In a darkened room, under an old abandoned building, a few people lurked in the shadows, and began to plot and scheme.
"So, we have a candidate then?"
"Yes, I think that boy. He is quite young, but I believe he will do nicely".
"We have other candidates as well. We might be able to get multiple successes this time around".
"Only if we have the resources to spare".
"Teeheee....how fun, I wonder what expressions they will make. Last time it was sooooo boring, he stood all defiant. I hope they scream and squirm next time".
"Tsk. Get yourself together, alchemist".
"Teehee...sorry sorry. Well, I will admit, I have my own toy lined up".
"You have a good candidate?"
"Yes. High ranking noble blood though, but if successful, it will make your candidate seem trivial by comparison".
"Hmmf. When we get them both, we will see. But, who do you think is an ideal target for our little project?"
The alchemist tossed a photo into the air, and then threw a knife at it. It pierced it perfectly, and then impacted the wall behind it. As for who the target was...it was Theo Lua Cromwell.
"He will be the catalyst materials for the greatest one yet!"
And so, they continued to plot and scheme something nasty into the night.
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Even at night, it was starting to get warm and stuffy. The time where countless Socializings, the visiting of estates that had better breezes, that children would sleep and play with increased frequency in the river in the nude, that many outdoor festivals would occur, and various summer foods would appear, among other things. All the normal things that would happen when it got warm.
The Empire's lands were moostly in a temperature zone where it had hot summers, late spring and early fall would be warm, but then in winter one would only ever see snow, never rain. It never got to something like -20 celsius, or something like that, but it was definently chilly in the winter. And in the summer, it would be so hot that especially for commoners, on the hottest days, would wear as little as possible or nothing at all and do things that would cool them off. Nobles obviously could not go around galavanting like that in public, so they only did it within the safety of their estates, with only those they were close to and trusted. And typically not with the opposite gender.
However, they also had magic tools, which while they couldn't do more then nudge it a few degrees celsius typically, brought some relief. That was because Noble mansions were large and so any magic tool to cause any serious change would need to be larger and would draw even more energy. As such, Nobles didn't use them outside of rooms that they would use for work or use to entertain guests.
It was only just edging into the summer months though, so it was not that hot yet thankfully. As such, a certain group was just clad in only nightgowns. Blankets and pillows were thrown around the room haphazardly, but even though it was late at night, no one was sleeping yet. That said, this group would likely not mind seeing each other naked, as they had overcome perils together and forged bonds. And they had all spent time around each other naked plenty already. And also because they were innocent children, excluding one technically, and all were not even in their double digit ages yet, except one.
Theo, Rowyn, Zak, Zoa, Runo, Esre, and Zuuki were all sitting or laying around on the ground, each with pieces of paper in their hands that had similarities in basic layout. Yes, leaving aside Paza, Theo's personal maid, they were all members of The Enigma Solution. Paza apparently had other duties to attend to, so she was the only one who never attended these gatherings. Theo was laying on his belly, Rowyn was sitting with one leg propped up and another sideways, Zak and Zoa both were on their knees, Runo was sitting cross-legged, Esre was also laying on his belly, and Zuuki was laying on his side with a large pillow propping up his head for comfort.
Well, Theo suspected there were other reasons involved as well, but he was also pretty sure it was because as someone who was significantly older then the rest, she would stick out at the gathering. Or rather, at a children's sleepover. Because that was clearly what this was. It was certainly also official meetings of The Enigma Solution, but it was also blatantly a children's sleepover and Paza was already a teenager. One could hardly say that she belonged there.
Actually, this had also started as a way to monitor them for signs of Curses. They had lots of people group up together in one room, so the doctors and specialists could use special observation devices to monitor them while they slept. Honestly this caused Theo no end of stress, as he knew many of them were older men and strangers, which made him uncomfortable given his memories of his previous life. Zoa, as the only one of them that was a girl, also felt somewhat uncomfortable, and the boys braced with the fact there could also be adult women watching them.
