Though still feeling nauseous, Klaus forced himself to stand upright. Towering trees stretched above him, their trunks thick and gnarled, twisted into unnatural shapes as if the forest had grown wild for eons. The canopy was so dense that only slivers of pale light pierced through, creating long shadows that flickered across the ground of the small clearing he had been portalled to. Vines and roots coiled across the ground under the trees beyond the clearing, and he could hear the sounds of what he assumed to be unfamiliar birds in the distance. The air was thick with the scent of moss and damp earth, which was quite pleasant for Klaus after what he had just experienced. He wiped the vomit from around his mouth as best he could.
A grey hand darted into view to seize him by his shoulder. With a jerk, Klaus was pulled backward out of the circle. A behemoth of a man in heavy plate armor, wearing a tabard adorned by a black sword, had him firmly in his grip. Beyond his height exceeding seven feet, Klaus immediately noticed the grey skin and sharp teeth bared in a grin. Before he could react, a black stone was pressed firmly to his forehead. A wave of heat and then pleasant cold flowed over him.
“There,” the man grunted, “now you should be able to understand us, Lord Klarion.”
“Understand you?”
“Yes,” a lilting voice called from further back, and a woman in red robes modified for travel, also wearing a tabard adorned with a black sword, stepped into view. Flame-red hair and obviously pointed ears were the first things Klaus noticed, and he froze upon making eye contact with a living, breathing, elven woman. “Unless you’d somehow been studying Imperial Common, which I doubt, then you would not be able to understand use without that stone.”
“Imperial Common?”
“Yes,” the man next to Klauss said as he released his grip, then stepped back next to the elven woman. “The language of the Treverorum Empire, my lord.”
“Oh, I see,” Klaus responded, then asked while staring at their tabards, “Am I correct in assuming you are the ones who will be escorting me to the… school?”
The two of them exchanged long looks.
“Did Franz really say nothing about us?” the elf asked.
“Not really,” Klaus shook his head. “He said two retainers of House Blacksword would be here to escort me, and that I should trust you, but that was it. He didn’t even tell me your names or what races you were.” Klaus blushed as he realized what he said about not knowing their races.
Rather than being upset, they both doubled over in laughter.
“That sounds like Franz, alright,” said the behemoth of a man. “Sharing the bare minimum then letting you figure things out by yourself.”
With a grin that showed his sharp teeth in profile, the man tapped his chest, making the plate armor give a light ringing sound. “My name is Rolfun, and I am a half-ogre Berserker sworn to House Blacksword.”
“And I’m his wife, Alesin,” the elven woman said, lightly resting her hand on Rolfun’s shoulder to push the half-ogre into a bow as she did, “and I am a sun elf Fire Mage also sworn to House Blacksword. We have been charged with escorting you from here, in the Wildlands on the edge of an Imperial Frontier World known as Verdant VI, to the nearest permanent portal hub that will allow you passage to the Imperial Academy in which your family has secured your enrollment, my lord.”
“It is nice to meet you,” Klaus said, still feeling somewhat awkward from asking them about their races, and even more so about the tones they were addressing him with. While he had known intellectually that being a part of the nobility would mean changes, given how Franz had been interacting with him, he hadn’t expected this type of treatment so quickly.
“And it is our honor to be escorting the newest scion of House Blacksword to the Imperial Academy,” Alesin said, then stood up from her bow. “If you will follow me to the other side of the clearing, we can unlock your access to the System and we can begin our journey to Ilthis.”
Klaus nodded and followed Alesin to where she had set up a small ritual circle, this one already glowing red. A single white stone sat next to it, which Alesin promptly picked up.
“If you have a seat within the circle, we can get started. It might take a few minutes to unlock the System.”
“That is it? I thought this would be a bit more of an involved ceremony or ritual of some sort?”
“No, my lord. This is the most basic of initiations into the System that all go through. By design, it is simple so anyone can gain access. Now, make sure your entire body lies within the circle.”
