It did not take us long at the village center. Barrie attested in a pre-written form that I was his and Rhetta’s adopted son. I had another form where I accepted the adoption and would be keeping my name as “Forrest Rhodes”. We signed each other’s forms, then the mayor stopped in his office for a few moments and handled routine business. Finally we headed off to the school.
We met Onre on the way. He seemed happy, so his time with Grandma must have been well spent. He told us that he would be renting her spare room for now, and that she had hired him part time. Damn, he already had a job, and I still had little idea of what I would be doing. I asked him if I could Analyze him, and that led to us all deciding to analyze each other for training.
Onre Litman – male Human, level 0
Alchemist’s Assistant
Arrjee Silverstone – male Covargh, level 0
Student
River Stone Ring
A soul-bound stone set in a charmed, golden ring. High quality, no wear. The stone allows water-breathing. Charmed for resizability, toughness, and damage resistance.
Barrie Silverstone – male Covargh, level 34
Mayor of Cottages
I could tell Dad was analyzing us, but he did not need to touch. He commented, “Wow, that was quick. Less than an hour after agreeing to work for Rhonda, Onre is already an Alchemist’s Assistant. I’m assuming you had no employment in the First Duchy?”
“No, Mayor. I have only been a student. Would it have taken longer if I had a job before?”
“Yes, if you had recently held employment, then it could have taken up to ten days for wages from Rhonda to result in your job title shifting.”
Interesting. I had not thought of when and how Analyze might shift that.
“Thank you, Barrie.” Onre finished analyzing us, and went on to Arrjee’s ring and my upper leathers. Curious as to what he could see about Arrjee’s ring at Level 0, I told him what mine said and asked him what his skill told him.
“I only get the first and second parts. I only can tell the stone is soul-bound and the ring is charmed. For your armor it tells me ‘Excellent quality, no wear, charmed’, but I don’t know any details. The excellent quality itself is amazing, considering Arrjee’s ring is only high quality.”
Arrjee and I smile. “They are quest rewards from a god. Forrest, Mom, and I got a quest from Skawa seven days ago to save a family from two zebors. We succeeded and as the quest reward kept the battle armor he provided prior to the battle. Mom’s and mine are the same as Forrest’s, but enchanted, not charmed.”
Curious, Onre asked, “Can you tell me what the charms are?”
I said, “Sure. Like Arrjee stated, the buffs are the same whether charmed or enchanted. They have ‘self cleaning’, ‘self repair’, and ‘climate comfort’.”
“I don’t understand why yours is charmed …?”
“As I understand it, my Martial Arts class will eventually let me invest ki into what I am wearing, buffing it, but only so long as it is not enchanted. I guess ki and mana don’t mix well. It wouldn’t matter for Arrjee’s ring though. It will have the same charms even when his classes get mana.”
“Since I expect to be a Ki Healer, should I seek out charmed armor, not enchanted?”
I asked Interface.
The investiture will come from your Martial Arts, not Ki Healer. It depends on his other class.
“My interface said Ki Healer is not what allows me to invest ki into items. That will come from Martial Arts. So it would depend on what your other class offers. Even as a ki user, enchanted armor will work for you the same as Arrjee; you just cannot further buff it even if you had the capability.”
Dad said, “Minor gods, that is useful! Rhonda does it too, asking her interface whenever she wants about powers, classes, and skills. We normal mortals can only interact occasionally, as we do when about to level.”
“It is the same for we born awakeneds, Just the unborn ones can do that.” Arrjee says regretfully.
“Do you know why that is?” Onre asks curiously.
I answered, “I think it is because awakeneds like Arrjee grow up just like anyone else, learning the world slowly from infancy. For the unborn, like me at 16 and Grandma at 18, we arrive with little knowledge of the world. She at least knew about Interfaces and had had one like yours. I didn't even have an interface during my last life.”
“How did you get skills and classes then?”
"On Arrjee and my previous worlds, those things didn’t exist. I could only achieve what I learned to do. Arrjee, was it all learning for you, or was some of what you knew instinctual?”
“There was an instinctual base. I was born knowing I must protect the hive, and I just started foraging without a fellow drone telling me how. Beyond that, it was learning, though.”
“‘hive?’, ‘drone?” I take it back, Forrest. I am just starting to really comprehend how ignorant that ‘half-breed’ nonsense is. You are not strange at all!”
With a slight laugh, Arrjee said, “I would not go that far. But I’ll tell you my whole story later. The school is just up ahead. The quick overview is that I was a large, intelligent ant, and my species had just started evolving sapience.”
