EPISODE 22: YEAR’S END PART 1
-Edryan Queendom. Year 7290, Season: Final Ending
Iron-Blooded Queen Titiana has made no movements outside of the Edryan territory. Same as her father and several since. The behavior of the Edryans has changed from a warmongering people to a partial isolationist state since the establishment of The Challenger’s third domain. The Iron-Blooded Queen has purged a vast majority of her upper nobility, including all the dukes, in an attempt to halt the deterioration of Edryan’s internal affairs. Elder’s Eye will continue to monitor the situation in the lower territories. Wisdom has brought a great many changes to the Edryans.
-Elder's Eye report intercepted by Mariam the Eye of Titiana.
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Madria Gamal sweated profusely as she attempted to staunch and prevent the bleeding student's internal organs from rupturing. While doing so, the rest of her squad continued to fight against the magical beast pack assaulting their position. The coppery scent of blood and the earthy scent of the forest mixed. Alongside the strong scent of piss and sweat. These smells mixed. Blending until they formed something new. Something Madria didn’t know what to call as the young woman held no experience with it. It didn’t help that the sounds of combat and students fighting for their life wormed their way into her ears. Attempting to make her task ever more difficult. It was only the long years of training underneath her mother, Marna Gamal, and her aunt, Femi Gamal, that prevented Madria from panicking. The two women have placed her in ‘bloody’ situations before. Yet she never had to actively try and save a life in this manner.
Madria pressed her hands harder to the young man’s abdomen while another of her squadmates held the boy’s organs at bay. Keeping them from erupting any more from the young man’s body than they previously did.
“What is your name,” Madria spoke to the boy. Attempting to keep him awake and functioning.
“K-kk-kale,” he managed to say with tremendous effort. “Am I going to be all right,” he asked before looking down. His eyes widen and the horror of his situation appeared upon his face. A gaze of abject terror and shock as he finally took in his appearance. His pupils enlarged and his pulse quickened. Faster than Madria thought possible in its already heighten state underneath her touch.
The young man, Kale, began convulsing as he went into shock. Widen eyes still staring in horror at his spilled intestines. His body rapidly cooled as his lifeblood spilled from his flesh. The mental scar of battle seared its way into the young man's mind. If he didn’t die from the failure of his body first. I WILL NOT LET THAT HAPPEN!
“Fire is the origin of man and life. A gift from the Great Spirit and the First Flame. The fire of Madris is the gift of power and challenge. Burn away these beasts of darkness and gale allowing none to pass into this (Inferno Domain).” Amaya Musa yelled the spell out in desperation. Loud enough to be heard over the roar of beast and men alike. Pulling at her already dwindled magic to repel the Copper Rank beasts.
Wolf-like eyes the green of envy and yellow-emerald fur burned with the release of her spell. The [Gale Coyotes – ★] came in wave after wave. Their strike was quick and efficient catching the squad of 30 students off guard.
There were no instructors around to save them… if the squadron fell here. Everything was up to them and them alone.
Flames burst from Amaya and quickly spread to a diameter of 15 meters. Passing her fellow classmates without harm as it made its way to the enemy. Immediately burning any of the [Gale Coyotes – ★] in range but not killing them instantly. Yet it was enough to route the magical beast and give the Crown Prince a chance to rally the students to him.
“Expedition Force 1 to me! TO ME! Route them into the inferno!
Show these beasts the power of men!”
Madria did her best to not panic as she began to pour her mana into Kale. If she could see her expression, it would be a picture of cold determination. All her life she trained to heal. To hold onto the precious gift the Mother of Magi gave them. She would mend him whole once again. The secondary healer began to shove his intestines into his body, slightly panicking.
“Calm, friend.
Kale’s life is in no danger, but you must stay calm,” she stated with a strong voice. Her golden eyes briefly glanced into the earthy brown of the young girls and reassured her. Eyes were the window to the soul.
