Telovir had supplied me with an iron shield, some leather armor, and a blunt wooden short sword. Originally he had offered an axe, but I decided to attempt and learn how to wield a sword as it seemed more versatile. I practiced against a training dummy for a few hours as Telovir and Cass coached me.
After some time, the sword felt as natural to me as the axe had, possibly even more. Once they had felt my technique was adequate, we moved on to shield training. Cass sparred with me and offered advice and techniques for blocking, parrying, and shield based attacking. I was astonished at how fast and strong the woman was, despite her obviously taking it easy on me. She consistently bested me, but I viewed every failure as an opportunity to learn.
"I'm glad you are taking this seriously," she said between thwacks against my shield.
"What choice do I have? My life is literally on the line," I grunted.
"Never forget that," she said with a snarl as she slapped my shield aside and lashed out at my throat with the long wooden sword she wielded, stopping just before it made contact.
A few more hours passed, and I felt more confident in my abilities. I grabbed a cup of water and wiped the sweat off my face. I had felt myself gain a level midway through our training.
"Hey Cass, I think I leveled up from our match. Is that possible?" I asked.
"Yeah, absolutely. It won't happen as fast as real combat, but sparring against equal or higher level opponents will increase your levels over time," she replied.
"Next up, you're going to spar against Leo. Remember everything we covered here and incorporate some of your new rune abilities," she said. I nodded and tossed the cup on the table. I approached the center sparring area where Leo stood waiting.
"Now, Leo is a different type of fighter. He uses magic and ranged attacks rather than a melee weapon. In truth, his specialty is healing magic, but he also knows a few various attack and control spells," Telovir told me.
I greeted Leo, and we began our training. He began by chanting and moving his hands around. I watched warily with my shield raised, unsure of what would happen. A lightning bolt exploded from Leo's hands and crashed into me. I fell backward, more from shock than the impact. That was real. Real fucking magic. Leo paused, he must have noticed my body language. I was staring at him with a mix of wonder and fear. How did it work? Could he control lightning? Or did he manifest it? Telovir shouted for us to resume, so I pushed the curiosity aside and tried to focus on the battle.
It was a different experience entirely than fighting Cass. Rather than rush and attack me, Leo would keep his distance and fling spells at me. Any attempt I made at closing the distance saw him use his speed or a control spell to escape and continue his ranged assault. I blocked nearly every attack spell he threw at me but was occasionally hit by his wind attacks or lightning bolts. As Leo launched another wind slash my way, I focused on using my Reflection ability. It was very intuitive to use skills, and I found it simple to activate. The wind slash impacted my shield and rebounded back toward the caster. The slash cut his arm and ripped his tunic. Leo quickly healed himself and launched a lightning bolt at me. The lightning also struck my shield and immediately raced back at its creator. While I knew the exact duration of the skill, Leo did not. Using the reflected lightning as a distraction, I activated Shield Charge. The burst of speed came suddenly, and I quickly closed the distance to my opponent. Using my momentum, I smashed into his chest with my raised shield and sent him sprawling. I was about to press my advantage when Leo waved me off. Had that one attack really done that much? With a groan, he healed himself up and grinned at me.
"That was good! Remember that move in the future against other ranged fighters!" he exclaimed. I apologized for injuring him, and he chuckled. "That is the point of this, isn't it?" he questioned. I shrugged in response, still feeling a bit guilty.
"You did well but would have been defeated without Leo's heals. " Telovir chided, "When up against ranged opponents, you need to close the gap much quicker and keep the pressure on them. Never let them dictate the fight, or you will lose." I was painfully aware that to lose meant death.
I wanted to know more, but Telovir insisted we didn't have time for one of Leo's lectures on magical theory. So we continued our matches until the sun had set. I was completely and utterly exhausted, and my body was screaming for rest. Telovir called the day complete and brought out more of the soup from earlier. I was starving, and the food didn't taste as awful as before. While eating under torchlight, I noticed another new mark on my right arm. Underneath the knight was another tattoo. Rather than an image, however, a myriad of runewords ran down to my elbow. They were a dull gold color and seemed to pulse with light.
