Clanging and grunts cascaded across the villa’s training grounds, catching Helena’s curiosity as she just entered through the gates. Marc weaved a wooden bastard sword with one hand towards Krel like a toothpick displaying his enormous brute strength. Krel easily read his movements and dodged every slash eventually getting behind Marc. Krel swung at Marc’s right leg to make him lose balance. As swiftly as his wooden sword made contact Marc fell to one knee.

“Even your abilities have their limits. All I have to do is get behind you and your mysterious counter attack won’t work.” Sweat dripped from Krel’s body after an hour of sparring with Marc.

Krel focused on teaching Marc swordplay, increasing his non-existent combat experience.

Tessa worked on her form and swings under Sedric’s expert guidance. For Sedric to help Tessa to his fullest he asked for details about her powers. Tessa’s current abilities were healing, mana regeneration, and draining. Sedric had her use the draining power on him, causing him considerable burden for a few seconds.

“Maybe you should reconsider participating in the tournament or at least change to a lighter one handed weapon with a shield to give you a better chance at defeating an opponent. ” Sedric firmly suggested.

“I choose this mace because it looked like it could really hurt someone. I’ll change weapons if you think that’s best, but I’m not quitting the tournament.”

“Imagine yourself holding that mace and I throw these knives at you.” Sedric pulled out three very shiny and sharp throwing knives. “With your novice weapon skills and passive healing ability you would do better off with a shield, so that one of these throwing knives don’t go through your body. Worst case scenario you make them run after you as you drain their endurance.”

Tessa paused without any comeback as Sedric continued.

“I’m worried for your safety, Tessa. I will only train you under one condition. If I say you are not ready by the end of these two weeks, promise me you will forfeit from the tournament. Or else Marc and I will tie you to a chair on the day of the tournament.” Sedric calmly stated.

Tessa blushed focusing on Sedric’s first statement letting every word after to breeze on by unnoticed. “I agree and promise to your condition.” Tessa’s cute soft voice made Sedric unable to resist patting her light brown curly hair into a mess.

“Don’t worry though. I’ll make sure to turn you into a deadly weapon soon enough.” Sedric let out a rare laugh, which enticed Tessa even more due to his appealing snow white complexion and yellow blonde hair.

“Wow, Tessa you’re amazing! That’s the first time I’ve ever seen Sedric laugh. Did you start talking about football?” Marc teased overhearing their conversations while he and Krel were taking a short break.

“Marc’s right though I’ve never seen you happy in such a long time.” Helena added as everyone watched her tall figure approach.

“Helena, you’re back so earlier. How did things go with ambassador Von?” Sedric questioned.

“Surprisingly well actually. I learned a new skill called [Memory Reading] which allows me to do exactly as it sounds. Von didn’t expect me to have this power and was caught off guard. Nothing related to Relanis though.” Helena conveyed her thoughts as everyone gave her their attention.

“Soon we won’t have to worry about any similar incidents happening to any of us with you around.” Sedric said.

“Your suspicions seem to be correct and we trust your judgement. Any new information whether it’s unrelated or not please let me know later.” Marc’s sweat slowly dripped from his short brown hair as he told Helena to keep a close watch on the ambassador.

“Don’t worry I will. Relanis is relying on us.” Helena replied.

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In a large workroom all the materials Kira gathered were neatly laid out around the area. Two unlit forges lined the back end of the room. A large rectangular table was filled with many layers of blueprint designs. Kira sat on a stool as she vigorously shuffled from one blueprint to the next.

“Kira, I’ll be leaving now to visit the ambassador again.” Helena left knowing she wouldn’t reach Kira once she was engrossed in her projects. The hallway was filled with numerous blocks of ores that served as the extra storage of materials. Helena walked past a guard that was escorting a woman. She heard about the alchemist merchant from Kira and knew this was her. Jasmine had fluffy red hair in a ponytail, that swayed as the guard led her into the room and left.

Kira didn’t react as the Jasmine scanned the room, noticing all her merchandise scattered about the room. She peeked over Kira’s shoulder to take a look at the blueprint currently being drawn.

“I’ve never seen any armor like that before. I didn’t take you as a warmonger.” Jasmine felt worried as she saw the countless blueprints for war.

Kira turned around, “These?... My friends are in the King’s Tournament and I want to help them out. I’ll make sure to increase their odds of winning.

“There’s a lot of my folk that would love to use this equipment, but none are rich enough to buy or train with them.” Jasmine said.

“What would you do if you became queen?” Kira questioned as she patiently waited for an answer.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want that pressure nor commitment. But I would like a good king such as the last one.”

“How did the king die?” Kira inquired.

“One of the king’s duties is to protect the kingdom. They said he met his end to a pack of demon dogs led by vampires. My bestfriend told me vampires have taken refuge somewhere within the mountains separating the void.

“You’re going to have to tell me more later. Come sit. I asked you here today because I wanted to find out more about you. To see if you qualify to be my new assistant. My last one became busy for the time being. For now my normal assistant is gone and an opening is available.” Kira proposed as Jasmine sat on a stool.

“What do you have in mind? I’m not a armor or weapon smith.” Jasmine felt cautious to accept.