The young girl, who was probably only a few months away from Madria’s age, began to calm down. The training from the instructors of the Magical Healing and Application course steadily took effect. As the year’s lessons that were drilled countless times began to apply themselves to the girl, Madria began her work.
“What is your name?”
“G-Garnet,” the young girl said. Slowly finding her resolve.
Her eyes returned to Kale’s body while she spoke to Garnet as her life-attributed mana ramped up. Fixing the damage and restoring the young boy's lifeblood. A Potion of Vitality would take care of the remaining blood loss and minor scrapes that Madria couldn’t waste her mana on.
“Prepare a potion of vitality and one to restore his stamina. He will be needed in the fight,” Madria said. Her body moved mechanically as she focused on the task, but her mind couldn’t help but wonder. Why is it necessary to put students who’ve yet to even step on their path in such danger? What is he preparing them for? She looked up once more and at the armored form for Lawruthian. Thoughts swirling as she put Kale back together.
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My blade whistle through the air before it pierced through the head of the burning coyote putting it out of its misery. I took a long deep breath. The smell of burning unwashed fur mixed with the coppery scent of blood, piss, unwashed bodies, and the earthy tones coming from the forest. Exhaling as I understood what these smells signified.
Death.
It smelled of Death.
But not the death of Imperius Students. Not today and while I was here. I gave quick and curt orders, pulling the scrambled students into order.
“Mages form together, gather to Amaya Musa, and prepare to cast (Fireball) on my signal.
Those who are healers to Madria Gamal, she will show you the way!
Swords, to me! Prepare to push these beasts into the (Inferno Domain)!”
My eyes reflected the burning fauna, the red of the flames matching the red of my irises. Making the gold mixed in, shine with a lustrous hue. Those who participated in the combat classes of Imperious Academy were currently doing their final exam. Expected to survive on the outskirts of Wyvern’s Roost. Or the largest and definitely the most dangerous forest in the county. The place where it is said at its center resides a dragon possessing the greatest knowledge of the world.
We’d been in the forest for less than 3 days. Barely passing into the outer permitter and nowhere even close to where the wyverns resided. Yet we’d still have five days left of this perilous trip.
This was not the first attack we faced. As minor scuffles against the beast of Wyvern's Roost occurred. The monsters assaulted us daily. This attack, however, was by far the largest. With tens of the [Gale Coyotes – ★] forming a small horde to assault us. The further we moved into the forest the more I expected the dangers to show.
Nobody was allowed to die in my group. I will make sure of it.
The young men and women who followed the path of the warrior rose to the occasion. The strength in my voice drove them into order like soldiers on the battlefield. There were around 50-60 of the beasts which classified them as a small monster horde. Thankfully there weren’t at the threshold of advancement into a two-starred beast. We’d be dead if that was so. The moment the final [Gale Coyotes – ★] was pushed into the inferno that surrounded us. I called out again.
“Swords, ten steps back…then prepare to charge.” The order was executed immediately. “Mages… FIRE!”
“(Imperius Combat Arts: Flash Step)!”
Without even having to direct them properly my Swords followed. The movement technique had us arrive right after the explosion of the fireballs into the horde of confused beasts. The Gale Horde formed a rough semi-circle outside of the (Inferno Domain). The group's Beast King still not giving up on the attack. Excluding me, the Swords had twelve other students who began to show the versatility of (Imperius Combat Arts). Only eleven of those students were currently present as the last was down from the staggering blow the Gale Horde originally dealt us.
The students performed various variations of different moves. Whether it was (Form Breaker), (Power Blow), (Piercing Strike), or (Battle Tremor). Not all the students actually used swords which added to the variation of attacks.
Expedition Force 1 included seven students that were walking the path to becoming a mage while the final ten were a mix of restorers/healers and partial crafter/combat students. Those who wished to be a [Battle Alchemist] or [Enchanter]/[Enchantress]. It was those students who began to actively support us with their various attacks. Singing came from the rear, filled with magic that immediately gave me and my Swords a boost of energy. From 50-60, we cut them down to 30-40. The (Fireball) cast by the mages dealt significant damage to the Gale Horde’s front line. Causing confusion and panic in the beast. The students of Imperius Academy didn’t hesitate to take advantage of said confusion. Mowing close to twenty [Gale Coyotes – ★] down before their beast king could react.