Sitting within the circle, Klaus pulled his legs in tight so that they didn’t overlap with any of the lines in the dirt. Without a word, Alesin leaned over him to set the white stone on top of his head. As soon as it made contact, it burst into dust that quickly faded into the air around him, the red circle pulsing once before going dull. Even though Klaus guessed what was going to happen, it was still a jarring surprise to see a blue box appear in the air in front of him. No matter how he turned his head, the box continued to hover in the middle of his gaze.
“It will take a few minutes for us to get everything together. You should take your time to get familiar with your HUD, Lord Klarion.”
“Lord Klarion?” Klaus asked softly, the way they had been addressing him finally sinking in, but Alesin had already turned away to join Rolfun in packing up a small campsite hidden in the shadow of a tree on the edge of the small clearing. He turned his attention to the box hovering in front of him.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: START]
Welcome, Klarion Blacksword. An initial connection to the Mutiversal System has been established. You have been granted [Basic Level Access] — the standard interface given to all individuals of natures that range from [RESTRICTED] all the way up to [RESTRICTED]. The current level of access you possess allows you to view your character sheet and core attributes and interact with the essential functions of the System. Given your status as [RESTRICTED] the level of access can be expanded.
Additional Information: Your journey through the System has only just begun. Continue growing in strength and knowledge to push beyond your limits so that you might increase your chances of gaining access to special quests, titles, unique abilities, and more.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: END]
[WOULD YOU LIKE TO VIEW YOUR INTERFACE?]
YES/YES?
Snorting softly at the lack of options, Klaus mentally selected both ‘YES’ options at once. His breath seized in his chest as it appeared.
Name: Klarion von Sturmwacht
Race: Human (Noresyn)
Class: TBD - Level 0
Profession(s): TBD
Essence(s): TBD
Faction: Treverorum Empire - House Blacksword
Rank: Scion - Unlanded
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 10
Vitality: 14
Endurance: 19
Intelligence: 17
Wisdom: 8
Charisma: 7
Luck: 4
Traits: Greater Soul Oath (Unknown - Hidden)
Skills: N/A
Abilities: N/A
This Interface finally confirmed what Franz had been alluding to back on Earth. His real name was Klarion, not Klaus, and his homeworld was marked as Noresyn, wherever that was. The System also, apparently, recognized him as being both a part of the Treverorum Empire, as well as being a scion of House Blacksword. Anyone who had access to a way to view his Interface would immediately know that.
While ‘Klarion’ felt foreign, according to the System, it had always been a part of him, hidden beneath the layers of his life on Earth. Deciding at that moment to follow through with the promises he had made to himself earlier, Klaus set aside his old name to embrace his new one. Klarion was who he was meant to be.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Skipping over Essence, as he had no context to guess what that meant, he moved on to his stats. From what he could tell, his stats looked alright apart from Luck, but without anyone to compare them to, there was no way to tell just how good they were. Thankfully, he largely recognized each of the different stats, given his time playing RPG games with friends. Hopefully, he would have little confusion as to what each one did for him.
Less familiar were the tabs presenting information on Traits, Skills, and Abilities, all of which were empty except for Traits. As soon as his eyes landed on Greater Soul Oath, he knew exactly what it referred to: that visitor in the hospital years ago. As hard as he focused on it, even going so far as to mutter a few words under his breath about opening or expanding information while staring at it, nothing happened. Perhaps that was somehow due to the current level of access he had. According to the message, his access could be expanded in some way, but there was no information provided as to how. Banishing it from his mind for now, Klarion closed his HUD and stood up from the ritual circle.
Behind him, Alesin and Rolfun were in the process of putting the last of their supplies away. Finally, they stuffed their tabards into their packs. Everything packed away, Rolfun bent over and muttered something to Alesin, pointing in two different directions. Likely going over which way to leave the cleaning. Klarion walked over, and as he grew closer his escort stopped talking and turned to him. It struck him all at once that, not only were they not human, but the sun elf and half-ogre radiated a carefully controlled aura of violence that he was only picking up on now. He scrambled for something to say.
“Why did you put the tabards away?” he blurted.
