“Wolf team has become Wolf company in truth. Amelia, you will remain my second-in-command as sergeant. It is on you to designate two corporals and reshape Tooth and Claw with appropriate strength.” Alton started his impromptu speech after the excitement died down.
“I will hold you all to the same standards and expect the same results. You will train harder than you ever have and face far greater danger than a normal common soldier. Being asked on a suicide mission to defend a canyon pass will seem like a normal occurrence. There will be no shame in backing out at Kitsu. Anyone who attempts to leave after that point will be considered abandonment.
Being unawakened will not be an excuse. You will sharpen your mind and think of alternate ways to accomplish any task set before you. My team is used to training without mana and with. Amelia, lead the men through a round of exercises and then break them out into sparring groups of three. I will observe and monitor the spars, and we will end with a sparring ladder.” Alton finished and sat back down on the bleachers.
Amelia shouted for them to form up and they started running a lap around the training area. She led them through a vigorous round of exercise while Alton watched. He used the time to cycle and think. Since his ascension to the fifth tier, he had spent precious little time exploring the more esoteric part of his powers. Alton closed his eyes and found a cycling position on the bench.
He dove down and examined his core in his mind scape. The normally placid lake of mana was ever present in his mind. The glyph carved on it during the fight against the Edorians remained, tempting him to use it. It felt inert, glowing in a muted way. The harsh penalty it extracted from him and his team moved his thoughts away from trying it out. He spent some time examining the glyph and trying to influence it with his mana.
After a few minutes passed with no change, he figuratively smacked himself. He was sitting next to the leading figure in Agorra on mana theory and hadn’t shared his latest revelation. Jonah was resting beside him with his eyes closed, likely doing the same thing as Alton. He triggered his manasight to confirm and watched Jonah circulate. The older man’s mana flowed brightly through his body until it came to rest back near his core, except…there, just below his core, was a bright spot.
It was brighter than any spot near it and pulsed as mana flowed through it. Alton turned on himself and watched his own mana flow. Near the same spot on his own body was a bright spot, but where Jonah’s was pulsing, Alton’s shone bright and steady. He watched their two mana flows for a minute before disturbing his friend.
“Jonah,” Alton spoke and Jonah opened his eyes. “I have a few things to tell you about that fight down in the Edorian camp. When we faced that group of elites and I thought all hope was lost, I reached down deep and found that connection to the aspect again. I visited him on the same snowy plane as last time. He said that I wasn’t ready to be there and that there would be a price.
I begged him for help in the fight. He repeated that there would be a price and then when back in the real world, there was a glyph carved on my lake. We haven’t discussed this before, but when I picture my mana core, it takes the form of a placid lake. There was a glyph on it and it’s still there now. It was what granted us that surge of energy and strength. I feel trepidation about using it again, like my soul is warning me not to.
Now when I watch you circulate, I see a pulsing point of mana just below your core. Transposed on my body, that spot is not pulsing but a constant bright spot. Where you have one pulsing, I have four constant. They are linked somehow, I can feel it. The nodes are key to figuring out how to advance and harness our greater power.” Alton finished and watched his friend absorb the new information.
Jonah took his time to think before responding. “So much more is making sense now. In ancient texts, these spots are described as mana nodes. These nodes are never referred to before the middle tiers, such as we are in. One node for each tier before resetting on reaching the next tier. I can see them as well now that I know what to look for.”
“Those old bats at the academy would die of envy for this knowledge. This whole situation, in fact. Should we survive the coming trials, this all needs to be recorded in detail for future generations. Tell me, can you see the nodes on Amelia? She should be comfortably in the fourth tier based on reports from the drake fight.” Jonah finished.
Alton realized he hadn’t checked, so he turned and watched the training. She was leading them through a series of upper body exercises. Her lithe frame shined with sweat and her muscles bulged under her uniform. His pride swelled at watching her. She was turning into a fine officer. Alton called her over to where they were sitting.
“Captain?” She asked.
“Just testing a theory. Take a cycling position and circulate for us. We will let you know when to stop.” Jonah responded before Alton.
She looked a little confused, but followed his words. Once she was seated and circulating, Alton activated his manasight. He watched the mana flow through her body from her core and back to it. Her core shone brightly and her pathway was well established. She was certainly in the middle to upper reaches of the fourth tier. He didn’t see any mana nodes. Alton shared a look with Jonah, who shook his head.
“Thanks Amelia. That is all for now. How many more exercises?” Alton asked.
“We can start the sparring ladder now. How do you want it organized?” She asked him.
