EPISODE 21: TIME’S ALMOST UP
-Edryan Queendom. Year 7290, Season: Central
The [System] or [Great Archive] depending on whom you’re addressing, is an extensive base of organized information. Including but not limited to races, creatures, monsters, plants, fungi, and every known article and item in existence. Any new items can be named by their finder/creator. The Great Archive’s main purpose, however, is to organize and categorize skills and classes in my opinion. The wide expanse of skills and classes can cover everything from tailoring, waste management, sailoring, fighting, building, exploring magics, and anything else you may think of. The questions I’ve been pondering for a while now are… to what purpose? To what end?
-Maiden Braya – a Scholar of the Abode.
----------------------------------------
Simra charged at Law, swinging her blade in an overhead strike. Attempting to bait either his dagger or sword into the counter. Knowing her victory against him would be successful.
Instead, Law moved back, and the dirt underneath Simra's right foot collapsed. She felt her foot snap and the young woman cried out in pain. Her shield slightly cushioned her from a hard fall. The cold touch of steel against her neck told her everything she needed to know about her victory. Fighting against Law when he was going all out had truly shown Simra the level between them. Internally she felt lost as the strength between her, and her new peers were shown.
Simra was strong and strength was not everything in Imperius Academy. However, those born of noble families were truly showing their heritage more and more as the days passed by.
“I admit defeat,” she said with a tired sigh. The cold touch of steel disappeared.
Law instantly moved to help her. Their eyes gazed into one another, and he gave her a warm smile while gently helping her to remove her torn ankle from the hole. It was like the young man she fought and the one before her were two entirely different people.
When she asked Law to fight her at full strength. He did not hold back nor show mercy. Acknowledging her for wanting to become a knight of the queendom and eventually more.
Law opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted as an irritated Madria came over. Brushing past Law to get to her. The young noble lady smelled of lilac and lilies. It gave Simra a comfortable feeling. Like when she was in her mother’s embrace. A little over half a year of sending letters back and forth to communicate with her family had exhausted her and made her miss her family even more.
“Did you have to be so harsh,” Madria chastised Law. Her hands felt around the wound and made Simra wince in pain.
“Brace,” yet before Simra could ready herself, Madria already realigned her foot. Causing the young woman to cry out in pain. Just as the rest of the members of their training group bounded over.
Karla was the first to arrive and brought out a small pouch. Sticking her arm all the way down the thing looked comical to Simra and she couldn’t help but chuckle as Karla brought out a partially clear flask filled with water. The topmost portion was made of glass while the bottom was more aligned with the earth as it held several rune symbols. At the very bottom of the bottle was a small rivulet in which a small magic stone was locked in. Powering the enchantments as the cold water touched her lips. These were all items made by the young woman and she used them proudly. Her enchantments are one of the most popular ones on campus.
“You didn’t have to be so harsh to a lady!” Karla began, glaring at the Crown Prince.
“Although Simra isn’t a delicate flower like me, there is no need to push her to these types of limits. You broke her foot!”
Simra glared at Karla tempted to throw the bottle at her head. It was the word of Ade Oni that stopped her.
“No… that's exactly why he needs to attack with his full power and bags of tricks. If she is facing an opponent in the wild or a beast…, do you think they will spare a delicate flower? Besides I don’t believe Simra is as delicate as you think.”
Karla rolled her eyes and began to roll her sleeves up. Walking up to the boy who was a head and a half taller. Stopping while pointing a finger toward his nose.
“Oi, watch your mouth Dark Horse, my best friend is the most delicate flower I know!”
Simra’s eyes met Amaya’s and she could see the smirk and hint of laughter dancing on her face. She closed her eyes and groaned as Madria’s magic began to put her foot back together. Ignoring the argument that broke out between Karla and Ade Oni. Yet a hint of a smile made its way across her face as she saw Law wink at her.
The healing finished and Simra moved off the battle stage and to the benches surrounding the training room the party was stationed in. The rest of the non-combatants made their way over. As she sat Lorde Drumian entered the training room and made his way over to the bench to join the rest of the party. Alongside him were Viviana Consus and the Sun and Moon Twins. As they settled down. Simra returned her attention back to Law as Lorde struck up a conversation with her.
“How did you fare against the Crown Prince?”
Simra grimaced, her expression already revealing the answer, but she spoke anyway. Just as the first clash of the weapons between Law and Ade Oni occurred. The sparks of the weapon clashing and the powerful exchanged blows of each opponent sent vibrations up her body.
“Not good,” Simra began. “Our entire battle and I could not strike him once.” She clenched her fist in frustration.
