It was finally Friday, and Kaiden had made it to the end of his first week of Dungeoneer training. He felt a knot tighten in his stomach at the thought of facing a dungeon in just three weeks. There was no way he’d fall back into the support platoon.

They’d spent the day going over dungeon tactics and how to move as a cohesive team through each floor. He was a little worried about one member of his team at first, but perhaps he shouldn’t have been. Because as much of a pain in the ass Tybalt—no, Private Hargrave—was, he at least took training seriously, even if he insisted on criticizing everyone else’s approach. Nobles know best and all that crap.

Sergeant Boran moved from group to group, helping each team of four formulate strategies suited to their strengths, giving personalized feedback in his usual blunt style. Finally, he returned to his stump and called all the trainees back into formation for the day’s debrief.

“You’re all off tomorrow,” Boran said. “But that doesn’t mean you should spend the day lazin’ around. When your life will literally be on the line in a few weeks, it would behoove you to spend your time improving.”

Lots of trainees swallowed hard, glancing at each other as the weight of the sergeant’s words sank in. As much as a full day off sounded tempting, they all knew their lives depended on their training, so maybe this wasn’t so much a day off as it was free training time.

“Hayward, stay back,” Sergeant Boran barked. Kaiden’s brow furrowed as he wondered what Boran wanted. Boran glanced around at the rest. “Dismissed.”

What did I do?

Kaiden waited until the rest of the trainees were mostly out of earshot to approach the stump. “Yes, sergeant?”

The sergeant regarded Kaiden silently for a few moments before speaking. “Do you remember what I told you last time?”

Kaiden nodded. He hadn’t forgotten. He wasn’t sure if it was thanks to Mindforge or just sheer curiosity, but the words had stuck with him. “I’m supposed to see the quartermaster, Sergeant.”

“That’s right.” Boran’s gaze sharpened, measuring. “When you receive your…gear, keep it to yourself.”

Kaiden frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“Let’s just say what you’re getting might raise some questions better left unasked. And no matter what, you’re not to use it until you’re in the dungeon. You definitely won’t need it for training either. Understood?”

“Yes, Sergeant,” Kaiden said, though he was far from understanding. What made this gear so secret? And more importantly, why him, specifically?

“Dismissed.” Boran’s tone left no room for further questions, so Kaiden nodded and walked off, his mind swirling.

The only thing that made sense to Kaiden was his Arcane Vision ability. It had been handpicked by Oros himself, after all. Could it be some long-lost, powerful skill? Maybe that was why Master Sergeant Hales had given him the coin, recognizing its significance where most didn’t. It had to be something like that.

He had been neglecting that skill for some time, not seeing any use for it. Oros did say, he would neither interfere nor help in anyway. For all he knew, he was completing wasting its ability. Pearls before swine and all that. “Hmmm,” he muttered under his breath.

That settled it: he’d set aside time tomorrow to try and figure out Arcane Vision’s secrets.

First things first, though. He headed for the mess hall, preferring to have a meal with Davick than by himself. The meal ended up being a little longer than usual when Harlan and Garin showed up at the end. After that he headed to the barracks to retrieve the coin, and then straight to the quartermaster. Davick wanted to go with him, but he when he told him that Sgt Boran had explicitly said not to tell anyone he dropped it.

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Kaiden walked into the quartermaster's storehouse and took a look around. The place was packed with weapons: racks of swords, spears, bows, and more, with a section behind the counter lined with caged-off shelves—probably where they kept the good shit as in enchanted weapons and whatnot.

Strangely, the place was completely empty. Odd, he thought, but approached the counter where a bored-looking corporal sat. Kaiden waited for the corporal to address him, but the man just stared. After a few seconds, he raised his eyebrows as if to wonder what Kaiden wanted.

Breaking the awkward silence, Kaiden finally said, “I’m supposed to give this to the quartermaster.” He extended his hand, showing the coin Master Sergeant Hales had given him.

At the sight of it, the corporal’s bored expression lifted, and he straightened a little. “So, you’re the one the sarge’s been waitin’ for,” he said. “I’m not the quartermaster, but I’ll go get him.” He gestured for Kaiden to wait. As he disappeared in the back, Kaiden heard him say, “Now I can finally go home.”

