Fourthday was a school day, so only Onre and Lenyet met me in the glade. I should think about moving the spawn point closer to town. It wastes time to have to get to town every Tuesday, not to mention the time of anyone who wants to come here to greet me. They were both dressed in light leathers like me, and Lenyet had a bow and quiver full of arrows. I asked why, and Lenyet said that zebors had been sighted near town. Travelers were warned to be cautious. I guess that’s another reason to move my spawn point.
Lenyet had moved permanently to Cottages three days ago. He didn’t go into detail, but having moved by himself pretty much meant he and his partner had broken up. I didn’t push for more information, instead just welcoming him to town. That was sort of an odd thing for me to say, since he has already been there more than I. This will just be my sixth day. I got there first, though!
“We should not waste time out here,” Onre said. “The guard has been notified, and they will be patrolling the area. But the threat is not gone yet.”
Lenyet added, “We have heard that a giant Ogre has appeared in their normal hunting grounds, dispersing many of the zebors. Until that threat is eliminated, all of the villages in this region need to be on high alert.”
“Thank you for coming out to meet me then,” I told them. “I can imagine heading to Cottages by myself, blissfully unaware of the new threat.”
As we approached the road, we we heard a sharp cry, followed by wails and growls of maddened creatures. Onre asked if we should stay in the woods. I was wondering the same thing. Lenyet replied, “No. If there is a pack, it is easier for their scouts to hunt us here without being seen. We should get closer to the road, and see what has aggravated them. I don’t hear anyone calling for help or swearing, but someone could need assistance.”
Lenyet invited Onre and me to join a party, giving us a means of silent communication. We approached the road slowly, using the trees and brush to minimize our visibility as we approached the road. Finally we reached a point where we could see the commotion.
LB: I count six zebors and two Earth Elementals. The elementals will be pretty rugged, but six zebors is a lot for two to fight off. I suggest we assist, but only if you both agree.
I could see them now as well. The zebors had encircled the Elementals and were taking turns making quick attacks and backing off. Two would attack an Elemental at once. The Elementals had positioned themselves back to back, and fending off attacks as best they could.
OL: I am in. We trained at the Academy for these kinds of situations, and Master Thorm has improved my knife and self-defense skills even further.
FR: As am I. I don’t have as much training as Onre, but you’ve taught me a lot about martial arts.
LB: We’re in then. In our favor is that the Els are natural tanks, so they will continue to be at the center of the zebor’s attention. The bigger Elemental is Level 34, while the younger is only 7. The zebors range from 6 to 9. Inviting the elementals to our party for coordination. Follow their lead if they join.
Unbroken Stone and Odd Earth joined the party.
US: Well met, strangers. My youngling friend Odd Earth has been injured, so if you are willing to help, please approach from his side.
LB: We will do as you request. I am the eldest of our group, a Level 30 Martial Artist. I have two younglings with me, my apprentice who is a Level 4 Martial Artist and an unleveled teen who has strong self-defense and knife skills.
LB: Boys, I will rush in first, assisting Odd Earth. Once I have engaged, follow, and fight together on one zebor at a time. I don’t expect you will be attacked by others due to the aggro generated by Unbroken Stone, Odd Earth, and myself.
Onre and I acknowledged. Lenyet sat his bow and quiver down and ran ahead. He jumped between two of the zebors, kicking one and punching the other. Odd Earth was using his fists to punch any zebors that got close. Onre and I approached together. The road around the elementals and zebors had sort of turned to a thick tar-like muck. It might have been some sort of clay, or who knows what if they could manipulate the molecules of stone. The top inch of the packed dirt road had somehow acquired the viscosity of thick molasses.
As we got close, I could see there had been a seventh zebor, who lay on the far side of the road, probably dead. I also saw that Odd Earth’s stomach had been gashed, with a brown liquid slowly oozing out.
Odd Earth – Earth Elemental, youthful, sexless
Level 7 Hunter
No classes, and a monster? His stats showed that he had lost about 20% of his hit points and 30% of his stamina. His aether (?!) was still full green, probably 95%.
Yes, Elementals are monsters. As such they do not have classes, nor do they have mana or Ki. As creatures of the aether, they use it almost directly. They have learned skills and various capabilities dependent on species.
