[Year 31]

[North of the Demon Forest]

Once the northern region was secured, multiple sources of resources were examined for potential exploitation, mostly by medics. Kavo wanted in, too, but was busy with their little project of an Academy. On the other hand, after the whole northern region was surveyed it was revealed that it was a massive desert.

Despite that, it wasn't devoid of life, the Lake where a Supply Anchor is stationed served as an oasis for desert life. Besides that, further to the western desert was a ridge, a tall mountainous area that separated the desert from further west.

“Do you think theres more desert on the other side?”

“Maybe, but considering that we needed to explore there I sure hope not.”

“Can we just make a tunnel through this?”

“What? Are you going to shoulder the cost?”

“By the tenets, no.”

One regular conversation would start by observing the ridge; they potentially could dig a tunnel through the ridge like what they did for Marshland, but this further north was too far to supply materials.

That's why the main plan for the exploration was to find a ravine between the ridges or to have the ridge, at some point, be low enough so they could find entry. An exploration team was sent in by Officer Jhin under Alvon Arkum to find a way over the ridge.

The team consisted of four initiates, two of which were under Shavik, who served as reconnaissance for the team, two who were under Arkum and a captain under Garuk, along with two archer elves.

The team moved along the ridge, the landscape placing their footing at a disadvantage; for a while, they managed to find a rift between the mountains and one of their reconnaissance members spotted a woman at its edges.

What he remarked, however, was… “Are those… dog ears?”

One of the recon initiates blinked, even brushing his eyes as he looked at the woman, the two looked at each other briefly before putting away their spears on their backs and approaching the woman.

The woman’s ears perked up and she jumped in a stance, looking where the two initiates were. The two initiates raised their hands and spoke.

“We came in peace.”

“What?”

The initiates, however, came across a problem, a language barrier, something they hadn't encountered for a while due to acculturation also blending the Foreline, Marshland and Archwood. A decade is enough to shape multiple languages together.

However, in this part, they cannot communicate with the woman due to her completely different language. It was so different they could not even use broken words to communicate. The two initiates struggled to communicate with the woman, who was looking at them incredulously.

The woman looked at the two and above their heads and her face turned into confusion.

“We need to report this, a new race is here.”

“Yeah, let's go back and say goodbye to her.”

“How do we gain connection again, though?”

“Do one of us need to stay here?”

“...”

“...”

The woman looked at the two of them with curiosity; once the decision was made, one of the initiates approached the woman with his hands up, showing he was of no threat. He wanted to introduce himself, so he used crude gestures.

“Me” he pointed to himself, “Karsor”

“...” The woman was silent for a few moments, but when she realized what he was doing he said ‘ah’ in understanding and pointed at herself. “Nina”

Karsor sighed in relief and had his hand forward to shake Nina’s, Nina’s looked at his hand for a moment, confusion plastered in her face. When Karsor realized he wouldn't have his hand shaken he just nodded.

He looked behind him to see that his other initiate was already gone, ready to report their findings. He stood awkwardly beside the woman, who was scanning him carefully. Soon, both eyes locked each other and Nina spoke.

“Nina.” she pointed at herself. “Village”, she pointed further at the ravine.

Karsor pursed his lips and nodded. He didn't understand the second word, but he could tell that she was pointing somewhere, not at something. He found it amusing that her language felt more like she was singing than speaking.

Her voice seemed more mellifluous; Karsor somehow felt embarrassed with his speaking; it sounded guttural compared to her language.

Though he didn't linger at the thought for long, he tried communicating more with Nina as much as he could. Showed his spear, the first aid kit in his bag, and ration before Nina ultimately invited Karsor back to her village.

“Come!” she said, holding Karsor's arm “Village, Come!”

At this point, both had displayed they had neither ill intent. Going wherever Nina is inviting Karsor would be a good idea as it would let him know the civilization that they have to invite within their fold.

