Monday Morning July 19th, 2240 ATE. SkyHaven Outskirts. The Grey's Cabin....
First day anxiety kept Claude awake for longer than he would've liked. In truth, it would've been longer if he hadn't started his morning brawling a magically twisted deer and being..... saved by dryads? He still couldn't wrap his head around it. The concept was so foreign. He had to be misunderstanding something.
A lot like his dreams. He saw Anubis again, along with many others. Giant titans seated in front of fiery gates, shadowy specters and wisping spirits swallowing the sun and moon. And then he saw a woman. At least thats what she was sometimes. Other times she was a raven.....most times she was a wolf.
When she spoke to him, he knew the dream was over because she said what he always heard.
"YOU'RE WEAK!"
That was hours ago.
An early start was the best start. He didn't do his usual long distance run and workout. Energy conservation was the smartest move when stepping into the unknown.
Instead, he walked with Frosty and Ray. They had a lot to discuss. Fears, aspirations, excitement, questions. They were great listeners when they weren't chasing squirrels and screaming at the rising sun.
Then it was time to pack. He stuffed his University draft letter and books into his leather backpack along with a change of clothes. Nothing special. Just a crappy cotton long sleeve, underwear, wraps and pants. The letter didn't specify a packing list so he went with the usual. He wondered if that was also a test. Heroes needed a dignified kit for Tangent exploration.
Only one way to find out.
He studied his gear as he shrugged it on. His chest-plate was on it's last leg, the scratches and dents had become the new entirety of the armor, giving it a dull colored abrasive and scratchy surface. A lot like tree bark in coloring and texture. Fitting. The same went for his gauntlets, shin guards and helmet. He hoped they'd have new sets for him at the University. If not, he always had his element.
He hummed the music it brought to his ears as he stuffed his charmer's flute in his belt and approached his mirror rested on top of his messy dresser drawer--
"What the hell?!"
The morning sun was bright-- but still on the rise, causing green and yellow light to spill into his room from the forest covering outside. It gave him enough illumination to marvel at himself.
He didn't look at himself much for a number of reasons. His favorite heroes weren't so short or thin. They also didn't look so child-like and poor with busted armor and clothing that looked like it was made by nomads.
Superficial and self-hating aspects aside, he'd changed.
And not towards a more heroic appearance.
His light-bronze skin had gone a shade darker-- speaking to the increased time he'd been spending outside. He wasn't any taller, but he did put on some mass. The deer and auroch dinners were putting in overtime. He could tell from the tightness of his shirt and thickening of his neck. Above his neck-- still faintly marked by Samuel's burned handprint, things grew grim.
He placed a scarred hand on his nose. He and his father once shared the same long thin nose. It was almost avian in it's curvature. Since having it broken by Samuel it had thickened considerably and sat on his face crookedly. Three scars like white tiger stripes ran along the left side of his face and gave way to his ear where an entire chunk was missing. Like the rats he'd seen in the SkyHaven sewers.
A single touch of the old injuries sent him back to when the plated-snake swung its tail into the tree's and showered them in a bladed rain of wood shards.
He lifted his shirt up. The deep lines of his abdomen and serratus muscles were now crisscrossed by more pale white striped scarring.
"Cool...."
Claude adjusted himself, meeting his own round dark-brown eyes in the mirror. He didn't say anything-- didn't think anything entirely direct. Everything that could be said and done was.
It was happening.
He smiled ever so slightly and fist bumped his reflection.
As he left his room, the mirror cracked.
The living room of the cabin sat empty in partial darkness. The lack of monstrous snores told him his father had already left for work. That and the letter on the table leaned up against a bag of dried meat and berries.
"Classic." Claude approached the table, took the breakfast for the road and letter.
He chewed the tough food slowly as he unfolded the letter.