“For the next two weeks I will only be creating these items. Like I said to help my friends. You already know the materials and I will teach you what to do. The downside is you won’t get paid for the next two weeks and consider it a trial period. Anything we make after that will be our profit and I’ll make sure you never worry about money ever again. ” Kira confidently negotiated.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“I’ll try my best.” Jasmine happily accepted.

Jasmine went to run a few errands that afternoon. As usual Kira was enthralled in her work, not paying attention to her surroundings. Forming two ores into an alloy with her craftsman specific power [Transmutation], she readied the metal for forging.

She heard footsteps from behind her and thought nothing of it, thinking Jasmine had returned. She felt hands instantly grabbing her from behind, slamming her to the table. Simultaneously a sack was pulled over her head. She tried to call for help, but felt a hand gag her mouth. Kicking and mumbling she tried to fight off her assailants. Rope bit into her flesh as they secured her hands and feet. She gasped for air hearing three different whispers as they gathered her blueprints, laying helpless on the hard ground.

The assailants’ voices rose as they saw their watchman drop to the ground. His upper body laying in view at the door entrance.

A cloaked figure dashed into the room steadying a short sword to his side. The two nearest kidnappers rushed forth attempting to kill him with their swords. The third kidnapper closest to Kira, got her up and held her hostage.

Loud yelling of the first two kidnappers echoed throughout the villa as they fell to the ground. Blood began to spread on the floor from the deep gash wounds of the fallen men. Kira became frightened as she felt the metallic sharpness of a dagger edging slowly into her neck.

“Stay back and drop your weapon! I’ll kill her! The cloaked figure stood over the bodies and dropped his sword to the floor. “Now step aside!” The kidnapper tightened his grip on the blade as he noticed the reluctance of the person to step aside. Blood trickled down from Kira’s neck, causing her to start whimpering and motivated the rescuer to obey.

“Kira! What happened?!” Sedric, Marc and Tessa followed by Krel and several elven guards arriving shortly after.

The scene they saw showed a man’s figure with a hooded cloak standing beside two bloodied bodies and further in a dagger being held to Kira’s neck. Sedric rapidly accessed the situation and understood to a near hundred percent of how events unfolded. The kidnapper repeated the same words he said earlier, only to notice a throwing knife being launched at incredible speeds aimed directly at his head.

The knife flew out of Sedric’s grasp as he aimed to kill the one who threatened his cousin’s life. The kidnapper shifted Kira’s head in front of the knife’s path. Reaching several inches from impact the knife was engulfed by darkness.

Kira felt a chill pass through her head as the dagger’s tensity let up on her neck. She felt the kidnapper falling back and followed to avoid being sliced with the dagger.

Half of Sedric’s knife jammed back into the assailant’s skull as it dinged against the stone floor. The hooded figure grabbed the assailants arm removing the danger from Kira’s neck. Sitting her up he also removed the sack from Kira’s head. The elven guards grabbed the hooded figure from behind as Sedric and Marc untied her bounds. Tessa stepping in to heal her neck wound and several bruises obtained from the abuse.

Kira felt her broken skin slowly closing shut and bruises disappearing.

“It’s okay Kira, we’re here.” Sedric said as he wiped her tears.

She looked up as the elven guards removed the hood of her rescuer, becoming frozen in disbelief. “Kellan? Is that really you?” Kira sheepishly asked as the other kidnappers were being taken away by guards.

“Yes, I’m glad to you see again. Are you okay?” Kellan affectionately asked.

“Do you know him?” Krel inquired.

“Yes, he’s an old friend.” Kira quickly got up and introduced Kellan to everyone. As the scene settled down Jasmine returned. Marc suggested everyone go out for dinner, but Kira and Kellan declined.

The two story log cabin pub was bustling with excitement. Sedric carefully looked at all the details of the pub in hopes of having a pub in virtual reality as well. The group quickly found a large table with the help of Krel’s status. They enjoyed a nice conversation and half way through their meal Marc saw the captain of the guard walk in with an entourage of ten soldiers.

The captain walked over with a few guards following him, stopping in front of the table. “I heard some of my guards were killed, I apologize. They we’re acting on their own accord.”

“I suggest you keep a tighter leash on your guards, if you want anyone protecting the city.” Sedric coldly replied.

“We accept your apology el capitan and I look forward to beating you in the tournament.” Marc acted drunk slurring his words.

“It will take a lot more than the three of you to defeat me.” The captain stated.

“You’re such a douche. You can’t even keep your own guard under control. We’ll make sure to beat the life out of you on the arena floor.” Tessa cheerfully said as a bubbly fact.

“I’ll make sure to take my time carving up your soft skin during the tournament.” The captain glared at Tessa as Krel placed a hand on Tessa, keeping her from getting up.

Marc likewise grabbed Sedric’s arm. The captain’s guards quickly assembled behind him. Marc rose from his chair, “This is not a time for war. This is time for celebration. Cheers to King Rigel!” As he lifted his mug toasting, “A toast to the captain of the guard who’s gonna help me become king! And a round of drinks are on me!” The tavern cheered happily accepting the ale.

Everyone in the tavern stood up. The captain looked around and gave an evil smile at Marc, “Your stupidity will be your downfall.”

Krel looked around at how easily Marc energized the crowd, “Does that mean your paying for dinner too?”

“I don’t have money... But I will in eleven days.” Marc grinned from ear to ear as he joined the crowd in dance and laughter.

Krel admired the humans’ friendship, knowing this particular group would change the world.