Chapter 6

[Gulp]

“That was scary.”

Who knew you could manage to do something like that in a game? I'm just happy it's Henkel who got that skill and not some degenerate.

After he used that skill even he was surprised at how it affected the audience he gathered.

“It would be wise not to tell anyone about that skill.”

She spoke the words aloud to remind herself not to utter a word to anyone about what she had seen. The repercussion could be devastating if it was mastered and used in a battlefield.

These kinds of thoughts ran through Ru-Lan's head as she remembered about what had happened a while ago. The surprise Henkel had intended to show her was the first time he would use the 'From the heart' skill. Even Henkel didn't really know exactly what would happen.

***

After he finished telling his story he tested his new skill.

Henkel took a deep breath concentrating on his next words and spoke up in a loud and clear voice.

“Please rise to your feet.”

Every person who sat down jumped up and stood still.

From the heart was used.

Because of high admiration towards the user the group will listen and execute your commands without complaining.

High admiration also decreases the mana needed to execute the skill by half.

From the heart has gained 105% experience.

From the heart, beginner level 2 (5%)

From the heart level increased. Stat bonus effects will increase by 5 minutes.

“Do you plan on having the NPC do something?”

Ru-Lan looked at Henkel but he just stared at the crowd of NPC that stood still.

“Do something? It's not like I can ask them to jump up and down for show”

[THUMP!]

“Did they just jump simultaneously Henkel?”

“I think they did.”

“Do you have anything else to ask us Sir? Classes are starting in a while.”

Someone spoke up from the crowd.

“Wha-I-ehh... No nothing you can go back to class now.”

The crowd started to leave for their classes but without picking up their belongings.

“Wait you forgot you things!”

Seemingly unfazed by the loss of their property they continued towards the academy entrance.

“Pick up the things you left behind before going back, please.”

This time though the children who had left their things came back, took them and left again.

“That was AMAZING!! How did you do that?! Damn, that freaked me out.”

“I-I...”

Henkel took a deep breath before looking at Ru-Lan.

“I had no idea something like this would happen. I really only wanted to see what would happen using 'From the heart' on someone.”

“From the heart? Is that a skill you have?”

“Hmm... Yes I it is. I got it after-”

“Don't. I have no need to hear how you got it. If I would want to learn it I'd rather find out on my own, which is why I don't read up on classes and skills online. It's more fun when you don't know what to expect.”

“You have a point. I still don't really have a clear idea what I want to do yet.”

“Great! I knew something connected us. We should register each other as friends so we can talk any time.”

“That's fine.”

“Ok, you've shown me something entertaining and I'm full of life. Time to go back to wood chopping. Bye”

“Hope we meet up again. Good bye.”

She took off with a brisk pace and she was soon out of view from Henkel.

Alone again but now I can at least talk to Christine if I want to. The effects of this skill are breathtaking, I need to know more about it. Can I really figure it out on my own or am I going to have to find Master Sanova again? Right now though I can either go to the knight academy as the information broker advised me on or find him.

“Wait! How come I didn't think of that?”

Sanova wasn't called a ladies' man for nothing, he must know about the towns various inns. If I ask him then I'm sure to get some clues.

“Fine, this might take a fair bit of time so I better go find a knight instructor to consult about my class beforehand.”

***

It wasn't easy getting to see an instructor at the knight academy, the knight academy was one of the most prestigious organisations in the whole city. Henkel had been at the front desk and asked to see an instructor but the receptionist denied him that occasion. She refused to let him in further since he had no reputation among knights, an invitation or someone to back him up. It didn't do him any good having a reputation among children as the adults only thought of him as a slightly entertaining bard.

“Haaa... guess I just have to wait to see Adam or Daniel, they always come to the café so I might just have to wait for them there.”

As he was waiting he took an opportunity to chat with Ru-Lan. She liked it better when Henkel called her by her game name, it made her feel like she was really a part of RR. It was mostly an insignificant conversation, just a bit what Henkel was up to now and some complaining on her part. Though she also told him that she at last didn't have to chop wood any more. She was undergoing a new training.

The hours passed and Henkel had finished cleaning the café, and brewing up all the beverages. As well as helping out with preparing the food, if you call going to a nearby restaurant to get the hot food and to the bakers for bread “preparing food”.

The door opened and the usually cheerful children slouched in with solemn expressions. This was abnormal of them even after a gruelling day of swinging swords till their hands bled they didn't bear such looks.

René was the first one to speak.

“No, what has happened, you're walking with such sad faces?”

No one spoke. A person tried to get through the first people that entered.

“Adam!”

Henkel recognised Adam and saw that his face was the palest of the bunch.

“I-I-I injured Daniel when we were sparring.”

