Loopbreaker Chapter 51

The dining hall was loud and chaotic as n and the occasional group of won ate dinner.

Francis had simply followed the crowd when the bell sounded, chuckling to himself when Derrek hadn’t appeared like the rest.

God, that felt so good…

Multiple stations with a variety of food were set up. Having simply copied the rest, Francis had two plates filled with different ats, vegetables, fruits, and bread.

He found a table off away from most of the others and sat down, content to consu the food before him.

Halfway through, a figure he had assud would show up approached. Next to it was one he would have bet money on being with it.

While Derrek was well built and carried himself with all the patience of a bull surrounded by heifers, Aiden was the pinnacle of calm grace. His stride matched his taller, lean fra. Two blue eyes were set on Francis as Derrek and Aiden approached. Other students scrambled out of the way of the pair as quickly as possible.

Choosing not to stand, Francis waited, noticing the sound in the dining hall getting quieter the closer they got.

I swear I don’t need another pecker-wagging contest…

Unlike Derrek, Aiden had barely involved himself with any of the Lancaster children. Being heir to the family, Aiden had other things to worry about. Once, Francis’ oldest brother had told him he was nothing but a bug. If anyone here understood tact, it was his oldest brother. But Francis also knew the dark side Aiden kept hidden. Multiple boys had died to his blade. While Derrek would co at you, Aiden would set you up and then cut you down, all under the protection of the law.

“Francis.”

“Aiden.”

Hearing his na from a pair of lips he was certain had said it maybe five tis in his life felt funny.

“I take it the rumors are true?” Aiden asked, frowning.

“I’m not sure which one you’re referring to. But if it's the one where Derrek threw up all over himself in the hall, then yes, that one is.”

“You little–” Derrek started.

A hand stopped the charging bull, and whatever glance the two of them shared, Derrek backed down instantly, though he didn’t hide how his body shook at whatever feelings he was suppressing.

Aiden sighed and pitched the ridge of his nose. “No… that story will sully our family na. What I’m asking about is the rumor that General Stenson himself has backed you and that is why you are here.”

“It’s true,” Francis replied, smiling.

His brother’s lips tightened montarily, those icy eyes studying him. Francis was certain that if soone dropped a silver mark, it would sound like a thunderclap with how silent the room was. His older brother leaned against the opposite side of the table.

“And why would the General do that?”

“Because so people don’t care about birth order? Perhaps he saw sothing in ? Or maybe it’s because I have dangerous secrets he doesn’t want to be exposed. Regardless, it’s true. Why does it matter?”

A few chuckles ca from those around them, and his oldest brother gave the closest ones a look that silenced them.

“You…,” Aiden started, pausing before leaning closer, “do you have any idea what being here has done to our family na?”

“I don’t give a pile of steaming crap about our family na,” Francis replied, pushing his chair back and standing. “The family hasn’t done right by or Michael. So, if you're here to ask to leave or anything else, forget it. I’m not leaving until I’m ready to.”

He could feel Aiden's controlled rage as his brother stared at him, both of them locked in a battle of wills.

“That is… unfortunate. You do realize that many here suffer horrible injuries.”

“I do, which is why I told Derrek if he screws with ever again, I’m going to break his jaw.”

Laughter erupted from one table, and even when his oldest brother glared at them, the six n at the table, all similar in age to Aiden, didn’t back down.

“We’re going to talk. Just you and . Know that,” Aiden said.

“I’m not hiding.”

Fingers drumd against the table before his oldest brother turned and started to walk away.

“What? That’s it? I–” Derrek roared.

Aiden grabbed Derrek’s shoulder and pulled him close to whisper sothing that cut off whatever complaint was being raised.

Noise imdiately rose in the room as the pair walked away.

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About ten seconds later, a short but squat young man stood where Francis’ brother had been, tray of half-eaten food in hand.

“Can I join you?”

Sighing, Francis nodded and sat down on his chair.

“I’m Tharen. Welco to your first day at the Spires. If I’m honest, you’ve done way better than most on their first day.”

“Thanks, I think,” Francis replied, studying the dark-haired man across from him.

He was easily about three inches shorter than Francis, but his arms were about as wide as Francis’s legs, and those shoulders had mountains growing on them.

“I can tell you’re checking out. Everyone does,” Tharen said, flexing his arm. “What can I say, I like the physical side of things. Spend a lot of ti moving heavy stuff and eating everything in sight and you can look like in a few years.”

Francis scoffed and shook his head. “Do you really believe we have a few years? I an, there’s a war out there and if sothing doesn’t change, the kingdom will fall.”

Tharen frowned and shook his head slowly. “I… I don’t think that’s true. The King will either win or retreat here. Even if the enemy reaches the capital, we’ll be fine. Ain’t nothing going to breach the Ringwall. Trust .”

Francis set down the piece of bread he had been ready to eat and tried to absorb what he had just heard.

“You really don’t think it’s that bad? Do you have any idea how many people have died in the last year? Six months tops, and then the army will fall. If our enemies surround the capital, how will you support all the people here? What will you do for food? Clean water? I an, what about those outside Caereenal? What happens to them?”

“The advisors and teachers say it’s not that bad. What makes you think you're right?”

