Chapter 8: Envy of Nobles
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Lord Alviss’ second son --”
“Forget him, I’m Melcio the son of the famous merchant --”
“Hey, can we be friends? I have ---”
“Who are you, actually? To gain the attention of the prince?”
“Wait, wait here. Listen, if you become my friend you’ll ---”
“Why don’t we go somewhere with a little more privacy ~~”
“Felt-sama… let’s go and watch moonlight together--”
Right after the Welcoming Ceremony, Felt was overwhelmed with people who greeted him in order to gain his favour, to investigate him or simply out of curiosity. It was quite bothersome, so he fled whenever he could, giving them any sorts of excuses he could think of. While he admitted that he was tempted at times, especially when many of them girls were a beauty – he decided against it as he remembered the saying , “Behind the beauty, there’s always a beast.” He sighed. The fact that he was rushed by many of the first and second years was because of the prince.
The Prince was well-known as someone who respected abilities more than anyone within the Royal Family. Being the only one among first years who exchanged conversation with him, people generally wished to know him, who he was, and who his father was since the Prince even mentioned his name in such an admiring tone.
The third years and some in their second years, having more pride and one could even say, maturity, did not commit such a childish act. They simply observed the situation with more calculating mind.
“These people… what am I to them? Feels like I’m a rabbit surrounded by wolves! Hawks even!”
“Certainly, Apprentice… Haha.”
Shia’rine just gave a chuckle for such a situation. What’s worse, the others spread what the prince mentioned, “I’ll be watching you, so study well,” to the rest of the Academy. As a result, he received some more fame and charisma, since he was trying his best to keep his cool.
“I hope this won’t lead to my demise… I wonder why I’m still maintaining such majestic appearance? Is this the direct effect of the pact?”
…
A day later, he managed to raise his skills and a little of his stats with his strenuous practice. It seemed that morning his two seniors had to be somewhere for an important meeting – without them, he relaxed quite a bit. In the evening, he joined the others in their training. Tomorrow until Friday, there would be events that required some physical abilities – The Martial Fests.
On the field, he was grinding for two hours when it happened –
Killing intent detected.
“Eh?”
He stopped his training, and noticed a rather serious-looking boy coming his way. He was wearing a blue tunic, light armor and brown leather boots, armed with a practice sword.
- A second year?
“Damn you con artist! I challenge you to a duel..!”
“Wait, what are you doing? A second year cannot challenge a first --”
“Outta way.”
“Hey!”
The boy in question shoved the good senior – another second year -- who tried to stop him. The others looked at the situation with mixed feelings. Many among them could venture a guess what was going to happen. While many of them wished to stop him, they at the same time also wish to see the extent of Felt’s ability – in a duel rather than friendly sparring. Curiosity, of how he would handle such situation.
- Ohh boy… before I worry about them Assassins… I’ve to worry about this kind of people first… wonder what his problem? Hm, hm… I could think of a dozen reasons, but right now--!!
He avoided a sheath that was thrown towards his face -- barely.
- How dare he! My beautiful face! He’ll pay..!!
- Apprentice… I think the line is a little bit… wrong?
- Eh, really? Nevermind that, here he comes!
The senior slashed his sword multiple times – of which Felt avoided with much difficulty. He was using all possible skills to increase his speed, yet he still had to parry, and was thrown about several times by the impact of the hit. He was not activating his Time Manipulation due to the cooldown, after a minute or so…
- Great. Time Manipulation!
You have quickened your time. Your speed has been increased by 24%.
- Good, let’s scan him first.
Name: Korl V. Alvionn
Alignment: Questionable
Level: 37
Class: Wyvern Knight’s Apprentice
Title: Rash Lord
Fame: 1750
Strength: 120+
Speed: 100+
More Information would be possible as Scan skill increase.
- Oh? Interesting title…
His new speed obviously was surprising to his challenger. He now was able to avoid being hit with relative ease, though it seemed the senior also started to increase the speed of his attack. A duel between students would end should the practice sword was able to deliver a blow to the chest, or close enough to neck or head. Usually such duel would involve wearing armor – but Felt merely wore his light chainmail.
He gained a distance between the senior, facing him sideway before raising his hand to challenge the challenger. His opponent went furious and lunged himself towards him – of which Felt threw his sword onto his face, ducked and knocked his feet while his hands pulled his arms and threw him using his own momentum.