That said, they were all nobles or servants of nobles. Children were bathed by adults, even if they were of the opposite gender, all the time, as it was normal in this world. Theo had only heard mentions of this lore in the game, as the game mainly focused on the academy. It made Theo wonder what other lore, or even deep lore, might end up getting involved with them. There were bath scenes in the game and one could visit them regularly, but convienent steam always obstructed everything on screen. The dorm baths were the giant public kind that everyone shared, although they were split into boys and girls, and in the game they were actually one of the main places to listen to gossip and gain information.
It was also a place where Theo got regularly bullied, and even gets killed in one route, so Theo had to be careful, but still. The baths were not just cleansing, but also relaxing, and lips got carelessly loose among the children there. The other gossip hotspots in the game was the cafeteria of course, the courtyard, the newspaper club, and any time a crowd gathered for some event or game.
Theo's sister had returned temporarily during a holiday, but she and Theo barely saw each other as their father had been so deeply concerned, he spent most of the time with her asking questions about where she got the book, who gave it to her, if she had a meaningful amount of time around it. She actually ended up being cordoned with them for awhile, but surrounded by so many other children and monitored, she couldn't bring in anything as they checked everything for any residue of curses, just to be safe. As such, she had very limited ways to harass Theo.
Yes, limited. In other words, she was still able to do it for all of them. In fact, the rest of them had to spend an extra week being cordoned in the room under observation because of her. Theo wasn't all that surprised. Apparently, she had already heard rumors of the twins at the academy, and was already feeling some frusteration that her own merits were soemtimes taking backseat to people who were not even there. Runo's family was the one who they served, but they were also taking care of them and educating them, so they were helping those who she saw as an enemy. Zuuki was obviously Theo's servant, and so was Rowyn. And Esre...
Esre and Pelria were like oil and water. They did not mix. Theo was not entirely sure how, but while Theo's father was away on business in a nearby city while also getting some Curse Detection and some items that might help remove some curses, and right after she was somehow cleared before all of them, she even had those monitoring them convinced they needed "stimulation" to help draw out any curses, and this somehow led to a mass spanking. She even had them tricked into thinking it actually showed results, so until Theo's father returned and made a fuss and revealed the truth, they suffered further.
She also had them go an entire day without food or water or bathroom breaks to see if that would work as well.
And all of this was done without once giving herself away or making it known she was involved. She tricked the researchers into coming to that conclusion on their own, she manipulated everyone she could to adjust things to her favor and the rest of their misery. She had been monitored for twenty four seven, and somehow she got away with no punishments or evidence and tormenting them all greatly.
As for what they were doing, they were sharing each other's status. This was to help show everyone's growth, as they had not only been playing, hanging about, and studying the past few days. They were also training to get stronger, frustrated and scared by their near death experience.
Theo's Status
Name: Theodore Lua Cromwell Body: -3 Age: 7 Years Old Spirit: 22 Class: Spiritualist Level 6 Magic: 9 Attributes: Void, Storm, Celestial Agility: 3 Species: Human?