Karsor nodded at Nina and walked along her; they walked over the small river that entered the ravine; it was a small ravine that didn't threaten their footing.

However, Karsor could see the difference between him and Nina; Nina didn't wear any shoes; she only had her bare feet, which were identical to a wolf's rear leg.

“That's amazing.” Karsor couldn't help but remark.

Karsor was trained in traversing harsh footing, as it was a part of their regime back at Alpine. However, his heart couldn't help but sink whenever the ground would move whenever he stepped over it.

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He sighed, and he finally got to their destination; it was a large village, as far as Karsor could tell. It, however, consisted of multitudes of ranches and vineyards.

“What…” Karsor couldn't help but look in awe.

The lycanthrope settlement was self-sufficient, and protected by the ridge and mountains; they weren't subjected to the same monstrous invasion of the dungeons.

Suddenly, an old man walked up to Nina with an angry demeanour.

“Nina! Who is this?!” one Lycanthrope asked Nina, who looked at Karsor and his spear with wariness.

“they're people beyond the mountains!”

“Are you insane?! From beyond!? Didn't your mother tell you enough that everything from beyond is a monster?!”

“But—”

Karsor was watching the argument break down when the old man glared at him. Karsor wasn't sure how to act.

“What do you want with our Village? Hm? What do you want, outsider?!”

Karsor couldn't understand a word, all he did was tilt his head and purse his lips. When the old man realised that words didn't go through Karsor he glared harder.

“Don't judge him too much, he had something to offer us! Uh… Karsor!” Nina called to Karsor which prompted him to look at her. “Uh… bandage! Bandage!” Nina spoke with a bit of an accent.

“Bandage?”

Karsor reached for his bag and pulled it out of his bag. Showing it to the old man.

“See, Chief? They're here for something other than the old text says they would.”

“Quiet, child. You've already done too much by leading it here.”

“They mean no harm Chief!” Nina pleaded in a soft tone.

“Whatever they mean it always leads to no good!” The old man yelled at Nina's face.

Karsor, along with a few Lycanthropes, were watching this with awkwardness. Karsor didn't know what to do at this point. He was expecting to be received like a guest and at least have some conversation no matter the medium.

But instead, he got a first-row seat for a scolding. Was it pleasant? Definitely not, Karsor would rather deal with first-contact communication than this.

The Old man’s gaze soon went back to Karsor; he barely flinched, which caused the old man to somehow misinterpret his lack of reaction as a reaffirmation that he is a monster inside.

“Now now.”

A voice interrupted them. To Karsor that seemed to be a random voice he had never heard before, but to the Lycanthropes, it was the voice of their guardian deity, the wisp.

“Don’t be too rude to our guest.”

“G-guest? Does that mean that this thing isn't a monster?”

“That's too rude…” The Wisp said disappointedly.

“I-I apologize”

“My lord has instructed me to help with your contact with Eldoria and, ultimately, in its integration. Please cooperate, Roko’tan, this is for the betterment of your kin.”

When the old man heard his guardian deity’s words, he couldn't help but shut his mouth, if his guardian deity had a lord, who was he to deny if it meant the decision was for his kin?

“I will.” was his response.

***

[Eldoria]

[Council meeting]

Kavo cleared his throat, not one bit of nervousness was on his face. Rather it's more like he couldn't wait for him to finish his suggestion of an Academy.

“... The herbs are yet to be identified, but we have found several herbs to be identical to the one in the Demon Forest.” The Medic Assigned at Garuk’s end finished his report.

The consul, who was sitting above an elevated seat with multiple papers shuffling in and out, looked up after scribing on a paper and an assistant taking it.

“Since all reports had been conducted within the week, anything else for the Consuls to consider?” The Consul said a bit tired.

That's where Kavo raised his hands and the Consul nodded his way in acknowledgement. The entire Council’s gaze fell upon him.

“After careful consideration, we found a problem with our current method of education. After some research and consultations with Lazarus, I propose an organisation in which all modes of learning will be given priority.”