One of those capabilities seemed to be a taunt aura. The two zebors which Lenyet had attacked attempted a quick retaliation, then shifted their focus back to Odd Earth. Onre and I chose the third zebor attacking him. With the Level 8 beast’s attention elsewhere, Onre and I moved to its left and right sides. The thick ground slowed our travel as we approached, but it slowed the zebors too.
FR: Onre, I’ll punch first with Dodge up. While it snaps at me, you should have a clear shot with your knife.
OL: Got it.
I activated Dodge as I adopted the Angry Ostrich stance, I punched at its neck with my right hand and just behind and below its shoulder with my left. I easily got out of its way as it tried to claw and bite me, allowing Onre a solid shot at stabbing its stomach. Somehow Dodge had allowed me to freely move over the sticky clary. We brought its health down from about 90% to about 55%.
As it turned to Onre, I used Claw Strike for a long slash from its stomach to its upper thighs. Onre avoided getting bitten. I waited a second until I could activate Dodge again.
FR: Onre, let’s repeat.
I struck it in the face and neck, while almost simultaneously Onre slashed its neck from the other side. It collapsed, whimpering. The clay and taunt aura made the fight unfair from the zebor’s perspective. All four of their limbs had to fight the clay, while only our feet were affected, and mine not at all when dodging.
LB: Leave it, boys. Odd Earth and I have the remaining two on this side. Go take care of one of the zebors on Unbroken Stone.
US: I’m alright.
LB: I know, but wouldn’t you like some extra damage?
US: If Odd Earth will be okay.
OE: Lenyet and I have these two. I suggest allowing the boys to assist you.
US: Alright then. Forrest and Onre, your assistance will be welcome.
We shifted over to the next zebor, which would allow Unbroken Stone to focus on the two rightmost zebors.
OL: Same attack pattern?
FR: Yes.
This zebor was Level 9, and noticeably bigger than most of the others. Not huge, but certainly not something Onre and I were ready to face without someone else’s taunt. It kept forcing most of their aggression away from us. Our cyclic attacks from its left and right were effective. It took five rounds to take it down, though, and Onre’s leg received a deep gash.
FR: Do you want to back off and have me heal that? The next one is a Level 7.
OL: I should be okay. This is how you should have scratched my leg when we first met.
I remembered that. Even with Onre standing perfectly still waiting for me to claw him, I barely scratched him, losing my balance in the process. I probably would still be pretty lousy scratching with my feet, but I could at least picture doing it from the Cat’s Dance Stance.
While Onre and I finished off the next one, both Lenyet and Odd Earth were free to take on the final Level 9 along with Unbroken Stone’s full attention. Once they were down, we made sure all seven zebors were dead.
Lenyet told me, “Forrest, heal up Odd Earth and Onre. Unbroken Stone and I will move the zebors off the road. We’ll come back with a cart for their carcasses.”
The senior Elemental asked, “Young Forrest is both a Martial Artist and Healer? That is an unusual combination.”
I leaned down to use Heal Other on Onre’s leg. Because of the length of the scratch, it would take two applications.
I guess I’ll be surprising everyone for a while.
It would seem so. And:
Achievement: Level 5
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Granted skills available: Boost Armor, Athletic Kick
Choose now?
“I’ll wait until things settle down and get a chance to discuss this with Lenyet.”
I finished with Onre, and I moved to Odd Earth. “I’ll be using an area heal called Heal Other, just as I did with Onre. You’ll be the first Elemental I have used it on, but it should work just fine.”
“Okay,” he replied. "I miss the heal aura my former self had as a fairy. Our defenses and resistances were low, but at least we all had that. And since our hit points were low anyway, it did not take a lot to fully heal us.”
Lenyet asked him, “So you are an awakened?”
“Yes, unborn awakened. I have only been here about six months. When I was given the chance to choose a species, I chose the ruggedest one I could think of that wouldn’t have intellectual limitations.”
Unbroken Stone added, “Forrest, I see that you are a stone bearer showing that you have earned the respect of the Water Elementals. I feel I can speak freely here. Our young cavemate has aspirations beyond the typical life of an Elemental. We normally avoid other species, but Odd Earth is seeking adventure in the world at large. We learned about the adventuring school opening near here about two weeks ago, and I have accompanied him to see if it will be possible to enroll him.”