Fate: 1
Bloodlines: Cromwell Bloodline, Celestial Bloodline Brain: 4 Special Abilities: Guardian Spirit Bond Skills: Wands 6, Swords 1, Poison Resistance 5, Celestial Magic 5, Cooking 3, Spirit Arts 4, Void Magic 2, Storm Magic 1, Researcher 6, Singing 5, Dancing 3 Status Conditions: Minor Misfortune Hex Available Skillpoints: 4 Titles: Delzar Archive Survivor, Child of Misfortune, Deathbound Prophesized Unique Skills: None
Rowyn's Status
Name: Rowyn (Fraudwyn) Body: 4 (7) Age: 7 (102) Spirit: 5 (14) Class: (Superior) [Apprentice] Knight Level [10] (18) Magic: 3 (5) Attributes: None (Celestial, Void, Spirit) Agility: 5 (9) Species: Cat Beastkin (Spirit?) Fate: -2 (5) Bloodlines: None Brain: 9 (24) Special Abilities: Beastkin Senses (Spirit Form, Guardian Spirit abilities, Telepathy with Master, Fraudwyn Sword Style) Skills: Swordsmanship 6 (10 MAXED!), Beast Riding 6 (10 MAXED!), Shieldplay 4 (10 MAXED!), Singing 3, Dancing 6 (Fraudwyn Sword Style 10 MAXED!, Spirit Arts 5, Master Sword Style 7) Status Conditions: Minor Misfortune Hex (Spirit Linked, Soulbound to Theodore Lua Cromwell, Manifested) Available Skillpoints: 1 Titles: Hero of Cromwell, Hero of Beastkin, Hero of the Blade, Cursed Swordsman, Delzar Archive Survivor Unique Skills: #$%%&%$$%
Rowyn's Other Status
Name: Guardian Knight (Rowyn Fraudwyn) Body: 32 Age: 102 Spirit: 42 Class: Superior Knight Level 42 Magic: 12 Attributes: Celestial, Void, Spirit Agility: 22 Species: Guardian Spirit Fate: 5 Bloodlines: None Brain: 24 Special Abilities: Beastkin Senses, Spirit Form, Guardian Spirit abilities, Telepathy with Master, Fraudwyn Sword Style Skills: Swordsmanship 10 MAXED!, Beast Riding 10 MAXED!, Shieldplay 10 MAXED!, Fraudwyn Sword Style 10 MAXED!, Spirit Arts 4, Master Sword Style 7 Status Conditions: Spirit Linked, Soulbound to Theodore Lua Cromwell, Manifested Available Skillpoints: 0 Titles: Hero of Cromwell, Hero of Beastkin, Hero of the Blade, Cursed Swordsman, Delzar Archive Survivor Unique Skills: #$%%&%$$%
Zak's Status
Name: Zak Body: 2 Age: 9 Years Old Spirit: 12 Class: Magic Swordsman Level 4 Magic: 8 Attributes: Noble, Storm Agility: 6 Species: Human
Fate: 10
Bloodlines: Verlen Bloodline Brain: 8 Special Abilities: Heroic Luck Skills: Wands 8, Swords 6, Noble Magic 6, Storm Magic 4, Cooking 6, Chores 7, Mana Control 3 Status Conditions: Misfortune Hex Available Skillpoints: 6 Titles: Savior, Delzar Archive Survivor Unique Skills: Saving Grace
Zoa's Status
Name: Zoa Body: 7 Age: 9 Years Old Spirit: 12 Class: Magic Swordsman Level 4 Magic: 6 Attributes: Noble, Storm Agility: 6 Species: Human
Fate: 10
Stolen novel; please report.
Bloodlines: Verlen Bloodline Brain: 8 Special Abilities: None Skills: Wands 6, Swords 8, Noble Magic 6, Storm Magic 4, Cooking 6, Chores 7, Body Control 3 Status Conditions: Misfortune Hex Available Skillpoints: 6 Titles: Savior, Delzar Archive Survivor Unique Skills: Saving Grace
Runo's Status
Name: Runo Clover Body: 1 Age: 9 Years Old Spirit: 2 Class: Swordsman Level 2 Magic: 6 Attributes: None Agility: 7 Species: Human
Fate: 2
Bloodlines: Clover Bloodline Brain: 2 Special Abilities: None Skills: Swords 3, Void Magic 1, Storm Magic 1, Researcher 3 Status Conditions: Misfortune Hex Available Skillpoints: 1 Titles: Delzar Archive Survivor Unique Skills: None
Esre's Status
Name: Esre Yasuri Body: 5 Age: 7 Years Old Spirit: 17 Class: Magic Fighter Level 12 Magic: 4 Attributes: Noble, Transfiguration Agility: 10 Species: Human
Fate: 2
Bloodlines: Yasuri Bloodline Brain: 1 Special Abilities: Hex Resistance, Curse Resistance, Domination Immunity Skills: Wands 3, Swords 4, Unarmed 9, Noble Magic 8, Void Magic 6, Mana Control 3,Body Control 6, Magic Engineering 9, Dexterous Hands 5, Transfiguration Magic 4 Status Conditions: Misfortune Hex Available Skillpoints: 8 Titles: Delzar Archive Survivor, Big Game Hunter Unique Skills: Aura Burst
Zuuki's Status
Name: Zuuki Body: 2 Age: 7 Years Old Spirit: 4 Class: Scout Level 5 Magic: 2 Attributes: Shadow Agility: 8 Species: Human
Fate: 2
Bloodlines: None Brain: 2 Special Abilities: None Skills: Daggers 4, Throwing 5, Shadow Magic 4 Status Conditions: Misfortune Hex Available Skillpoints: 0 Titles: Delzar Archive Survivor Unique Skills: None
That was the current status written on the papers for everyone to see. They were all sharing each other's abilities and growth, since they had all ended up making an enemy of my sister, although one could point out she started it. Zuuki and Rowyn also mentioned what she had done to Theo, but because the father was doting and an idiot parent to both children, she got away with it. Plus she was a borderline genius it seemed.