----------------------------------------
We entered the double-size building that was the school. It was mostly one room, and the chairs and desks had been moved to the sides. Inside was a teenage Human girl, a female Covargh, and two male Covarghs. The female and one of the males were about 30, and at a guess the other male was in the mid-40s. They all wore loincloths and sandals.
I’m overdressed.
Probably due to his Mayor status, Dad started the introductions. “Hello, all. I know you were expecting me to bring only Forrest.” He placed his hand on my head. “Also with me are my other son Arrjee and a new citizen of Cottages from the First Duchy, Onre Litman.” His hand moved to Onre’s head for a moment. “Onre is alone.”
Dad continues, reversing his focus. “Boys, I would first like you to meet our school teacher, Dorra Marson. She has been a teacher here for five years. The older of the two gentlemen is Master Runtel Trillet, sword mastery and wallmaster. The younger is Master Brune Thorm, bard generalist and musicsmith. Last but not least is Arrjee’s classmate, Kossa Smithson.”
We all exchanged greetings and handshakes, with Onre spending an extra moment with Kossa, telling her he met her mom and siblings at the alchemist’s shop. I didn’t know that.
I guess stuff actually happens when I’m not there.
Dumbass.
I grinned slightly and quickly.
Just then there was a knock on the door, and it then opened. The Human guardsman Asha Yon entered. He was not in uniform, just a plain grey shirt, short pants, and sandals. His river stone was set in a necklace. He seems surprised to see so many people.
“Excuse me, I did not mean to interrupt. The gate guard told me that I might find Arrjee and Forrest here.”
Arrjee announced, “Everyone, this is Asha Yon, one of the Duchy’s guardsmen. We quested together a few days ago.”
Dad took over. “Asha, your presence is welcome and could prove most valuable. I am happy to see you after so many years. And from your necklace, it is obvious you had the same quest as my wife and sons. Congratulations!” He then went on to repeat the introductions.
Arrjee clarified, “I didn’t know you knew him, Dad. I had not known of him until Mom identified him in the forest.”
Dad told him they knew each other through Mom. Then he suggested we all sit down. We did, all at the same side of the school. “Before we begin the training for which Rhetta asked many of you to assist with, I have news and an official request as Mayor. The overview is that my sons and Onre met Einvigi earlier today. She is the minor god of sparring and honorable dueling. She was interested in seeing Forrest’s rare healer class in action. Even she had not been aware of it. She brought Onre with her so Forrest would have someone to heal. As incredible as that is, it is not the important news.”
It was clear from their facial expressions that this was a lot to take in.
“Excuse me, Mayor,” Kossa asked, “do you want me here for this? I was training with Master Thorm and was just going to be here until Forrest arrived. I am very interested, but I do not know if I should be here for town business.”
“Yes, Kossa, you are welcome to stay. It could even end up directly involving you. Which brings me to the main topic of concern. Einvigi stated she would like to establish an adventuring school in Cottages, under her auspices. She expects it to have about 40 students. The other thing I know is that our masters may find positions at this school. I don’t know what the criteria will be for staff or students, but perhaps Kossa could become a student. I already strongly suspect that Arrjee, Forrest, and Onre will be candidates, since they are the ones she told about this. Anyway, this evening Einvigi is sending a representative to discuss this. I do not know when or where yet.”
Just then there was a blue flash, and a piece of paper came floating down from the flash point, above and in front of Dad. He grabbed it out of the air and read it, then grinned. “It says her representative will be at the gate at 15; Kossa is welcome to apply.” Then he adds, “I am quite certain that the note from out of nowhere establishes that this is not a story made up by the boys.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
You don’t see that every day.
“As to who should meet with the representative, I would like to formally invite everyone in this room. It is obvious that Einvigi has no trouble with all of us receiving a full explanation. I also plan to invite my wife Rhetta and mother Rhonda. Does anyone have any questions or concerns, or know of someone they think should be there?”
There was silence for a moment, then Asha speaks, “I can understand why everyone else should attend. But I do not even live here yet. I am very happy for the village of Cottages, though. This will make you a cornerstone of the Duchy.”
“Yet.” I smile inwardly. It looks like Kossa caught it too. Even without prejudice, I’m sure her family would welcome having other Humans in town. Onre, then Asha, and she doesn’t even know about Asha’s family yet.
“Which is exactly why you should be there. If you are willing, I would, as Mayor, like to officially appoint you as the Duchess’ representative to the meeting. You would represent the interests of both the duchy and the guard to the best of your ability. I know neither has foreknowledge, but I believe you would be the best candidate for this important role. They should both be told quickly, by someone trusted and who was in attendance. My own bias would be clear, and I ask that you be truly neutral. I heard and was pleased by your ‘yet’, but whatever report you need to make will not affect our welcome.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“Mayor, this is highly unexpected. I just came to town for a visit with friends. I need a moment to consider it.”
