“Ugh, co on!” Mark sat up from where he was lying on the couch. “Seeing how strong Sam is this morning and how much of a difference he can make gets pumped! We’ve been waiting forever to go into a Rift, dude. We’ve only got tomorrow and Sunday before the Teams Event starts.”
Alex released his main focus from cycling his mana but left his secondary focus on his mana-shaping practice. It was helpful to shift quickly between making the basic shapes of the ritual circles and practicing making the shapes smaller and faster. He could keep up the process for so ti, and at the end of each session, he felt a slight difference.
“I know, I’m sorry. We’ve waited long enough… I really just wanted to try and get us into a higher Rarity Rift so I wasted so ti with that last week. I just thought we could do training before that, so you guys were more prepared than I was. I really rushed into things.”
“I get that, and I don’t think Sarah is in the sa kind of rush as to get in there. But man, I want to see the inside of more Rifts. I want to explore and see what classes I get. If we train any more out here, it feels like we’re just stalling. I’m surprised you’re not a bit more excited about this, and you’re being so cautious.”
“I think I was just too excited and not cautious enough about this stuff last year. Besides keeping a secret from you guys, my second biggest regret was rushing into all of those early Rifts. I wasn’t prepared and, looking back, I’m lucky to be alive. I shouldn’t have been trying to go at it alone and getting caught in that Rift sucked, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it ho. I don’t want any of you guys to have to experience sothing like that.” Alex touched the edge of the scar on his cheek under his left eye. “I think caution is the best approach.”
“Shit…” Mark’s shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry, dude. I didn’t an-”
“No, it’s really okay. You’re right. You guys are already so much more trained and prepared than I was. Plus, we can work as a team rather than just rushing in like an idiot by myself. I’m surprised we haven’t gotten accepted into any of the Common Rarity Rifts yet; I’ll give Elana a call. At the very least, we should be able to get in there and get you so more experience and levels while waiting for a slot in one of the better Rifts.”
“Yes! Nice- okay, sweet. Sam, you want to spar so?”
The teen looked up from where he sat on the couch, with his knees pulled up and a Basic Rune Manual in his lap. His face scrunched up. “No, you just laugh at while blocking.”
“Oh, co on. I didn’t an anything by it!”
Sam shook his head again before returning to his book.
I can’t tell if he’s actually interested in runes or if he’s just wanting to read it because I was. Is this what it’s like to have a little brother?
“Alright, alright,” Mark said while holding up his hands. "I’m going to work on gaining my new skill."
Alex and Sam groaned loudly at the sa ti. “It’s not going to work!”
Mark waved over his shoulder as he walked from the living room toward the indoor gym. “Yes, it will. If Gabby can gain a skill for chopping food by just focusing on her intent to gain a skill, then I can gain one like this, too!”
Alex deadpanned and looked at Sam before rolling his eyes.
“I think I just need to let him loose in a Rift. As long as it’s a low-level Rift, there’s almost nothing I can’t protect him from. Do you mind coming too? You probably won’t get too much out of it, but it would make feel better to know he could get healing if it’s needed.”
“Duh,” Sam said. “I wanted to talk to you, though.”
“Okay?” Alex asked, giving Sam his attention.
“Well, um, I have really liked helping at the hospital. I know I was sort of just doing it while you were there, and then we went back so my parents could see what I was capable of...”
“Alright, what did you have in mind? You can do whatever you want with your skills, Sam. We just need to make sure that you stay safe.”
Sam shrugged and began speaking in a rush, looking suddenly awkward. “I don’t know. Um, well, I heard on the news that a lot of people have been moving into the Safe Zones. So of them co in hurt or sick… I thought maybe I could keep trying to help? It sounds like they could really use it.”
Alex smiled. “That sounds like a great idea. Why do you seem embarrassed by that, dude?”
“I don’t know. I just want to help so if I can.”
“Okay,” Alex laughed. “Well, this seems like a great idea- again, my only real concern is keeping you safe. While healing isn’t unheard of, it does seem to be really rare, and there are lots of people who want or need healing. Let’s just spend a bit of ti thinking about how to make sure you’re not running into any problems. But, what else do you need from ? Do you want to borrow my car or see if Edwin will drive you into the Safe Zone a few tis a week?”
Several other thoughts popped into Alex’s head. “Wait, do you have a driver’s license?”
“Uh, I do. I got it a few weeks before everything happened with the Rift. But I don’t have a car.”
Alex gave a short laugh. “We should talk with your parents, but you can buy yourself a car, Sam. You have a lot of money to your na now.”
“I do?”
Alex raised an eyebrow, “Well, yeah. After the Rift sale, you have a lot of money in your na. Edwin’s been managing both of our accounts.”