A savage magical roar made its way into our ears. A green miasma-colored pulse of magic spread in tandem with the roar. Showing that the beast king was on the verge of becoming a two starred and Silver Ranked beast. The roar paused a number of the Imperius Students as {Fear} overtook their hearts. A de-buff from the magic of the horde’s leader stopped us all while invigorating its pack. The singing of the young girl buffing us cut off in a strangled gasp.
A bubbling anger set in my chest and quickly broke off the fear effect from the monster. Just in time as the [Gale Coyotes – ★], who were already the size of a great dane, increased in their physique. Muscles bulged from underneath their thick fur as the beast turned to a berserk state. The green eyes of envy now mingled with hints of rage red. If Expedition Force 1 didn’t break out of its feared state, we’d all perish here. With the thrill of combat and feeling my body being pushed to its limits I let out a booming hearty laugh.
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I laugh in the face of adversity.
A laugh filled with my magic.
A laugh filled with my hope.
A laugh filled with the power to break Expedition Force 1 out of their binding {Fear}. My magic counteracting the Beast King’s own.
Just as the monsters were ready to break into us, my laugh appeared. With a pulse of magic much like the beast kings spreading to my allies.
Like shattering glass. My Swords regain control of their bodies.
This was the new world I found myself in? This is the Elrunian Continent? It was not enough. My blades sang as I fought my way toward the largest beast. Easily twice the size of its pack mates. Its completely green fur did well to keep it hidden amongst the faunae.
“MAGES PREPARE FOR WHEN THESE BEASTS BREAK. SNIPE OFF ANY RUNNERS.”
“Sword’s, I want that beast king alone and dead at my feet.”
As I said this, the final member of my promptly name group joined us. Looking worse for wear but he held enough together in order to still fight. Good, we can do this! The young man wielded a short spear that could easily be turned into a javelin and thrown. While a few secondary weapons were equipped all over his back. The students had learned to never rely on one weapon as they delved into the Ashwood Forest several times over the year. Collecting beast cores for IP and advancing within the academy.
The startled singing picked back up although the effect upon the Swords and I was clearly lessened. I still estimated the young woman’s singing to give us a 5% boost in power. As the days for the System Unlocked further lessened. I began to feel them more and more. It was one thing gaining an understanding of the six Great Attributes. It was entirely another thing to feel them. Soon I would be able to use them and grow massively in Power, Vitality, Endurance, Mind, Self, and Intent.
My dagger stabbed into the ribcage of another of the large beast. Finding purchase in its flesh as I used the weapon to flip myself upon its back. Short sword raised high as it came down like an executioner's blade. Looping the head of the coyote from its body as I pulled away. The next seconds seemed to slow as I felt an immense danger coming from my left. A beast easily twice the size of a regular [Gale Coyote – ★] made its way to my side. Its massive paw reared down in a blow that would send me flying. The beast somehow bypassed most of the Swords and appeared next to me. There was barely enough time to raise my dagger hand to cushion the blow from my chest and side.
My body flew, left arm instantly shattered from the impact of the blow. If not for my enchanted armor the limb may have been completely removed. My armor flashed blue, then orange, and finally red as the magic within it broke. A crackle of sound alerted me that the power was spent. The last of it saved me from a worse blow as I impacted a tree 6 meters away.
The air in my lungs escaped me and I felt panic threatening to erupt from within. All the battle sounds escaped me as my ears rang from the impact. The anger dissipated as quickly as it came as I was left dazed. Yet the instructions from my days training with Liana and my mother echoed through my mind. Bringing me to a level-headed state as I forced air into my lungs. Using my magic to force the wind into me. It was like my body rebooted as the air filled me up.