“Please take your time. Does anyone else have any questions?”
Master Thorm asked, “I am only a general bard and craftsman. While I am happy that we will be getting an adventuring school here, I don’t believe I am a good fit for one of its masters. I will be happy to participate in the meeting, though.“
Kossa surprised me by replying, “Master Thorm, you would be a wonderful addition there. Adventuring parties often include bards, as you well know. If the fact that your other class is a crafting one makes you feel unqualified, screw anyone who thinks so. You are one of the best teachers I have known!”
Arrjee added, “I agree. You have taught me a lot about music even without you being my formal master. Please do not count yourself out before we even know what this school involves.”
And Dad continued along the same lines, “The very reason Rhetta invited you here is to help train Forrest in his hand-to-hand martial skills. Just because they do not make up one of your two classes does not mean it will not be useful. And don’t discount your barding skills. You aren’t specialized in vocal or instrument, but broad skill in both would most likely be the most valuable to low- and mid-level students. Who knows, there may be students who wish to have crafting capabilities also. It is far too early to dismiss your value to the school and its students.”
Onre finished our gang-up, “Master, I had thought I would become a bard, but that may now be impossible because I plan to be a ki-based healer like Forrest. That does not mean I won’t want to improve my playing and singing. Learned skills are very valuable. And since I don’t believe I will be taking a martial class, non-aetherial self-defense skills are particularly valuable to me.”
“Alright, alright. I will keep an open mind and see what happens. And yes, the bard classes depend on mana.”
“Is that right, Interface? Is there no ki-based bard class?”
No, there is not. He could choose a non-magical version, but those are primarily meant for entertainment. An adventuring bard should have mana.
“If he seems concerned, I’ll let him know. Thank you.”
Asha cleared his throat. “Mayor, I accept your appointment. As probably the only guardsman in town, it is my duty, even if a highly unexpected one.”
Dad smiled, “Thank you, Guardsman Yon.”
“Last chance for questions and concerns before training and teaching commence. Forrest, Schoolteacher Marson was specifically invited because we realize you do not know very much about Heere yet. She has been teaching ‘world’ for years. She also plans to work out an overall training schedule for you, adapted to your unique requirements. Oh, and this is her school.” He smiles at her.
I heard Onre whisper to himself, grinning, “Obvious things.”
I wonder what that is about.
“Master Trillet is here because he is Cottage’s senior master. While a sword master, I am sure he can teach you valuable things about battle in addition to what Master Thorm can teach. Did Rhetta tell you-all that Forrest knows very little about battle, not even from his former life?
The senior master answers, “Yes she did. I am sure we can puni- err, train him sufficiently.” He grinned. “I am also very interested in his healing. I see that he is a Ki Healer, but I have no idea what that entails.”
I replied, “It was completely new to Einvigi too, but she seemed to have found some information about it somehow. She thinks I might be the only person on the planet with that class. That is the main reason she was interested in seeing it. She had concerns.”
Dorra the teacher asked, “Should we share those concerns?”
“To an extent, yes.” I answered. “But it will be better if anyone truly interested in it experiences it for themselves. It is sort of a show not tell thing.”
Arrjee added, “It’s great!”
Then Onre, with a strange expression, said, “And awkward. And painful, because you have to be injured before he can heal. But he thoroughly tested it on me this morning, with Einvigie’s guidance. He has two skills in the class, and she had him test both. I like the class so much I plan on getting it myself. Even if it means abandoning the idea of being a bard vocalist.”
Dad said, “Question time is over. Please teach as you had planned, now with four students if Kossa decides to stay. She is welcome to either train or just watch and interact with the boys.”
“Thank you, Mayor and everyone. I shall remain and participate.”
He responded, “I am happy you will all get the chance to know each other better and train. It is 11:12 now, so everyone, you have about three and a half hours until I would like you to meet me at the gate. I will go tell Rhonda where to meet us, then go home and wait for Rhetta to get done with her rounds. I hope she is back in time. Her days vary a lot.”
I whispered to Onre, “Mom is a postal agent.” He nodded in acknowledgement.
Dad walked out.
----------------------------------------
Master Trillet took over. “Guardsman Yon, since you came to visit, you could still have time with your friends if you remain and act as an honorary Master this afternoon. You would indeed honor us with your presence.”
“Yes, I will remain, thank you. But until the meeting this evening, I will not be acting as a guardsman. Everyone may refer to me as Asha.”