Law jumped over Ade Oni’s leg sweep while simultaneously striking out with his short sword. Towards the redhead's chest. The blow was blocked yet Law was forced back as he held no footing upon the ground.
“It's like his strength is a realm higher than mine. I can see his attacks, but my body is not fast enough to react. Even while pulling on my mana to enhance me. I can respond with blows of my own but either his sword or dagger is always just at the angle to block. No matter that he only uses (Imperius Combat Arts) to fight.
I… just… can’t compete,” she finally let out. The frustration was evident.
Lorde stayed silent for a while as the two watched the sparring between Ade Oni and Law. Simra was frustrated but finally speaking her thoughts in the open let a feeling of relief wash over her.
After Law’s first fight against Ade Oni. Whatever quarrel the two had seemed to be resolved. Simra took this opportunity to invite the Crown Prince to their sparring sessions. Along with him came Amaya Musa and Madria Gamal as the two seemed to always be accompanying her friend nowadays.
Law landed lightly on his feet, a smile on his face, and his eyes took on a light. Simra knew his eyes got like that when he was being serious. It looks like he was enjoying himself as the sparring session between the two ramped up. Ade Oni was much of the same as the steam on his body began to turn into blue flames. Something that Simra could just barely force out of him. As for the light in Law’s eyes, she’d only ever faced that once when they first sparred, and she asked Law to fight her completely seriously.
“Do not be harsh on yourself,” Lorde began his voice soft but firm. Grabbing the attention of Simra away from the battle.
“May I,” he said gesturing toward one of her hands.
Simra hesitated for a small moment as Karla’s voice dimmed for a bit in her conversation with Viviana, Amaya, and the rest. Simra put her hand in Lorde’s own and waited. Wondering what the young nobleman was up to. His hands were much like his voice. Soft but firm and Simra could tell they were the hands of someone who wielded the sword constantly. Calluses from the blade handle made themselves known to her own. Lorde began to squeeze softly but his strength grew stronger and stronger as the seconds passed. Simra had to increase her own strength in order to prevent her hand from being crushed. Just as Simra felt that she reached her limit and as she was opening her mouth to say something, Lorde beat her to it.
“Is this your limit?
Is this as far as you go?
Then you will never achieve further.”
Something in those words seem to ignite a wave of anger in Simra as Lorde’s calm but steel-like glacier-green eyes met her own. He increased his strength further and Simra reached within herself. Calling her magic, which would further boost her strength. Yet although Lorde was not at the limit of his physical body the young man did the same. Easily matching her and staying a step ahead so the young woman felt his pressure attempting the crush her hand. To grind her bones into mush. To dry her blood until none but dust remained, and her corpse withered away.
To stop her path.
“So this is all your path amounts to?
And you wish to be a warrior under Her Majesty's command?”
It was here that something in Simra snapped. As anger flared to her surface and a hidden pool of power seemed to gush forth allowing her to increase the pressure once again between their hands. Matching Lorde’s, yet that was not what she wished for. She wished to surpass him if not at least stand next to him!
“NO,” she said loudly. Not realizing she began to draw the attention of the surrounding people.
One girl with straight raven black hair and a smirk on her face was already taking notes since the beginning. Someone had to keep the latest gossip at Imperius Academy going.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“Show me then.
Show me who you are.”
Simra heard a sound like glass breaking as her strength excelled and finally succeed in the one Lorde was pressuring her with. Her grip became the one who was stronger and now it was Simra who was pressuring Lorde.
Lorde smiled and spoke once again. “I give! I give!”
Simra’s mind seemed to return to her and settle all at once. A slight blush colored her creamy tan skin and her curly hair swayed as she let go and turned back to the battle.
Law's shirt was in tatters and Simra blushed harder as she gazed at his chest and perfect brown skin. The way his muscles flexed as he adjusted his grip gave her a feeling, she didn’t know what to call. Lorde’s presence next to her didn’t help as complicated emotions rose to the surface. She opened her mouth to speak hoping it would help clear the air. Knowing Lorde’s green eyes were still on her. Eyes that she didn’t want to meet right now or the flutter in her heart could make her say something outside of her station.
“What was that?” She asked knowing Lorde would answer her.
“That was your bloodline responding to you. I apologize for what I said earlier. Yet it is well documented in my family how our emotions can cause certain things to happen. My House, the Drumians, are some of the greatest in bringing out the potential of the Magic’s Embrace. The most common bloodline in magi humans. A gift from our Mother Magi.
I could sense that you were at an emotional breakthrough, in which you would either rise or fall to the occasion. I believe in you. So I took the risk to pressure you. I apologize if my actions overstepped yet…
Congratulations, your bloodline has awakened to further heights and your race grade has further improved.”
