence.¡± ¡°Still. I don¡¯t think we would have killed that thing if you weren''t there.¡± Sage smiled softly, but said nothing. After another awkward pause, Erin spoke up. ¡°So¡­did anyone else level up after that fight?¡± Otter¡¯s head snapped up. ¡°I was wondering the same thing,¡± said Milo. ¡°You guys hit level 2 already?¡± Otter asked. They all nodded. Even Sage. Otter¡¯s face fell, his expression darkening as he began mumbling under his breath. Erin put a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Still nothing?¡± Otter shook his head. ¡°That doesn''t matter. Not anymore.¡± There was a determined look in Erin¡¯s eyes. ¡°You saved us, Otter. Those Rift-Hounds would have torn us apart if not for you. When people find out what you did in there, no one¡¯s going to care if you have a Class or not. You¡¯ll be a hero.¡± Otter didn''t really believe her. Sure, he¡¯d proven that he was just as capable as any first level adventurer, but apparently The System still didn''t recognize his worth. He fell into a sullen silence, first from his growing frustration, then from guilt when he realized that even with a Class, three of his fellow students hadn''t survived. When it was finally Otter¡¯s turn for his official debriefing, he stepped into the room, shoulders squared despite the weight of exhaustion. The chamber was dimly lit, lined with heavy bookshelves and filled with a long table, where several Overseers and instructors sat. Headmaster Voss stood at the head of the table, his sharp gaze locked onto Otter the moment he entered. To his right sat Master Horvan, arms crossed. Overseer Blackwood was to his left, expression unreadable. Other faculty members lingered in the background, murmuring amongst themselves. A single scribe sat at the far end, quill poised over parchment, ready to record every word. ¡°State your name,¡± the scribe instructed. Otter swallowed. ¡°Otter¡­er¡­Dwayne Bennett.¡± ¡°Tell us exactly what happened¡ªeverything from the moment you entered the simulation to the moment you were extracted.¡± Otter took a deep breath and recounted their journey through the ruins, sparing no details. He explained the traps, the missing expedition, the fight with the Rift-Hounds, and the rescue of the other students. He hesitated when he got to the part about Lyle. ¡°He¡­ didn¡¯t make it,¡± Otter said quietly. Blackwood¡¯s gaze remained unreadable, but Master Horvan let out a slow breath. ¡°Continue.¡± When Otter reached the battle with the Kaosheart, his voice grew tighter. He described the teamwork¡ªJasper rallying the fighters, Sage¡¯s divine magic, Milo¡¯s Mind Spike distracting the beast. ¡°We lost... I don¡¯t know her name. We never got the chance to talk.¡± Otter finished. He swallowed against the lump in his throat. ¡°We did everything we could.¡± There was a long silence. The quill scratched against parchment, recording every word. Then Blackwood spoke. ¡°Did you encounter anyone else?¡± Otter frowned. ¡°Just Alisha. But she was part of the simulation¡¯s narrative, right?¡± Blackwood¡¯s fingers tapped against the table. ¡°Yes. She was controlled by one of the Spell Lords. He¡¯s the one that instructed you to go to your entry point for extraction.¡± Finally, Vex spoke for the first time. ¡°Tell us again about this Luck¡¯s Whisper ability of yours.¡± Otter hesitated. ¡°I don¡¯t really know much about it. The System has never explained what it is or how it works, but I¡¯ve got some theories.¡± ¡°By all means, regale us.¡± ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s connected to my Luck stat. Whenever I get the notification, something Lucky happens. Or at least, I see an opportunity I can take advantage of.¡± ¡°Such as?¡± Blackwood prompted. Otter thought back to the times he¡¯d received the notification. There were some instances he didn''t want to share. ¡°Well, the first time I saw it was in Brighthaven. I was racing this kid and¡­well, it kept me from getting puked on.¡± No one looked impressed, so he went on. ¡°Then here on campus, when Ly¡­ when a couple of boys wanted to start a fight, I saw it again just before one of the lanterns in the commons exploded, giving me a chance to run away.¡± That raised some eyebrows. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of someone without a Class having a special ability,¡± said Overseer Kane. ¡°That¡¯s what this is, right?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not unprecedented,¡± said Blackwood. ¡°But it is very unusual.¡± ¡°And you saw this notification during the simulation?¡± asked Vex. Otter nodded. ¡°That¡¯s how I found the secret passage leading around the trap.¡± The scribe continued to write, but the others fell silent, only casting curious glances at each other. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Bennett,¡± Headmaster Voss finally said. ¡°You have been very helpful and forthcoming. You are dismissed.¡± Though no more words were exchanged, Otter saw several dark looks on the faces of the Overseers as he left the room. It didn''t leave him feeling warm and fuzzy inside.