The senior master corrected “I find formality to be useful when training. We shall refer to you this afternoon as Master Yon.” He thus let us know that he would be Master Trillet, and the bard, Master Thorm.
I clarified, “Agreed, Master Trillet. But how should I address school teacher Dorra Marson? I do not yet know all the formalities.”
She answered, “I generally teach casually, and students refer to me as Dorra. But in this more formal environment, ‘Teacher Marson’ will be appropriate. My classes are teaching and empathy, should anyone need specific information about those.”
I noticed Onre gave her a respectful look after that announcement. “Teacher Marson, my foster father was a cleric/empath. I am certain you will have much to offer.”
She smiled, and with humor, “You poor child.” He laughed.
Master Yon announced, “I am a pure warrior, with classes armsman and shieldsman. I have also learned a few common ki skills. I heard at the fort that Forrest may be particularly interested in those.”
Hell yes! But dammit, I went on a quest with that man and didn’t learn a thing about him. Holy crap. I don’t even know what Mom and Dad are. Wake the F up, Forrest!
“I very much look forward to learning them, Master Yon. And so far as I know, you are the first pure warrior I have met.”
Master Thorm spoke up, “You definitely don’t want to ever get into a protracted fight with one. You’ll be collapsed from exhaustion while they dance on your chest.”
Master Yon joked, “I prefer to prance.”
Master Trillet then said, “I expect a number of us are very interested in learning about this Ki Healer class of Forrest’s. I will be his first target. Could you describe your two skills for us?”
I went over the basics of Heal Other and Bless Blood with them, holding off mentioning the side effect as a ‘surprise’. I told them that the skills used ki inefficiently, though. Since I already had the floor and expected to be using them later, I also mentioned Ki Punch, Claw Strike, and Dodge. I closed with, “This morning Einvigi suggested I use Claw Strike on Onre, and I did. It is pretty bloody. If anyone wants me to injure them this afternoon, I would prefer to use Ki Punch. Plus I’m sure Teacher Dorra would prefer that we not bloody her floor.”
“Oh, Ki Punch has a penetrative effect. I think it allows some damage to get through armor. But if you are not wearing armor, you feel it pretty deeply.”
Both Arrjee and Master Yon confirm the penetrative quality. We all stood up and moved away from the desks.
A bare-chested Master Trillet walked in front of me, and stopped a little less than two feet away. “Two punches wolf, as hard as you can. One open-palmed to one breast, and a close-fisted punch to the other. That should give you plenty to heal, and I hope to experience whatever had Einvigi concerned.”
I saw Arrjee wince and Onre smile. I had used the punch on Arrjee seven days ago, so he knows what Master Trillet will feel. So does Onre, but with the opposite feeling.
“Alright Master. You may want a chair handy. Arrjee can tell you these punches really hurt, even if the max damage is only 10 per punch.”
“Young Forrest, I have been in many fights. It is about time I experience what martial arts can do. Just do it.”
This will not change his opinion of me. Got it.
My first attack was an open-palmed one from my right hand to his left breast. He grunted and closed his eyes momentarily. “You were right. It does really hurt. But next.”
I made a fist with my right hand and punched his right chest. He grunted again and I yelled, “Oww!” I was not a brawler, and punching someone with no understanding of the technique hurt me a lot. I checked my stats, and I had just lost one HP.
Pain and health don’t necessarily correlate. Good to know.
“Okay, I”m going to heal your left side first. Well, technically you will be doing the healing, with me accelerating your HP regeneration.”
He growled between his teeth, “Just shut up and do it. I’m 19 HP down and in pain.”
It took me 5 seconds for each breast. He said with a smile, “That is very invigorating in several ways. My penis has even started getting hard. Was that her only concern? Turgidity?”
Onre answered, “Master, Forrest healed me a lot more this morning, plus he regenerated some of my blood. I had a full, throbbing erection and was very close to orgasm by the time he finished. Perhaps with your maturity comes more control, or maybe it was just the lesser amount of ki you felt.”
I further explained, “Einvigi described the class’ inefficiency. At Rank E, 50% of my ki is wasted in the heal. Bless Blood is F, and 60% is wasted. Half of the waste returns to the aether, and the other half goes to invigorate my patient.”
Kossa walked up and asked me if I have healed a female yet.
Crap. This could get really awkward.
“I healed a six-year old with a sprained ankle.”
“Have you healed a female old enough to know when she is excited?”
Awkward!
I shook my head, “No.”
“Master Trillet, I believe it would be valuable to know what effects a teenage female might experience. With your permission, I suggest he punch and heal me.”
“That does sound valuable. Does anyone have any objections?”
“Yes!” Someone say yes!
…
No one says yes.
