I woke, practically smothered by Uliena's massive chest. I managed to extricate myself, and head to the shower. Most of the time, she was the one waking me up, and while I would enjoy some morning fun, I wasn't going to wake her for it. I showered, dressed, then headed downstairs. It had only been two hours since I had gone to sleep, having used one of Han’s pills. Even so, it felt like I had gotten a full night's sleep.

What would I do without alchemy?

I had some breakfast, and chatted with Bob, going over the pattern he’d showed me yesterday. With my new increase, the cost of the spells wasn’t much. I asked him about the page, but he said we’d talk about it later when I came back. When I left the cottage, I found Litra asleep on the moss bed with her arms out. Her tail was gone, and I guessed that she was able to modify her human form in some ways.

I didn’t disturb her, but before I left I had let the cottage know to give her food if she needed it, and Bob was there. He wouldn’t let anything happen. I came out in the alleyway, and it took a few minutes to catch a cab. The clan neighborhood was surprisingly lively, and it didn't take long to find out why.

“The Gilden left? When?”

Darrel was one of the orcs I greeted every day when I came to the compound. He was an older orc with a large family. He was always very kind and supportive. “Last night. I think a few are left, but I hear they’ll be gone soon as well.”

“They didn't do anything?”

He snorted. “Not a single shot fired or blade drawn.”

“That's good.” That meant that Zara and I were no longer in danger from them. Though, she wouldn't be heading home to her apartment just yet. With her family coming, she was going to be staying with the clan. Speaking of Zara, I found her in the house above, speaking with Dennis and Brooke.

“Zara?” She turned and walked over. “Did you hear?”

I nodded. “Is it true?”

“We believe so,” Dennis said with a shrug.

“How did it happen?”

“Best we don't talk about that,” Brooke said, grabbing my hand, and leading me away. “Come on, just because you got a day off doesn't mean we’ll be slacking. Remember what she said about being late.” That made me increase my pace, and the next six hours were as tortuous as always.

There was one change, however. Aleah and Yolana seemed to be back on good terms and would speak about the exercises. Aleah would chip in about what setting to use on the pain pods that would help the most. I was happy, but also not. The pain pods were not fun, and it wasn’t that they got easier, just that I started to get used to them more. My pain tolerance increased, and I didn't move, shout, or scream as much. It helped as when I was sparring with Yolana and Brooke, where once their hits would have made me drop a weapon or flinch or fall, now I could take it, and strike back. I still winced, and every now and then, fell or made a mistake. It wasn’t perfect, but I was improving.

One thing, I was eager for was weapons training. “Yolana, do you have any sword-spears?”

“Sword-spears? You mean glaives?”

“No, sword-spears. Sort of like the naginata, but a longer and straight blade with a crossguard.”

She moved over to the rack, but no such weapons were there, so she called an orc, and had him look. She turned to me. “Why do you want such a weapon?”

“I think it might be the one for me.”

When the orc returned it was a sword-spear. “We had one of our practitioners change one of the existing parasite weapons into this. Here, let’s see if it is the one for you, as you say. Show me a basic spear stance. You’ve never used this, but what you’ve learned with the sword and spear should help. Let’s see if you’ve been paying attention.”

She readied her practice longsword, her stance perfect in comparison to mine, which was a bit shaky. She lunged like a viper's sudden strike, and I swung my weapon to meet her blade and pushed it forward. She twisted her hand, moving the blade under mine and pushing it to the guard. She ducked as she did, and pushed up. Her strength was enough that my stance broke, and that was all the opening she needed. Her blade came back in, and the edge was at my neck before I could bring my weapon down and in.

“Not bad, but not good. Although, it's better than you did with any other weapon at first. How does it feel?”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Good, like it fits.”

“Well, we can practice some with it. It’s not going to be easy or simple, and more than likely harder than learning the sword or spear. Though it is versatile, and with the right enchantment on a weapon like this, you could switch it between spear, sword, and both. Hmm, not a bad idea. Fine, we’ll focus on these three.”

When training was done for the day, I was about to head over to Zara when Yolana stopped me. “Brooke, have you told him?” Brooke frowned, then shook her head. “No.”

“Told me what?” I asked, looking between them.

“You are aware of the auction?” Yolana asked.

“Yes.”

“We're going to be hosting some guests,” Brooke said. “Mostly orcs, but maybe a few others.”

“Will it affect training?” I asked. I didn't like training, but I also knew I needed it. I wanted it. I wanted to continue improving, as I was with my magic, and so far, Yolana and Brooke had been harsh, but good teachers.

“No, but there might be some changes,” Yolana said. “Some of these guests might cause some problems.”

“What my mom is trying to say, is that some of these guests aren’t like us. They aren't Huuron, and some might be more like the Gildens.”

“Should I be worried?”

“Not really. I’ll have your back. Just try not to get into any trouble.”

“Ok. Is that it?”

“Basically,” Brooke said with a sigh. “I'm not really a fan of it, but it's for the clan, and I am looking forward to sparing with some of them. I’ll show them.” Yolana smiled. “Yes, you will. They might think us… weak after… after what happened. We need to show them we’re not. You as well, Rick. You are being taught by our clan and are a friend. Do as you have been.”

Brooke smiled. “You’re not part of the clan, but as my dad said, you’ve got the drive of a Huuron orc.”

It was nice hearing that from them, and I had a smile on my face as I headed over to visit Zara. To my surprise, I found her not in a training hall or her room, but in the cafeteria, chatting with a female orc I was unfamiliar with. I grabbed some food, then sat down next to her. “Hey, Zara, whose this?”

“Nadia,” the orc introduced. “And you are the sorcerer who keeps getting back up, huh?”

“Huh?" I stared at her. “How do you know that?”

“Some of us watch sometimes,” Nadia said with a grin. “It's mostly the kids who peep in. That's what they say. That every time you fall or lose, you get back up.” I nodded. “I have to, or Yolana does worse.” I shuddered, and Nadia laughed. “I don’t envy you. Training with her was hell. I mean I learned a lot, but I don’t miss it.”

I took a bite of my food as Nadia and Zara began chatting about the auction. “Did you hear about what happened?” Nadia asked. Zara nodded. “Someone broke into where they were keeping things for the auction and stole.” She shook her head. “I don't know who it was, but they have to be crazy, cocky, or extremely skilled.”

I suppressed a smile, and Zara raised an eyebrow in my direction.

How do I keep forgetting she can sense my emotions?

“What's got you so happy all of a sudden?” Zara asked.

“I just remembered something that's all.” Yeah, how I broke in, stole two things, freed Bob, a stone giant, and dragon, and then escaped. With the dragon. Man, it does sound crazy. However, I had done it and seemed to have gotten away with it. We hadn't left much behind for them to follow, although Bob was a bit worried, and so was I.

“There is one thing I doubt you've heard,” Zara said, leaning in and lowering her voice. “I… I spoke with my mom, and she said they’re sending enforcers and… an ender.”

I froze with my spoon halfway to my mouth. I turned to Zara, trying my hardest to suppress my fear. “What?”

“An ender. Apparently, they're taking this very seriously.”

“And enforcers.” Nadia whistled. “I feel bad whoever the thief is. Enforcers are bad enough, but an ender? Oh, they’re fucked.” Zara nodded and glanced at me. “Rick, what’s wrong?”

“I need to go use the bathroom.” I left the cafeteria, and headed for the bathroom I knew was nearby. I kept my face calm, but internally I was screaming.

An ender and enforcers. Super soldiers, and a magical assassin. I hope Bob has some plan, cause I don't want to get fucked.