Chapter 1
Leaving War Behind
Walking away from the war was never Trog’s plan. Being told he was no longer needed and dismissed was a blow to his pride. For ten years Trog had fought with the vanguard, never failing to carry out orders. However, the newly trained troops were deemed ready to take their place at the front lines. All veteran soldiers who had permanent injuries, no matter how small, were given a discharge order. Trog was unhappy with the order to leave but couldn’t get the officers to change their minds. His arms were blackened by Dragon’s Breath attacks, even though the pain was manageable they would never heal.
Trog wasn’t exactly sure what he should do now. His friend Koma had suggested he head to one of the larger cities in the Joined Kingdom and apply to work in one of the Adventurer Guilds training adventurers how to fight. Trog's style of fighting was great for close combat. However, Trog couldn’t see adventurers wanting to learn to fight from a Goblin. Well, not without him proving himself by hurting quite a few first. What he needed was time to think so taking the long way back into the heart of the Joined Kingdom seemed like a good idea plus he knew there were a few small dungeons along the way and who knows maybe if he could loot an awakening stone and gained access to magic he would be allowed back in the war. He had some coin left from his weekly wages to last him a few months before he would need to be in a major city to collect his military service bonus.
After a week of travel, Trog finally arrived at the first small dungeon. What he saw had him dropping his travel pack. Three dragonkin were having lunch, their feet resting on the bodies of two Joined Kingdom dungeon guards. Trog took a long look at their scales, not a single one had the bright coloring that marked all Dragon Breath users. Trog prepared himself, this wouldn’t be too difficult, they were unarmed having left their spears leaning against the guard shack. Without another moment's planning Trog charged in leading with a devastating blow to the blindside of the largest armed dragonkin and they fell instantly. Then it was on to the next one, instead of punching Trog extended his fingers and went straight for the eyes, the tips of the fingers of his gauntlets were extremely sharp and they blinded the second dragonkin. Turning to face the next one charging him not bothering to go for his spear Trog rolled toward him and with all his momentum landed a vicious blow to his enemy's knee, trog couldn’t help but grin at the loud pop the knee made as it gave out. As his opponent fell to the side, Trog grabbed the dragonkin’s head, threw himself in a wild spin, and heard a snap as the neck broke. Trog then turned his attention back to the blinded enemy and after retrieving one of the spears he coldly thrust the point into his heart. He then took a dagger from the blind one's body and slit the throat of the first enemy he had rendered unconscious. Trog had learned early in the war that if you don’t finish your enemies when you can, they will try and finish you.
Trog arranged the bodies and began to loot them when he heard horses approaching. Trog readied himself in case the approaching horse carried more dragonkin, but was put at ease as he saw Joined Kingdom banners. These were a new troop coming as reinforcements and he stood at attention as the officers approached. The lead officer was a young elf man but the orc to his left looked like a veteran and the human on his right had the look of a mage.
“What do we have here?” The elf seems amused at the sight. “Did you find some bodies to loot, little one?”
Trog was not surprised to be talked down to by an elf, elves above all races seemed to dislike goblins the most. Something to do with being so long lived. They remember when goblins were enemies to all.
“I was planning on buying a dungeon run on my way back to the central cities. I found these three here having killed the guards, Sir!”
“One goblin taking on three dragonkin?” the elf didn’t look like he believed Trog.
“And those look like vanguard gauntlets, are you a deserter? It seems more likely you helped these three cross our borders and then when the guards gave their lives to stop them you must have come in and finished them off. Goblins tend to be sneaky that way.”
“I have a scroll that verifies my identity and discharge from the army in my bag over there.” Trog tried to keep calm as he replied. He could see that the orc and the human did not agree with the elf.
The elf waved his hand for him to retrieve the scroll and he handed it to the mage.
Scroll of Identity Military Issue
Name: Trog
Age: 27
Skills:
* Precision Brawler Tier 5
* Goblin War Cry Teir 5
* Shield Wall Tier 1
* Litreen digging Tier 1
* Logging Tier 1
* Armor Repair Tier 1
* Weapon Maintenance Tier 1
Titles: None
War Titles:
* The Burned Fist
* Low Blow Legend
Military Status:
* Position: Vanguard Footman
* Affiliation: Joined Kingdom
* Status: Permanent Injury Discharge
Magic Class: none
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Magic Skill: none
“Sir, it is true. Trog here is one marked with an injury discharge. It appears he also has war titles of…” The mage was interrupted by the elf
“Yes, yes I am sure” the elf brushed off the mage before turning to the orc.
“Loot the bodies and take anything of value.”
“Sir, these are his kills, and by rights, if a civilians risks their lives to defeat enemies of the kingdom are entitled to the first choice of loot.” The orc spoke with authority and grinned at Trog.
“Fine” the elf looked back at Trog “Be quick and show me what you are claiming then be on your way.”