As he was saying that, I had healed Odd Earth’s stomach. His skin wasn’t actually stone, but sort of a series of overlapping mineralized calluses that still had some warmth and give. “Woah, that sort of tickles. And I feel extra refreshed. What did you do besides healing me?”
Okay, two conversations. Odd Earth seems oddly unaware of orderly discussion.
“Unborn Stone, admissions have not formally started. The school is not due to open for several months. Six students have been pre-admitted, including Onre and me, and Lenyet will be a staff instructor. I’m sure our Skolturi administrator will be happy to speak with you two.”
“Odd Earth, I only used Heal Other. It has a side effect, though, which transfers some of my ki to you, beyond the healing ki itself. Others I have healed have found it to be very energizing and mood lifting. I don’t know how it affects you, but I am not surprised that you feel refreshed.”
“‘Energizing and mood lifting’,” he repeated. “Yes, it affects me the same. Wonderful! And thank you for healing me. Elder, I apologize for interrupting.” He accepted the apology.
Okay, not totally unaware. That’s good.
I see that Lenyet, Unbroken Stone, and Onre have completed moving the carcasses. “Were you bleeding?” I asked Odd Earth, referring to the white liquid which had leaked from his wound.
“Oh, that? It’s not blood; it is more of a lubrication and it also distributes nutrients throughout our body. We don’t have blood or blood vessels; think of it as oil that slowly squirts around within us.” I told him about Bless Blood and said it might work in quickly restoring what he lost. “You might as well give it a try.” I did, and nothing happened. The attempt didn’t even cost me any ki. I might as well have used it on a rock. I told him that our Water Elemental friends didn’t have blood either. “I guess not – they are lubrication."
Analysis of the senior elemental showed:
Unbroken Stone – Earth Elemental, adult, sexless
Level 34 Elder
“Odd Earth, I have grown used to your rambunctious temperament, rare as it is among we Earth Elementals. I may have to get used to other things. Forrest, did you say there was a Skolturi Wraith here, as administrator?” I responded yes, along with his brother. “Do you know if they can see us today?”
I looked at Lenyet, who answered, “He should be able to see you. Forrest has been away for a few days, so he is not aware of the school’s status. Enrollment petitions have started to come in, but to date we only have the six pre-admitted students Forrest knows of. Asiel Windgarden is the co-administrator he mentioned, and he will likely be happy to personally interview another candidate.”
The senior elemental walked back to where our battle took place. The road surface remained significantly pocked and disturbed. As he looked around, the surface evened out and became hard. The area ended up being flatter and more solid than the rest of the road. As he was doing that, Lenyet got his bow and quiver. We disbanded the party.
----------------------------------------
Finally we headed toward town but stopped at the campus. Several other buildings had been constructed. Two small, round buildings were probably outhouses, and a larger building was up. It had a small pond, and I suspected the structure to be a bathhouse. Since the Skolturi don’t need to eat, there would be no hurry to build a cafeteria. Of course, by that same token, there was no hurry for a bathhouse, either. However, one of the Skolturi had mentioned they would enjoy the communal aspect of a public bath.
We checked the campus’ administration building. After knocking and receiving an “Enter”, we did so. Both Asiel and Orian were seated and apparently had been discussing some sort of architectural plans laid out in front of them. Lenyet made introductions and let them know about our fight with the zebors. Odd Earth said to call him ‘Odd’, and Unbroken Stone said that he is generally referred to as ‘Elder’ or ‘Elder Stone’.
“I am glad you are all well,” Asiel stated. “The possibility of Elemental students had not occurred to me, but this school is being established for the entire world. I am just surprised that young Odd Earth is interested.” He gave the young Elemental a look, almost bidding him to speak.
“Honored Asiel and Orian, I doubt most Elementals would be interested in becoming involved in the affairs of other species. I have a different outlook, however, having existed on Heere for only six months. Previously I was a fairy but after death was given the opportunity to become an unborn awakened. I appreciate my Elemental brethren and their classic ways. My life as a fairy was similarly quite peaceful and fulfilling, but I had always dreamed of having a more adventurous life. In choosing a new species, becoming a robust Earth Elemental was very appealing. Yet my temperament and hopes for an exciting life do not match well with Earth Children’s staid culture. Elder Stone understood this, and agreed to journey with me here to investigate the possibility of my enrollment.“
A chūnibyō fairy?