Kavo handed the paper he had prepared to the assistant that went up to him, once the papers were handed to the Consul, he started reviewing all of it in silence.

“I see, this seems to be an investment.” The consul commented. “Ultimately, I see the promise of this organisation you have in mind. I will have every resource you need ready. Also, can you send the summarised points of the Academy to other members?”

“That will be done, Consul.”

“Any more that should be under my concern?” a moment of silence passes. “Then that would be all.”

Once the dismissal was given, all council members stood up and left. Kavo felt like the council where they sat in a circular amphitheatre was far from his memory and gone; it still felt new that they now had a proper arrangement of seats.

Kavo sighed solemnly before leaving his seat and moving along to the exit. As his steps took him along the office where he did his research and took care of patients he had an unexpected encounter.

It was Ivy, the local blacksmith and part of the Artisan. “How can I help you today?”

“Oh-” Ivy looked at Kavo. “It's not me; it's my helper; he was working on this new material dug at the Bronze Mountain. He hammered it down and it blew up on his arm.”

“His arm?” Kavo was taken aback.

Kavo soon moved to the medical wards where all patients are tended, there he saw an orc who had his entire right arm mangled, bits of flesh hanging by a slim tether of flesh. Kavo couldn't help but click his tongue at the grotesque sight.

The Orc was kept from bleeding by a tourniquet that was tightly wrapped around his arm. The man was repeatedly murmuring about his arm.

“We have no choice but to amputate,” Kavo remarked.

“No! No! No! Everything but my arm, please!” The wounded Orc pleaded. “Blacksmithing is all I've known, I don't know what to do after my arm is gone, restore my arm please!”

Kavo pursed his lips and he responded carefully. “We can't restore something like this.” He replied truthfully. “Cutting off your arm isn't going to be the end. Mari and Kasha have some experimental projects that could potentially help you.” He spoke softly.

The Orc was just staring at Kavo, sweat filling his forehead. He breathed heavily, unable to let go or either believe him. He was unsure of the decision to make; Kavo could tell that this man could at least be talked out of it; some Orc would surely kill themselves over this.

“I think they're called prosthetics, it could help you I guarantee it.”

The orc looked conflicted; it seemed that he wasn't reluctant anymore but rather thinking about how much he would lose after breaking off his arm.

“I… I… “

“Sir, the only thing I would say to you is to trust us.” Kavo sighed softly. “Prosthetics are meant to be the replacement for missing limbs, that's what I know about their project and I'm helping with it. Trust me, a missing arm isn't the end,” he said softly.

The Orc felt ashamed of his situation, but nobody could blame him for what happened to him. He was working with new materials, it wasn't his fault that it blew up.

“Okay… save me Medic.” The Orc spoke quietly, his tone had defeat laced within it.

Kavo soon grabbed some anaesthetic from a drawer; it was some dried leafy herbs that he dropped over some hot water in a cup. Once a few minutes passed, he gave it to the orc to drink, which made him pass out a few moments later.

“Thank you, Medic,” Ivy said to Kavo.

“It is my duty,” he simply replied.

***

There were certain times Shaka had felt she was at the cusp of a breakthrough, like a word at the edge of her tongue, unable to be grasped.

Just like now, with her knowledge of Suipo she should have been able to mark down her will over an enchantment and yet…

“How is it, Kasha?” Mari asked her eyes over the perfect replica of a hand.

“Still inert.” came the disappointed reply from Mari “It's frustrating, every enchantment works perfectly, yet I can't seem to make it move, what am I missing?”

“Maybe you should miss a limb for it to work.” a jest came from Mari.

Kasha looked at Mari unamused, he sighed and continued working with the enchantments. Her words bore weight upon the prosthetic; each instruction she had labelled had been already checked.

“Maybe it needs to be permanent? Like writing it down.”

“We already made an experiment with that, it has no technical difference.”

