Chapter 13: Uniform
Mercedes jolted awake, covered in sweat. The malicious creaks and groans of gnarled red roots ripping through stone and black soil as they coiled around the albino’s neck and limbs faded as her pink eyes adjusted to the pale grey ceiling above her. Time ticked forward with the slowing rate of her erratic pulse until she ground herself once more in reality, sat up, and got moving.
The chill of the nightmare that had chased her from the abyss eased beneath the pleasantly steaming shower of the empty public washroom. It was strange to think that such a luxury would now be available to her daily in this foreign world. Hygiene in Eldermoor Keep consisted of a bucket of cold water, a rag, and whatever remnants of soap she could scrape off the floor in the communal lavatory, which had never been hospitable, clean, or safe for the ostracized Sparrow.
Mercedes would have been fine skipping the rather torturous ordeal if not for the noticeable difference in how humans treated each other based on the cleanliness of their appearance. Human kindness was a currency that came with prerequisites: look like us, talk like us, and act like us.
There is nothing more isolating than standing out for all the wrong reasons.
The Sparrow let the unpleasant memories melt away beneath the pleasant foam of lavender soap that washed away any lingering sweat or dirt she may have carried over from her old world. Then she rinsed, turned off the shower, and opened the curtain, only to realize, with a rueful laugh, that she lacked any means of drying herself off.
‘I need to visit the marketplace Raimund showed me yesterday and see about getting some basic necessities.’
Mercedes ran her fingers through her shoulder-length hair and squeezed out as much excess water as she could before wiping down her arms, torso, and legs with her bare hands.
The Sparrow was still wet by the time the steam began to fade from the windows over the counter sinks. She tugged on the same linen shirt she’d slept in, pulled it down to cover most of her damp skin, grabbed the rest of her old uniform, and headed for the door.
She paused as she caught a glint of red in the mirror, then frowned as she turned to stare at her reflection and focused on the curious stain of what appeared to be dried blood along the left collar and shoulder of her linen shirt.
‘Strange. Did I get that on me yesterday when I was sick?’
Mercedes shook her head and exited the washroom with renewed urgency. Her bare feet left a faint trail of wet footprints down the wooden paneled hallway as she slipped silently back to her room and dipped inside. Tomorrow, she would be better prepared.
With the door closed, the Sparrow removed her stained garment and then opened the casement window. She welcomed the refreshing, cool morning breeze as she leaned on the stone ledge and waited for her hair and skin to dry, noting absently that her stomach no longer ached with hunger.
By the time the first hint of pale golden light appeared against the mystical indigo-grey horizon, only the back middle section of her ghostly white hair remained slightly moist. Mercedes used her fingers to comb through the tangled ends as she listened to the sound of the inn’s residents waking up on either side of her room. The creaking of beds, loud yawns, and muffled conversations brought with it a strange sense of nostalgia, and she half expected to hear Christine’s voice loudly complaining about their latest breakfast.
‘She’s dead now. Don’t think about it. She was only a burden.’
The albino hummed absently as she watched the city outside light up beneath the rousing flicker of candles and lanterns behind drawn curtains.
Once a bit more light had entered her room, the Sparrow gathered the quest reward box from the spare bed to scrutinize it. The same arcane aura still swirled around the gaudy fuchsia pink surface that reacted to her touch with small ripples.
‘How curious. Well, might as well try on my new uniform.’
She tugged the ribbon free and flinched in surprise as the box expanded rapidly in size on her palm before it shattered into a cloud of tiny pink and purple bits of paper that showered across the room as a small blue screen appeared.
[Notice! Congratulations on your acceptance into the Arcane Mystic Academy!]
Mercedes sputtered against the confetti scattered across her cheeks and lips. Her pink eyes narrowed as she examined the vibrant fuschia specs now splattered all over her exposed skin. “Was that—necessary?”
The albino growled as she clawed the festive carnage from her still-damp hair, before her attention returned to the neatly stacked uniform hovering in the air before her. The predominantly violet ensemble, accented with pale green and beige gray, consisted of a tunic, jacket, belt, trousers, and boots. A small rolled scroll floated beside it, which she assumed was the teleportation scroll Raimund had mentioned.
“Wait, wasn’t there supposed to be an auto-equip option—or was that just a ruse to avoid unleashing this disaster in the dining hall?”
Cursing the ginger Disciple under her breath, the Sparrow flipped over the mattress on the spare bed and placed her new uniform on the exposed, clean side. She rubbed the confounded confetti from her skin with the damp linen shirt for a good twenty minutes before flinging the infested garment toward the wardrobe.
‘Shit, how much time do I have left?’
A quick check of the teleportation scroll confirmed she still had about an hour remaining. Or at least, that was the guess she was going with based on the rate with which the numbers at the bottom of the scroll moved in three separate dials, similar to the quest timer.
Mercedes quickly grabbed the pale green tunic from the pile, marveling at its light and soft texture, when a familiar screen appeared in her vision.
[Would you like to activate [Quest Insight] for your recently acquired quest reward?]
The albino tilted her head at the unexpected prompt but selected [yes] and examined the new information screen.
