“Elyssia, you need to take this seriously. What I told you to do was for your own safety. Why can’t you just listen to the words of those wiser than you?” Someone looks pissed...
And his fury is nothing compared to mine.
“I really hate you, you know? I was almost eaten three times last night. THREE. TIMES. And after killing three beasts, one of them basically twice my level I had no mana left to finish off the fourth.” At this point, I’m almost shouting at him. “I was just left there weakened with a single. Fucking. Knife.” Now his face looks conflicted, maybe, just maybe he came to the conclusion that leaving a nine-year-old in a forest alone wasn’t a great idea. “If it wasn’t for two friendly hunters my chances of arriving here would be re~ally slim. Diminishingly fucking low! So pardon me for not spending another cursed night in that twice damned forest you left me in. I was not even allowed to class-up to have a better chance at defending myself. Almost everything there is stronger than me and I didn’t even have time to replenish my fucking mana to fight back, damn you.” I finally run out of breath, seething in anger.
His eyes tell me he finally realized he fucked up. That me being here is only due to sheer dumb luck.
“But don't worry they could guess my cover story without me even trying to convince them. Lone child in the forest on her way to Granhall, looking like shit, with empty pockets, nothing to identify myself with and only a few tattered clothes. Yeah, don’t worry about the cover-up, that part went stellar at least.” I’m more salty than actually angry by now. I want him to feel bad, I deserve that much. “So to answer your question, I came a day early because if I spent another night out there, then me arriving here at all would’ve been a damn miracle, that’s why.”
He remains speechless, just frozen in place staring in front of himself. Looks like I managed to stun-lock him.
After a few seconds, he sighs and massages his nose bridge then looks at me. “Why did you enter the forest Elyssia? I only needed you to stick around outside the city, around the road where it is safe. I even left some supplies in your backpack for you.”
Wait what? He did?
…
Oh, so that’s why the wolves tore my damn backpack apart. So… all of my struggle was for nothing?
“Are you kidding me?” I look at him with eyes twitching and mouth wide open. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why couldn’t you leave after we exited the forest?” I yell, drawing attention from anyone passing by.
“Lower your voice.” He sighs again. “Look, I’m sorry, okay? I know that’s what you want to hear. We parted in the forest to make your story as an orphan more believable. I know you see me as an absolute douchebag,” You’re damn right about that. “but I’m not a monster who’d expect an inexperienced child to survive in the wilds. I know you’re bright and courageous and I also know you're as weak and green as one can be.”
So it wasn’t a test? It was meant to be easy and I made it harder for myself…
“I’ll look into rumors about you. If what you said it's true it should serve as a pretty solid cover-up.” He resumes walking down the corridor. “Also remember one thing, kid. In this place, I’m an officer and you are below a cadet. Behave according to our ranks, mind your manners when you talk to your superior, are we clear?”
“Oh, I’ll be respectful with them no worries. You on the other hand? Fuck you, old man. I don’t care what punishments you dish out. I'll make your days a living hell.” I shake my fist at him. Defiance all the way.
“That’s supposed to be my line, I’m one of the instructors. And if you’re begging for it you’ll have it… brat.” He tries to sound threatening but the raised corner of his mouth betrays him.
We pass the front desk, where two clerks stare at me following one of their officers looking cheeky and also poor as hell. Quite a sight I must be. Then we turn right, then straight, another right a lot more straight, up one flight of stairs, a lot more straight and… yeah. We’re walking.
This maze is supposed to be where I’ll live?
“I’ll lead you to your room. This will be your new home for the coming years along with the other orphans.” I’m not an orphan. “You’ll be trained and educated here, you’ll make friends and comrades, meet mentors and officers. This is your new home.” Another point towards him being a mind reader.
That speech might’ve been inspirational but it completely passed over me. I’ll do what I have to then I’ll be out of here. The fort might not even be bad or anything, I just hate it because I’m forced to be here. I could be a little more open-minded, except I’m not…
“I know you don’t like it and I know I can’t force you to be happy here. Having said that, at least give it a try, you won't lose anything and still be here whether you hate it or not. Time flies faster when you enjoy what you’re doing. That’s common knowledge.” This one was a bit late on the mind reader side… still not convinced.
He does have a fair point though. If I’m done being difficult I might as well give it an honest try.
“How many kids are here?” I’m a little curious about my future company.
I pray for them to be fun and unruly. Actually no, reverse that, whenever I prayed for something up until now the reverse always happened.
“Twenty kids your age, Sixty ten-year-olds, around forty kids aged eleven. Anyone above twelve can join proper training or further education. You’ll be among the youngest obviously and at the bottom level-wise. You’ll have to stand up for yourself. The stronger ones like to bully the weak, even though we discourage it.” That’s just the rule of nature, basic among kids. “I think you’ll do just fine on that front.” Looks like he at least got to know me a little in the last two weeks. Damn straight I’ll stand up for myself.
Actually, I want to train my skills a bit further before taking the class-up. I’ll be the law enforcer in the children's pit.
Name: Elyssia
Age: 9
Mana: 322/380
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+57/hour
Racial Trait:
Celestial Elf
Stats:
Free Points: 9
Might: 7
Mana: 38
Speed: 11
Willpower: 57
Endurance: 8
Intelligence: 38
Dexterity: 11
Focus: 57(+2.5)
General Skills:
Savant lvl 14
Identify lvl 8
Running lvl 9
Dodging lvl 10
Pain Tolerance lvl 3
Reflexes lvl 9
Quick Witted lvl 13
Stamina lvl 9
Multitasking lvl 9
I. Class: Inept Magus - Arcane lvl 18
Arcane Affinity lvl 17
Elemental Influence lvl 16
Mana Shield lvl 13
Mana Bolt lvl 11
II. Class: *Locked*
III. Class: *Locked*
Pretty close. I think I’ll want Arcane Magic, Elemental Influence, and Savant maxed, then I can… Deep breaths, don’t be hasty Elyssia. Do it properly. Mom and dad were right with the stamina thing, they surely haven’t told you this to mess with you. Do. It. Properly.