He fell down quite far and in that very moment Felt took his sword before him, jumping and knocking a blow onto his armored chest. The impact staggered him, but not enough to take his consciousness.
“Why you..!!”
“Shut up, loser.”
The fight was quite close, and he barely managed to win with his speed… no, not just by himself. Shia’rine was there and guided him to victory. A senior who was the judge declared his win and told the other seniors to stop the fight which seemed was about to turn into a brawl. They forcefully took that guy away.
To Felt’s surprise, he got the notification that he received experience.
Ding!
Intense activity ended.
You defeated an opponent during an intense fight.
Experience +33%.
You have gained a level!
You defeated a well-known Second Year in an intense combat!
Fame +100.
Shia’rine’s Breathing Technique Level Up!
Level 3
- Huh… That really was dangerous… he was quite determined to kill me… Did I flirt with his fiancé or what. Darn I better remember his name… Hm, hm… crap, I forgot! …Meh, he’s just a supporting character role anyway… He hit like a… like a… hm, can’t find the right word… probably since Zack-sempai’s attack was more menacing… still hurts though… Eh? I gained a level?
Ding!
You have stacked 25 Stats notification.
Strength +4
Agility +5
Vitality +1
Intelligence +1
Stamina + 3
Honour +1
Fighting Spirit +3
Focus +2
Endurance +2
Physical Resist +1
Luck +1
Charm +1
Faith +1
He gained all these stats from his earlier training as well as an increase overall stats for his new level. He received some skill increase, but he was all bruised up.
“Felt-san, I’ll bring you to the infirmary.”
One of the second year there offered.
“Thank you, but no need. It’s just bruises. I’ll be fine on my own – I’ll just get some rest for today, sempai.”
Some more students offered to accompany him to the infirmary, yet he declined politely. Felt quickly returned to his room to recuperate. He rested for half an hour before waking up again, feeling a little refreshed.
“So, level 15… Basic Stats… add fame and Wind Affinity to Basic Stats.”
Stats
Health 830/830 Mana 1265/1265
Fame 3025 Wind Affinity: 52%
Strength 56 +20 Agility 53 + 20
Vitality 43 +20 Wisdom 32 + 175
Intelligence 72 +30 Stamina 47 + 20
Fighting Spirit 37 +180 Honour 14 + 90
Charisma 41 + 200 Leadership 2 + 70
Perseverance 14 + 40 Phy. Resist 7 + 20
Endurance 20 + 30 Sustenance 10 + 20
Mentality 29 + 70 Charm 22 + 40
Art 33 + 220 Luck 9 +20
Focus 19 + 20 Faith 21 +20
- Huh… My fame is at Zoei’s level… I wonder… Hope I won’t attract those assassins… huhuhu… I can’t even fight well against a ravaging second year… I managed to use my skills over and over, that was the reason I didn’t lose. My Mana Regen should be Wisdom divided by 25… 8.28% per minute, thus around 104.7 per minute.
He mused.
- Wisdom… really useful. Plus the fact that you were quite calm in that situation…
- Ah, Master... I could only see some wisdom stats among the Second Years, but rarely among First Years… and even those stats are really low. Even the Prince had only 100+ Wisdom.
- Wisdom is really hard to acquire, to increase as well.
- Master… I apologize for showing you such a disappointing battle. Thank you for guiding me.
- No, it was fine. Not good, but fine. He was clearly stronger and better experienced than you, but you did above average. You are really lucky to get some of the previous Kaiser’s wisdom. With it, your Mana Regen is way above others. Your speed skill is one of the deciding factors.
...
- He seemed quite determined to beat me up good.
- And he failed, even if he had better experience than yours. It seemed he purposely did not go for what we consider a “death strike” in that fight. So yes, he did want to beat you up.
- If not for my HP Regen, I don’t think I can get up from all the battering… Those hits would have left me with some swellings...
- Yes, he… or any other people for that matter, do not have your ridiculous HP Regen… Basically, if you are not bleeding or poisoned or any of that kind of status effect, you would be restored to full health even if you are nearing death in about… what, 40 minutes?
...
- So in other words, I should’ve lost that battle. Since I could use my skills so many times, plus with my HP Regen, I managed a win… Haha… WEAK! Here I was wondering why I didn’t get any charisma from that battle. Must be quite embarrassing. WEAK! And without Zack and Zoei’s around this morning I pretty much did not take my training seriously.
"What to do?"
