Chapter 16: One Happy Family

The morning air was crisp as Daniel and his companions made their way toward the Spearman’s Consortium. The cool morning breeze stirred the leaves overhead, causing them to rustle softly, like a whispered conversation between the ancient trees. Occasionally, a gust would sweep through, sending a few stray leaves tumbling down to the forest floor, where they landed with a faint, delicate crunch underfoot. Birds chirped overhead, their song contrasting the low hum of the bustling city they were approaching.

As Daniel adjusted the straps of his leather armour, a shiver ran down his spine. It wasn’t from the cold.

The memory of their last battle lingered, not in the form of pain or exhaustion, but in the strange, residual sensation that pulsed deep within him. It wasn’t something he could easily shake off.

"That was... odd," Daniel muttered more to himself than to anyone else. He flexed his fingers, still feeling the faint hum of energy coursing through him. It was unlike anything he’d ever experienced back on Earth. This felt raw, visceral—like his body had just unlocked a piece of itself that had been dormant.

Roderic, walking a few steps ahead, must have heard him. The gruff spearman slowed his pace and turned slightly, his sharp, wolfish eyes studying Daniel with mild curiosity. "Hm, someone just unlocked their class," he said, his voice a low growl of approval. "Congratulations. You’re now officially a Spearman."

Daniel blinked, taken aback. "Oh what, no way!" he echoed, glancing down at the spear slung across his back. It had been given to him as part of the consortium’s standard issue, but it was just a generic weapon—until now.

"You earned it," Roderic said with a knowing smirk. "Sure, the aether ultimately decides what class you get based on a few things, but with your hard work, dedication, and the right attributes, it was bound to happen sooner or later."

"I still don't really know much about classes, to be honest," Daniel muttered under his breath, still coming to terms with the fact that this world had rules far beyond his understanding.

Roderic stopped and turned to face him, his expression softening just a fraction. "Well, the aether chooses what fits you best. Your connection with the spear—whether you like it or not—is natural. Embrace it, and you’ll grow stronger." He jabbed a finger at Daniel’s chest, right over his heart. "Envision your system, lad. Focus on the paths, and it’ll lead you to your class node."

"My... class node?" Daniel repeated, frowning as he tried to make sense of the terminology.

"Every class has one," Roderic explained patiently, stepping aside so the rest of the group could continue walking. "It's like a switch within your Aetherial System that activates when you're ready. Close your eyes, concentrate, and you’ll find it."

Feeling a bit self-conscious, Daniel glanced at his companions. Seraphina smiled warmly, while Faelar looked as though he was physically in pain as he suppressed a snide remark. Ignoring the elf, Daniel closed his eyes and tried to focus, inhaling deeply to steady his nerves. At first, all he could sense was the cool air brushing against his skin and the distant rustle of leaves. He wouldn't give up though, he had spent many hours becoming extremely familiar with his system. Something flickered in the back of his mind—a pulse, faint but steady, like the beat of a distant drum.

"There," Roderic’s voice quieted, as though he didn’t want to break Daniel’s concentration. "You feel it, don’t you?"

Daniel nodded slowly, eyes still closed. "Yeah... I think so. It’s like... a hum, inside me. I can almost see it now, like a small ball of condensed aether."

"Yeah, that’s your class node," Roderic confirmed. "When you tap into it, your body starts to understand the skills and techniques of the Spearman as you unlock them. Thrust, Sweep, Polearm Defence—These are some of the basic skills you can now learn. You just need to practise, watch and generally just use your damn spear."

Opening his eyes, Daniel felt an odd clarity settle over him. He gripped the spear at his side, and somehow, it felt more like an extension of his arm than it had before. "So... that’s it? I will just... know how to use these skills?"

"More or less," Roderic said with a shrug. "The knowledge is inherent. It’s stored within the aether itself, waiting for you to access it. Each skill forms its own node within the class node. When you isolate and study it, you'll understand the skill through aetherial memory. But don’t get cocky," he added, narrowing his eyes. "Skills are great and all, but if you rely just on the skills and neglect your actual training, any opponent with a modicum of ability will end you, quickly."

Before Daniel could respond, Faelar’s voice broke through the air, laced with its usual arrogance. "It’s a miracle you’re still alive, Gailor, considering how little you know." The elf’s sharp features were twisted into a smirk as he strode past, his spear resting easily on his shoulder. "It’s like watching a pet wander into the wilds for the first time."

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Daniel shot him a feigned look of amusement. "It's incredible how funny you are, Faelar. It's a small wonder that you have no companions at all. At least you were born into money. It's so much effort having to develop a personality."

