“Well, would you look at that. Less than 30 minutes. One would think you've been writing reports like this for years.”
“...”
I didn't answer. The last half-hour brought back mories that drained my energy just by resurfacing in my mind.
“Well, if you're done, let's go.”
“Go? Go Where?”
I was under the impression I just had to write this one report.
‘Wait, actually, since Jarold is engraving that dal into his token, maybe I have to go do sothing similar-’
“The chief’s office.”
Alrox’s unexpected reply abruptly halted my thoughts.
“Alr- wait, what? The chief.. as in, Theodor?”
“Sir Rosewood would be more appropriate. But yes, we’ve only got one chief around here.”
“...why?”
The reply to my bewildered expression was an amused chuckle.
“Who knows? Maybe he craves young adventurer flesh, and wants to eat ‘ya. Or maybe, just maybe, he wanted to discuss your reward personally. Perhaps thank you for saving the life of his core subordinate, too.”
My expression quickly regained its usual, calm deanor.
“Alright, let's go.”
Right, I did, technically, save Alrox's life. Even if the massive slew of events - or what felt like one - following the attack made that fact slip my mind…
We walked through a few corridors, and up two stairways. Each one had a sealed door, yet my guide’s token was enough to unlock them.
Finally, we reached the fourth floor of this massive building. To my left, I saw a large door made of a murky glass-like material. Behind it, I saw the outlines of what appeared to be a large operation room, buzzing with activity.
Or, well, based on the blurry figures’ movent, it was probably ‘buzzing’ – the Sealsense seals prevented any actual sound from reaching my ears.
“Over there.”
At the end of a wide corridor was a set of heavy double doors, made of dark, polished wood.
As we approached, Alrox pressed his token against the glass panel beside them. However, unlike before, they didn’t unlock – rather, after a few seconds, a click could be heard, and the level 3 Destroyer pressed his hand against the handle.
“Good luck.”
His tone, suddenly turning ominous, made my previous tension flare up for a mont, yet at his playful wink, it evaporated once again, leaving my lips in the form of an annoyed sigh.
As the doors were swinging open, I couldn’t help but take in the atmosphere.
The first thing I saw was the massive wooden desk, black as night. On top of it, surprisingly, rested only a single pen holder, and two stacks of docunts, with a single docunt laying between them, with two large, rough hands resting on top of it.
The man to whom those hands belonged to was no smaller than their size suggested, asuring up to Pine Harbor’s sheriff, and perhaps even surpassing him. Even dressed in regular, cotton (or cotton-like) clothes, managing to partially conceal his muscular body, he looked no less intimidating than when clad in his full armor suit.
His face, beside the few wrinkles suggesting his upper-middle age, was surprisingly smooth, beside the large scar, going all the way from his temple - nearly touching his short, red hair - to his upper lip, through his right eye.
Said eye appeared to be missing, replaced with so kind of glass prosthetic - an artifact, perhaps? - which was emanating faint green light. The other eye, blue as a sapphire, was piercing with its gaze.
“Sit down. I won’t bite.”
His voice, as deep and solid as that night, jolted into action.
‘This feels like deja-vu…’
Feeling like I’ve experienced a similar scene before, I approached the large armchair in front of the desk, trying to keep my step steady.
For a mont, I simply stood there, feeling his gaze pierce my very soul, before slowly descending into the padded seat.
“Just over a week ago, Brondel’s deputy told of a Pathless kid, who managed to defeat a mid-Rising Death Priest in his lair. Back then, I found it impressive – very impressive, even. But not unheard of.”
He paused, looking sowhere behind my shoulder, where the hilt of my sword would be seen, had I not deposited it at the entrance.
“Brondel definitely underestimated how effective an Adamantium Arm is, when used against a spellcaster. With the sword as an equalizer, such a feat would be called outstanding, but nothing beyond that.”
His eyes - or rather, eye - fell on once more.
“However, defeating a Level 3 Assassin by yourself – even though you’ve already acquired a Path, that can be considered exceptional. But, to display an even higher performance, like the one you did two days ago – in all the years that I've lived, such speed of growth could be counted on my fingers.”