- You did charm some girls though. Your last attack was nice… erm… Hmph! So now you know you’re weak…
- Yes, Master… I didn’t train enough. It’s not enough just to train early morning and in the evening. Please instruct me, Master.
Felt was speaking to her directly… to the book.
- Hooh… I like your voice… well, its Kaiser’s voice. I like your eyes, Apprentice! Let us start our training in earnest!
- Yes, Master. Yosh!
- However, for now, I want you to sleep first. I’ll wake you up when you had enough sleep.
- Huhuhu… thank you, Master Shia. I know we just meet for a few days, well almost a week actually, but I feel like… like…
-Alright, that’s enough compliment, Apprentice. Ah! You must keep yourself clean. Go wash yourself, change your bed cover and then sleep. Now.
- Yes, Master. Acknowledged!
Felt ran out towards the washroom with some new clothes. When he returned he changed his bed cover and went back to sleep.
- Persevere, My Apprentice…
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It was midnight. Felt woke up by himself and prepared for training. He opened his window. Cool air came rushing into his room.
"Huuu..."
- Alright do whatever physical exercise possible first, then let’s polish your Wind Manipulation, Apprentice. Without it on higher level, I can’t teach you my swords skills. We’ll aim for level 5. Activate all your other skills as well.
- Level 5. Yes, Master.
Felt activated all possible skills he knew, and started using Shia’rine’s Breathing Technique. He did warm-ups, then push-ups and all other physical exercise he could think of. Later for the next four hours, he focused on grinding his Wind Manipulation. He did various manipulations as instructed. Winds fell from sky, winds dancing, winds as swords, winds surrounding a particular place and even winds strong enough to be whirlwinds, coming in columns after columns. When he was low on Mana, he switched to his father’s breathing technique.
It was the time when he really opened his eyes to the possibility of what wind could do.
Afterwards he also grind his Intelligence of Winds skill.
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Ding!
Strength +1
Wisdom +1
Skills Leveled Up!
Wind Manipulation Level 3
Intelligence of Wind Level 2
Shia’rine’s Breathing Technique Level 4
Time Manipulation Level 5 -- New Bonus!
- Finally, Time Manipulation leveled up to 5. It’s getting harder to level up each level.
- That’s only natural. Anyway we won’t be able to do much in the room anymore. It’s 4.00 am now.
- Yes, time to grind my physical abilities with my seniors. Before that…
“Time Manipulation Window.”
Time Manipulation Level 5 – 0%
Ability you succeed from the Kaiser.
Allows you to slightly manipulate time on yourself.
Cast a quicken condition into yourself or your party member, decreasing reaction time while increasing information processing and agility by 25%.
New Bonus:
Agility +10
Heightened Perception during activation.
Warning: May increase the effect of poisons and any similar status effects.
Cost: 80 Mana /2 minutes.
Cooldown: 4 minutes.
- Oh, nice… Thank God. Time Manipulation is really useful. Which reminds me… about Bonus Stats distribution… should I focus myself on agility, Master?
- No, leave the bonus stats there for now. You should not distribute them yet. I’m an agility-type so yes, I would support you distributing them to agility, but that should come after your original agility stat reach 100.
..?
- Why one hundred, Master?
- Because it’ll be harder for you to increase it with physical grinding after passing 100. That number separates the average and the exceptional. Every Knight in Astaria knows… well, even Brayen doesn’t know… kukuku… they don’t have this ability in the first place.
- Oh… So Master how many was it that have similar ability with me, back then?
- Hmm… around 200? However Apprentice, yours is even more advanced than theirs. Yours is the highest quality, the One and only Kaiser class, which allows quicker stats improvement in several ways. More importantly, yours is the Main Base for all others… ah, I’ll explain it when you become much stronger.
- I see… Hm, I better get ready for another session of running while in combat.
- Get to it, Apprentice!
====
Felt joined his two seniors while they were already running. It seemed they were always earlier than him, even though they said they started at 4.30 am.
He joined them immediately.
It really was torturous… yet as usual Zack taunted him.
“What’s the matter, Felt? Your promise to the Prince that day was just a show, hmmm? You’re quite the actor aren’t you?”
“That was no act, sempai..! I made my promise and I’m kee---ping it..!”
Your Fighting Spirit has increased your stamina temporarily.
Zack attacked him stronger than before, yet he did not fall. He noticed the boy was more resolved than before, and in respond, he increased his attack frequency.