Groaning, I struggled to escape the dense tree bark I was embedded into. The sounds of beasts and students clashing returned to my ears. Before I could fully extricate myself. Hands were grasping me, and the warm touch of life attributed mana made its way through my body. Beginning the process of mending my left arm bones and the small fractures throughout my body.
Gold eyes met my own and I gave Madria a bloody smile. She and others attempted to help me. In the distance, the battle continued while Madria’s squad began to try and drag me towards the (Inferno Domain). Amaya’s spell was still up and functioning this far into the battle. Tens of minutes had passed yet the spell persisted.
“That’s the wrong direction,” I said. Pulling away from the young woman.
“You’re dazed and probably concussed. Let me heal you for a few moments. At least enough to get your head on right. Just don’t try anything with your arm,” Madria said hurriedly.
Her golden eyes gazed at me with worry. Sweat matted her bangs to her forehead yet it didn’t detract from her beauty at all. I spent those few moments studying the young woman. She wore light armor clearly student crafted. The armor was the standard healer/mage type which would have the chest protected by a metal plate fitted over a tough leather material. While the rest would be melded into a robe-type attire. Her eyes showed intense concentration as she pumped mana into me. Yet they were full of determination that I began to admire. She's beautiful.
“Thank you,” I said. My body leveled enough to rejoin the battle.
Most of the [Gale Coyotes – ★] were dead with only a few left to put up resistance. Yet as long as a beast king remain the pack would never completely die. Its power was enough to quickly spawn a pack. More than that, the Gale Coyote King was fending off most of the Swords alone. That should it was close to ranking up. Neither side was losing yet neither side was winning.
While I was still down, I would not let that make me hesitate. I charged back into the fray, my short sword looping the head of one of the few remaining pack members. I called to my magic. Muttering a quick spell-sword enchantment all following the path of a magic swordsman must learn.
“Earth is the origin of all, and I call to thee, a stanch arena against the wind, against the flames, against the water. Provide your protection to my blade, coat your element (Earthen Armament)!”
The element of earth rose and traveled up my legs and toward my blade. Coating the steel until it appeared to be a hardened clay sword. The soft brown glow it released showed that it was far from simple. It took only seconds for me to join the Swords in attacking the [Gale Coyote King – ★]. Calling them to order as their training throughout the school year taught them.
“Gemini Formation: One Will, One Blow! Reinforce your blades with earth.
On my mark…”
The twelve students split into two groups. Each chanting the spell I did earlier. As they did so I drove my blade to the Gale King’s snout cutting off the very tip of its nose. Missing my mark as the beast reared back, barking out in pain. For the first time, it hesitated in its move. The last of its kin already slayed. While the beast king was smarter than its pack. It was still a beast in the end and did not possess a human level of intelligence. Its small hesitation sealed its fate.
My Swords were ready.
“Strike!”
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“You’re batshit crazy,” Amaya glared at Lawruthian while she spoke harshly. She alongside her best friend cornered the Crown Prince at his campfire.
The red-gold of his eyes reflected green as he gazed at the large beast core in the palm of his hand. Madria paused in her approach and glared at Amaya, but the young woman was evidently not going to return her words as the scowl on her face said enough.
“At least lower your tone,” Madria pleaded before sending a glance at the rest of the camp.
“Why are we out here,” Amaya hissed. Her hair was a mess and dirt caked itself over different parts of her armored robe. It was clear the young woman was outside of her zone of comfort. Her clenched fist and depressed twin afro puffs said as much.
Lawruthian had known the young women to always keep a spotless appearance. Yet the two girls facing him were currently anything but spotless. The young man gazed at them with a moment of appreciation before returning his gaze to the beast core in front of him.
“Sit,” was his only response. The calmness in his voice made Amaya hesitate.
Nevertheless, the young woman complied anyway. Lawruthian waited for both young women to settle down before he spoke. “Now say what you want to say.”
“Why in Madris’s Flail are we out here? We are months away from unlocking our system, yet you want to halt the potential of our path now? Students almost died Lawruthian, your citizens, your people. Do you not care? What is the point of…
All this?”