“Th-thank you.”
Simra stared at her reddened palm as the spar between Law and Ade Oni ended. The fighters powering down as this was not a serious match. It was still clear that Ade Oni was the inferior of the two, but his understanding of his bloodline power allowed him to keep up with the Crown Prince.
“She of War and She of Wealth. Her Wisdom has blessed me and enhanced my Self.
To help me understand my place and my standing.
She has guided me with Power and Intent.
Clearing the Mind and strengthening the Vitality
Her Endurance is boundless and her breath…
Divine.
I offer my faith and worship.
Forever in the Magi’s Embrace.”
Simra finished her prayer to Goddess Madris as a small feeling of fatigue settled upon her. Energy leaving her body. A hand clasped her shoulder and Simra could feel the fatigue fade. She turned and thanked Madria as the young woman infused her with Life Attributed mana.
“Thank you, Lady Madria.”
“No need for honorifics. We’re all friends here.
As a Priestess of Goddess Madris, it is only right I help you recover.”
----------------------------------------
I turned to see a red-faced Simra sitting next to Lorde as Madria clasped her shoulder. A small tightness entered my chest and heart. She reminds me of her so much. Ade Oni was spread eagle on the dirt ground. His chest heaving from exertion. Seeing that he was fine, I left to join the group of students. Only to pause as I came within 2-3 meters of Simra. Something about her was strange. As I came closer, she seemed to notice as well. Looking up from her conversation with the two in confusion. Before looking at me. The feeling got stronger the closer I grew to her.
It felt warm, and like I was in the presence of family.
It reminded me of the feeling I had when I was a baby. How I would inexplicably cry when away from my mother.
“What is that?”
Simra asked as I finally paused in front of her. Giving me a perplexed look as I responded in kind.
“I… don’t know…”
The party looked at us in confusion and Viviana Consus cleared her throat as she peered over her large-rimmed glasses at the both of us.
“Are you just going to continue standing there indecently with the rest of us present?”
Next to her Helios Romus glared at me while covering his older sister’s eyes with his hand. The silver-haired twin pried his fingers open a bit and her eyes were roaming over my body. I looked down at the tattered remains of my clothes and then backed up. Giving the silver hair girl a wink before hurrying away. Thankful my etiquette training with Eliana included keeping my poker face up.
Losing my clothes to Ade Oni was a normal occurrence at this point in my life. I’d even brought a few fire-resistant sets of inscribed clothing from the student market. Yet the Blue Oni’s flames burned through that. The basic fire resistance was unable to compete. I could attempt to make some myself as I had mastered the 72 base runes. However, I knew I was not prepared to try and inscribe them in clothing. Never having worked with the material before. Perhaps I could commission some from Karla. Her inscribing skills were some of if not the most popular in the school. The young woman managed to move up two places due to her inscribing business and the commission orders she’d taken. Although part of the reason was because of my input. The young woman had talent and not just when it came to inscribing. Perhaps I should take the time to connect with her on a greater level. Outside of class and hanging out with Simra we hadn’t interacted that much. Although I did figure out, she was the head honcho in spreading rumors and gathering the latest news. Why doesn’t she start a newspaper? Actually, why does Edryan not have a newspaper?
After a quick wash and a change of clothes, I returned. The moment I did, however, the connection I felt with Simra reappeared. Perhaps I need to ask mom about this? Nah shouldn’t be anything dangerous.
The group was preparing the spectate the next match as Helios Romus and Lorde Drumian prepared to face one another. The seating arrangements had changed, and I chose to sit next to Viviana and Karla as that was the only space available within the first row of benches. The training room was more like an open high school-styled gym back from Earth. The benches were bleachers where students could sit with friends and watch the show. Similar to the Darius Battle Hall layout except on a smaller scale.
Lorde Drumian was equipped like a standard knight of the queendom. An arming sword in his right hand with a heater shield strapped to his left arm. It seems the young Drumian spent his points well throughout the semester. His equipment was some of the best I’d seen so far for sale in the student market. With two perhaps three runesmith enchantments between each weapon. Strapped against his right leg was a short dagger. While against his back was a dirk, ready to be pulled by his shield hand in case of emergency.
I could tell his heater shield held a general magic resistance to it. Ready to negate a slight amount of magic damage from each attack. While his sword was not at an angle for me to properly view. I’d imagine it has a |Sharpness| runic inscription or perhaps a Guidance of the Wind. A popular weapon enchantment that made your blade swifter. Creating the illusion of using skills and spells.