"That is the Warlord rune," Telovir stated. It is a rare, powerful rune that typically adds many beneficial passive powers. It will complement your fighting style very nicely," he explained before adding, "Make sure to inspect it with the summary crystal before you sleep."
"Hey, Tel, how are runes assigned?" I asked curiously.
"We are not certain of the exact methods, but your specific runes are earned based on your innate talent and inclinations. Personality may even play a role. Almost everyone has a Prime Rune, with Augment Runes being slightly more uncommon. Typically, your lifestyle will determine the Runes you gain. If you're a blacksmith, for example, you'll most likely receive Runes that will aid you in your craft. If you're a soldier, you'll receive combat Runes." he explained. I nodded and said goodnight to everyone before heading back to my room.
I was actually excited to see what abilities the new rune provided me with. I held the crystal and focused - noticing that it was easier to open the interface this time. I glanced at my name and level quickly.
Alexander Venriel
Level 3 (22%)
Health: 87%
Mana: 56/120
Stamina: 16%
I then opened the runes menu and began reading:
Prime Rune: Ironwall (Novice Level 1 - 57%):
* Shield Charge - Rush at your target with blinding speed, blocking all attacks and finishing with an attack from your shield. Cooldown: 30 seconds. Cost: 5 Mana.
* Reflection - Send projectiles and magic attacks back at enemies for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 60 seconds. Cost: 15 Mana.
* The Immovable Object - Raise your shield and block all attacks regardless of direction or position for 6 seconds. You take considerably less damage for the duration. You cannot move for the duration. You are immune to knockbacks and control effects for the duration. Cooldown - 1 day. Cost: 10 Mana.
* Shield Mastery - (Passive) Shield attacks deal twice as much damage.
Augment Rune 1: Warlord (Novice Level 1 - 0%):
* War Cry - Shout a mighty war cry that increases your strength and speed by 15%. This bonus also applies to nearby allies. The effect lasts for one hour. Cooldown: None. Cost: 40 Mana.
* War Stomp - Stomp the ground damaging and slowing nearby enemies for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 20 seconds. Cost: 20 Mana.
* Warlord's Cache - (Passive) Grants you a personal dimensional space to store armor, weapons, and other items. Using mental commands, you may immediately equip or remove armor and weapons stored in the Cache. This ability can also be used in combat.
* Blademaster - (Passive) Increases the rate at which weapon-related talents progress by 100%. Also grants you a bonus depending on what type of weapon you are currently wielding.
* Swords: Chance for attacks to be critical strikes that cause massive damage.
* Axes: Increases attack speed by 10%.
* Spears: Chance for successful attacks to cause an instant second attack.
* Maces: Increases strength by 10%.
Those all seemed like beneficial abilities. I was extremely curious about how the dimensional space worked and looked forward to testing it out.
Talents:
* Shield Expertise - Level 4 (2%) - Improves your ability to use shields effectively. Each level also improves your ability to block and increases damage dealt by shields.
* One-handed Axe Expertise - Level 1 (84%) - Improves your ability to wield one-handed axes effectively. Each level also increases damage dealt with one-handed axes.
* One-handed Sword Expertise - Level 2 (49%) - Improves your ability to wield one-handed swords effectively. Each level also increases the damage dealt with one-handed swords.
Attributes:
Strength: 3
Dexterity: 3
Vigor: 3
Endurance: 3
Intelligence: 3
Regeneration: 3
I had gained two whole levels in my shield expertise talent. I was happy to see the sword expertise talent not only appeared but also leveled up. Hopefully, I could squeeze out another level or two before the day of our fight. I set the crystal down and laid back on my cot. I was so exhausted that I think I had fallen asleep before my head touched the pillow.
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I awoke early the next morning, and after some stretching, I headed to the courtyard. Telovir and Cass were already waiting, but Leo hadn't arrived yet. I yawned and greeted them both. After filling them in on my new rune powers, Cass made her way to the training area, and I talked with Telovir a bit longer. The fightmaster smiled and gestured for us to begin training.