“True but wouldn't that mean it would be easier to see what's wrong with it?”

Kasha let the thought simmer for a moment. Yes, it could be easier, but it didn't seem like it was hard in the first place. She had no problems perusing the enchantment in her mind.

Still, the idea was not without merit; it should have been easier for her to see the problem if she had written it down. She left the prosthetic back at its resting place and went to grab a paper; with her quill, she wrote everything down.

It was all commands to move each finger, all connected to a user. Kasha took a step back to review her enchantments. Mari, who was at the same place, decided to see the enchantment for herself as well.

“I see nothing wrong here.” Mari judged.

“So it seems” Kasha narrowed her eyes and was on the verge of giving up.

Whilst they were reviewing the enchantments, a knock was heard at the door. “Come in” came from Mari and the one who entered was Kavo. Kasha looked at her friend and asked.

“How's the day?”

“Someone’s arm got ripped off after working with a new material.”

“Ew…” came from Kasha.

“Right, how’s the prosthetic?”

Kasha sighed in frustration, “It's hard to make it work.” Kasha connected her mind and individually moved a finger. “I can move this but it feels like I’m manually moving a lever if not moving a finger.”

Kavo tilted his head in confusion. “Kasha, an arm isn't supposed to be manual work.”

“I know!” Kasha groaned. “How do I fix this?”

Kavo moved closer to Kasha and looked at the paper with her enchantments. “I see.” He scanned the words on paper with his finger and immediately knew what was wrong.

“Moving your hands isn't supposed to be this difficult…” He started writing on the paper. “Try this.”

Kasha reviewed the suggestions Kavo made. “But this feels like… an entire mechanism, if one moves everything moves.”

Kavo locked eyes with Kasha and raised his hand; he slowly moved his index, his middle, his ring and his pinky and nodded. “It seems it is.”

“...” Kasha sighed and started rewriting her enchantments.

She soon finished her entire enchantment from scratch, completely different from the first one. She couldn't argue against Kavo, who studies everything about a living thing, or rather the body of every sapient race of Eldoria.

“What about this, Kavo?”

“Hmm… try it?” Kavo suggested.

Kasha had to enchant the prosthetic once again, the two who were doing nothing on the sidelines just watched. As they were watching Kasha do her work, a student came by and handed Mari a piece of paper.

“News?” Kavo asked, curious.

“Yes…” Mari replied reading the paper. “Oh, they found another race.”

Mari dropped the word as if it was a joke. Kavo looked at her incredulously, and she handed the paper to Kavo to find out she wasn't joking. A race between mountains just above the Demon Forest.

“They have dog ears?!” Kavo practically yelled.

“It's done,” Kasha growled. She felt irritated from using so much brain power. Kavo flinched as she glanced at Kasha. “Let's try it.”

Kavo placed down the piece of paper, feeling annoyed at Mari, who was snickering at him.

“Alright, let's see.”

Kasha prodded the enchantments prompting them to work. Though thankfully they had some results this time. She involuntarily clenched her arm which caused the prosthetic to move exactly like hers.

Kavo watched in awe as the prosthetic also mirrored Kasha's hand twitching when it was idle.

“This… what changes did you also add?” Kavo asked.

“I just… added to 'Follow what the mind tells’ it to do.”

“I guess that makes a world of difference,” Kavo remarked. “Though, it seems that it's quite limited in movement.”

“Isn't that good enough?” Mari spoke. “it does exactly what a hand does except for the grip. Isn't it?”

“True. What is it made of?” Kavo inquired.

“Bronze for the softer parts and everything else, the new metal they think is Iron,” Mari replied.

Kavo nodded, and he soon looked back at Kasha. “How's your head?”

“Fine… why?”

“I think this is a subject worth of study, you'll be involved in this.”

“Ah… Da– why not one of my students?”

The room fell into silence; Kasha was also busy with some projects of hers and teaching her students.

“We really need to get the Academy built.”