“Well, you see,” Rolfun awkwardly scratched the side of his head with one massive finger, “House Blacksword is a bit… stretched thin at the moment…” Rolfun awkwardly paused, glancing down at Alesin.
“And we are well on the edge of Imperial territory out here on this frontier world,” Alesin continued, eyes making their way to Klarion’s face as if to judge his reaction to their words. Apparently seeing whatever it was she was looking for in his expression, she took a deep breath then continued. “Look, my lord, while you might feel it due your station to have use escort you the whole way with the tabards on, that might not be the best idea, since…well…” the sun elf paused.
“Yes?”
Taking what he said as permission to continue, Alesin said, “You house has a lot of enemies and the tabards would make us, and by extension you, a target if we were to come across the sworn bondsman of any number of noble houses that might have a presence on this world—” Alesin full-on flinched as something in Klarion’s expression changed. “We will of course wear them, my lord, should you command us to.”
Before she even fully finished speaking, Klarion was shaking his head. “No. If you say they would make us targets for enemies we might otherwise be able to avoid, then by all means, please make sure they are packed away out of sight. Could… could I see one of them before we leave?” He awkwardly shifted his weight. “It’s just… I have never seen the symbol of House Blacksword before.”
“Of course!”
Almost before he had finished asking, or perhaps at the relief that she would not be commanded to wear it while they escorted him, Alesin was pulling her tabard free from her pack. Unfolding it, she presented it to Klarion in a half-bow.
Gently taking the tabard in hand, Klarion was immediately surprised at the sturdy weight of the azure material. Flexing his arms, he put the weight at ten pounds at least. For all that, though, it still had a texture almost akin to silk. He stared down at what he now held, eyes roving over the details woven into it, which showed more than the simple black sword he had seen in passing when he first saw Rolfun and Alesin. Now that he was closer to it, he could make out a helm, winged dragons, and chains in various places across it.
“I don’t know much about heraldry,” Klarion confessed as he looked down on the tabard, “but could you explain to me what all this means?”
“You really don’t recognize it?” Alesin said, again in a tone Klarion could not recognize. Was it doubt or confusion he heard in her voice?
“No,” Klarion replied as the awkwardness seemed to increase another notch. Better to get everything right out in the open. “It has only been a few days since I have learned about all of this. Before Franz saved my life, I was just a doctor’s assistant with no idea about who I really was, House Blacksword, the Empire, or anything really.”
Without another word, Rolfun bent in close and began to point to the various icons on the tabard.
“The Sable Sword at the center symbolizes the martial might of House Blacksword.” His finger then taped the crowned helm that hovered over the hilt. “The helm itself indicates not just elevated status and authority within the Empire, but also a legacy of rulership that spans generations.”
“And the dragons and chains?” A part of Klarion hated how eager he sounded to learn more. House Blacksword had apparently abandoned him on Earth and, completely uncaring of the impacts revealing the truth to him in the middle of his normal life would have, ordered him retrieved so that he might attend some school for nobility.
Another part of him, however, truly did want to learn more about his past, if only to better prepare for what the future might bring.
“The Winged Dragons on either side of the blade symbolize strength, courage, vigilance, and House Blacksword’s commitment to protecting its territories and allies while pursuing power, magic, and learning. The Interwoven Chains surrounding everything show how unity and loyalty within House Blacksword hold everything together. ” Rolfun’s finger then traced lower, lightly tapping the words under the crest. “Blades Unyielding, Honor Unbroken. The motto of House Blacksword and the greatest commitment of all sword to it.”
Rolfun’s explanation done, Klarion gently handed the tabard back to Alesin so she could pack it away. “Thank you for telling me what everything meant.”
Rolfun gave another half bow to Klarion. “Of course, my lord.”
“So, even as a Scion of House Blacksword, you really have no knowledge about…” Alesin gestured vaguely around herself, then between her and Rolfun.
“No, absolutely no idea about anything.” Klarion grimaced.
“Well, that explains why you are not such a pain i—”
“Rolfun!!!” Alesin half-shouted, punching the larger half-ogre in the side, causing him to grunt and slump slightly. Rolfun rubbed his side with a wince, then apologetically looked at Klarion, fully aware of the breach in respect he had almost made
“My apologies, Lord Klarion. Sometimes I speak without thinking.”