I was still pretty sore from the previous day, so I began with stretches and warm-ups before our training began. Our first match ended with Cass's sword at my neck again. I yielded and prepared for the next one.
"I feel stronger, faster, and oddly healthier today," I observed out loud.
"That's the level you gained. Each level increases all your attributes, including your health. You're able to sustain more damage before suffering critical injuries or death. You'll also recover health and mana quicker as you level." Cass said.
"I think I understand. What level enemies can I reasonably expect to defeat?" I asked her.
"At lower levels, it's more severe. The difference in power between a level 5 and a level 10 is substantial, but between levels 40 and 45, it isn't as severe. At your level? I would say avoid anyone 3 or more levels above you. At least until you reach level 10," she answered.
Leo arrived sometime during our first training session. I waited for Cass to begin our second match and roared my new War Cry. She began with one of her abilities I was painfully familiar with. She swung her two-handed sword in three consecutive arcs with insane speed. I blocked the first blow with my shield and intercepted the second with my sword. The third strike was always difficult, if not impossible, for me to avoid. With the added speed bonus from War Cry, I finally dodged that damned third attack. I didn't have much time, so I pushed her forward with my raised shield. She staggered backward but remained standing, never once lowering her sword. I used the opportunity to rush towards her with my sword raised and ready to strike. She deftly parried my attack but could not avoid my subsequent shield bash. That move had proved useful again and again. The force of the shield attack actually managed to knock her off her feet. She quickly rolled backward to prevent me from pressing the advantage.
She stood and readied herself again. This time she rushed me with her sword held low, another ability I knew. This attack hit so hard it always sent me flying, even if I blocked it with my shield. I waited until she was a few steps away and performed a War Stomp. Her forward momentum was arrested as she lost her footing, and she slowed considerably, her face twisted into an angry scowl. I lunged forward with my sword, hoping to end the match then and there. To my surprise, Cass swatted my attack aside with her sword. She moved noticeably slower for a few seconds and focused on avoiding my attacks. Even slowed, she was still able to keep up with me!
Once she regained her normal movement speed, she resumed her offensive fighting style. She was slowly forcing me backward with a myriad of powerful sword strikes. I was at a disadvantage until my abilities were available to use again. Cass stepped forward and started a vicious horizontal swing. I braced for the attack and readied my shield to block. Cass turned into a blur mid-swing, to my surprise, and reappeared directly behind me. Her blunt wooden sword crashed into my upper back and knocked me over forcefully. I groaned and yielded as I rolled over. I was noticeably faster and stronger than before, but I still was no match for Cassilia.
Leo tossed me a quick heal as I stood, and I prepared for another training match with Cass.
"Don't get too complacent during a fight, especially if you are unsure of your opponent's skills and capabilities!" she admonished.
"That skill is OP, it needs a nerf."
"OP? Nerf? The hell are you talking about new kid? If you're making excuses I don't want to hear it!" she said with a snort. It seemed my decipher ability didn't translate everything.
I rolled my shoulders and readied myself for more pain. I couldn't overpower her, and she was definitely faster. The only option I had would be to outthink her somehow. I nodded at her, and we began again. Her sword was a blur, but I managed to keep pace, blocking and even counterattacking whenever possible. I landed a shield bash, but Cass turned her shoulder into it, avoiding serious damage and staying on her feet. Using the space it created, I performed a Shield Charge and landed another powerful attack with my shield. I felt the Prime Rune on my arm flare with power as it gained a level, but I didn't have time to think about it. Cass stumbled and fell backward from the force of my attack, and I rushed in with my sword. Without hesitation, Cass bellowed a roar, and I was slammed by a wave of force that staggered me and ruined my attack.