A fairy with dreams of adventure, certainly.
Orian asked us, “You three have spent some time with him. What do you think?”
Lenyet was the first to answer. “Odd’s willingness to travel for over a week on just the possibility of admittance indicates a strong desire to learn and adventure with us. I am favorably disposed toward his admittance.”
Onre looked at Lenyet and smiled. “What he said.”
I added, “Arrjee and I would love to have another awakened among the students here.”
That got a look of surprise from Odd, and an appraising look from Elder Stone.
I smiled at them. “Unborn awakened also. I first got here a month ago. I was Human on a world with no magic, ki, or other sapient species. Arrjee is a born awakened; but he should be the one to describe his first life.”
Asiel and Orian looked at each other for a minute. They were augmenting their body language with Group Mind. With our affirmations that Odd was worth being around and his already demonstrated openness, they were predisposed to his acceptance as a student.
Asiel asked, “Odd, have you heard of the Justicar class and Revelation skill?”
“I know of it from my life as a fairy, although I never personally experienced it. If you want to ask me something, I would be happy to answer.”
Asiel explained to the Elder, who seemed puzzled at the question. “I will ask your junior two questions, the same as I have done with the other students and staff. If he chooses to answer, what he says will be true, and he will add information he believes to be relevant. He will temporarily gain 10 points to both his intelligence and wisdom, and after the first question, he will permanently keep 1 point in each.”
“Very well. Thank you for the explanation. Go ahead.”
“Odd Earth, who are you?” || reveal
I could see him focus in surprise. “Oh, wow. You already know the basics about me and my former life as a fairy. That was all true. What I didn’t say is that she had tried adventuring, but it seemed her teammates always ended up carrying her. She never felt like she pulled her weight (not that she weighed very much, heh). As an Earth Elemental, I hope to become core to my team’s efforts, doing everything in my power to ensure repeated success.”
That seemed to be the end of his answer, and his focused look disappeared. “What do you hope to learn at the school?” || reveal
“Everything I can. While I don’t have classes like the other students will, I have a number of racial traits I hope to improve. I would like to practice those along with a geomancer. I know I can read, but have not had the opportunity to do so. Additionally, I would love to learn the same letters, numbers, and world Humans and Covargh do. Now that I am big enough, it will be wonderful to learn practical fighting methodologies. I also hope to learn about the cultures and capabilities of other students and staff. I look forward to sharing my capabilities as an Earth Elemental.”
“Thank you, Odd Earth,” Asiel said. “You are enrolled. Later, Onre and Forrest will introduce you to our other students. Elder Stone, both the school and the village of Cottages will be happy for you to remain as long as you wish. Also, if you would like the opportunity to reveal why you accompanied Odd on this journey you also can gain a point of intelligence and wisdom. Remember, you maintain the option of silence, but if you choose to speak, what you say may not be what you expect.”
The elder responded, “Your people have proven to be most hospitable and honorable. I would like to remain for another day or two. And yes, I agree to Revelation. It would be foolish to decline permanent advancement in my attributes.”
“Unbroken Stone, what did you hope to gain on your journey with Odd Earth?” || reveal
After a momentary pause, “We could tell the youngling was not satisfied with the normal life of an Elemental. We respected the knowledge and experience he carried forward from his previous life. Yet he is temperamentally ill-suited for our slow, passive dedication to the Earth. The goddess Nature informed our Chief Elder that a new school would be opening which might welcome Odd Earth. She did not promise his enrollment, but when he heard of the possibility, he was excited to grasp it."
"The youngling is not ready to make a journey of hundreds of miles on his own, so I volunteered to accompany him here. My main concern was keeping him safe, which our encounter with the zebors proved necessary. To allow him fighting experience, I avoided using aetherial capabilities except for adding my taunt aura to his. Now I hope to gain his enrollment and a life for him that he might find more satisfactory.”