"Duty calls for us both this time around, kid. I won't tell you to have a good day. Instead, I want it to be eventful, I want you to learn and experience all you can. Get the most out of this. Be as safe as you’re able..... and make your old man proud. Slap some sense into that Sammy-boy for marking your face up while you're out there.... or have that buff girl do it for you. Be respectful to your teachers, level up, make some mistakes, and ask a girl out.... or guy, I don't judge.... usually. Also, remember what we talked about last night."
Claude shook his head as he folded the letter back up, "So goofy."
He stepped back from the dining room table and approached his fathers desk, tossing the letter in the waste basket. His eyes never followed the fall. He was too focused on the desk itself. Papers and studies were sprawled across the simple metal platform. Anatomical drawings of elves, orcs and silver-cursed beasts stood out. All newly updated and property of the Midnight Warden's Teratology Division.
Soon the drawings would be his real life. Things that could kill him. Or worse...
He left the cabin and made his way to SkyHaven. Frosty's howls of regained confidence followed him for miles. He must've been eating breakfast as well.
By the time he reached SkyHaven's entrance gates, his hands were covered in a light sheen of sweat. It was packed.
Well, not packed, but there was an obvious increase in commotion.
Carriages rolled by with family crests. Heroes on horseback spoke with younger students in training. More guards than he'd ever seen held the line.
"You heading to the University too, kid?" A pelt-seller asked from behind him. He could tell by the smell before turning around.
"I am." Claude replied.
The man was short, grey haired and wiry in build. His skin looked like the leathers he carried from a lifetime in the sun with no moisturizers. His belt of skinning knives and bone jewels jingled as he let out a smoker's chuckle, "By the gods, New Gloria is entering a new age. Last time I seen this many newly Reborn in a week, I was visiting the Sunlands in search of rare honey-skunk pelts!"
"There's been a lot of newly Reborn students here?" Claude asked to clarify.
The man nodded, "I take it Ronin's boys are gonna usher us into a new world. One of safety and true glory, huh."
Claude almost grabbed his eyeballs to stop the eyeroll.
"Word of advice, kid, make sure you know what your skills do. Make sure you know how to use all your abilities for that matter. Don't want you ending up like my first born. Rest his soul."
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"Wh--"
"Next!"
Claude spun around, finding himself as the next person to enter the city. With poorly veiled attitude, the guard sighed as Claude fished his ID out of his pocket and was admitted into the city.
He wanted to thank the man for the advice but he was still at the entrance gate, getting his pelts checked over. As someone who sold pelts plenty of times, Claude knew how long that would take. So, he thanked the man by using his advice as he made his way to the SkyLight Guidlhall.
Perfect timing, considering he unlocked a new Skill against the buck. Two if he considered the dryads...
His System Screen bloomed into existence in front of him as he walked.
***
Name: Claude Grey
Class: Beast-Tamer
Race: Human (Defect)
Title: None
Level: 5 (300/600)
Stat Points: 0
HP: 150
MP: 200
Stamina: 22
Strength: 14
Willpower: 14
Intelligence: 5
Accuracy: 14
Speed: 26
SKILLS/ABILITIES:
(Beast Trait LV1): To better blend with the wild and synchronize with the beasts who call it home, the user of this skill can borrow the strongest traits and strengths of nearby predators. As this Skill's level increases, the number of traits you can borrow increases and streamlines into new ability functions. (Mana Cost: 40)
(Wild Call LV1): Through a language born before man and beast were any different, commune with the wild. Enforce your will on nature and twist it to your needs. With this skill you can hastily gain the assistance of low-level animals in times of need. As this Skill's level increases, both range, influence and complexity of directions expand. This skill also grows stronger by increasing your Willpower stat. (Mana Cost: 40)
(Impression of Kin LV1): Beast-Tamer's are a Class whose ascent in power requires patience and dedication. Through the use of this Skill, you can influence and begin to form true bonds with creatures of levels higher than your own. In time, this can begin to form a Companion Bond (Level 10 Requirement). This skill also grows stronger by increasing your Willpower stat and stacks with (Canine Affinity) Skill.
