They rushed to the lab in the horseless carriage. Lamuril floored the control pedals, the machine's engine chugging Essence like a drunk dwarf downs his ale. They crossed the gate and reached the gadgeteering building. The quintet plus a huge badger left the vehicle in the care of the elven coachman and barged into the building. Expedience was more important than comfort and they eschewed the fancy elevator for the stairs. Tinkwezilsky dropped by the second floor to gather some materials while the rest climbed to the fourth and finally reached Bezzias' lab.
The bat-kin took a large sheet of paper. "Nero, you take the graphite pencils and draft your blueprint. Glom will oversee you. I'm going to work on the external fluid-exchange mechanism. And we should..." Bezzias looked around and finally settled his gaze on Altia. "Assistant Altia, is Serena taller or shorter than you?"
"She might be taller by a few inches but she's leaner. My clothes fit her without a problem," She answered.
"Good, good. I need you to go behind that screen at the corner and change into something comfortable. We'll use you as a model for the measurements."
Everyone had their tasks and they put themselves to work at a frantic pace. Nero learned to sketch, draw straight lines and curves using rulers and a compass, measure, scale, and wondered how could a diminutive figure like the squiig be so bossy when he was teaching. He went through three sheets of rejected sketches, using both sides when Glom finally gave his work a passing grade.
"Now clear it up and transcribe it to a clean sheet," The junior professor ordered the assistant.
Bezzias and Altia were working on an Essence-powered small pump. Their challenge was to make it silent. Tinkwezilsky returned with the sheet metal and the mechanical parts they needed. After they reviewed Nero's blueprint and suggested some improvements, they welded the pieces and prepared the kit for in-site assembly. Finally, they had to mask everything as a tower shield, to avoid raising the garrison guards' suspicion.
"This thing is ridiculously heavy," Nero complained. "There's no way the guards will believe this is a piece of defensive gear."
"No, they will. A shield this size is common in the higher tiers," Bezzias, the one that suggested they should disguise the contraption kit as a shield said. "And it fits your story of taking a pounding from the shamblers. They are dumb and slow, you set this shield down on the ground and the monster will pound it while your party kills it from afar."
"Good," Nero said while he tried to get used to the shield's weight. "Let's go to Rafflesia's. Just one thing. Professor Bezzias, can I borrow a device?"
"Yes, I guess. What device do you want?"
Nero pointed out and Bezzias agreed, so long Nero fueled it with his own Essence.
"Good, now show me how to adjust this contraption, please," The minnid asked. Bezzias showed him.
Nero stashed the device in his backpack and they went out. The group used the elevator to transport the massive shield. It was taller than Nero. Outside, they found Lamuril and a sun that was past the zenith on its daily trip. The notion that it was already afternoon made their bodies complain about the lack of nourishment. But that would have to wait. The elf had some shocking news.
"Professors! Professor Holmes is back. He apparently just returned from a very fruitful expedition."
Lamuril had a fire burning in his eyes. He was forced to stay out in the open, sleeping in the carriage during the day to support Nero and Altia's adventure. Holmes didn't steal the achievement only from the minnid couple. He doublecrossed the entire team.
Tinkwezilsky snorted. "Well, I guess we need to go give that treacherous rat our congratulations." Then he noticed his slip and looked at the diminutive researcher. "Sorry, Glom."
Glom shook his head. "Squiigs are as much rats as minninds are chimpanzees, Tinkwezilsky. With which I mean, we aren't. Apologies accepted."
He winked at Nero and the two laughed. Before they left, Nero gave Lamuril the heavy shield and ordered Bruce to stay with the elf.
The group crossed the lawn on foot. The sight of three black-clad professors, two white assistants rushing running, or in Glom's case, bounding through the grass made several truant students rethink their life choices and scurry away. They reached the Dungeoneering and History building and went in, reaching Holmes' office on the last floor. Finally, they barged in without warning.
Holmes was laughing with Chrysopae, the two of them with a cup of wine in their hands.
"Oh, welcome back! How was your expedition?" The half-elf-lupine asked barely containing his mirth but showing some fangs. "Did you find what you were looking for?"
The rest of them entered and Holmes traded his wine glass for a card that was on his desk. He held it by the corners and spun. All of them had enough Perception to see the black borders and the famous illustration.
Bezzias was furious. When he spoke, a sharp harmonic rang along with his tenor voice, barely on the audible spectrum. "Professor Holmes! How could you sabotage an expedition you sponsored!"
"But I didn't," He shrugged. "The expedition was approved, funded, and executed as planned. Unfortunately, it hadn't the expected results due to unforeseen circumstances. There's no problem though. I was able to confirm through independent experimentation that the method works."