Trog wasn’t going to wait to be told twice he knew this kind of officer, if he took too long the officer might change his mind. With speed, Trog went over the bodies after removing their armor and checked their clothes for hidden pockets. Sure enough one of them had a small bag sewn inside one of his sleeves. Ripping the bag open Trog’s eye widened at the sight before him. It was an awakening stone, but not just any awakening stone it was legendary. The golden color was unmistakable. He could go on hundreds of dungeon runs and never see a legendary drop. He quickly stood and walked to the elf trying hard to keep a smile from his face.
“I claim this sir.” Trob said as he held the stone out for all to see.
The orc and human both had looks of amazement, the elf looked angry. A legendary stone could sell for enough money to buy any 10 normal-class stones. You could outfit an entire family with magic and become a power in the kingdom. Trog didn’t have family, but this could be his way back into the war. It didn’t matter what kind of magic class it was. As long as it could be used in war he would be taken back instantly.
The elf held out his hand and spoke a word. “Appraise”
Trog wasn’t expecting that but he probably should have. He could see the elf read the prompt that his spell had provided. Trog thought he saw a small smile come and go.
“Very well but on one condition, I want you to use it now. I will not have a legendary stone be carried around for some enemy soldier or bandit to steal like has happened to these idiots. Marcus here can provide the power circle for you so there will be no need to travel to a city.”
Trog was taken aback, if the mage could draw a power circle for a legendary stone he had to be tier 5. Normally mages would charge gold to perform one, Trog hadn’t even thought about how he would have afforded to do this in the city. His military boon for ten years of service might cover it. Trog answered quickly “Agreed Sir! I hope this will allow me to be of use to the kingdom once again.”
“Oh I am sure it will.” the elf said as he turned his horse around pointing to the bodies and ordering his men to finish looting them.
The mage dismounted and started to walk in a large circle around Trog. “It will take me an hour to pace the power circle out. Feel free to have a seat.”
The hour seemed to take forever and Trog's grip on the stone never loosened.
“Alright Trog, please stand and hold the stone to your chest, I will then power the circle and the awakening will take place. Be ready for some discomfort if not outright pain. Legendary stones are known to be a little harsh on the body.”
Trog stood and did as he was told. The mage bent down and Trog could see the mana flowing from the mage into the circle. As the circle began to glow he could feel the stone begin to shake. Trog held the stone tighter to his chest and prepared for pain but got only a warm feeling. It was almost as though he had just taken a shot of whiskey. His body felt good as if it had just been given a healing potion. Then the stone turned to dust in his hand and the power circle faded.
“Well, that wasn’t what I was expecting,” Trog said to the mage.
The mage smiled “There is no telling his awakenings, now that you have access to your mana you can check your own status screen. Just think status and it should appear before you can find out what you unlocked. I am very interested to find out what class of magic you got.”
Trog did as he was told and sure enough, his status screen appeared before him.
Personal Status
Name: Trog
Age: 27
Skills:
* Precision Brawler Tier 5
* Goblin War Cry Teir 5
* Shield Wall Tier 1
* Litreen digging Tier 1
* Logging Tier 1
* Armor Repair Tier 1
* Weapon Maintenance Tier 1
Titles: None
War Titles:
* The Burned Fist
* Low Blow Legend
Military Status:
* Position: Vanguard Footman
* Affiliation: Joined Kingdom
* Status: Permanent Injury Discharge
Magic Class: Farming
Magic skill: Grow Anything
Trog was in a state of shock. Farming his magic class was farming! There was no way he would be able to use this to get back to the front lines. As he stood there stunned the mage spoke, snapping him out of it.
“What class of magic did you unlock?”
Trog answered but his voice was soft, “Farming”
“What?” the mage asked again.
“It’s farming magic. I will never be allowed to go to war again, will I?”
“I am afraid not. Anyone with farming magic is forbidden from military service or adventuring guilds. Farming magic users are needed to work the land. It is a worthy life and you shouldn’t look so down. This will guarantee you will be able to purchase land. And with a legendary type of magic, I bet you will never have to spend a winter worrying about food.” The mage answered, trying to point out the good things about farming magic.
Trog didn’t respond, he just picked up his pack and started walking. The look on the elf’s face was sheer pleasure. He had known it was a farming magic awakening stone. His appraisal would have told him that much. He knew that farming mages were never able to rise in social status. Sure they could grow crops in the worst conditions but regular farmers with good land and skill could produce just as well. Farming Magic is considered the lowest form of magic. Only benefiting soil quality to help crops grow at higher qualities. Trog looked at his Identifying scroll as he walked. Farming was listed as his magic class clearly after his military status. Now he wouldn’t even be able to set foot in a dungeon. However, he found it odd that the name of his magic skill wasn’t listed. He rechecked his personal status and it was right there.
Magic Skill: Grow Anything