“Awakened versus awakened and non versus non. We can mix it up tomorrow, but keep it simple today. Full enhancement is allowed, standard sparring rules.” He responded.
Amelia saluted and walked back over to the company. She called them to attention and went over the sparring ladder structure for the benefit of the former auxiliaries. The soldiers would self-identify an informal ranking system. Weakest fought the next weakest until reaching the top. It served as a team building exercise as well as practice. Each group took their positions and began with Amelia judging until her spot as the lead enhanced arrived.
—-
The soldiers worked their way through the ladder. The matches didn’t take long on the enhanced side with the increased speed, meaning most spars lasted less than a minute. Non-awakened took a little longer to accommodate for speed and stamina. Alton watched while Jonah rested, his body still recovering from the effects of the infection and losing his arm.
One of the infantry named Wilt won the non-awakened ladder in a close match against one of the scouts. The man was ecstatic, even more so when he found out that the winner didn’t have to take part in chores for the next field camp. The awakened side semi-finals came to a close match between Miser and Prian, with Prian just edging him out. Amelia promptly spanked Prian three to none and took the top spot.
“Oh. I forgot one thing. Winner faces me,” Alton grinned.
Amelia matched his grin and took her spot across from him. He raised his sword in the dueling salute and she tapped the flat of her blade against it. They both stepped back to make space and Alton circulated his mana. His core cried out in joy at the use and he bent his knees and readied his position.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Prian served as the judge and counted them down. Amelia flashed forward with a wild series of stabs and slashes. She was seeking to catch him on the back foot and underestimating her. Alton would not make that mistake. His heightened senses and speed gave him the ability to dodge around the furious assault.
She continued to press, and Alton let her. He danced around her strikes without letting any touch him. Frustration built on her features, and he smiled when he felt her start to surge. Now fully committed, she launched another offensive. This time required genuine effort for him to dodge her strikes and he had to use his training blade to parry a few he couldn’t outright dodge.
“Give it everything you have, Amelia! Let it flow through you! Embrace the warrior that lives inside of you! Right now! Everything you have!” Alton shouted at her.
She brightened in his manasight as she pulled deeply on her core and reinforced her body. This was her maximum power, and Alton was seriously impressed. Before ascending tiers, he would have been hard pressed to defeat her like this. He stopped stringing her along and circulated enough mana to match her speed.
Now it was just a battle of technique. Alton was able to maneuver around her strikes and tap her sides in three quick strikes. The years of experience were too great for her to overcome. She gave a frustrated huff when she conceded the spar.
“No chores for me.” Alton said with a chuckle. “Amelia, that was an impressive showing. Before reaching the fifth tier, I think you would have given me a real run for it. I would love to see you against other fourth tier blades. You have the strength and speed, it merely needs to be married to technique and experience. I am proud of you and can see the practice you have been putting in.”
“Thank you, sir,” Amelia answered, glowing.
Alton started to speak to the company when he was interrupted by Quain. “Alton.”
“We can visit armory now. Much to show you all.” Quain said with a smile from beside Jonah.
“Before we visit the armory and ruin the place with the smell, can you arrange for the baths for the group? New clothing would be greatly appreciated.” Alton asked the young scholar.
“We can,” Quain grinned while wrinkling his nose.
—
Alton surveyed the twenty-four members of the newly formed Wolf company. They were arranged just outside the armory of the Thoiri tribe. Quain told him this was the only armory on the upper levels, the rest serving the army down in the deep caverns. Quain was inside speaking with several of the Thoiri smiths and crafters about how to best outfit Alton’s company.
Thoiri typically fought in caves and mountain passes. They wore light armor and used the short but heavy curved swords when in close combat. Arrows and traps were far more common weapons above ground while spears were more common below. In a twist of fate, the Thoiri now lacked the traditional warrior caste to utilize the vast amount of armor acquired over their long history.
When Quain was ready, he called Alton in and presented a set intended for blades and scouts. Alton was blown away by the set on display and surrounded by seventeen identical sets. He walked around the display and marveled at the craftsmanship that would make the camp smiths writhe with jealousy.
The entire set of armor was crafted from interlocking drake scales. The helmet had scales forming a solid-dome like structure that covered from neck to crown with an opening for the eyes and mouth. Quain had the smith demonstrate a cover that could be clipped to the back of the helmet and then rotated around to cover everything except the eyes. Two alta stones were placed inside the helmet.
Each chest plate was made of two layers of drake scales that were meticulously arranged and bound together to create a thick but flexible barrier. It covered from just under the neck down to above the groin and wrapped completely around the torso. The inner layer and outer layer were separated to increase movement. More alta stones were placed strategically around the middle layer.