Incidentally, the only one with a normal Status for a child was Runo, and even then it was fairly good. Zuuki's looked normal, but Theo knew for a fact that it was a fake. His real status had a Bloodline in it after all, and it was so absurdly better then the one he faked.
Obviously, everyone was concerned with the Misfortune Hex. At first, they thought Theo's sister did that, however it seemed more likely that it was some last ditch effort by the book. They knew she was bad, but after they saw Esre's Hex Resistance, they figured it was more likely that the book was responsible. It couldn't fully curse them, so it placed a Hex on them instead. A Hex is like a Curse, but weaker and far easier to remove normally. The only reason it wasn't gone yet was because mysteriously, either by Pelria or their own Misfortune Hexes, the usual treatments had gone bad that they had in stock. So they would have to remove it when they arrived at the Imperial Capital if Theo's father couldn't get any more before then.
Also, wow Esre. What the hell even is that status of yours? You could actually give Rowyn a decent run for his money before he beats you in a full on fight.
Esre somehow outranked the two protagonists at the moment, which was bizzare to say the least. He even had two titles. Even with his boyish looks, he still had a short, petit frame like Theo. But somehow his Body Stat, which governed basic physical strength and endurance, was at five. He also had Spirit 17. Spirit was what was used for Spiritualists sure, but it also represented mental willpower. It was still absurdly high, but considering Yasuri territory's typical way of being stubborn and not following trends or giving into peer pressure, perhaps that was actually normal for them?
Then there was his level. A seven year old in the double digit levels, and so many high level skills. The higher one's level the harder it is to level up. Skill levels were the same. The higher level a skill got, the harder it was to level up. They also got harder to level up as one got older, so young children did have an advantage there. But also, the more skills one got, the harder it got to level them up or get new ones as well.
Not only that, but Esre had a Unique Skill, Hex Resistance, Curse Resistance, and an outright immunity to Domination. In other words, had Esre been sent to attack the Delzar Archive instead, its powers would have meant nothing. But those special abilities are extremely rare.
To explain, skills are normal skills that anyone can really get. They typically have to be activated manually and used at least somewhat consciously. Special Abilities can be things that are activated, but they are actually usually more Passive abilities. Natural parts that are typically always active, but some things inherent to species might be in there as well.
And then Unique Skills are special skills or very rare abilities, sometimes given from titles, or other factors. They are typically powerful, although they often also are hard to master and can be very costly to use, or cant be used often.
Esre, were you in the game and I just never met you? No wait, now that I think about it, I did remember hearing of a character introduced in the third game that was named Esre. I didn't get to play it a lot because I died in my previous life shortly after it came out. The third game takes place in the third year, so that would be when Esre reaches eleven years old. Wait hold on though, isn't Esre encountered in the boy's dorms? Was the school okay with it?