We both quickly regained our footing and resumed our duel. I lashed out with a few conservative strikes, but Cass effortlessly dodged every one. While swinging my sword, she turned back into a blur, and I braced for the attack I knew was coming behind me. I activated The Immovable Object and hoped it would be enough to protect me. To my surprise, her sword bounced harmlessly off my back. She followed up with her ability that launched three lightning-quick attacks, but every one of them bounced off me as if I were made of steel. I was frozen in place while my defensive ability was active, so I used every second to brainstorm how to beat the powerful woman. I could only use this ability once per day, so I had to capitalize on it. Cass took a step back and held her sword up, ready to pounce the second it ended. I felt the protection fade and immediately whirled around to face my opponent while simultaneously casting Shield Charge. We crashed into each other with serious force, and both crashed to the ground in a heap. I used another War Stomp to slow her down and swung my sword at her neck. Cass raised her sword, noticeably slower, to deflect the blow. At the absolute last second, I mentally swapped the wooden sword for a training spear I had stored in my Cache earlier. The new weapon's extra length let me slide it under her sword and push the tip into her neck. Moments later, the slow faded, and Cass actually grinned at me!
"Hell yeah, kid that's the stuff! Well fought!" she exclaimed. I couldn't help but smile at her compliment. It felt good to finally win one.
"Thanks. I had to literally use every trick in the book to do it," I replied with a laugh.
"That is the point. Let's take a break and have lunch, afterwards you'll spar with Leo," Telovir said.
Lunch was a genuine surprise. Instead of the awful soup stuff from yesterday, we had some flatbread and red meat with a spicy curry sauce. I tore into the meal without hesitation. We'd been training for hours, and I was ecstatic to eat anything besides the soup. In hindsight, I realized I had no idea what I was eating.
"Hey, Leo? What kind of meat is this?" I asked.
"Huh? Oh, it's just some sledgetail steaks I think," he replied casually.
"Sledgetail? What's that?" I questioned.
"I forget you're not from around here," he responded. "They're large reptiles native to the desert here. They have a large tail that can be used as a bludgeon. Blacksmiths actually use the tail bone for their hammers since it's a good bit harder than steel."
I let out a low whistle. "Who would've thought dinosaurs would be this delicious!" I said with a grin. They all just stared at me like I was insane. Hell, for all I knew, I was insane, and everything happening was all in my head. We chatted lightheartedly for a few minutes after lunch before Telovir told us to get back to it.
I stood across from Leo in the sand, mentally prepared for the battle. This time Leo wielded a small staff with ornate runes carved along the length. Leo began by raising a shimmering shield around himself and launching a wind slash at me. I dodged the attack with a roll and broke out into a run. I closed the distance between us, only for Leo to throw his hand out and knock me back several meters with an invisible force. I landed unceremoniously and scrambled to regain my footing. A lightning bolt smashed into my chest and sent me sprawling again. He was definitely stronger than in our previous battle.
I used Shield Charge to get back into the fight and smashed Leo's magical shield. He responded by conjuring a small tornado between us. It kicked up a ton of sand that obscured my vision and forced me to cover my face with my shield. I retreated from the sandstorm only to find I had lost sight of the mage. Another lightning bolt slammed into me, and I fell over, temporarily losing control of my body due to the electricity. He was definitely stronger. I heard him chanting to my right, and I looked just in time to see a wind slash heading my way. I dove forward and out of the way of the powerful wind blade. I quickly jumped up and charged at the man, hoping to reach him before he could cast again. Rather than use my sword, I kept running and smashed into him with my raised shield. He fell backward and attempted to roll away, but I was quicker. I lashed out with my sword, and it bounced off that damn magical barrier again. I smashed a War Stomp, watching the sand shift as reverberations pulsed through it. It was apparent that we were both hurting from each other's attacks. Leo went to knock me back again, only for the spell to rebound and send him flying. He yielded as soon as he landed, and I relaxed.
"That staff really amps up your lightning bolts." I told him.
"Glad you noticed! Staves and wands carved with the right runes help to amplify magic," he explained.
We fought quite a few more times, with each of us claiming victories and the mage healing us both at the end of each bout. Leo even managed to progress to level 4 during our third battle.
Telovir brought out more bread and sledgetail steaks for dinner and discussed where we could improve.
"I was really hoping to hit level 4 today," I complained to my new teammates.
"How close are you?" Cass asked me.
"93% according to the crystal."
