Chapter 72
Boondoggling And Other Worthwhile Adventures
A few quick life lessons for people. If you want to know if you are in fact being conned by an average con artist, is to see if they rest. If they rest, appear content, or otherwise seem satisfied with themselves, then they likely have you as part of a con. Now, take a step further, how do you know if you are being conned by great con artists, well realistically you shouldn’t, that’s what makes them great.
So here I was, ‘caught’ in what effectively amounted to be a slave contract that would be bound by my soul. This meant that it didn’t matter if I used an alias, a Doppelganger, or any other form of subversion, the Duke’s Daughter, Lady Constance Legrand, had me, or so she thought. This was made abundantly clear by the way she all but flaunted her superior status as not only royalty, but also the fact that she was in a high position on the Gambling Tournament’s payroll.
Flap, flap, flap.
Lady Constance Legrand fanned herself with her five golden tickets. Well, I don’t know if they were really golden tickets, but they glowed with a golden hue to me, and were free admission tickets to the Texas Holdem Tournament. This one was not a Swap’em Holdem tournament, which slightly lowered my chances at winning, but not by much, though it did make me feel a bit more flustered, something that I used as motivation during these last two days.
The tickets sat there, teasing me, the final nail in the coffin on this journey.
Item: Free Entry Pass to Arcanarus Tower’s 50th Floor Gambling Tournament.
She of course was using all five in a wide fan arc, all but trying to show her opulence, trying to show how she got one over me in our unfair contract. I, of course, played along, figuring that young Tobias would not be able to do anything other than lament the fact that I was effectively outplayed, or drawing blind as it were.
“Have you got nothing to say for yourself?” Lady Legrand offered.
“Was it ever real? Did I ever really have a chance with you?” I ask.
She pauses, and then looks at me solidly for a moment, before shaking her head. “Sadly no, I don’t think I could ever fall for someone who was quite as gullible as you.”
At that, I just nod in understanding, a defeated look on my face.
“Oh look, it seems that we will be arriving shortly.” Lady Legrand says, looking out the window at some place off in the distance. No doubt the signs of the town on the fiftieth floor are becoming apparent to those with regular sight.
While I myself can’t see the city, I can at least verify her comments by taking a quick glance at my different event markers that are actively updating.
Warning: Soul Contract Signed. You currently have a soul contract in place. This is a quest that is unavoidable and bound permanently to your soul. Failure to succeed, or failure to pay back the required amount will result in your having to fulfill the terms and conditions of the contract. Time until the soul contract event starts: 0 Hours, 18 Minutes…
From what I’ve gathered over the last few days, a team of Tournament officials had already been dispatched to the Gambling hall on the fiftieth floor weeks ago trying to prepare for this event. The only purpose of this train was to deliver the prizes.
While I only had eighteen minutes left of this so-called freedom, I forced myself to remain calm. Everything was coming together just as I had planned. Well, nowhere near like I had planned originally, but here we were. I even got a quest marked off my list for the first time in over six months.
Hidden Quest Completed: First Acanarus Tower Climber: Your goal of getting a recognized degree from Arcanarus University has been noted. Explore the tower, reach the fiftieth floor and receive the reward that you seek. Reward: Experience, Arcanarus University Diploma, Title: Arcanarus University Graduate. Floors completed (50/50).
Experience Gained: 250/250.
Ding.
Level up.
Your level in Simulacrum Mastery has reached level 26.
Yes, I had leveled up, but this spoke more about what Zero and my Simulacrum were doing than anything I actually did. Still the level was nice, my primary class was still level 37, but having my secondary class level again showed I was still progressing. Also, the other bonuses from the quest were well worth the wait.
Soul Bound Item: Arcanarus University Diploma: An undeniable item proving you met the minimum standards to Graduate from Arcanarus University with a dual degree in Magic and Spell Theory. With this degree you should be legally allowed to practice, create, and advance the field of magic anywhere in BiPrism. Effects: +100% Skill Efficacy to Spell Theory and Magical Theory.