“Really? That was your money, though. I really don’t have anything that I need, and I wouldn’t have gotten out of the Rift without you.”
“Eh, I don’t want to hear that. I wouldn’t have gotten out without you and your healing, either. Also, Sam, there are definitely going to be things that you want to buy. You could purchase supplies or skills for healing. You could help support your parents. As you get older, you’re going to realize more and more how much of a difference money can make.”
Sam nodded and seed to chew on the idea for a minute.
“Look, there’s sothing else I want to talk to you about while we’re on this topic. In my mind, you’re still a teenager, but definitely an adult. You’ve lived through 18 years of life, which should make you legally an adult, and you’re a whole lot more mature than so other 18-year-olds I’ve t. I’m going to just keep operating and trying to make decisions for you, to help you. But I don’t want you to feel like I’m controlling you. Alright? All you need to do is speak up if you don’t like the way I’m doing sothing or if you feel like you’re not getting to do what you want.”
“What do you an?”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not ant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Well, for example. I want to pretty much have soone with you at all tis in the Safe Zone. Even if you do get your own car, it would make feel a lot better if we got soone to drive with you or hang out with you while you work at the hospital. It would be even better if they’re Awakened and have so ability to protect you.” Alex hesitated for a mont before saying the obvious fact. “The thing is, I think you and I both want to avoid anything remotely similar to Tianluo happening again. Healers are valuable, and I can see many people making offers to you in the future for your services. It’s not likely that you’ll be willing or able to help them all. That’s going to likely upset so people… and with people getting powers, I have a feeling it’s not going to be a simple situation.”
Sam nodded, understanding the gravity of what he was saying. “I get that. I will do anything to avoid that happening again… it just- it feels like a waste to not help where I can. I can do so much for people, and I’ve always wanted to be able to help others. I trust you and I think it would make feel better to have soone else there with .”
“Alright, well, good. Just keep up that communication, and let know if I’m acting overprotective. For now, though, let’s talk to your parents about getting you a car, and I’ll see if I can’t get Edwin to begin looking for soone to drive you.”
“Yeah, that would be great.”
“Well, that’s easy! See, no sweat. It could even be a good ti for you to et up with your parents while you’re in the Safe Zone. I’m sure they’d love the attention. I still think your mom is taking this whole thing pretty hard.”
Sam nodded slowly and chewed on the inside of his lip as he thought about it. “Yeah, I think that’s best. I do miss them. She’s just…” he let out so air.
“Yeah, don’t worry about it. She’s just happy to have you back; I’m sure that as ti passes, she will loosen her grip and let you have more space to breathe.”
“There was sothing else. I have been level 29 for so ti now. I think that if I go and spend a few days healing, I think I’ll get my class advancent.”
Alex’s face ford into a big 'O.' “…and you’re worried you don’t know what to pick?” Sam nodded in response, and Alex thought about it for a few minutes. “Well, if you want to share your options with when they co up, I can give you my thoughts, but the decision should be yours.”
Sam nodded again, and Alex called out for Edwin.
“Yes, Master Moore?”
“Edwin, would you and Sam look more into how class advancent works? He and I both know a bit, but I saw that was one category you looked into extensively. I can link up with you both tomorrow morning, and we can go over how everything works so Sam is ready, and I’ll need information in a few levels as well.”
“Of course, sir. I’d be happy to assist Mr. Grant. Would you like to call Ms. Voss first?”
Alex raised an eyebrow at the man’s use of his trait. “No, thank you. I’ll give her a call and see if I can’t get Mark set up to enter a Rift tomorrow. I’ll also try to text Sarah and Olivia and see if they want to co.”
Sam closed the book and smiled at the butler, who led him up to Alex’s office.
Alone in the living room, Alex looked around and let out a contented sigh. He pulled out his phone and checked the Adventurers Guild app to see if there were any movents on the Rifts he’d put their nas in for.
He let out a sigh and shook his head.
What the hell? We can’t even get into the Uncommon Boar Rift that I was in before.
Scrolling through his contacts, he pulled up Elana’s number and hit ‘Call.’
“Hey!”
“Alex, how are you?”
“I’m good, thanks. I was really trying to avoid calling you; I’m sure you’re busy… but my friends and I have been on the waitlist for, like, six Rifts for over a week now. Is there a reason we can’t get in? I would assu it would be easy, especially before the Team Event starts.”
Elana groaned on the other line, “Yeah, stuff has been pretty quiet the last month, but we’ve lost access to several of our better Rifts. It just ans there is more competition for the ones we have.”
“Lost access?”
“Yeah, with the Hunters Association announcing these Safe Zones, they’ve backed off of their pressure from us a bit. At least openly. They’ve been moving their ‘community protection assets’ into positions that are conveniently close to valuable Rifts. Which ones did you put in for?”