"Come with me," Leo instructed.
I followed him back to the training area and thought we were about to spar again when he sat down and crossed his legs.
"Sit and close your eyes. Go back and recall your fights with us. Focus on situations where you could've reacted differently or used a skill to escape defeat. Relive the fights and scrutinize every detail."
I struggled at first, but after a half hour, I lost myself in meditation. After an hour or so, I felt the familiar wave of warmth wash over me as I hit level 4! I opened my eyes and smiled.
"How did-" I began, but Leo was ready.
"Meditation and self-analysis are just as important as battle itself. Try to do it every night."
I nodded in gratitude and stood before heading back toward Telovir and Cass.
"Tonight you need to rest and prepare for your first real fight tomorrow. I'll have some gear for you in the morning and we'll have a light training session. For now, go to your rooms and sleep," Telovir advised.
I said goodnight to everyone but lingered in the courtyard. It was a clear night, and I looked at the foreign sky. The moon was larger here and had a slightly blue hue to it. The night sky was full of stars, but I didn't recognize any constellations. I really was on an entirely different planet. I walked along the corridor leading to the arena, but I went in the other direction. Guards were randomly patrolling the halls, and most were Level 10 or higher. None of them questioned or stopped me as I explored until I approached the exit. Six guards turned to me and ordered me to turn back.
I decided to head back to my room before existential dread took over. I grabbed the summary crystal and delved into my interface to distract myself.
Alexander Venriel
Level 4 (1%)
Health: 97%
Mana: 87/130
Stamina: 56%
I then opened the runes menu and began reading:
Prime Rune: Ironwall (Novice Level 2 - 18%):
* Shield Charge - Rush at your target with blinding speed, blocking all attacks and finishing with an attack from your shield. Cooldown: 30 seconds. Cost: 5 Mana.
* Reflection - Send projectiles and magic attacks back at enemies for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 1 minute.
* The Immovable Object - Raise your shield and block all attacks regardless of direction or position for 6 seconds. You take considerably less damage for the duration. You cannot move for the duration. You are immune to knockbacks and control effects for the duration. Cooldown - 1 day. Cost: 10 Mana.
* Shield Mastery - (Passive) Shield attacks deal twice as much damage.
Augment Rune 1: Warlord (Novice Level 1 - 62%):
* War Cry - Shout a mighty war cry that increases your strength and speed by 15%. This bonus also applies to nearby allies. The effect lasts for one hour. Cooldown: None. Cost: 40 Mana.
* War Stomp - Stomp the ground damaging and slowing nearby enemies for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 20 seconds. Cost: 20 Mana.
* Warlord's Cache - (Passive) Grants you a personal dimensional space to store armor and weapons. Using mental commands, you may change your armor or weapons while in combat.
* Blademaster - (Passive) Increases the rate at which weapon-related talents progress by 100%. Also grants you a bonus depending on what type of weapon you are currently wielding.
* Swords: Chance for attacks to be critical strikes that cause massive damage.
* Axes: Increases attack speed by 10%.
* Spears: Chance for successful attacks to cause a secondary attack.
* Maces: Increases strength by 10%.
Talents:
* Shield Expertise - Level 5 (51%) - Improves your ability to use shields effectively. Each level also improves your ability to block and increases damage dealt with shields.
* One-handed Axe Expertise - Level 1 (84%) - Improves your ability to wield one-handed axes effectively. Each level also increases damage dealt with one-handed axes.
* One-handed Sword Expertise - Level 4 (39%) - Improves your ability to wield one-handed swords effectively. Each level also increases the damage dealt with one-handed swords.
* Meditation - Level 1 (14%) Allows you to focus and gain experience by analyzing your previous encounters. Each level increases the experience gained from this action.
I was happy to see the progress I made today. I was a little let down that I hadn't gained a talent for spears, but I really hadn't wielded one today. I contemplated meditating more, but my exhaustion begged me to go to sleep. I relented and lay down on the cot. My anxiety about the fight tomorrow would have kept me up all night if I wasn't so tired. I buried my growing unease and drifted off to sleep.