Yes, apparently degrees here are soul bound items and give you a 100% skill efficacy in your major, kind of nice and a good thing to know in the future. Also, the degree all but guaranteed that I would be authorized to perform magical advancements anywhere. I opted not to show this to Lady Legrand, not that I was sad by the item in question, but that I didn’t want to throw any more fuel on the fire that was the lady. Ever since she had ‘pulled one over on me,’ she has been insufferable.
I of course still had the Title that came along as a special adaptation to my Diploma, my related Title that almost made the entire trip worth dealing with Lady Legrand.
Title: Arcanarus University Graduate: One of the most promising graduates of Arcanarus University. Effects: +10 Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower. Along with a +100% Skill Efficacy to Spirt-Magic Spell Creation, and Energy Resonance Alteration.
Now these were the bonuses that I appreciated the most and what I felt dealt with improving the very magic I used most since entering the tower. Honestly, I felt this was a perfect title, and made me ready to conquer more Universities in BiPrism, if these were the rewards being offered. Between the Titles and soul bound diplomas, the benefits of a college degree, in this world were well worth the effort, if only real life had been like this. In a way, it is kind of sad, first that I waited so long to get this diploma, and secondly that I might not be able to get a Master’s Degree in Magical and Spell Theory.
Chime.
Of course, as soon as I have this thought, the all intrusive game seems to come up with a new quest right there on the spot for me.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
Hidden Quest Updated: First Acanarus Tower Climber (II): Your goal of getting a Graduate degree from Arcanarus University has been noted. Explore the tower, reach the one hundredth floor and receive the reward that you seek. Reward: Experience, Master Diploma from Arcanarus University: Spell and Magical Theory, Title: Arcanarus University Graduate (II), Increased Magical Potency, Others. Floors completed (50/100).
And just like that, the tower made it so I couldn’t help but want to continue onward. Not only would my percentages increase based on how far I climbed, but here they were all but stating I would be able to reach Tier X in my magic, why was this important? Well currently my Badge for creating Tier IX spells was being used and ransomed by Lady Legrand. Now I assumed that once I got the next Tier in magic, I would be able to get the next level of the badge, thereby resetting this mistake, and letting me move on with my life. I bit too hard in a possible reward, and it came back to bite me, or maybe not. I still have a chance at winning this and coming out well ahead for my efforts.
Now, I couldn’t say that the system itself was stupid for making this quest available to me, for the further I went, the further the Tower could go. Right now, the tower was already able to reach the 100th floor, thanks to my reaching this floor level. Then by the time I reached the 100th floor, the 150th floor would be opened to the other explorers. Even now, I bet the explorers that charged ahead, were madly rushing forward. Apparently, there was an easy to make recipe that made you naturally resistant to the constant damage of the spirit realm, that or have an Endurance well above 150 so you regenerate more than enough health for the constant drain to be unnoticed. Of course this level of damage was only indicative of the lower levels, the higher up the tower we climbed, we could expect the relative damage to increase, as is often the case with these zones. I should still be immune due to my Class Merit, Death Shroud, but I won’t really know until I get there.
Needless to say, I am now committed to exploring the higher levels of this tower. First to find out what is available, but secondly, I want to get the degrees and the other bonuses being promised. I mean, the ability to both create and cast Tier X spells, that very idea seems amazing. Also, the idea of getting what would be a Master’s now and then likely a Doctorate at floor 150, that almost feels too good to be true. Granted there are a hundred floors between here and there, and likely a lot of traps and other problems, but they all seem to be doable. Of course, this is also the pit that all would be tower explorers likely fall into. The idea of the rewards being used to blind you to the apparent risks and difficulty of the actual climb.
Rumble, stop.
The train pulls into the station with an abrupt lurch forward that only mechanical devices can achieve. As soon as we are stopped, I can all but taste the veritable excitement flowing off of Lady Legrand in waves.
“We are finally here.” Lady Legrand says, a note of excitement in her voice.