Gauntlets connected to the chest piece and ran down to the fingers. The finger joints were individual scales layered in the same double layered technique, providing maximum protection while allowing the wearer maximum dexterity. Pants and greaves were included as well, that covered the lower portion of each set.
A thick under layer of drake hide accompanied each suit, meant to be worn under and keep the wearer comfortable. Even one set would have been an incredible upgrade. To outfit his entire company in this armor would have bankrupted the Third Army. Just the dozen alta stones would have cost a fortune in the Agorran economy. When Alton tried to bring up payment, Quain laughed and shrugged him off.
“You kill big drake, we make more armor and more,” he struggled for a word “other things. You live to come back and fight with us. Worth much for Thoiri. All our warriors wear better than this.” He shrugged.
Alton just nodded and accepted it at face value. He called Amelia in and gave her the chore of distributing each set as she saw fit. These would go to the blades and scouts, as well as soldiers like Jonah and Lews. Next, Quain took him over to a deeper section, where he revealed six hulking masses of armor.
The scales on these sets were massive compared to the first set. Each piece except the helmet had three layers of scales and packed dozens of alta stones each. Just the gauntlet felt like it weighed twenty pounds. Only his shields would be able to wear these and still move. His two twins would be a fearsome sight in this hulking armor.
“I can use two of these, but I don’t have any soldiers that can use the others.” Alton said with a frown.
“You misunderstand. Mana stored,” Quain pointed out the alta stones lining the inside of the armor, “make armor light and move well. I can wear and fight if charged.”
That was fascinating. The Agorran smiths had just started to experiment, making armor more durable with mana. Manipulating weight and function was well beyond their current capabilities. Alton infused a small amount and then watched the armor in manasight. The sight stole his breath as hundreds of intricately carved glyphs lit up on the innermost layer of the armor.
He called Amelia over and updated her on the shield armor. Tasking her to designate four of the infantry as shields in training to use the large and bulky armor. She accepted the charge with awe at the sheer size of the armor. He watched the thoughts spin inside her mind as she developed new team tactics on the fly. This new armor would require some intense drilling to learn, but the payoff would be incredible.
“Take crafters two days to fit to Wolf company. Work day and night to be ready. Now we go see weapons.” Quain shuffled him down the hallway to another large room.
Alton was led into a row with rows and rows of weapon racks. His eyes were drawn first to the swords. They ranged all different types but predominantly favored the short and heavy curved blade the Thoiri used. There were a few traditional long swords and broad swords that would serve his company well.
“All swords forged of metal from deep mountain. Mine is…heavy with mana from Mad God sacrifice. All weapons,” he tapped one of the blades with his knuckle, “able to use mana?” He made the last a question as if searching for the right word.
“Infusing…” Alton whispered.
He reached out to grab one of the long swords. It was well balanced, at over five feet long, and the blade was three inches wide. It had a large cross guard, and the pommel housed a massive alta stone. Alton reached out and infused a small amount of mana into the stone and felt the metal receive it greedily. A light blue glow lit the length of the blade and Alton could feel that blade the same way he felt Fang or Fury.
“These swords taken from other tribes in battles. Thoiri prefers smaller, easier to use down under mountain.” Quain explained.
Alton was far too attached to Fang to give it away, but decided to test out a sword in the place of Fury. He left Fury in the rack and took the sheath that accompanied the sword that caught his eye. He decided to call it Fury as well with a mental shrug. It was three feet long and matched Fang well. Next, they toured the shelves full of spears. Made from a hearty tree that grows deep in the mountain and then infused with mana and topped with a spearhead made of the same iron the swords were forged from.
The Thoiri weapons and armor were simply incredible. Alton spared a quick thought of what foes they must face to be losing. His face drew tight as he pushed the thought away for another time. One day at a time, Alton. One day at a time. They walked back over to Amelia and Alton ordered her to evaluate the swords and pick one she liked.
A blade capable of infusion would take her lethality to a new level. Each soldier was to pick out a primary weapon based on their new role in the company. Shields were required to take a spear while blades took, well, blades. Observers or scouts could pick from preference and keep their old bows. The Thoiri didn’t have any extra bows to spare. They were used by the hunting parties above ground.
Things passed in a blur that afternoon. Smiths and crafters measured him and each of his warriors to adjust the armor and accessories. Each soldier picked out a weapon and marveled at the quality. There was an audible buzz of excitement in the group. Alton left the process up to Amelia and left with Quain and Jonah to meet with some of the Thoiri scouts.