Chapter Fifty-Two

Ambrose addressed the group’s needs before talking to Vivienne about the training she offered. First, he teleported to the glade. Only to find it bustling with activity. Even the kids were working, transporting what they could carry to various areas. Darren appeared to be conducting it all,

“We’ll have the start of housing here in the glade. Inward, we’ll set up the market, and of course, down at the beach, we will get docks built.”

He pointed a pencil to the east,

“We will have to clear some trees for a farm area.”

Well, at least they aren’t lazy, Ambrose thought to himself.

“Hey! Listen up!” He called.

Voices stilled, eyes turned to him.

“Vivienne will be showing up here shortly with a spread of food for everyone. Turns out, the island had a pantry. The problem is, that’s the last of it. After that, we will have to hunt, gather, and fish for food. You won’t have to worry about the elements or predators bothering you right now. I’m going to be…away for a bit. I suggest that if the System offers any of you a profession, you take it. If you want to fight and unlock classes, take the time while I am away to think about what that means, and then let me know when I return. We will facilitate it.”

With that, Ambrose went to Darren, pulling him aside.

“Listen, since you’re making buildings, I want you to build me something.”

Darren narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms.

“Usually, someone says please when they want something.”

Ambrose’s voice became granite,

“You live on my island, Darren. You’re safe, your daughter is safe, because of what I did to clear the curse from this place and because you’re allowed to stay here by my forbearance. I would think that’s fucking please enough.”

The muscles in Darren’s arms tensed up, standing out against his skin. His jaw worked like he was chewing on a piece of gristle, but finally, he nodded, uncrossing his arms.

“Yeah, I guess that’s fair. Still, would it kill you to be polite once in a while? You’re not making any friends here.”

Ambrose ignored the remark,

“Deep inland, about a mile away, is a second, small glade. Just head in the direction of the mountain, you’ll find it. Build me a place there. It doesn’t have to be huge, but I would like a garage built near it. It’s probably a good idea to build a road from the beach, heading towards it, too. Can you manage that?”

Darren thought about it, head bowed, muttering to himself, before looking up.

“Yes, I can manage that. How soon do you want it?”

Ambrose waved a dismissive hand,

“Take care of the essentials first, especially what the kids need.”

Darren looked over at the children, who had thrown themselves into the work. Adults supervised, helped, or did other tasks. Thomas was still transmuting materials. Angie helped the kids. Jenny also helped, but she laughed and told jokes as they worked.

“You have something special, Darren.”

The other man nodded,

“I do.”

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Ambrose watched Jenny,

“Don’t lose it.”

Darren’s jaw hardened,

“I won’t.”

Nodding, Ambrose walked away, calling Vivienne within his mind to deliver the food. A moment later, she appeared in the middle of the glade, a table covered with all types of food with her. Angie called a halt to the work, and people began to fall in to eat.

Ambrose pulled the blonde aside,

“What profession do you have?”

Angie crossed her arms,

“I’m a Manager.”

Ambrose lifted an eyebrow,

“No ‘Arcane’ or anything next to that?”

Angie shook her head,

“Nope. Basically, it makes me a bureaucromancer.”

Ambrose grunted,

“Sounds useful, later.”

Angie ran a hand through her blonde hair, sighing and putting hands on her hips.

“What do you want, Ambrose?”

“I wanted to know what you could do. I also want you to ensure the kids are cared for.”

He turned away from her, watching the little ones eat with fervor.

Angie’s voice turned soft,

“You act like you’re a tough son of a bitch, but you really care, don’t you?”

Ambrose glanced at her.

“Yeah, I care. But I care more about what I need to accomplish. Remember that.”

He was gone before she could respond. Appearing beneath the Tree of Avalon. He called Vivienne to his side a moment later.

“Where do they put it all, Knight?”

Ambrose blinked,

“Put what?”

“The nutrients they consume. Their bodies are so tiny. Where does it go?”

Ambrose didn’t feel like going down that rabbit hole.

“Forget that. Tell me about this training.”

Vivienne looked like she wanted to press the issue, her mouth opening and closing a second later as she held up a finger.

“Very well,” she finally said.

“Tell me, Knight, do you know King Arthur’s story?”

“Yes, or at least my world’s version of it, why?”

Vivienne smiled,

“What I like about your world’s version of the tale is that it has one core truth.”

“Which is?”

“Who Arthur was, as a person. He had an unquestionable moral character. He was the epitome of goodness in an individual.”

Ambrose felt his lips turn down in a frown.

“Why do I care about this?”

Vivienne didn’t respond to his annoyed tone.

“Arthur leaned into his strengths. He focused on what he had that others did not.”

Ambrose was beginning to see where the conversation was going. His father had said something similar, albeit much more straightforward and rougher.

“What do I have that Eric doesn’t? That’s what you’re getting at.”

Vivienne beamed,

“Indeed, sir Knight.”

She held up a hand, pointing to one finger,

“You have more skills to utilize than Eric Delrosa does. In particular, you have access to a spirit-based skill. Which gives you access to your spirit, something else Eric Delrosa does not have access to.”

“You mean that core of light inside of me? I thought that was mana.”

“It is. Your core is not your spirit.”

Ambrose crossed his arms,

“Fine. This is the part of the conversation where you explain it.”

Vivienne, once again, seemed unperturbed by his frustration.

“Your spirit is, in a nutshell, who you are. Or, more precisely, it is the energy, the force, you give off. That small space around you that you feel in those precious, intimate moments. Your smite skill harms that very space, that fundamental force of who you are.”

“I get it. I think. How can this make me stronger?”

“In a number of ways. Strengthening your spirit involves understanding yourself. Understanding who you are is always valuable. It also allows you to manifest an Icon.”

Ambrose held up a hand,

“This is too much. Let’s just focus on training spirit first. How do I start that?”

Vivienne cocked her head,

“Have you not been listening? You must know yourself, Ambrose Severen. You must understand who you are.”

Ambrose growled,

“I already know who I am.”

Vivienne laughed,

“Do you, Knight? No, I think not. You have beasts within your mind, prowling about in the dark recesses, the shadows of memories you do not wish to face. You want strength, Knight? You must confront who you are. You must confront yourself.”