He stepped aside, allowing Kossa to take his place. “Since my anatomy is a little different, please use open-palmed punches on each of my upper arms.” She raises her voice, speaking to the room, “I don’t think 10 damage should break an arm, should it?”
Master Yon replied that it might, but he had witnessed me heal a fawn’s broken leg. He suggested I punch her from the side, about two inches below the shoulder. “I would not expect a break there. And with just 10 damage, it would be a clean fracture if a break did actually occur.”
Okay, I’m about to hit a girl. Hard. Twice.
And heal her. And maybe turn her on.
“I really do not want to break anything, even if I can heal the break. How about I slap you really hard instead of the open palm attack? It is how I tested it on Arrjee a few days ago, and it did a lot of damage. I won’t be pushing all the damage directly into your arm bones that way.”
“Alright. Besides,” in a theatrically loud voice, “I’m looking forward to a hybrid boy like you exciting a girl like me.”
Just get it over with.
“Here goes. I slap each of her upper arms hard. Bruising and welts almost instantly appear, and I am sure there is muscle damage beneath the skin. “How much damage did I do?”
She told me 17 hitpoints in a pained voice with her eyes half closed. I heal each arm. She is clearly relieved and smiling. “Yes, wolf, I feel it. I am energized throughout, and my mood is brighter. And I definitely feel somewhat sexually excited. I’m sure if you healed me as much as quickly as you did Onre I’d be as close as he got, or more.”
Was that TMI or necessary information? Either way, not too bad.
“Okay everyone. I believe the core of Einvigi’s concern is the potential abuse of the libido-raising side effects. But as Onre pointed out to her and as Kossa just mentioned, there is apparently the energizing and mood-lifting part to it as well. If she ends up recommending this class as a viable choice for her disciples and students, I expect it will be with certain cautions in place. Does anyone have any questions? I would like to get to the actual training part of this training session.”
Teacher Marson and Master Thorm both said they would sometime like to experience the effects for themselves, but agreed it was time for some training.
Master Trillet called over Master Thorm “I don’t know if you noticed how inexperienced Forrest was with his fist, Thorm. He will need to learn how to actually punch people with Ki Punch so he doesn’t hurt himself as much as them. Would you give him some pointers?”
That was when I learned what a wallmaster was. Master Trillet created a force wall about 5 feet high, 3 feet long, and 8 inches deep. It was smooth and dull blue. “This will last about 20 minutes. Young Forrest will have something to punch that he won’t have to heal.”
Curious, I felt and pushed on the wall. Then I gave it an open-handed punch with no ki. It felt like maybe someone had wrapped a thick log with several layers of leather. I was sure his wallmastery had a thousand uses, but I was really impressed by the one I saw before me.
“Forrest,” Master Thorm said, “please show me your hands.”
This again.
I held out both hands, and he saw their newness, expecting it. He also ran his fingers over my palms and my own fingers. “Well, your claws are in great shape, anyway. You are going to have to really work those hands and develop blisters that can eventually give you some callused toughness, both to your palms and fingers. What you’ve got now won’t sustain you in any kind of fight.”
He then described and showed me how I should be punching in a close-fisted manner. He said I was not totally awful with my open-fisted technique (thank you, Bruce Lee). For now my limited techniques would be adequate for blister training. Both Arrjee and Kossa watched closely. Onre was less interested. He had probably had some of this sort of basic martial training already.
“While this wall is up, alternately slap and punch it, both open-palmed and close-fisted. Your primary goal will be to toughen up those hands, so that they can hold up when we get to actual martial techniques.”
The three of us interested in the wall began doing as he said. As the one with “baby hands”, I was the one most serious about it, although Arrjee and Kossa are having fun striking the wall in various ways as well. Eventually I added in “hammer blows” with the sides of my fists to start to toughen even more of my hands.
I saw Onre walk over to speak with Teacher Marson.
Once the wall dissolved, the rest of the afternoon was spent with us working with the various masters. Kossa and Onre spent a good deal of time with Master Thorm in learning music and song. Master Trillet had brought a couple wooden swords, and he, Arrjee, and Master Yon had various sparring matches. Master Yon had no shield, so he could not share any of his knowledge with that.
Teacher Marson sat me down, and for almost an hour we discussed various topics. The main one involved building a general skills-training regimen for me which would work with my one-day in seven schedule. It did not seem so overwhelmingly limiting, having support from other people.
Part of my time with her was spent on “world”. In America, basic education was summarized as “reading, writing, and arithmetic”. Throughout the kingdom, it was “letters, numbers, and world.” One of my questions involved something Dad had mentioned. “I heard the term ‘Skolturi wraiths’. What are they?”