[Acquired! Initiate Training Tunic]
Common Initiate Training Tunic crafted of Spellthread Linen. When infused with magic energy, this garment offers a comforting aura that improves clarity of mind and focus during mystical meditation. +1 VIT, +1 S.ENG, and +1 Meditation.
The Sparrow arched a brow before pulling the shirt down over her head and shoulders. She was momentarily distracted by the green and violet runes that seemed to shift and shimmer along the delicate fabric that fell below her waist.
‘This is considered Common?’
Mercedes scoffed and shifted her attention to the accompanying violet pants accented with pale green and beige-gray rune patterns, which she picked up expectantly.
[Acquired! Initiate Training Trousers]
Common Initiate Training Trousers crafted of Spellthread Linen. When infused with magic energy, this garment’s enchantments give the wearer a subtle boost to their agility and resilience during Academy training. +1 VIT, +1 M.ENG, +1 AGI, and +1 RES.
‘What do these abbreviations even mean?’ The Sparrow tilted her head as she stepped into one pants leg at a time before securing the buttons at her waist. Then she moved on to the tightly wound belt of dark purple leather. The long strip of hide shimmered with an ethereal glow along the arcane runes delicately etched into the leather surface of what the [Quest Insight] screen identified as the [Initiate Training Potion Belt].
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Common Initiate Training Potion Belt crafted from the supple hide of the Amethyst Shadowhorn Elk. The attached pouch is enchanted to be incredibly sturdy and resilient, providing a safe and secure place for the wearer to store up to five magic potion bottles. When infused with magic essence, the belt offers a slight increase to the wearer’s magical abilities for a set period of time. +1 STA, +2 M.ENG, and +2 INT.
‘Magic Potions? Sounds like something involving alchemy,’ Mercedes mused as she recalled the strange potion Master Nicodemus had used to save her life. ‘I should look into getting some of those.’
[Acquired! Initiate Training Mantle]
Common Initiate Training Mantle crafted from Mystic Twilight Wool. This garment provides weather resistance, warmth, and protection during Academy training. When infused with mana, this mantle’s protective enchantments provide a subtle barrier against minor physical and magical harm, offering the wearer a sense of security as they discover their mystical abilities. +1 STA, +1 S.ENG, +1 P. Def, +1 M. Def, and +1 Elemental Resistance.
‘Is this some sort of cloak?’
The Sparrow slid her arms through the loose sleeves of the silky-smooth material. Once fastened around her shoulders with a simple silver clasp, the bottom draped down to just above the back of her knees while the front curved towards her belt. The dark purple fur rippled beneath her touch as the albino ran her fingers over the curled wool along the hood and collar, unsure whether the extra layer would even be needed.
‘It is rather comfortable, and the protection enchantment might be useful. I suppose I can always take it off later if necessary.’
Mercedes moved on to the last item of her new uniform. A unique pair of dark purple leather boots with silver buckles and a curious silver ornamental flower-shaped bell clasped to each bootstrap.
‘I wonder what that's for?’
The Sparrow lifted the left boot to examine the bell and flicked it curiously. She was surprised when the silver ornament appeared to light up several runes along the boot's base rather than produce any sound.
[Acquired! Initiate Training Boots]
Common Initiate Training Boots crafted from the resilient hide of the Amethyst Shadowhorn Elk, these enchanted leather boots offer several benefits to Academy training. When infused with magic energy, these boots increase the wearer’s balance, providing stability and grace during movement while protecting the wearer’s feet from exhaustion and strain during physical activities. +1 VIT, +1 STA, and +1 AGI.
Additionally, the magical bell provides enhanced agility and heightened sensitivity to the subtle currents of magic that permeate the realms while ensuring comfort and support during long journeys and demanding endeavors. +1 STA, +1 AGI, and +1 P. Def.
‘Both of those enchantments sound fantastic! No doubt I'll put them to good use if what Raimund said about physical training ends up being true.’
The [Quest Insight] screen disappeared as Mercedes pulled on her new boots. With the last buckle secured, the albino stood up and jogged in place, laughing at the delightful tingle that rippled along the soles of her feet.
‘It’s uncanny to think how much of this world is affected by simple magic enhancements. Shoes, clothes, and even food? It's a shame there isn’t an accuracy bonus of any kind, though. That would come in handy in a fight.’
The albino shrugged and proceeded to stretch, flex, and twirl, mesmerized by the luxurious feel of her new uniform.
[Notice! Congratulations on receiving 5/6 pieces of the Mystic Academy’s Initiate Training Uniform. Crafted gear sets often provide an additional bonus when worn together. Please obtain [Initiate Arcane Spellweave Gloves] to complete your current set.]
Mercedes blinked at the screen in confusion as she watched it disappear. ‘Gloves? Wait—why don’t I have the full set? Did I drop them somewhere?’ A hasty search of the room yielded no results and only resulted in spreading more of the pesky pink confetti onto her new uniform. ‘Okay, what gives? Maybe they’ll give us the last piece after we arrive at the Academy? Shit! How much time is left?’