“Because I was there!” Francis shouted, banging a fist on the table.

People looked in their direction, and he realized he had been louder than he’d intended.

“Listen, I’ve watched the soldiers die. I’ve seen the beasts we fight. Do you have any idea what they can do to a soldier?”

“I call bull,” Tharen replied, leaning back in his chair and giving him the stink eye. “Aint no way it's that bad--the instructors say it isn’t. You’re telling that everyone here is lying?”

Francis was about to open his mouth and then stopped. A tingling sensation washed over him; across the giant dining room, he saw soone he hadn’t expected to see again for so ti. Kaelith appeared to be frowning, eyes locked on him.

“All I can say is I’m here to get stronger,” Francis stated. “The size of one’s arms isn’t the only way to asure power.”

Blowing a raspberry, the stocky man stood and grabbed his tray. “All you Lancasters are alike. Crazy.”

Watching the man return to the table from which he had co, Francis ignored the looks and stares he received from others. No one else approached his table, and that suited him just fine.

***

“It appears we have a new student in our class,” the instructor said, nodding to Francis. “Welco to Basic Fighting Techniques. I’m Captain Lucan, and what I say goes. Do you understand?”

Francis nodded and a few chuckles ca from the other students. All of them, except Francis, were already wearing armor.

Gods, Derrek is an arse… of course he wouldn’t tell to co dressed.

“We’re going to pair up and spar with shields.”

About a third of the fifty students gathered groaned and the Captain shrugged.

“I know… It’s not flashy but today we’re focusing on using a shield correctly. I’m going to be occasionally swapping out with your partner. Today, I want you to try and focus on getting the ability you want. Rember, it takes hours upon hours of intense concentration and fighting to unlock them and most of you, if you’re lucky, will have one by next year. Those who are truly gifted will have two by graduation.”

Two in ten years? Just how hard is it to get skills? And what’s the crap about thinking about the skill you want?

“I’ll pair you off. No trading till I say--stop switching spots, you fools.”

So chuckles ca from a few in line who were moving every other person away from each other.

As the instructor moved down the line, Francis tried to think about his acquired skills and how he’d gotten them.

I suppose I took this approach for Strong Bones… Sa with Brawling. I an, after I knew it was possible and there had to be so--

“Two!” the captain shouted, breaking his train of thought.

Blinking, Francis nodded.

“You'd best get dressed instead of standing here, Mr. Lancaster. Trust when I say the armor helps when you get struck, and you’ll want all the help you can have.”

“Uh yes, sir!”

Unsure if the man's knowledge of his na was good or bad, Francis dropped his backpack to the ground and started pulling out the padded armor, quickly getting ready.

***

“Go!”

A loud gong sounded and twenty-five pairs of students started attacking each other in the ten-by-ten squares they had been placed in.

His opponent wasn’t charging as so did; instead, the older teen was holding his ground, shield and sword at the ready.

“Truburn! No skill cos from standing still!”

As the captain’s voice rang out over the fighting nearby, Francis’ opponent moved forward, weapon slashing in a low-to-high attack before thrusting out with his shield.

Francis parried and blocked, letting himself get pushed backwards a little to minimize the force and get a feel for his opponent. Attacks ca in combinations Francis had seen Kels use a few tis in his early training.

Truburn or whatever the boy's na was didn’t use his hips as much as Francis had expected, but the attacks ca with fervor. Even better was how often a kick or shield strike ca.

“Lancaster! Stop taking it easy on him! Do sothing!”

Not wanting to get on the instructor’s bad side, Francis obeyed the captain’s orders and attacked. He knew he was far stronger and faster, and without making it look too bad, he had the young man on his back, the tip of his sword to the boy's chest in a dozen or so strikes.

“I yield!”

Nodding, Francis sheathed his sword and held out a hand.

“You… don’t belong here,” Truburn said.

“What do you an?” Francis asked.

“The Captain is right. You were toying with . For a mont, I thought I could hit you or overpower you, and then I realized that you were not even trying. Just how good are you?”

“You going to tell your skills and their levels first?” Francis asked.

His opponent winced. “Sorry… I got a little carried away. Nas Truburn.”

“Francis.”

“Yeah… we all know. Seems all you white-haired ones are freaks of nature. I an… did you really make your brother puke from a single punch?”

Chuckling, Francis nodded.

“What in the world are you two doing?” the captain called out. “You’re here to train, not to kiss and tell stories!”

Francis spun and found the instructor glaring at him.

“Draw your sword, Lancaster. Let see what the General sent .”

The Captain whistled and a gong sounded.

“Back up! We’ll use nine squares for this. You all pay attention, and soone get two healers over here now!”

Francis wanted to smile, but he knew that whatever happened, a beating was likely about to ensue. He stretched his shoulders, keeping his eyes on the instructor and moving to where the Captain now stood.

“Rules are simple. Hit and don’t bleed too much,” Lucan said. “I’m going to test you and push you--most likely punish you as well. If you've got a skill, use it. Don’t go for my neck, head, or heart and I won’t go for yours. Got it?”

Nodding, Francis set his feet, wondering what kind of fighter the Captain was.

“Begin!” the man shouted.