At this, I can see my countdown timer slowly grinding away. Each passing second warning me of when my inevitable doom will come.
Time until the soul contract event starts: 0 Hours, 5 Minutes…
Taking a deep breath, I try to calm myself as we are in the final stages of this process. There are still a lot of contingencies that I need to work out, but overall I’d still say there are a lot of moving pieces for this whole thing, not too many to make this plan completely inoperable, but far too many variables that I need to account for, currently.
“Come on, destiny awaits.” Lady Legrand says, excitedly jumping to her feet and clapping her hands excitedly.
I almost wonder if she was always this way and I missed the signs in my first few seconds of dealing with her, or if she was forced into this role to build up more drama with what has to be my viewing audience. Regardless of the reason, I can still deal with her and her antics. I mean, realistically, I only need to deal with her for the next two minutes, after which point I will be left to my own devices to either win or lose the tournament on my own skills and merits. All while trying to find a way to break free and hopefully break into the vault where the tournament prize money and experience will be held as a guarantor of the insanely high tournament prizes.
For a tournament that is on the 50th floor of a tower that is said to be death for many living players, I can’t help to think the place is rather packed. I know the prize money has a lot to do with this, here the grand prizes have been increased since the last Tournament held on the second floor, where I believe two or two and a half million was the top prize. Here, the top prize is three million gold and experience, then two of each for the second place, and then one each for third place and then the prizes drop drastically. But the top three winners here will all take home a hefty prize.
As we go into the crowded hall, I see the aura of a few people that I recognize almost instantly. There is Mallory from the Midnight Hunter’s guild. Then there is Mr. Charles Ashcroft, along with a number of other people that I remember healing as Cass. For a moment I almost break character and wave to them, before I realize that I am in the body of my alias, Mr. Tobias Spiritlight. Taking a deep breath, I force down my nerves at almost outing myself, such a stupid mistake, and focus back to the current set up at hand.
I can understand why so many high level players are here, after a point gambling is the only real way to improve your levels on a consistent basis, as the experience is determined to be earned at your level. So normally if you could only level by killing level 500 and above monsters, spending a few days grinding for millions of experience would be a lot more economical use of time. Also, a lot of higher level players have a lot of money to throw around, so even if they lose, they don’t lose much. Of course, having to go against so many higher-level players would be daunting to most, which is why they came up with the idea of the inhibitors to be standard issue for all players registered.
Fortunately, I am not too worried about the inhibitors, as I still have my work around spells for them. If anything, I think I could create even better workarounds, thanks to my new Diploma and Title that all but seem to be perfectly engineered to help me create spells that could bypass the protective charms of the bracelets.
As we get in, there is a long line used for registration. Lady Legrand, a person who is clearly used to having exceptions made for her bypasses the line and takes us straight to the front of the order. Once there, she gestures for one of the receptionists who are quickly logging people in for the tournament over.
“How may I help you Lady Legrand?” The receptionist asks, apparently recognizing Constance as one of the important people of this whole venue.
“This here is Tobias Spiritlight. I would like to have him registered for this tournament quickly.” Lady Legrand said, a slightly impatient tone to her voice.
“Right away. We will just need your signatures here, here, and here. Along with the payment.” The receptionist states, pointing to three separate areas of the form that I am to fill out.
I take the page and begin signing and initializing where possible.
“Here, take this as payment.” Lady Legrand says, handing over one of her free vouchers that seemingly never left her hand the entire trip here.
The minute the slip gets turned over, I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. This was it, there was no going back now.
I hand in the registration form that the lady then glances over once, before nodding to herself.
“Here are standard Gambling Inhibitors, these will block you from accessing your external skills, Attributes, and Spells.” She says, while pointing to each of the different bands and basically identifying them for what they are. Instantly I notice a loophole that I likely should have noted the first time, basically that Traits are wide open for this, though at the time I had been mostly freaking out about the fact that I couldn’t read my cards, thanks to my skill being taken away, which meant I was playing blind. Now I wouldn’t have that issue.