His eye narrowed, and I felt my body freeze – not from so spell, or ability, but from the sheer weight of his presence.
“I wonder.. could such a rare talent truly sprout out of nowhere? Equipnt with a sword most noble households in this city cannot afford? Or, perhaps, there are unseen forces at play here?”
“...”
Even if I wanted to answer, or rather, if I could find the words for it, I doubted my mouth could move.
For a few seconds we sat amidst a silence so thick it could be considered a liquid, as his one-eyed gaze continued to drill through my very essence.
“Under different circumstances, I would demand satisfactory answers. However, you also did a great service to this city. And, beyond that, you also saved one of my boys’ life – at the risk of your own, unbound by any true obligation. With that in mind, I'm willing to let such answers remain unanswered. At least, for now.”
“T-thank you.”
It was hard to keep my voice from shaking, yet, with monuntal effort, I managed to stabilize it midway through my reply.
At that, a faint semblance of a smile graced the Transcendent Path-bearer's face.
“Now then, this could be considered your reward.”
For a few monts, I sat in silence. Then, every shred of control I had went to maintaining a neutral expression, not letting my sinking heart reflect upon my face.
“Thank you, sir Rosewood.”
After glancing at his unchanged expression for a few more seconds, I stood up from my chair, taking it as a sign to leave.
Of course, despite the tinge of relief I felt, that feeling was overshadowed by the sense of loss.
‘I’m down nearly a hundred gold from this job. 75, if I collect the official reward from reception here. I guess-’
“Where are you going?”
As I turned to leave, the sa voice resounded behind . No, not exactly the sa. It now held a asure of.. amusent?
As I turned back around, I saw the earlier pseudo-smile had evolved to a real one.
“Sit down. That is, unless you don't want to discuss your other reward.”
For a few monts, I stared at the man in sheer disbelief. The smile on his face only grew wider.
“Sir Rosewood, are you-”
“You can call Theodor. At least in this building.”
Was he pulling my leg?!
With the sa look stuck on my face, I slumped back into the chair.
“You’re still stiff as a Gleamoak. Calm down. Or did you actually think the lives of my n are so cheap? For to call you here after saving Alrox, only to tell you you're off the hook?”
“I…”
I took a deep breath. Exhaled. This ‘prank’ of his definitely wasn’t the most pleasant one, but, I had to admit, it did dispel most of the tension, albeit at the cost of so annoyance. I felt like this might be sothing common among ex-military guys in this kingdom.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
That being said, I didn’t miss the subtle warning, either. Not a threat – a warning. The fact that my suspicious background wasn’t as inconspicuous as I might have thought it was, at least not to people who had a reason to care for this type of thing.
“Now, that's better. I can offer you a drink, if you'd like.”
“No. Thank you, no drink.”
I still rembered the sensation from the sheriff’s - Brondel's - similar offer, back in that cave. Sothing which already felt so distant, despite barely two weeks passing since.
“Well, as you wish.”
The man shrugged his shoulders, seemingly satisfied just by the fact he got a firm response.
“By the way, do you know how much water flows through the facility?”
“Jarold told it was probably a few tons per hour.”
“Jarold?”
The man raised his eyebrow.
“Ah, he's a level 1 Wizard-”
“Who works in the sli chamber from ti to ti. Yes, I rember that kid. Didn't know you were acquainted.”
“We t at the Guild.”
“Ah, of course. Anyway, his estimation is incorrect – it's over a hundred tons per hour, on average.”
That… was indeed a massive number.
“Had that avatar managed to breach the chamber - as it was on the verge of doing - the damage would range from a few dozen thousand gold, to..”
He paused for a mont, in montary thought.
“..a number that selling your Adamantium Arm, ten tis over, might not be enough to cover.”
My eyes involuntarily widened. My whole net worth - sword aside - never reached a thousand gold. Now that I thought about it, that water purification plant might actually be of comparable worth to my sword's real value.