Orian let the elder know he would be welcome to stay in the basement of one of their apartments. He accepted. I guess Earth Els like to live underground, too.
Onre told Odd, “You will be able to sleep here if you wish, or in an aboveground cottage the other students live in.” Odd said he would love staying with other students.
I was surprised, though. “It is not just Sun and Ferret staying in the cottage?”
He replied, “No. We decided to stay together, just as we will be doing when the school opens. We’ve got stuff to tell you once we’re all together.”
“Okay, that sounds great. I’ll look forward to hearing what you have to say.”
Odd asked me, “Where have you been?”
“I knew you would be asking that eventually. I am unusual. In addition to all the choices you had with your interface, I also had the option of living a very long life. But it comes with a catch. I age at one seventh the rate of everyone else, but I am only here, one day out of seven. The other six days occur in the void, with time passing sixty times faster than the rest of the world. So when I got back a little while ago, only two and a half hours passed for me, but six days for everyone else.”
“Is this true?” Odd Earth asked the room in general. I think he said it in surprise more than doubting what I had said.
Lenyet assured him that it was, and the elder said that Odd had come to the correct, odd place. Before entering town, we needed to go back and get the zebor bodies. A large cart had been left on the side of the administration building, probably for hauling away dirt or something. All of us except the Skolturi, who have limited physical presence, went to get the bodies.
Onre mentioned that we probably should have removed the entrails right away, but with the danger it made sense that we delayed getting the cart. We got to the carcasses, which had remained undisturbed. Piling them in the cart, we headed to the meat poles just outside of town. Lenyet went to see if Sterbian Morse was interested in helping and getting some very inexpensive meat in exchange. The rest of us beheaded, gutted, and dressed four of them, using both poles. With four of us doing the field dressing, it did not take long. Lenyet and Sterbian Morse arrived just as we began skinning the carcases.
Sterbian immediately sprayed both the dressed carcasses and undressed ones with cold water. “Lenyet explained why you couldn’t gut these immediately; I’ll have to check the quality of the meat. If it is still edible, I will be happy to buy all seven skinned bodies for the very generous price Lenyet offered.” He went to one of the skinned bodies and held his hand on it for a few seconds. “These are still good. At least they weren’t left out in the afternoon heat.”
We made quick work of the other three carcasses. Sterbian disinfected the cart with his steam spray and rewashed and cooled the bodies as we piled them on it. We piled the pelts and heads on the side of the cart, borrowing one of the curtains from the Skolturi to keep the meat separate. ‘Borrow’ was likely the wrong term. With all the blood, I’m sure we would be replacing it. Sterbian hard-froze the heads so they wouldn’t start stinking right away.
I don’t know if the bounties on the heads would still be 15 gold like it was before, but it was a profitable morning for sure. Sterbian was paying us 2 silver apiece for the meat. He offered to let us use his troughs to soak the untreated pelts. With the two large troughs, we could soak four pelts at once, and we would air-dry the other three while they waited their turn this evening. He reminded us good-naturedly not to forget them this time. I had Interface set a reminder for 5:30.
It was almost 10:30 by the time we had racked the 3 pelts to dry. The rest of the gang found us, Arrjee, Kossa, Sun, and Ferret. The two latter students clearly surprised the Elementals, who in turn surprised our newly-arrived friends. I was happy to see that no one had an issue with the presence of anyone else. It was clear from Group Mind that Sun was excited and happy to have new friends. So was Arrjee, but that didn’t surprise me. He likes everyone.
We headed over to the school grounds for apprenticeship. Arrjee realized that our new guests had not met the Mayor, and he went to get Dad. He and Carrie arrived just as introductions had been completed among the Masters and apprentices. Then Arrjee introduced the Mayor and our sister to the Elementals. It felt things were moving fast because Sun and Ferret were clearly part of the apprenticeship sessions now.
Life is a movie, and I’m getting snapshots.
Your snapshots have been highlights. You have been here for the arrival of Onre, Sun, Ferret, and the foundational meeting for the adventuring school. Remember what you have experienced, instead of regretting what you have missed.
“You’ve been waiting to say that last sentence, haven’t you?”
I knew it would eventually be appropriate, yes.
“Well, thank you. It did help.”
You are welcome.