Taking the items, I quickly snap them into place and all but feel the moment my Attributes, Skills, and ability to use spells are all cut off from me. The minute they are locked into place, I am then met with a new system message.
Warning: Soul Contract Activated. You currently have a soul contract in place. Your position in the noted tournament has been paid for in full and your participation in said tournament is recognized. This is a quest that is unavoidable and bound permanently to your soul. Failure to succeed, or failure to pay back the required amount will result in your having to fulfill the terms and conditions of the contract.
There it was, a sign that I was officially in this tournament, and was one step closer to achieving my goals.
Also, I should point out that everything to this point had gone exactly to plan, a fact that I was exceptionally grateful for as there were a number of different factors that could have gone wrong until this point. Namely, me throttling the Duke’s Daughter and making it so this event here never happened.
“Good, so he is officially registered and good to go?” Lady Legrand asks.
“Yes, everything is in order, and enjoy the experience.” The receptionist says with a happy smile on her face.
With that Lady Legrand nods to herself. “Very good, thank you.”
Then turning back to me, Lady Legrand has a devilish smile come to her lips. I am about to ask what she is doing, but then her actions speak louder than words. “SECURITY!”
A chill runs down my spine at that, as Lady Legrand has just changed the script entirely on me. As instantly lots of guards come to life, some showing themselves in uniforms, others are clearly dressed in plain clothes, all look around and then no less than ten converge on the two of us.
“What seems to be the problem Lady Legrand?” A lead guard says, coming forward.
“Arrest this man.” Lady Legrand says, pointing a finger directly at me. At this point, I realize what the other shoe was.
“Very well. Come with us, sir.” The guard states.
“What, what is this? What are you doing? We had a deal.” I say, getting swept up in the role I was meant to be playing.
“Hahaha.” She cackles, like some deranged super villain, then monologues. “The deal was that I would sponsor you and get you here into the tournament. Not that I’d actually let you compete in the tournament.”
At that, I pause. As far as plans go, this one is pretty good, and honestly a bit more than even I gave her credit for. I guess this shows what I get for doubting the creative treachery available to the Legrand Aristocracy.
“Why?” Is all I ask, as massive fists grab around my wrists and arms and all but lift me into the air.
“Isn’t it obvious, with this, I will keep you bound to my employment forever.” She states, with a malicious grin on her face.
I can see her point, as she likely realizes that the daily 1% interest will accrue constantly, even while under her employment, making it so if I don’t earn anything now, then I will likely never be able to pay off my accruing debt. Fortunately, I already have that portion of the contract beat.
Now, all I have to do is figure out what she intends to do with me.
I am taken back, first we go to the jail cells, open rooms with metal bars designed to keep inmates in.
“Put him in one of the special black out rooms.” Lady Constance states.
Hearing that, I force my body to fall limp in defeat. “You’re a monster.” I say, fear and disbelief registering in my voice.
“I am your master, best you get used to that thought, right now.” She states coldly, “I will leave him in your custody.”
With that Lady Legrand leaves, and then I am placed inside a black out room, or a deprivation chamber. These are supposed to be completely dark rooms that make you more and more unbalanced the longer you stay in there. Fortunately for me, these rooms don’t do a thing for me, as I am already blind and am not bound by light for balance.
Oof.
The guards throw me into the cell.
“Now just sit tight, it will all be over soon.” The lead guard says, a slightly malicious smile on his face.
Slam!
The door to the room seals shut, and I can all but hear the hiss as an air tight seal is closed on the door. With that, I am officially locked into the black out room. I have the Gambling Inhibitors on, preventing me from using my skills, Attributes, or spells, locked off from the rest of the gambling hall. Even if I was to break free now, I would likely just be captured and taken back here.
Realizing the odds stacked against me, I couldn’t help but grin and smile. “This is too perfect.” I say out loud. Then realizing time is still of the essence, I begin to set work to my ultimate plan.