This thought, alone, put into perspective both the true weight of carrying my sword - while hiding its true identity - and the sheer magnitude of this city's economy.
“Of course, she’d probably slaughter everyone inside, too.”
That went without saying.
“Of course, the Ministry recognizes the many valiant defenders who slowed her down. However, between everyone, there’s no denying that you, Alrox, and those two wizards garnered the highest share of contributions.”
So, basically, with that in mind…
“Is there anything in particular you wish for?”
“Gold.”
My response ca rely a fraction of a second after he uttered the last word.
“Gold?”
The giant man’s tone carried a hint of surprise.
“Between the consumables and the repairs, I’m basically broke. Unless I start selling my gear…”
I threw a glance at the watch, still hanging near my chest.
“I see. Let give you so advice, then, unwanted as it may be.”
He looked in the eyes, once more.
“Sell your father’s sword. Yes, I know of its sentintal value, as well as its practical one.”
He added the last part just as he saw open my mouth to object, before continuing.
“However, for soone like you, that blade is more of a drawback than a boon. For its price, you could purchase a similar redsteel greatsword, and have enough for a full plate, and so contraptions, to boot.”
“Redsteel, like the adventurer rank?.. Wait, is that the type of sword you’re using?”
Theodor gave a small nod.
“Among tals, Redsteel possesses supre arcane conductivity and amplification properties. There is one exception, for lightning, in particular, but beside that, it would be an ideal blade.”
“I see… but, why-”
I suddenly froze. Not because I couldn’t find an excuse to refuse, but rather, because of what the suggestion itself implied.
After a few seconds, the Transcendent Spellblade released a sound that was halfway between a chuckle and a scoff, before shaking his head.
“Sebastian. I am the head of the 5th largest MIS branch in this kingdom. Forget the city – do you think I don’t know what goes on in my own headquarters?”
I gulped, involuntarily. It felt like I was dancing in the palm of Theodor’s hand the entire ti – perhaps since my first visit to the Ministry.
“D-did..”
“Miss Silver did not say a thing, if that’s your concern. She was under no obligation to, either, so I won’t hold it against her.”
I released a sigh of relief, one I didn’t even know I was holding.
“However, you should be more careful about your visits. I’m not the only one with functioning eyes in this city.”
For a mont, I was taken aback once more, enough to miss the potential joke.
“I.. she.. no, it won’t..”
The refutal I had in mind refused to leave my lips.
“I know what people might think. Initially. Yet, not everybody on that hill is petty or stupid. The longer your relationship remains in the open, the higher the chance soone might suspect its true nature. If there isn’t anyone who has, by now.”
I took a deep breath. Released it, slowly…
“I will take it under consideration.”
This ti, Theodor’s chuckle was unmistakably that of amusent.
“You would be wise to do so. Still…”
He paused for a mont, before giving a aningful look.
“All those challenges could be sidestepped. In fact, even that reward you’ll receive would be negligible, in the long term, if you only-so wished to take the step.”
For a few seconds none of us said a word, silently looking into each other’s eyes. This ti, I didn’t avert my gaze.
“Is this another recruitnt offer?”
“Not just recruitnt. Investnt.”
When he said that word, I could swear his artificial eye glimred brighter.
“Even a regular Spellblade - if such a term can even be applied to a hybrid arcane Path - is eligible to enter the royal academy in New Valor.”
“I will not join that academy.”
For a mont, my firm refusal actually took Theodore aback – before he burst out in genuine laughter.
“Ah… Such confident refusal, to an offer even most noble children would only aspire to receive. I truly can’t tell if it’s born from stubbornness, instinct, or precise analysis.”
The big man’s tone grew slightly softer, as he continued with a smile.
“Regardless, you’d be right to refuse. Without a large household to back you, at best, you’d be sabotaged at every step. So fools would claim such hardships would serve to temper you further, but, in truth, you’ll either end up indebted to people you’d never want to be indebted to, or stumble your way to the finish line, having lost far more ti and resources than the alternative.”
“The alternative?..”
The man’s tone instantly grew solemn.