“Daniel?! How is he?”

“He won't die.”

“Oh. That's great.”

“It's not great at all.”

“What do you mean?”

A bit of blood flowed from his mouth as Adam bit his underlip.

“He might not be able to talk any more. I accidentally stabbed his throat.”

“You guys shouldn't have been using real swords in sparring anyway!!”

Someone yelled at Adam from the crowd.

“I know, but we've sparred with real swords this whole year already and we haven't been injured that badly yet.”

“What!”

“Unbelievable.”

“You guys are reckless!”

“Now, now children. I'm sure they both knew the dangers when they did that. Adam probably blames himself too much, no need for other people to add oil to the fire.”

It was René that was unusually calm that spoke. Having been serving here for years he must have experienced situations like these multiple times already.

Henkel interrupted the chattering.

“If Daniel isn't dead then that is all that matters right now. When he is healed you can start to think of how to help him. Lamenting won't help anyone. Do you know if we can see Daniel?”

“Ehm... No not yet. He's resting at home now. I will go to his home today and if that doesn't work I'll visit him until I get to see him.”

“You do that Adam. Come visit me tomorrow before the academy starts classes and we'll talk. I'll try to figure something out to help Daniel.”

“You think you can help him?”

“I don't know but I will ask someone I know.”

[CLAP!]

“Be it sad or happy, we all need to eat so take your seats and let's start eating. Today I won't charge for tea so have as much as you want.”

And that's the end of the conversation, everyone went and bought food, ate and left. René was left looking at me curiously.

“You sure you can help the boy? We're not gifted with the power of resurrection as you foreigners. The gods have not smiled upon us to that extent.”

“I had an idea to ask Master Sanova, he knows a lot about the use of speech and it was he who made it possible for me to use 'From the heart'.”

“I hope you're prepared to face the disappointing faces of the children if you fail.”

“It'd be hard but it's better to have a sliver of hope to cling to when in despair.”

“Seems like you know what you're talking about.”

“Yes. Despair has been a close companion in my life.”

“Well...Go then. I'll take care of today.”

***

“Sanova! Master Sanova you here?”

Wait a minute. Why am I searching for master Sanova at night. If it's a normal day for him then he's probably with some woman until dawn and not sleeping in the park.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“I hope stayed in the park till evening.”

Henkel ran around the park looking for any people sleeping on the grass. He first went towards the place he met him last time. If he saw anyone he asked them if they had seen a person with the looks of a lady killer or a sleeping moron. Unfortunately the park wasn't frequented in the evening and he only saw 3 people neither of them having seen Sanova.

If he couldn't be found in the park then were? After sleeping he must be hungry so I will...

[sniff, sniff]

Follow the aroma of food! It smells like roasted peanuts and is that grilled chicken? Peanuts and chicken? Where could that be coming from?

Henkel thought back on the various buildings he passed around the park, searching. At last he remembered. There was a grilled chicken skewers stall with different dipping sauces. Thai food! He hurried there hoping he would find Sanova and when the stall came in view he fervently looked around but he couldn't spot Sanova.

“Excuse me, have you seen a tall handsome man looking like he just woke up around here?”

“Handsome man? Yes, as a matter of fact he left maybe 10 minutes ago heading towards a pub. He complained about the lack of good beer here so I sent him to a pub a friend of mine owns.”

“Where is that pub?”

“It's just over-... Are you in a hurry perhaps?”

“Well a bit, yes.”

“I won't say anything before you buy all the skewers I have left!”

“Eh? How greedy. Taking advantage of a poor old man in need.”

“Poor? You sure don't look poor with that kind of good skin at your age.”

Oh did I perhaps look a bit handsome to people? Nice getting a complim- Now is not the time for that.

“Fine I'll buy them how many are left?”

“Eight.”

“What am I supposed to do with eight chicken skewers? No need to answer. I hope you at least give me some sauce for free.”

“Anything for a valuable customer. This bag has the sauce and this packet has the skewers. And the bar is 5 minutes from here. Follow this road and go into the “Half glass”.”

And I just managed to save 15 silver, now I had to spend 8 silver on chicken. Am I just not fated to have any money? As soon as I save up some I am forced to spend it, how unlucky I am. If fate deals me the same cards again though and I find Master Sanova then I guess it's fair.

“Ok, I've been walking now for 5 minutes. Where is the bar?”

Henkel looked up the left and right side of the street and on the right side he noticed a big wooden sign. It had a wood carving of half a glass of beer with a pitcher pouring into it, he had found the 'Half glass'. He swung the two wooden doors apart and scanned the tables for pretty women because where there were beautiful women Sanova was sure to be there hitting on them.