“Hey, old man-” I start.
“Captain. You’ll call me captain here.” He stops and looks at me from the corner of his eyes then sighs again. A developing habit maybe. “Please just this one, I’ll punish you properly for the rest of all your mischief but if the other kids pick up on your habits…”
Uh, that sounds tough. For him, that is. I’m not here to ruin his image and self-esteem, I just want to annoy him to the grave.
“Fine, can you help me with rounding out my skills? I’m really close to maxing things out and I can’t wait to class up.” Of course, I’ll comply right now, I want something. I’m basically bouncing with anticipation.
Equal exchange. And a threat hidden behind the friendly facade. I know your weakness.
“That’s the whole point of you being here. Maximizing your potential and teaching you everything necessary. We help you with your skills and class decisions, while also rooting out the mistakes you made. We’ll take only the best version of you both for our and your sake.”
Nice.
“Oh oh, and this pelt.” I show him my loot from the fox. “ The hunters said it still needs to be cured. It doesn’t look sick to me so I don’t know what she meant.”
He roars out in laughter but quickly reigns it in. “No it's not… I’ll take care of it.” He shakes his head. “Still a kid after all.” He mutters.
I’m not fond of constantly being called a kid or child or brat. I know they’re not wrong, it just feels degrading. Kids aren’t abandoned in a forest…
“This here will be your room.” We stop in front of a totally normal door. “The entire wing is designated for cadets and the instructors so you can have your friends and helpers close in case of an emergency.”
The hallways, rooms, the walls, everything here is decorated either with something historical or expensive looking. This wing is different, it looks… ordinary. It's still the same stone everywhere, with similar chandeliers and carpet but the grandeur is lacking.
“The other children are currently in the courtyard, having physical training. You’ll get to know them after lunch, so better make yourself presentable if you don’t wanna make a poor first impression.”
I really don't like the sound of that. There was zero mention of free time or how long this so-called training takes. Let’s just hope the room has some furniture.
I push the door open, and it complies with a slight creak. Inside the quite spacious room are two beds to the left and right against the walls, both with its own nightstand. Direct opposite to the door is a small window allowing for some sunlight, and lastly a wardrobe immediately to the right of the door.
“Sooo, I’ll have a roommate?” That’s my first thought after seeing my new place.
It’ll do, sparsely furnished but this is a military fortress at the end. The dust blanketing every possible surface will be a pain in the ass to clean.
“No, this room stood unoccupied making it perfect for you. Considering your special circumstances and young age… It’s probably for the best if we don’t assign anyone else here for now.” Bennett walks into the room, dragging a finger across the windowsill and inspecting the ridiculous amount of dust.
“Preferential treatment? I can live with that. BUT, more importantly, can I get some new clothes and where is the bath?” I demand more so than ask.
Why are we not there yet? I’m itchy all over the place.
He just blinks at my priorities before massaging his nose bridge. “I already feel myself aging just being near you, seriously… Throw your things inside and follow.”
Finally.
***
We don’t have to go too far, just two corners and I can already feel the increased humidity and smell of herbs.
Warm water, a blessing from the Gods.
“Male to the left, female to the right.” Bennett opens a cabinet and throws me some clothes. Are they too big for me? Yes. Are they clean? Also yes, so I don’t care about the rest.
I bolt into the bath, throw off my rags and set my sight on the pool. This is it.
“Hold it right there young lady!” An elderly voice calls out to me.
I slide to a stop and eye around for the source of the voice. It’s not too difficult to find the older lady sitting on a bench near the water. “Clean yourself before you dive headfirst into the bath, please. It cleanses itself but the stench remains.” She adds. “I’m not trying to be rude darling, it's just how things work here. Come closer.”
The woman looks similar in age to Bennett, easily a hundred. Her level probably kept her younger, like a not-that-old grandmother. Her hair is fairly gray but I can still see some brown. It helps that there are barely any wrinkles on her face and she’s wearing a bathrobe right now.
[Mage lvl ???]
[The general Skill [Identify] has reached lvl 8 ->10.]
Another Bennett huh?
I comply and walk over. She inspects me properly looking at my hair that resembles a bird's nest after a storm and my few shades darker skin, courtesy of all the dirt.
“I haven’t seen you here before, so you must be Elyssia, the new girl Bennett brought in.” I nod. “Come, I’ll help with your hair, dirt is a persistent enemy.” She nudges me towards a separate stool, brush and a barrel of water. “Oh my, I almost forgot my manners. My name is Martha. I’m the theoretical instructor here, I hope we’ll get along well, young Mage.” Her smile at the end wasn’t reassuring or grandmotherly at all, it was somehow scary.
She doesn’t fiddle around, pushes my butt onto the stool, dumps some water on me and starts brushing quite aggressively.
Come to think of it, I've never met my grandparents. Mom said her family lives on the other side of Eborden and dad’s parents went missing a few decades ago. Tough luck I guess.
After a good minute of furious scrubbing, I’m finally free. ”There, rinse yourself once more and you’re free to go.” She says with a satisfied smirk.
I stand up and look at myself in the mirror across the wall. My hair is back to its light blond color and almost reaches the small of my back. My skin got slightly darker. Likely a side effect of spending days in the sunlight but it's still on the lighter side.
I nod at the sight, satisfied with my looks and set my sight on the large surface of water once again. Pulling some water from the barrel with magic I wash myself off mid-run. To finish it off I perform a less than elegant dive into the pool and… Pure bliss. I could probably melt in here right now.