“If you join the Ministry, I can use my authority to keep you here – as a personal apprentice.”
Regardless of my intent, I felt my heart skip a beat at those words.
“Ah, of course, I could let you continue your training with Anne, at least until the early Elevated realm. Besides a few nuances, since you’re probably used to formulated casting, the things you can learn from her would be applicable to your Path.”
I wanted to find the words to refuse, but doing so wasn’t easy. Not just because it would raise suspicions – the offer was so good it made genuinely consider it.
“How long would it take?”
“The formal approval? It could be finished by day’s end.”
“And the training? At least until I reach the peak of the Elevated realm?”
Theodor chuckled.
“Haven’t even got past level 1, and you’re already thinking of reaching the next threshold?”
I kept a steady face. It might have sounded like I was leaning towards acceptance, but his answer would be imperative to my decision.
“With your speed – even if you don’t take high risks, you could probably reach the end of the 1st Realm in a year. The next one, however, would take much longer – while the Rising realm revolves around training Skills, in the Elevated realm, you must acquire Traits. Traits that match your Path, too. And while so, like Sword Mastery, can be gained through hellish, but predictable effort, others require both risk, and luck.”
He stopped for a mont, his expression contemplative.
“Between my knowledge, and the Ministry’s resources, you could stand at the threshold to the Transcendent realm in less than a decade. If you put in extre, unimaginable effort, and are also extrely lucky, that number could be reduced to five or six years.”
I sighed, before raising my eyes to see a flicker of confusion in his eyes.
“Does it sound like a long ti to you?”
“For , it does.”
Theodor’s gaze slowly shifted to that of disappointnt.
“I know you want to reach the highest peaks with unprecedented speed. But-”
“I’ll be dead in less than three years.”
For the first ti during our conversation, I could see genuine confusion on the Transcendent Path-bearer’s face.
“Why? Don’t you think with all the Ministry’s resources-”
“Curse. Related to the soul. Even the High Priest of the Sun Temple couldn’t cure it – only put preventive asures in place.”
Even as I sat in this office, I could feel the deadly heat, not as strong as before, but still there, just out of reach.
This ti, Theodor did not reply. We both sat in silence, for what felt like an eternity, but was probably closer to a dozen seconds.
“What are you planning to do?”
“Go to Valor’s End. et soone who, presumably, knew my father. Afterwards – search for a cure. Get stronger. As fast as I can, on both counts.”
Theodor gave a long look. At first, I was expecting it to be filled with pity, yet to my surprise, it seed to be one of a different kind. In his eyes, I saw acknowledgent. Presumably, of my resolve.
“Fine. If those are your circumstances, I won’t insist.”
“You.. believe ?”
“Why wouldn’t I? It does align with the sequence of events. The High Priest wouldn’t see you twice, host you at the temple, and even assign you that Paladin, if it was a regular case. And, if he failed, I’m afraid you might be right. No matter your potential, the Ministry can’t offer you a solution it likely does not possess. Although..”
As he added the last part, I forgot to take my next breath. anwhile, he hmm’d, his expression showing deep contemplation.
“There was one woman there… In Valor’s End. Don’t rember her na – it’s been half a century since I’ve last heard of her. And yet, she might be able to help you, if she’s still around.”
“How?”
My follow-up question was instant, betraying my nervous anticipation.
“She was a priestess of the Silent Lady – not a goddess we actively worship in this kingdom, and one which does not deign to choose champions or bless paladins. Presumably, she has a hidden temple in this kingdom, although I can’t say for certain. However, her domain is that of death and reincarnation. If there’s any deity that can help you, it would be her.”
“Where.. can I find this priestess?”
I managed to regain my composure – not without great effort, though.
“I will ask that question in the next transmission.”
His words reminded that the watch in Pine Harbor also sent periodic transmissions to the city. It would make sense that the city communicated with other cities, too.
“Regardless, this isn’t part of your official reward – I couldn't register it even if I wanted to.”
Theodor chuckled, before his face turned fully serious, once more.
“Now, let us discuss your actual rewards.”
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