"Cut the crap, Holmes," Tinkwezilsky said. "You know that is a conflict of interest. The Dean will hear about it."
"What are you saying, my old friend? There was no conflict of interest. Chrysopae and I took a two-day non-paid leave with the effect of a suspension of my contract, approved by the Dean himself. I wasn't affiliated with the Lyceum during the last two days."
The smug look on both of their faces. The fact that both senior [Gadgeteers]'s stances shifted told Nero that Holmes had exploited some loophole in the Lyceum's regulations. Nobody noticed Glom stealthily leaving the room. Being less than a foot tall had its advantages.
"What good is a card you can't use?" Nero asked directly. "And weren't you interested in Serena's wellbeing?"
"But we are!" Holmes laughed. "We even talked to agents of her family to go and rescue her. Right now, she might be halfway home already!"
"No!" Altia's heart dropped. Nero turned his back to Holmes, held her, and mouthed 'stay calm' to her.
"Professor Holmes," Nero called. "I never thanked you for that punch. It gave me a point of Vigor if you'd believe!" He joked. The [Jester] didn't care he was the butt of the joke. He was nothing, the lowest of the low. Despite his condition, he had the means to topple the mighty. "But I must challenge you to a gentlemanly duel."
Holmes's lupine features became almost feral as his face contorted into a snarling grin. "And what will be the stakes?"
"If you win, I'll supply you with no less than five hundred million Essence within a month. If I win, you'll surrender that card and the 'finders fee' Coriander paid you and Chrysopae."
His boast drew the attention of everyone. That he could farm half a billion Essence in a month was impressive, absurd even. Holmes, the chair of Dungeoneering, knew exactly what Nero meant. While for others the Essence dropped followed an almost linear curve as they killed monsters near their level, Nero's was quadratic. Doing a quick calculation, Holmes knew Nero could get a hundred thousand Essence for every level one hundred monsters he killed, as compared to the less than a thousand for someone like him.
Almost anyone at the three-digit levels would die if they fought a monster their own level one-on-one. But nobody at level zero ever defeated a level one-hundred-and-thirty-seven like him.
"Round it to a billion and we have a deal. Witnessed by all here. What are the terms of your challenge, boy?"
"You know I can change Classes. I pledge to not change them during the fight. I'll fight you as a [Gadgeteer] with the devices and contraptions on me. I hope you don't mind my spiked bucker in your face. We will fight to first blood only."
Holmes chortled a peal of raucous laughter, spitting a shower of saliva. What could this level zero whelp do? With a utility Class none the less!
"Tell you what boy. I'll give you the first blow. Let's go to the gymnasium."
Holmes scooped the black card and put it inside his bandolier. He tapped something in his Arbitrium and crossed the group, going out of his office. Everyone followed behind and Chrysopae locked the door. They went out of the building and into another, a larger one suited for several types of games and sports. Holmes used his authority to vacate the building and only the six of them remained inside.
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Nero looked around. It had an arena for duels and a round grandstand all around. On top of the bleachers, balconies for the VIP. The two combatants did some warm-up exercises, stretching and checking their equipment. Their duel allowed weapons. Nero noticed Holmes favored daggers as the half-elf-lupine had dozens of them, of many kinds, along his belt and bandolier. After ten minutes, Nero finally broke the silence.
"You sold Serena," Nero shouted at Holmes. "That's despicable. You were the one to drop that [Berserker Totem] during the loyalists' mutiny. How much death did you cause, professor Holmes? For what? Money? Power? Did Coriander promise you a title of nobility for throwing the Lyceum and the guilds against the kingdom of Bast?"
It was all speculation, but if Nero was a third-rate villain, that was what he would do. To his surprise, Holmes didn't deny. He laughed. In his hubris and drunk with the sweet nectar of victory, he boasted.
"You are right, but you are too late! I won't let you leave today. I know you must have a plan B to rescue Serena, and you were probably going there today. Tomorrow, a party of specialists recruited and built by Coriander will invade that Dungeon and bring the girl back, dead or alive."
'Built' in this case meant the Adventurers were all new recruits equipped with high-grade cards from their sponsor.
"Are you still honoring our duel?" Nero asked. It was all that mattered. He had to get Holmes.
"Aye. Chrysopae will be my witness. Who do you choose to be on your side?"
"My wife Altia. And to avoid interference, Let Bezzias and Tinkwezilsky go to the top bleachers."
He beckoned Altia and mouthed something for her eyes only. It was the only way he could communicate with her without the others eavesdropping.