Amaya questioned while gesturing to the surrounding forest.
After Expedition Force 1 finished off the Gale King. Lawruthian quickly made the thirty students harvest the beast cores and move almost a half dozen miles away. It was only now under the setting sun that the students relaxed. With a watch rotation set up and a few of the students cooking dinner. The camp was all but settled.
Amaya’s gaze never left Lawruthian’s own. Her violet eyes projected the anger she felt into his own. Her bubbly personality was nowhere in sight. The young man seemed to think for a few moments. Processing her words before carefully responding.
“Remember…,” Lawruthian began.
“…We are playing chess.”
Amaya was confused but that confusion only lasted a few moments as a conversation from the beginning of the school year came back to her.
“You both are correct but there is more. Now we can play some real chess.”
“Life is a game of strategy and computation.”
Amaya’s eyes widen and her anger settled down. A thoughtful expression appeared on her face. She took a few moments to compose herself before she once again spoke. Her thoughts and mind more leveled after Lawruthian’s sentence.
“Even so, the path has yet to be unlocked for us… and it will not be since we’ve deliberately put ourselves in this situation. The system has unlocked early for those in true peril without the ability to protect themselves. It is clear we are not in that situation. Why put the students in such danger? Why have us survive in the most dangerous forest in the queendom, …perhaps the continent.”
“Did the recruiters of Imperius Academy not explain the dangers far beforehand to each student? Did they not warn that for every test, every struggle, and every step, the students would bleed for it? Yet we have over a million applications yearly. In a queendom of fifty million or so. Since almost the inception of Imperius Academy students of all backgrounds, knowing the dangers beforehand, still, attempt to apply and join.
This. World. Is. Dangerous, and I require a fully united kingdom with no quarreling nobles and troops that are led by competent people.
Did you not see the way we slayed the Gale King?
Did it not excite you?
Every single one of my Swords are previously commoners. With no battle experience.
Look at them now,” Lawruthian finished while gesturing.
Around several bonfires, the students of Expedition Force 1 were laughing and cheering. Several of the Swords were clapping the downed student on the back while offering him a toast for his return to battle. Elsewhere some of the students who were attempting to gain combat-related crafting classes were cooking for the rest. The light of excitement in their eyes was able to be seen the dozen or so feet away Lawruthian and the rest sat.
A girl softly sang while students danced and performed for the rest. The culture of the Edryans showing itself in full effect. These students had gone to war and survived… and they were proud of it.
Amaya truly paused and stared. Surprised at the level of cohesiveness the students showed after the battle and quick relocation. Although they were dirty, there were smiles on their faces and a pep in their steps. She watched as the student who was gutted earlier clenched his fist. An unknown determination seen in his eyes.
“His name is Kale. A farmer boy from the outskirts of Marquess Asherah territory. After seeing what he saw, I thought he would not rise to the occasion. Nevertheless, after we healed him, the young woman Garnet pushed some smelling salts under his nose. When he saw the Crown Prince and his Swords fighting. Something changed within him. Breaking the mental barrier before it could even properly form.
He will still need proper care for the things he saw upon our return, yet he has mustered the strength to overcome it all and continue.
I, Madria Gamal, admire him!”
Amaya looked at her best friend in surprise. When she first came over, the young woman expected her to support her in convincing the Crown Prince that this was far beyond their means. Instead, Madria seemed to have gained a new outlook from this event. One that Amaya herself acknowledge she was missing.
Amaya decided that she would watch and observe the commoners more. Since her arrival at Imperius Academy, the young woman hadn’t had much if any contact with students below a certain station. Besides the lucky ones to make it to her classes, Amaya hadn’t gone with Madria when she healed students in the Darius Battle Hall. Nor had she interacted with them in any other event. Even the club she joined was mainly composed of noble children who were subsidiaries of the Musa family.
For now, she would watch and she would learn.
System Unlock:
100 Days
19 Hours
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