The teleportation scroll’s timer had decreased to only two out of three moving dials. Deciding it was better to be early rather than late, the Sparrow made one last check for any lingering pink scraps of paper, gathered up her Mystic Primers, and then ripped the scroll to activate it.
A swirling ball of arcane magic appeared from both ends of the severed parchment, stretching into linked chains of runes that swirled outwards to surround the tense albino before she vanished from the room.
image [https://www.royalroad.com/dist/img/ornaments/16.png]
A sunlit limestone courtyard greeted Mercedes as her feet touched solid ground without a hint of unsteadiness. She smiled at the immediate improvement provided by her new boots, then glanced across the mostly vacant enclosure centered around a marble-white fountain filled with a shimmering violet arcane fluid that glimmered beneath opulent morning light.
An arched walkway surrounded the garden plaza on all sides beneath the balustrade balcony of the second floor. The Sparrow picked out four doors beneath each of the four sections of the archways that connected to what she guessed to be the Arcanum Mystic Academy that now surrounded her.
‘I thought I might show up at the front door, but it would appear I’ve landed somewhere inside.’
The albino tilted her head as the sound of hushed whispers pulled her attention over to where three Mystics younger than her, wearing the same Mystic Academy Initiate Uniform, sat together on a marble stone bench, watching her through the falling water of the fountain.
The trio appeared between the ages of thirteen and sixteen, which drew a perplexed frown from the Sparrow as she studied them. She had assumed her classmates would be older based on the prodigy, Taran, whom she had seen before and who had been closer to her age.
‘Still, given the basic level Mystic Primers I was given to read, I suppose it makes sense that I ended up lumped in with the younger and least experienced students. It might even be a good thing.’
The three Mystics stared back at the albino with equal confusion. The youngest among them, a boy with light blond hair, fearful blue eyes, and a splattering of freckles across his cheeks, jumped up quickly as if to run when the albino circled the well towards them.
“Hello,” Mercedes called out, attempting a friendly smile.
“Wicked,” said the oldest, a boy with chestnut brown hair and hazel green eyes. “Are you a dhampir or a Bloodborne?”
The Sparrow froze for a moment but then shrugged.
“Well, are you, or aren’t you?” the girl with light auburn hair and curious brown eyes echoed, gripping the chestnut boy’s sleeve. “Surely you must know.”
“Does it matter?” Mercedes replied, torn between amusement at their timid curiosity and annoyance at the topic. She gestured from her uniform to theirs. “Does this mean we’re in the same class?”
This question appeared to take all three of them by surprise. The girl responded first. “Are you saying that you’re in Professor Nicodemus’s class?”
The Sparrow nodded, and the frightened blond boy sat down on the edge of the bench, a faint flush surging across his cheeks while the older boy and girl whispered to one another.
Mercedes feigned ignorance, though it wasn’t difficult to hear what they were saying from such a short distance.
“If Master Nicodemus chose her, then she’s probably not dangerous,” the girl prompted urgently.
“I agree. Besides, I’ve never seen a Bloodborne in person before,” the older boy said, his hazel-green eyes sparkling with interest. “Let alone their magic.”
“That’s what you’re worried about? What if she’s a dhampir and wants to drink our blood?”
“Come on, Hestia, do you honestly believe that Master Nicodemus would put us at risk?”
“I suppose,” the auburn-haired girl responded with a raised brow. She nudged the chestnut boy with a pointed glance toward the albino. “We should introduce ourselves. Don’t you think?”
The older boy rolled his eyes, then stood and offered a hesitant hand toward the Sparrow. “It appears we are to be classmates. My name is Lorcon. I’m from the Elemental Realm.”
“Hestia,” the girl said while remaining in her seat. “Also from the Elemental Realm.”
The pair turned pointedly in the direction of the silent blond boy, who scowled at them but dipped his head before muttering, “Dimitri. The Arcane Realm is my home.”
“My name is Mercedes,” she responded with a faint smile, stepping forward to awkwardly shake the brunette’s offered hand. “And up until yesterday, I lived in a Mundane world.”
“A Mystic from a Mundane world?” Lorcon blurted out with a mixture of excitement and confusion. “I suppose that means you’re more likely a dhampir.”
“Would you be disappointed if I was?” Mercedes replied, intrigued by his interest rather than hostility towards the two races.
“No! Honestly, dhampirs have an obvious physical advantage over Mystics like us. They can wear and wield heavier armor and weapons, and their speed is something to behold, but the magic of a Bloodborne is a terrifying wonder—” Lorcon scratched his neck and then added, “Or so I’ve been told.”
“Lorcon’s father is a realm-renowned Metal Arcanist who used to forge weapons and armor for the Children of the Night—at least he did before the Celestial Covenant imposed a ban barricading the Mystic Realms from trading with the Blood Realm,” Hestia explained, shaking her head at the fidgeting tall boy beside her.
“I plan on becoming a Metal Arcanist like my father if I fail to become a Master Mystic,” Lorcon retorted with a shrug. “I look forward to seeing what you’re capable of, Mercedes.”
‘That makes two of us.’ The Sparrow offered a smile that curved cynically as Dimitri shuddered in response. ‘It appears this Academy will provide me with even more useful information than I expected.’