Holmes nodded. The two senior researchers left and climbed some stairs into the grandstand. He took a pouch of crystals and the black card, showed it to Nero and handed them to chrysopae, that kept the items on display as if she was the hostess of an auction.
"I'm ready, boy. Give me your worst!" Holmes roared.
"You are despicable, Holmes," Nero retorted. "You betrayed Bast and everything the Lyceum stands for. Dozens are dead because of your greed. Poor Serena was left alone for half a year in that hell of a glade. You made the war even worse."
Holmes playfully balanced himself only on the balls of his feet. He grinned. "Guilty as charged, boy. But out of here, it will be your word against mine. I have power, status, and a cap nearing the two hundred. Nobody will believe the midget and the bat either. You have nothing. Let's start our duel. I promise I won't kill you but I make no guarantees you won't be maimed. Want to forfeit?"
"No. That's too damn easy for you," Nero shouted. "I'll have you on your knees. The first blow is mine, right?"
"Yeah. I am a man of my word. Let's start."
Nero's hand shot back and fiddled with his backpack, flicking a switch. Then he slowly willed the plates of his shield to slide, forming the familiar spiked buckler. He drew his sword, turning it on and watching the rows of teeth grind against each other. He turned his Arbitrium around so the display was facing away from everyone. It was lit up with a message, and Nero didn't need to read it. He knew. Altia's screen was hidden as well but nobody was paying any attention to her.
> Entering "UNKNOWN" - rank-I Dungeon. Disengaging Limiter. Error. Limiter is not active.
"Here I go!" Nero shouted.
He walked the ten yards separating him from Holmes. The portable Essence Infuser, the same one he used to trigger Equipment cards in Bezzias' lab, was on his back, making everyone's Arbitrii think they were in a rank-I Dungeon by flooding the air around them with Essence.
Holmes and Crysopae gagged and fell on their knees. Without the required Essence to power their high Attributes and tiered Classes and Skills, the Arbitrium was using their own lifeforce, greedily draining their vitality. They gasped, seemingly choking but not for lack of air. Chryspae dropped the items, retching and trying to scream soundlessly.
Nero reached holmes.
"This one is for Serena," He snarled.
Nero turned off the infuser. He sheathed his Clockwork Sword and his right hand took the half-elf-lupine by the hair. His device lit up again.
> Exiting "UNKNOWN" - Activating Limiter. Error. Level too low.
Nero punched the professor's nose with all his might. Helpless and with a build that wasn't focused on soaking damage, Holmes' nose broke. Nero let the blood seep on his shield before dropping the man down. Holmes didn't get up.
Altia was next to Chrysopae, with the bag of crystals and the black card in her hands.
Nero shouted, displaying his bloody buckler around in a slow full turn. "It is my victory!"
From the bleachers, Bezzias and Tinkwezilsky clapped. They came down and returned to the arena. Holmes was getting back on his feet, his face still bloody. Altia gave Nero the black card.
"You cheating bastard!" He screamed. "What have you done!"
"I won with the terms we stated. I told you I was going to fight with the devices on me."
"I am going to kill you all!" He threatened, still weak on the legs. "Then I am going to kill that bitch of a princess myself!"
Thick tension lingered in the air. With the two senior researchers nearby, Nero couldn't turn on the infuser. Chrysopae was recovering slower than Holmes. But in a real fight, Nero and Altia were dead meat. Especially against two Agility-based fighters as it seemed to be their build.
The pregnant pause and tension stretched.
"You have done enough, professor Holmes!" Someone shouted from the VIP balcony. "By my authority as the Dean, I command you and student Chrysopae to halt!"
They looked up. On the balcony, Glom and a mighty draconid clad in a black and gold uniform, his red wings folded behind his back. Xalazuniox, the Dean and the highest-leveled person in the Lyceum, a true tier VI contender whose level cap was over two hundred and fifty, with six classes and at least thirty-six Skills, most of them in the realm of legends. The squiig jumped down and Dean followed right after him but he unfolded his wings and glided down, landing graciously on the arena next to Nero and Holmes.
"I heard everything," the mighty draconid spoke, plumes of smoke escaping his reptilian nostrils with each exhale. His slitted eyes glaring powerfully at the two conspirators. But his words were not for the half-elves. "Professor Glom, you have my thanks for bringing this treason to my attention. Professor Bezzias, professor Tinkwezilsky, good afternoon. Research Assistants Nero and Altia, good job. You made this institution proud today."
With some of his strength back and sensing his window of opportunity closing, Holmes used a Skill.
"[Flurry of Daggers]!"