Helios Romus was the opposite. As Lorde Drumian was a mix of attack and defense. Helios Romus seemed to be all attack to the extreme. The young man held two sabers that looked elven in design with both blades clearly having a fire inscription upon them. On his lower back was a curved dagger while his right leg held a small axe. Each of his weapons was enchanted. Both fighters looked ready and dangerous.
Helios Romus was a golden hair child that could easily be mistaken as a demigod back on Earth. He was one of the largest individuals on campus. Standing at 2 meters tall and a few inches taller than Lorde Drumian, me, and Ade Oni. The young man was built like a lumberjack and as the fighters faced off against one another all stops were pulled out.
A ripple of power spread out as each fighter pulled on their mana and began to push their body to a new level of strength. Helios Romus's eyes gave off a golden glow reminiscent of the sun in their radiance. Lorde Drumians green eyes were cold and gave off the feeling of a winter's expanse. A tense silence overtook the group and then it happened. Both fighters nearly vanish and appear before one another. Helios sabers strike downward in an attempt to cleave Lorde into three separate halves.
Lorde eyes flashed and his shield moved overhead to block while his sword came in with a leftward slash attempting to bisect Helios. As Helios’s blades connected to the heater shield, Lorde grunted in surprise and moved to support his shield arm. Canceling his attack as he pushed with both hands forcing Helios back. Yet not for long as the young man came back immediately for another attack.
Lorde Drumian’s blade moved like the wind itself as he counter and exchanged blows with his opponent. Using a shield bash when he needed to create room or distance. I steadily began to analyze both fighters.
Lorde Drumian was a minimalist when it came to movement. Allowing his opponent to attack while he’d deal out a counter here and there. All the while his feet would barely move. Stance firm and grounded like a great tree soaking up the rays of sunlight. Helios was the opposite. His energy and strength seemed to just radiate with every action. Attacks shone like rays as the battle continued. He seemed like an inexhaustible source of power. The fighters majorly stuck to (Imperius Combat Arts) as it was a great battle art that could evolve into numerous forms. Although I knew their Houses held their own combat art. Those arts were not allowed to be used at Imperius Academy.
I hadn’t had the opportunity to spar with either of the young men as sparring for me was rare in general. Rather I focused my abilities on rune crafting and really understanding the 72 basic runes. Twenty-four letters and 48 words of transition equaled the 72 base runes. I understood them and could even exploit them to a degree with spells such as (Elemental Harmonization) and (Adaptive Learning Algorithm). Each, especially the ladder, was just an exploitation of other spells. Spells such as (Breaking Dawn – Last Night) and (Madris’s Touch). I only picked and choose parts of each. Organizing them in such a way that it took out the healing factor but kept the building block of the spells. A simple repurpose like reusing old tires to create a swing with wood and other components. I saw my future in understanding runes and manipulating them better. In building things from that understanding, especially golems.
“Hmm it seems like Lorde Drumian is truly the number one student in the academy,” Karla said with a wink in my direction.
“Oh, why do you say that,” I asked. Taking her bait.
“Even I can see that he is the better fighter and will probably win. When are you two going to fight in the Darius Battle Hall? All the combat students of Class 1 have fought each other besides you two. Let me know so I can start the rumors on time and build up enough excitement,” Karla gushed. Unable to keep her desire down as my red-gold eyes held her dark irises gaze.
“Why don’t you start a newspaper,” I suddenly asked. Changing the subject.
Lorde Drumian hadn’t bothered to challenge me and the different runic combinations I introduced to the school kept me with enough IP to keep my lead position as the number 0 student of the academy.
“A newspaper,” Karla asked with confusion. “What is that?’
I began to explain the concept of a newspaper to Karla. Surprisingly drawing Viviana Consus's attention in the process.
“A newspaper… interesting concept. It could be popular with the noble houses for updating us on the general trends. I know the noble ladies would enjoy such a feature. My family could provide the paper for such an expense.”
I glanced at Viviana, and she gave me a knowing smile. Interesting. I think with my general explanation of using a newspaper as an outlet for explaining current events and rumors Viviana Consus understood how powerful it could be.
“I think Imperius Academy would be a great ‘playground’ to test it out. Seeing as the students love to listen to the latest gossip anyway. Of course, the newspaper would be under Imperius Academy except run by students for the students.”
Karla looked excited at the thought, and I could see her mind swirling at the implications. An outlet to control rumors and spread the current events and trends backed by the academy itself would secure Karla a bright future ahead. Even if she was acquainted with me. That didn’t mean after her service to the crown she’d be guaranteed any sort of propped-up position. Yet her talent had shown itself so far as her inscribed items were quickly becoming popular all over campus.
“We should really discuss the details over a meal,” I said to the two ladies.
System Unlock:
227 Days
10 Hours
50 Minutes
13 Seconds