While Theo and the others had come to accept Esre as a boy, Theo doubted the school would be so lenient. But the more Theo thought about it, the more he was sure it was definitely in the boy's dorm when one first encounters Esre.
I guess they were okay with it...or he used magic or a Polymorph potion. The latter seems more likely.
The school was in the Core Territory, ruled directly by the Imperial Family. Although certainly there was a power shift, it was still largely in Traditionalist spheres of influence. Even if more and more teachers were progressive or just neutral, the lords over the lands, the ones who controlled the supply lines leading to the academy, and other factors like that all still had influence.
As such, they would be adament of Esre being considered a girl because she was born as one and therefore she is one. They wouldn't accept his, or as they would say, her statement at all.
Cromwell and Yasuri were both largely if not entirely progressive territories now, as they fought for Beasttkin rights, so everyone from those territories already had a flexible mindset. That was why everyone present could easily accept him as a boy. Runo and the twins technically came from a more neutral family, but the twins seemed perfectly capable of accepting it. Runo was occasionally a bit awkward or embarassed, but he tried to hide and overcome it. Or rather, he kind of had to, because Esre was overbearing and always insisted everyone bathe...and play in the bath...together.
It seemed that Yasuri didn't care much about gender at all. Apparently it was so....Yasuri, that people and especially children of different genders bathed together all the time.
Esre feels like he should be the protagonist honestly.
That was what Theo thought, as they all finished looking over each other's stats.
"...Zuuki, is it me, or are we surrounded by crazy strong people?"
"...yeah, I am feeling that too" Zuuki said, without a trace of deception on his face.
"...to be done in by someone two years younger then us..."
"...Esre is a cheater..."
Yeah, I know how you feel.
"Eh? I mean, can I just point out that I am not the one who has a Legendary Hero as a Guardian Spirit? Everything I did was just hard work and normal".
"No, I refuse to believe that a seven year old boy can acquire the Big Game Hunter title normally".
"Doesn't that mean you hunted a large beast solo already?"
"Yep!"
"That said, I will agree Theo is also a cheater" Zak muttered.
"That Spirit Stat is insane as always..." Zoa followed up.
This wasn't the first time they shared their status, but the shocking details were so shocking that this was the third time they had such a conversation.
"Well, if we didn'tt have all this, we would have died in that Realm".
Everyone agreed with Zuuki's words.
"Still, for all of us to be under a Misfortune Hex..."
"Hey, we didn't get cursed. We should consider ourselves Lucky" Rowyn pointed out. "Granted a Misfortune Hex is a rather annoying one, but its only a minor one".
it wouldn't cause them any serious injuries, death, or other horrible fates, and it was overwhelmingly easier to remove then a Curse.
"Speaking of which, Rowyn...are you still cursed? Even as a Guardian Spirit?"
Rowyn shrugged.
"Curses are often hidden in Status, so I would need to get a special single use item to confirm. At the very least, traces would still exist, but it wont matter. The process of becoming a Guardian Spirit made me ageless anyways. I wont ever grow no matter what, because a Spirit's power is drawn from their form. Even if I could alter it, it would leave me weaker and could possibly damage me severely".
That was why Guardian Spirits tended to all have similar appearances if not identical to each other. Rowyn could only switch between the body he had when he was alive, and the Guardian Knight appearance he had. He couldn't make an adult body, nor could he grow into one.
"...and you are okay with that?"
"I usually speak young because I enjoy it, but..."
Rowyn suddenly changed his way of speaking and tone, his voice suddenly felt much older and had much more authority.
"Kid, I have suffered through this curse for decades, to the point of accepting it. I dont need to be released from it, nor does it inconvenience me anymore. I had a wonderful wife, and I started a fantastic family. I was still able to become a famous knight, even if Nobles muddied my true identity, and I was able to secure rights for my people. In fact, my smaller childlike body often made it easier to evade enemy attacks, and let them underestimate me which made my victories come more quickly and let us win those rights. I created this wonderous future where so many good children like you were born. I have absolutely no regrets".