As if propelled by an invisible force but actually by really fast hand movements, the daggers on Holmes' belt flew in Nero's direction.
"[Intervene]. [Force Aegis]," Xalazuniox voice calling his Skills came after the metallic sound of the daggers hitting an translucid barrier. Nero found himself a yard behind where he was, with Xalazuniox right where he stood. The draconid wasn't done yet.
True to his nature, the Dean inhaled. His neck glowed red-orange for a moment and the world became fire. At least for Holmes and Chrysopae. The others were hit by the hot waves of air as if exposed to a furnace but were otherwise unharmed.
Two piles of ashes and charred bones, with an Arbitrium and either a bandolier or a belt buried amidst the remains were all that was left. All else turned to cinders.
"By my authority as Dean of the Lyceum and for the crimes of high treason, conspiracy, and sedition, I sentence these two to death. May their names be scratched from the annals of the Lyceum. Witnessed by senior professors Bezzias and Tinkwezilsky."
"Witnessed and agreed," the two senior professors said in unison.
Nero understood what he was seeing. The Lyceum was a nation within a nation, and the Dean had power to rival a King. The purpose of the institution was the pursuit of knowledge. Nothing more, nothing less.
He sought Altia's hand and found her right next to him. His right hand still held the black card.
"Nero," the majestic draconid spoke softly to him, almost like a loving father. "Your efforts are recognized and appreciated. You did us a great service and I hope you find the Lyceum your second home."
"Thank you, Dean. I do hope to work with you, but Adventuring is our call."
Nero bowed his head and Altia fumbled between a curtsy and a bow. She wasn't wearing a skirt.
"No worry about that. It is too early for you to take a teaching position. Go and roam the world. Now, to the victor, the spoils. You may claim your loot," Xalazuniox pointed at the remains of the two conspirators.
Altia didn't let go of his hand. He looked at his right hand to stash the black card in his pocket and he gasped.
> [Idyllic Shelter] - black/unique Skill. Requires black/unique Class. Willpower 15. Intellect 15. Perception 15. Charisma 15. Bound to Nero.
>
> Acquisition condition: Kill 5 different Dungeons bosses in 24 hours from the first kill regardless of time elapsed inside or outside the Dungeons.
>
> All Attributes +5.
>
> "For those that forsake their home, repose for the restless. As recognition for upstanding service in stemming the tides of evil, a shelter for you."
>
> Special: This Skill does not require a Skill slot.
>
> Special: Whenever the shelter is active, the user must pay two-thirds of their Willpower in mana points at midnight to maintain the shelter. Failure to pay this cost will dump all contents of the shelter around the user.
>
> Special: The first time a gateway to the shelter is created inside a Dungeon, an amount of Essence equal to 1,000*(Rank ^ 3/2) must be paid. The ambient Essence inside the shelter will become equal to the Dungeon's rank until a new portal is open elsewhere.
>
> Effect: Spend 10 mana to open a portal one yard near you to the pocket dimension for 5 minutes and 1 mana to extend the portal for the same duration. If the dimension does not currently exist, create it first. The portal can be closed by the user at any time. Should the user be inside the shelter, the new portal will open in the same location as the previous one.
>
> Effect: Spend Willpower mana to create a pocket dimension. Space inside has a radius of (Willpower + Reason) feet and a height of Perception feet. The user may decide on the type of walls, and roof of this dimension, as well as environmental factors, like the presence of water, illumination, temperature, moisture, and air quality. The floor can be of any common material and is one yard deep. Defaults are grass and a yard of dirt for the floor, the texture of impenetrable woods for the walls, a blue sky with shifting clouds and a day-night cycle as the roof.
He grinned, he shouted, he jumped. Altia saw Nero raise the black card and figured out what was happening. Nero put the black Skill in his bandolier, removed the [Gadgeteer] Class, took out a green [Bard] Class and some green Skills, slotted them and activated. He needed some Attribute boost to meet the requirements for the Skill.
The professors were puzzled at first but it became obvious what happened when Nero ceremoniously inserted the black Skill card in his Arbitrium.
Nero had no idea if the card changed the binding from Holmes to him because Holmes died and the card would belong to the first one to pick it up or because he died and Nero too had the required achievement. He believed it was the latter. The text in the card hinted at some superior intelligence, maybe a deity, that controlled whatever made the cards and dungeons a reality.
He didn't care. Not a single bit. He activated the card and felt the power of the new Skill. Even if he couldn't make a portal, the five points in all Attributes were superb. He waved his hand at an empty space and spoke, a portal to a lovely grass meadow surrounded by a thick forest opening before them.
"[Idyllic Shelter]!"