Faelar’s smirk only deepened as he tossed his hair back over his shoulder. "Oh, personality, is that what they call it? Where did you come from anyway, Gailor? You act like you’ve never even heard of the aether before. I can arrange for my six-year-old cousin to tutor you. He's a bit slow but that won't exactly be a problem for you."

Daniel rolled his eyes almost out of his head, but managed to keep his voice even. "Well, thanks for asking, I came from a small... Town. Extremely far away from here. It's true we were lacking severely in education, and certainly didn't get to coast on the achievements of our family, but I'm learning now. You won't have too much longer to use the snarky jokes your six-year-old cousin wrote for you."

"Oh, I think you vastly overestimate your place in the world, commoner," Faelar sniffed, the disdain practically dripping from his words. "I'd wager the dirt itself was a great deity in this town of yours?"

"Faelar, that’s enough," Seraphina interjected softly but firmly, stepping between the two men. Her green eyes met Faelar’s with a calm that belied the tension in the air. "We’re all on the same side here. There’s no need to tear each other down."

Faelar huffed but said nothing more, content to walk ahead in silence, though his expression made it clear he wasn’t through with his insults just yet.

Daniel shot Seraphina a grateful glance. "Cheers," he muttered, his voice a little sheepish.

"Cheers?" she queried, looking bemused.

"Oh! It means 'thanks' where I'm from." Daniel laughed, gently rubbing the back of his neck.

"Ah, okay. Well, you're welcome," she replied, smiling gently. "You'll prove him wrong in no time. Why don’t I tell you a bit more about this place? It might help you feel more grounded."

As they continued their walk, Seraphina began explaining how Sylvara worked in tandem with the Elementals and the nearby factions to maintain peace throughout the Shadowgrove. Her voice was soft, but filled with knowledge, each word a careful stitch in the tapestry she wove of the world around them.

"The Elementals are ancient beings, tied to the land itself," she said, gesturing to the trees towering overhead. "Sylvara maintains a delicate balance with them. It’s why you won’t see much conflict inside the city. But outside the walls, it’s a different story."

Daniel nodded, trying to absorb the information. "It’s a lot to take in. This world, the aether... it’s all so different from what I knew."

"That’s because you’ve barely scratched the surface," Seraphina replied with a knowing smile. "But you’ll get there."

Tristen nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you picked the wrong city to escape to. There is a lot going on here that isn't in most other cities."

Just then, Daniel spotted something familiar ahead—or rather, heard it. A small, feline creature sitting on a tree branch, its deep, rumbling voice echoing through the air as it meowed. Daniel blinked as recognition dawned. "That’s the monster-cat from before!" he said, surprised. "It sounds like a thirty-foot-tall demon."

Tristan, who had been walking in relative silence, perked up at the sight of the creature. "Oh, that? Don’t worry. They’re friendly, though they’re not very common around here."

Daniel tilted his head, a studious glint in his eyes. "It's actually kind of adorable now that my soul isn't trying to escape my body, like when I first met it. I want one. The kids would love it."

Seraphina laughed, the sound bright and melodic. "That might not be the best idea, Daniel. Imagine if a Colossal Elemental decided you were cute and took you home as a pet. How would you like that?"

The image of being scooped up by a massive elemental made Daniel chuckle. "Honestly, I'd take it. I think I would make an exceptional trophy pet."

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By the time they reached the Spearman’s Consortium, the mood had lightened considerably. Inside, Roderic displayed proof of their success, the group receiving payment in return. Daniel’s mind was still buzzing from everything he’d learned, but the weight of the coins in his pouch brought a sense of satisfaction. It was a small victory, but it was something.

That evening, Daniel arranged a small gathering at the Moonlit Tankard for his friends to meet his family. Izabelle had been hesitant at first, but she had agreed, and now the common room of the inn was filled with the soft murmur of conversation.

"Everyone, this is my family," Daniel said proudly as he introduced Izabelle, Diana, and Felix to his companions. "Family, this is everyone."

Izabelle smiled warmly, giving a small wave. "It’s nice to meet you all. Daniel’s been telling me about your adventures. I'm surprised his best friend, the Elf, couldn't make it."

Seraphina cackled unceremoniously. "Honestly, it's probably for the best that they spent some time apart. Their bond is truly... Um... Unique."

The evening passed in a blur of laughter and shared stories. Seraphina and Izabelle bonded over their shared love of nature, while Tristan entertained Jamie and the children with tales of his clumsy mishaps during training.

As the night wore on, Daniel found himself sitting back in his chair, watching his family and friends with a contented smile. For the first time since they had arrived in this strange world, he felt a sense of belonging, like the pieces of a fractured puzzle were slowly starting to come together. It was good to spend time with his family again. He realised how much he'd been missing their growth while focusing on his own.