Rather than respond, Klarion let loose a light chuckle that quickly turned into full-on laughter as he doubled over in mirth. Once he was done and took a few moments to catch his breath, he looked back up at the bemused faces of his escorts. He finally understood the looks they had been giving him, and the constant ‘my lords’. He remembered Franz’s advice and it sparked an idea in him.
“It’s alright, Rolfun. While I admit I can occasionally be a pain in the ass, my life never allowed me to develop the personality traits I’m now realizing you seem to be worried about.” He straightened up to make eye contact with them both. “I appreciate you both being here to escort me wherever it is we are going so I can attend the Imperial Academy you mentioned. I would appreciate even more if you would keep those tabards hidden and drop the ‘my lords’ if you feel doing so will increase our chances of running into trouble on this trip.” He then bowed his head to the sun elf and half-ogre, at which he could almost feel how they froze in shock at the sight. “Most of all, I would appreciate it if you would teach me anything you think I would find useful on the way.”
“Lord, please raise your head. It is not right for you to bow to us.” Alesin said nervously. When Klarion did not move, the sun elf asked somewhat softer, “Please… Klarion… raise your head.”
Thinking he got what he wanted, Klarion did as she asked. The sun elf stared awkwardly at him for a moment, clearly not sure what to say next when Rolfun took it on himself to speak.
“Well, it will be nice to escort a Scion that wants to avoid fights for once.” When Klarion looked at the half-ogre, some of the confusion must have shown on his face. “What? Just because I have the Berserker class doesn’t mean I look for every battle I can find.” Rolfun gave him a teasing grin, though it looked weird on the massive half-ogre’s face. “Especially when I have to escort a young lord who can’t tell his ass from a hole in the ground.”
Alesin hit her husband a bit harder at his disrespect, causing him to double over once more. She couldn’t help the slight smile that appeared on her own face, however, especially when it because clear that Klarion had taken no offense at her husband’s disrespect.
“Very well, Klarion,” Alesin said in agreement. “The list of things we might find useful for you to know is a bit wide. We will promise to teach you what we can, but only if you agree to follow a few rules as we escort you to our destination.”
“What rules?”
“The first should be the easiest for you, given your requests just now. Since we are changed with your safe escort, you must agree to keep quiet about your true identity. We are not exaggerating when we say there are many that would take advantage of any situation where a young scion of House Blacksword is vulnerable and open to attack.”
“Agreed,” Klarion said. “What else?”
“The second rule is that you must follow any and all instructions that we give you. This frontier world is far from the seat of Imperial power in this sector of the Empire. There are many creatures, many things, that could kill us out here.” Seeing Klarion grow nervous at her words, she hastened to add in reassurance, “We are experienced bodyguards, and we have much experience in the wilds of untamed worlds. So long as you listen to what we tell you, there will be very few things you will have to worry about.”
“Done. Are there any more rules?”
“No, Klarion,” Rolfun shook his head, shifting his pack on his shoulders to settle it. “So long as you obey those rules, this trip will be far easier than expected. For all of us.”
“So, are you ready to go?” Alesin asked.
“Yes. Oh!” a thought struck him, and without a word, he pivoted to rush back over to the ritual circle he had been sitting in. With a few quick kicks of his boots, he destroyed the markings on the ground, removing the last evidence that anyone had been in the clearing. He hurried back over to his escorts.
“There. Now I’m ready to go.”
Rolfun and Alesin shared a look, the half-ogre giving a smiling nod of approval at Klarion acting to cover up the last piece of evidence that they had been in the clearing, after which Alesin spoke up. “Alright, Klarion, stick close to us. We have a ways to go until we reach the nearest road.”
Rolfun took the lead into the trees, Alesin motioning for Klarion to go next. She moved close behind him, eyes alternating between Rolfun’s back and the surrounding trees. As the clearing disappeared into the woods behind them, Klarion couldn’t help but feel a mix of fear and excitement. He was fully committed now.
There was no going back.