(Canine Affinity LV5): Your intense love and understanding of the canine species has been reflected in your Rebirth. Canine beasts of the wild level 5 and below now see you as pack-leader and heed your command.
BUFFS/DEBUFFS:
(Natural Heart): Dryadic magical essence flows through you. Your connection with nature is deepened and natural rate of healing has increased. Nature Element Manipulation skills and abilities come to you easier now and do more damage. But it doesn't seem to end there. This new magical essence grows a lot like a tree in its own right….
***
"Thats not bad... thats not bad at all." Claude's System Screen burst into glowing green particles as he swiped it out of his line of sight. "If I can keep myself near situations where I can use Canine Affinity and Natural Heart to their fullest, I'd have the edge I need."
In spite of his understanding of beast-tamers weaknesses, he was off to a start better than he could've suspected.
The nerves faded and excitement bloomed as he rounded a stone street corner and found the SkyLight Guildhall looming in the distance. Compared to the other complexes lining the stone streets, every Guildhall in the Angelos District was like a castle.
They stood taller than all over buildings with stone spires and bright shingled rooftops. Emblazoned logo's glimmered under the sun, etched over thick shaped stone. For the SkyLight Guildhall, it was a simple sun and two crossed swords. Dozens climbed the long stairway leading into the building. Some students, most day-shift heroes returning from and heading to battle.
Old fallen confetti and ash from fireworks littered the colorless stone and gold railings with signs reading, "Welcome University Entrants!". It only further lifted his spirits as he jogged up the stairs, using his smaller stature to snake his way through the crowd and enter the building.
He gave one look to the desk worker as heroes brushed past him.
"Hey, Claude!" Ilka waved from behind the desk, "Head to the Portal-Room! You're kind of late again, haha!" Quickly, she was back to talking with the archer at her desk turning in a completed Tangent-run.
"Guess she picked up another shift. How she's not rich already I'll never understand." Claude thanked her with an unmet nod and crossed the main floor.
Without the armored warriors, tables and quest boards, it probably would've looked like an empty ballroom. Minus the polished wood floors and chandeliers.
Archers and swordsmen on the upper-floor leaned over the railing looking down on him, hurling phrases and terms his way he didn't understand as he headed down the hall below and entered the Portal-Room.
Like all GuildHalls, they had a room designated for long-form safe travel through the use of portals created by hex-blades. Families of hex-blades got a stipened every time they were used.
He remembered his father calling them money-printer rooms at one point. When he entered, they didn't look that way.
The room was extremely mundane. White walled and wood floored with glowing portals in every wall, titled by designated location.
It probably would've felt larger if not for the fact that the room was full of students.
"Name and Class." A woman a couple years his senior asked as he entered. She stood in front of the students. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail and stood out against her black cloak. When he saw the pin on her chest of a woman being eaten by a bear he instantly remembered.
"You're the girl I saw at Beargrin's Blades--"
"Can you speak? Hello?"
"Sorry-- Claude Grey, beast-tamer."
She began writing on a clipboard after flicking her head back to the other students, "Go form up."
As he approached the horde of students, he found the archer upperclassmen's twin sister at the back.
Beside her, closer to the students, Ursula waved him down.
"Baldy! Over here!" The students surrounding her backed away and stared as she carelessly yelled and jumped around.
Claude awkwardly shuffled through the students until he was shaking up with Ursula at the back.
"Long time no see! How you been.... still dreaming of pyramids?" Ursula said, whispering the last part under the cover of her calloused hand.
"I've been alright. And..... kind of. I don't really know. Is this the best place to talk about that?" Claude replied.
"Absolutely not. I like to break the ice when I can, though. Don't worry, everyone's too nervous to hear what we're talking about. Except those two." Ursula pointed to the left side of the room.
Emma and Xander nodded in their direction.
"They've grown close since their Rebirth." Claude replied, remembering how Mr. Raizen said the two of them took down ten snakes alone in quick succession. They were strong. He could feel it now that he focused on them. It made his hair stand on end, "Speaking of Rebirth.... Ursula, you never told me."