Kaiden figured it must be closing time and felt a little awkward about having people wait on him. In hindsight, he probably should’ve come straight here instead of the chow hall first.

Minutes ticked by before the corporal finally reappeared with the quartermaster—a stocky man with brown hair. His arms were crossed in that look that suggested he’d rather be anywhere else. He wore a standard military tunic with an insignia of a sword and shield that must’ve meant quartermaster.

The corporal made his way around the counter and said, “G’night, sarge.”

The quartermaster only grumbled, “How many times do I have to tell you not to call me sarge?” He then turned his attention to Kaiden when his retreating subordinate didn’t respong, his eyes narrowed as if sizing him up. “Let’s see it,” he said, gesturing to the coin in Kaiden’s hand.

Kaiden handed over the coin. The man took it, examined it briefly, and then introduced himself. “I’m Sergeant Rendall. Now, follow me.”

Without another word, Kaiden fell in behind him as they moved past the counter and into the back room.

Kaiden felt the silence growing heavier, so he tried again. “Is the storehouse already closed?”

“Yes,” Sergeant Rendall replied curtly

“Sorry for being late, Sergeant,” Kaiden said, hoping it might soften the mood. Rendall only grunted in response.

They continued down narrow corridors lined with caged shelves stacked high with crates, past darkened offices and storerooms, until finally, Rendall turned and led him into a tiny room. The space was stark, with bare walls, no windows, and one flickering magical lamp providing just enough light to see a desk and two chairs. Rendall gestured for Kaiden to sit in the lone chair opposite him.

The sergeant took his place behind the desk, making Kaiden feel like he was about to be interrogated. He scanned the sparse room—nothing but some filing cabinets in one corner and the faded gray walls. Sergeant Rendall pulled open a drawer, retrieved a small lockbox, and unceremoniously dropped the coin inside before slamming it shut and tossing it back under the desk.

“So, Private,” Rendall said, his eyes fixed on Kaiden. “You’ve already been told to keep quiet ‘bout this, right?”

“Yes, Sergeant.”

“Good.”

Rendall moved from his desk to one of the filing cabinets and opened a few drawers here and there, searching for something specific. "A-ha," he said when he finally found what he was looking for. He pulled out a sturdy wooden box, engraved with the outline of an hourglass or a time-turner—Kaiden couldn’t be sure.

Rendall set the box on the desk and sat down again, watching Kaiden carefully. “I don’t know why the Master Sergeant’s got his eye on you, but you’re about to see why you need to keep this to yourself.” He opened the box, revealing a tome inside, bearing the same hourglass engraving. Kaiden’s pulse quickened as Rendall set the tome down between them. A spell tome? Yes, please!

Kaiden couldn’t help his grin. Did this tome grant a time-based ability? He couldn’t help but imagine the possibilities—slowing time, stopping it, maybe even reversing it. But Rendall’s face stayed serious.

"Now, listen up,” Rendall said, his voice low. “There’s nothing unusual about a Dungeoneer getting a tome like this, but the unusual part is you getting it before completing your first dungeon. This doesn’t happen.”

Kaiden nodded.

“Normally, something like this would only be granted to those who’ve proven themselves.

“Like surviving the dungeon in Camp Thorne,” Kaiden said.

“Exactly. So don’t let anyone catch wind of this. No one will care once you’ve earned your way in, and some new Dungeoneers even get tomes as parting gifts from Camp Thorne. But you’re getting yours now, which makes it… unique. This is a tool, not a shortcut.” He slid the tome forward.

"Understood, Sergeant."

Rendall nodded, leaning back. “Good. Now hurry up use it so I can get outta here.”

Kaiden really wanted to open the tome and study its pages with his Arcane Vision, but the stern glare from Rendall quickly made him drop that idea. Then Rendall, clearly losing patience, blurted, “Just pour some mana into it already.”

Kaiden nodded, reaching out to the tome. As he touched the tome and sent a pulse of mana into it, a notification popped up in his vision that made him nearly shout in disbelief. This tome was far better than he hoped. The revelation that this was not simply some ability tome sent a thrill through him and he could not hold back the grin on his face.

Common Class Tome: Health Weaver (Bracer)