Hearing that, some of them couldn't help but cry as they smiled at Rowyn. Rowyn looked so confused, but then suddenly they collectively tackle hugged him to the ground.
"A-ah..."
"You are such a good person!"
"You being so noble about it makes it even sadder somehow!"
"Its okay! You can let out your frusteration you built up with us!"
"Such a touching story!"
In the end, somehow by the end of the crying, everyone fell asleep piled in a large mound in front of Rowyn, who was the last one awake and at the bottom of the pile.
"...goodnight, everyone".
Rowyn said that, as he went to sleep himself.
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The group had been having sleepovers pretty much every night since about a few days after they all were cleared as being curse free. And they had been having them pretty much every night ever since. At first they wanted some time to sleep by themselves, but after awhile they sort of missed the company, and they knew after Summer Hall they wouldn't be able to see each other as much, so they decided to hold them every night. Plus, without people monitoring them, it was far more enjoyable and easier too discuss things.
As such, until the time of departure, they had kept having them. But now, they were all in a carriage now, one in the very center, as a convoy oof carriages made their way to the Imperial Capital. It was a week since that night now, and they were all dressed in some easy to move in, but still nice looking, travel clothes.
Theo couldnt help but notice the anticipation and impatience on Rowyn's face. His father knew who Rowyn was, and since that revelation, the two of them had been discussing something. Theo had asked about it, but apparently it was some personal discussions and a personal project. They were using the curse research they had from before, so clearly it was something related to that, but it was so far fairly private.
Just that it had to do with someone who had gone missing. Rowyn said he would bring them up to speed later on.
Theo was pretty busy with his own fate, so he was fine with that. After all, ever since the revelation about how lore and deeplore was all real as well, he had been desparately trying to recount and take note of anything in the game that might not be public information. He remembered some events such as the Night of Tears, the Butchering of Bosano, and the Bloody Feast. However, the second one had apparently already come to pass, and he didn't remember the details of the other two. He knew the Night of Tears was a major incident in which many Nobles died, but it was an incredibly sensitive topic for the characters in the game. No one would really talk about it. As for the Bloody Feast, Theo was aware it had to do with the Werewolf path, and that it involved a Noble's manor. But that was it.
There were a few events Theo remembered better though.
Sometime in the next year or two, there would be an incident in the port town of Haventower, which helped to trigger the secret Divine Arc that Theo had completed in his previous life. Back then, she had just barely managed to find and unlock it, but it ended up being very difficult. The Angel of Haven ended up killing several people at the academy, including Theo, before it was finally defeated.
There was also an incident that would lead up to the Delzar Archives, but obviously that future no longer existed. Their fight against the book would undoubtedly change that. It had not been revealed yet who provided the book to them, but clearly, it had been Pelria.
Its extremely concerning that my sister tried to use such a thing as a tool to further her own machinations. As expected of the villainess rated "most dangerous villainess".
Frankly, considering she was a last boss, she was basically a cheat character.
And of course, there was another that came up almost as much as Night of Tears. The disappearance of Sola. Well, he ended up being kidnapped and utilized by a criminal syndicate that one discovers in their second year as having been behind a number of other incidents, and who also ends up killing Theo because it was discovered he witnessed something he shouldn't have.
Theo wasn't even sure how he got into that mess in the game, but he had no choice in the matter.
"Hey, everyone! We are approaching it now!"
Theo looked out the window, and saw it as they approached. It was a large and majestic city, with a magnificent array of tall buildings. Through the gates, bustling cities and alleys could be seen, and it was crowds of people. Even though Theo was nervous, he was slowly getting better from his nervousness around older men. Perhaps being in Theo's body, and having his memories and at least part off his personality helped. But perhaps also it was because in his previous life, she was far more used to being in cities. Being in such an area surrounded by wilderness and woods had been unsettling to him because of her experiences, or lack of them, in nature. She had been a city kid through and through, and that was being reflected in Theo.
Finally, they had arrived in the Imperial Capital. And soon, Summer Hall would begin.