Ursula shrugged, "There was no time. You had a few dire situations to get through..... I had... piss on my leg."
Claude's cheeks warmed as the nearby students looked back at them in disturbance. "Anyway, what's your Class?"
"Guess!" Ursula placed her hands on her wide hips and puffed out her chest. He noticed she was wearing considerably less armor. Just a black leather chassis, gauntlets and knee guards.
"Uhm..... Knight?"
"No."
"Tank."
"Sort of." Ursula smiled, "Think Tank, but angry."
"No way..... I mean-- that should've been obviously, actually." Claude replied, "Berserker, huh. Thats awesome."
"Thanks."
"When did it happen?"
Another two students came in. One of them looked like he was in his mid-thirties, the other looked barely older than twelve.
"Names and Classes."
"Juli Renee, swordsman." She couldn't have been older than thirteen. She was even shorter than Claude and sporting twin braids tied tight to her head. Her sword scraped the floor in it's sheath at her hip.
"Finn Hopheart! Archer! First of my family." He was wearing so much armor, he couldn't walk right. Half of it was show armor-- less protective than Claude's shirt and not even true steel.
"Didn't ask, join the others."
"Sure! Love your outfit!" Finn skipped past her and stood at the very front. Claude could somehow tell he was still smiling.
The senior archer closed the door into the Portal-Room and turned to face them, now with a large duffle bag in her hands.
"Spread out." She didn't seem happy to be there.
Slowly, everyone shif--
"Hurry up!" She snarled like Mr. Raizen when they were underperforming.
In seconds, all fourteen of them were spaced around the room.
She began digging into the duffle bag, taking out bagged suits to throw at them.
Claude caught his and had to switch with Ursula once he realized how oversized the chest portion was.
"What's this?" Claude whispered.
"University uniform." Ursula replied as she unstrapped her armor, unbuttoned her shirt and pulled it off.
Claude's eyes were on the ceiling immediately.
"What are the rest of you doing? Swap clothing." The archer commanded.
"What like-- in front of everyone?" Someone questioned.
"Do it now, or you're expelled."
"I'm Alan Mercier! My families crafted and sold weapons to members of The Nine for a decade. You can't do t--"
A flash of lightning danced past Claude's vision. The armored boy that was only just speaking, fell with steam spiraling from his forehead.
The archers twin sister at the back of the classroom pushed past Claude and approached the unconscious student, picking him up by his chest plate and dragging him out of the room.
"My name is Riley Roan. I'm Champion of House Skinner." The archer said.
Immediately, Claude realized the pin on her chest was signifying that. She was tied to Skinner. Rank five in power, beast-slaying scythe wielder of The Nine. She was often mistaken for a skin-walker. An aspect she used to her advantage often. It was her MO.
Riley continued as her twin sister threw out the unconscious student, "Let me make something clear to all of you. You are all children. With super-powers. Do you think we can risk fostering an environment of disobedience? That's how massacres happen. As a third-year and your senior, listen to my commands and you live..... you learn, and you ascend. Now swap your gods-damned clothes before I use you for target practice."
She was completely different from when Claude saw her batting her long eyelashes at the weaponsmith weeks ago. He wondered which was an act for them. Both were entirely too convincing.
He kept that question at the back of his mind along with a dozen others as he began stripping off his armor and clothing.
"Stop looking away." Ursula whispered to him.
"Why??" Claude asked.
"This is part of the games. Size up your opponents, look for weaknesses and scars. You can find weak points easier when there's no armor in the way." Ursula said, referring to the tank beside them who had poorly done stitches behind his knee.
"Just like animals in the wild sizing up their challengers. Prey…. Competition for mates… recently escaped tangent-born. It's all the same." Claude thought, "What games is this for?"
"The Entrance Games..... also called The Island Gauntlet." Ursula whispered….