He didn't need to spend long searching as he just followed the evil glances the men gave. They all looked towards a table in the back that was surrounded by women and a man seated in the centre. You could really feel the murderous rage that was filling the room. On the other hand you couldn't escape the ear splitting sound of a dozen girls giggling and screeching either.

“Ha ha ha. We're gonna have fun tonight ladies!”

“Kyaa!”

“Oh, you're so naughty mister S.”

“Don't worry as long as you stay with me I'll show you things beyond your wildest imaginations.”

“Oh, so dreamy.”

“Hold me.”

“Me too.”

“You can be sure I'll spend plenty of time with you all in due time.”

That's basically what they were saying to each other. The women were all over Sanova and he acted as if they were his most precious possessions. He made sure to give them all enough attention and the occasional touch.

“I can't stand here watching.”

Henkel shook his head and marched up to the table. Some men saw Henkel move in and their eyes shone in anticipation. They must have thought he was one of the girls father or husband come to take revenge on the bastard womaniser. Others clenched their fists as if they were expecting a brawl was going to take place any second.

“Master Sanova!”

“Hmm...”

[...]

The people sitting around the table all went silent. The women shot daggers from their eyes at Henkel for daring to interrupt them. Sanova frowned and looked really annoyed.

“What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you I didn't want to see you any more?”

Sanova had previously expressed his opinion on seeing Henkel. He didn't want to be associated with him as he was someone who was close to the bard guild.

“Please Master Sanova hear me out. It won't take long.”

“Enough with the master talk and leave me alone.”

As if on queue the ladies around started throwing insults at Henkel.

“Piss off old coot.”

“Don't disturb us, codger.”

“Ladies. I'm thankful that you think so highly of me that you would resort to insults but I will take care of it.”

Seeing as Henkel didn't move an inch Sanova stood up and grabbed Henkel by his arm and dragged him off to a nearby table.

“Why have you come to disturb me? Couldn't it wait until morning, huh?”

“Yes and no. My original purpose to find you could have waited but not my current one.”

“Out with it. I see you have no plans to leave if I don't listen to you.”

Henkel took a deep breath and started explaining about Daniel. Sanova looked uninterested at start but straightened his back as he heard the effects of the skill he had told him about. Sanova knew there were different effects depending on person and experience but it was unthinkable for him to learn it so quickly and to that great effect. Sanova thought to himself that these foreigners sure were different creatures from himself.

“So I guess you want to know if there is something you or anyone can do about a persons loss of voice?”

“Yes, I figured since you have studied the use of the voice to such a degree you might know something.”

“Hmm...”

Sanova was deep in thought and didn't even notice how the women's expressions started to sour from impatience. They all wanted to leave but they loved Sanova too much to dare to make him dislike them. To them who were simple women with no important job Sanova was an existence like the heavens. Being with him they felt as if they could survive another day in this world plagued by monsters and nobles. For women of their stature they had few rights, men still dominated their world as it was unthinkable to let ordinary women into some parts of the social circles. And right now there was a person above that circle, a foreigner stealing their precious time with their saviour.

Sanova was muttering something to himself but Henkel couldn't hear what he said. He continued mumbling words that soon Henkel could clearly hear but he couldn't understand. Henkel was confused he thought there couldn't be untranslated languages, everything was translated in real time in RR so how come this person spoke a language he couldn't understand.

Then Sanova suddenly stopped mid-sentence. Looked at Henkel directly, leaned in and whispered.

“If a priest or holy magic can't help then I know of only one way to remedy his condition.”

“You actually know of something?”

“Don't look down on me. Rhetoric isn't the only thing I excel at.”

“Then?”

“I know how to help him but I don't know if you can learn it.”

“If you know of something why can't you help directly?”

“Ha! You overestimate me, I'm not that kind of a person.”

“Fine. Then explain it to me.”

Sanova took out a parchment and started writing on it, this time he understood what it said.

Can't speak openly about this. I have dabbled in magic before. Too dangerous too be made public. Don't want change in lifestyle.

Henkel couldn't believe what he just read. The bard famous for his convincing speeches was also a magician?! He didn't have time to think right now as Sanova continued to write.

I know of a magic circle that can help. This will sort of help him regain his voice. I wasn't strong enough to make use of it's full abilities. Which is why I have a hard time believing you will succeed. You will need to use his blood to draw the circle and with luck you might manage to complete it. Draw “this” and good luck.

Sanova spent some time in silence carefully drawing the magic circle on the parchment and he made sure to enlarge the parts that were too hard to see as it was too small.

“Would it help if I visited someone well versed in this kind of thing and have them teach me? To increase my odds?”

Sanova just nodded and made a gesture indicating: Do whatever you want. Then he rose and went back to the sulking women.