“Uhm, hold on, I can check the app,” Alex said.
“Actually,” She said before he could pull the phone away from his face, “I’ve got one of our Peacekeepers calling on the other line. I’ve got to take this. Do you have Derrick’s number?”
“Derrick, from our eting? I don’t think so.”
“Alright, I’ll send it over to you, but I wouldn’t hold your breath if I were you. There are a lot of people interested in those slots, and it may just not be sothing he can make work.”
“Hmm, even the Common ones, though? Alright. Thanks, Elana.”
There was a brief pause. “No, that’s strange. There are plenty of Common Rifts within driving distance that you should have no problem getting in. Let just send this over. Derrick can check for you. I’ll talk to you la-”
“Oh, wait! Before you go. Sam has been healing so people in the Safe Zone and wants to start making it a regular thing. Is that alright? It’s not going to cause issues for you, is it?”
“I can’t imagine that it would. If anything, it’ll just look great for us. I’ve got to go; if you need , send a text, and I’ll call when I can.”
“Sounds good, thanks.”
Alex stared at his phone for a mont before pulling up the new contact that Elana had sent him. He wasn’t thrilled about having to pester people about answers, but Mark was right… they’d waited long enough.
Derrick answered, “Alex! Elana said you’d give a call. You didn’t waste any ti! What can I do for you?”
“Yeah, we’ve been having so trouble getting into any Rifts, even Common ones. She said you were the one to talk to. We’ve been waiting for a couple of weeks now. I just checked the app again, and I can see open slots in two of the Rifts we applied to.
“Ah.” Derrick’s voice took an apologetic tone. “The situation’s a bit complicated. The Hunters Association has been… let’s say, assertive about their presence near valuable Rifts. They’re not officially blocking access, but…”
“But they’re making it difficult,” Alex finished.
“Exactly. And, well, actually, I’m looking now and…” Derrick hesitated. “There’s a note in the Guild system that says your group wouldn’t mind waiting to get into Rifts, given your already elevated power levels.”
“What?” Alex’s face scrunched up in incredulity. “Who would- that makes no sense. We need the experience just as much as anyone else. Especially my friends who are just starting out.”
“I can understand your frustration. I would have assud you asked soone to put this note in here. I’m looking at the logs now. It seems that the note was put in about about a week ago. I apologize. We should have reached out to you, but… you’re sothing of a VIP around here now. I didn’t think you’d want to be bothered.”
Alex paced across the elevated portion of the living room behind the couch.
Was it Rylan?
He’d wasted ti being patient and playing by the rules. At the sa ti, it seed like soone was trying to prevent them from getting into the good Rifts.
And I just let it happen by trying not to make waves or inconvenience anyone. Fuck.
“Does it say who put the note in the system?”
“Hmm… no. It just says that it was put in by a Peacekeeper.”
So, not Rylan? Olivia? Why would she do sothing like that without telling first? That makes no sense.
“Right,” Alex said. “Well, can you put us down for so imdiate Common Rarity Rifts in driving distance? I don’t care if they’re low-level. We just need to get into one or two before Monday.”
“Of course. I’ll make sure your nas get applied. You should see entry access co through this evening or tomorrow morning. So sorry, Mr. Moore.”
Alex sighed. “It’s alright, thank you. And Derrick… please remove the note from the System. I’d like for us to get into an Uncommon or Rare Rift soon.”
After the call ended, Alex put his forearm against the glass at head height and leaned his head against it. Looking through the double doors and out past the courtyard. He watched Mark in the training area while he thought through his next steps.
He’d tried to be careful, to be strategic and not step on any toes. He wanted the group to be safe, sure, but other than Olivia and Sarah through their work, none of them had made progress but in a few skill levels. He had made big promises about them being a team and growing together, but that was almost a month ago, and there was basically nothing to show for it.
Sam was close to advancing, which would potentially be a big power increase for the group. Alex had felt his own frustration growing at his lack of personal progress, but had pushed it off as a selfless gesture to help his friends get stronger. Yet, here Mark was, still level four and Sarah only a level higher from her noncombat experience gained at work.
Unless they found a high-level E Rank Rift, Alex thought he would be hard-pressed to gain enough experience quickly to advance. But Sam was on the cusp, which could be a ga changer and the only consolation prize in the current situation.
He’d also been waiting on Valtherion’s evolution, hoping to find a better material than his Mana Pearl. In the new light of this situation, that also seed foolhardy. The article said that Val needed to consu a high-quality material to push his race to advance and would enter hibernation for a period. There wasn’t any reason to wait, and the idea of looking for sothing more valuable than a Rare D Rank Material seed asinine.
Ti to stop being so damn passive.
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