Ding!
Intense activity ended.
You have 52 stacked Stats Notifications
Agility +5
Stamina +8
Strength +4
Endurance +9
Charisma +1
Physical Resist +3
Vitality +3
Fighting Spirit +9
Perseverance +6
Art +4
- So this amount would go on until my each original stat passed 100… so starting from 100 onwards, the progress would slow down…
- That’s right, Apprentice. You did well. You have to thank these two for their help. Grinding with them seemed better suited for you.
- Help… Uuuh… from afar one probably think they were bullying me…
Felt as usual, was gasping for breath on the field. Now that the seniors returned the whole scenery was different. More and more students came to train by themselves since 5.30 am. Now it’s was 6.45 am, and the horizon started to be filled with sunlight.
“Well done, Felt. You’re better today than usual. Out of 267 attacks, you evaded 92 of them. Since we did get a bit more serious, it was better than before. You attacked us 125 times; two grazed me but none for Zack. Do better next time.”
“Zoei, how could you count all that… all that matter is he survived… hah! Felt, yesterday’s fight was quite an experience, wasn’t it? It seemed to affect you this much.”
- Ugh… Zack-sempai… sharp, as always…
“Yes, sempai… though I don’t have a clue why he would hate me so much… I mean, I never even met him.”
“Oh yes, you never met him face to face. However, you did leave an impression to his loved one.”
“Zack, don’t… that’s personal information.”
“Well, since he involved personal feelings in his fight, it’s just fair for me to tell the victim the reason of such enmity, don’t you think?”
“Uhm, I guess…”
“Huh? What? I left an impression on… who?”
“Ugh… His loved one… the one who fought you yesterday, was not satisfied with you being so familiar with his crush.”
Zoei explained.
...
...
That fact came and hit him in the head...
“Eh! What?! I did not court any girls in this Academy… well, not even to any girls in my life!”
“You shouldn’t declare that so proudly Felt… That simply sounds pathe--… Well, anyway remember who you met that day before you meet the prince?”
Zack smiled.
“Who? I met a lot of people that day.”
“…Clear, smooth complexion… eyes akin to diamond… shining smile… the most beautiful ever…?”
“Ah, Lilith-sempai?”
“See, Zoei… I told you he had a thing for her.”
!!
“I didn’t even get to mention her red hair too, haha.”
“Sempai..!”
- Darn, he tricked me! Zack-sempai…! I’m going to be sharper than you are! That’s a promise! Uuuuu…
“But I did no such thing… I did not court her. I only met her when she’s with both of you, sempai. Besides, you said she was just his crush… not a fiancé, right?”
“We know… But you should know Felt, that Lilith, she’s… very famous among the seniors… so rumours possibly…”
Zack placed his hand over Zoei’s sight, stopping his explanation.
“Wait, Zoei… Felt, do you want to know who her fiancé is?”
“!!”
Felt gasped.
“See, Zoei… His expression really is too honest.”
- Darn, again…! Am I really just too honest, Master?
- Not yet mature, yes… *sigh* You need to train controlling your expression, Apprentice.
“Zack, stop it… seriously, she do not have any fiancé yet. And yes, that guy yesterday only had a one-sided crush. Lilith declined him many times before. She came to us several times to deal with his harassment, which was the reason we became friends. So when that guy heard rumours of the new first year who made an impression on everyone, including the Prince… and Lilith, he was naturally unsatisfied.”
...
“But that doesn’t make sense. Would you just vent your anger on others based on rumours?”
Zack and Zoei exchanged glance. They clearly were communicating with each other without speaking. Zack clearly did not wish to do the explanation, so he urged Zoei to do so.
“Alright, fine…”
“What? What?”
“Felt, naturally being in power as a PACT members means making enemies…”
Zoei continued to explain the power struggle within the Academy, and how outside politics of family influence of nobles affected the inner politics of ARM Academy, especially with this many noble’s son gathered in one place. Everybody wanted to spread their influence among the future officers.
It was also a recruiting ground of capable future Knights to serve their family in the future. Only around 20% would join the Knights directly under the Kingdom’s army. Many would go out and enlist in powerful families’ personal army.
PACT members were the best of the Academy, and that made them the envy and the focus of hatred of these nobles. Since PACT members were also responsible to keep them from making troubles, they were admired, yet hated and feared all at the same time.
“So… what’s that with me… wait, are you saying I’ve unintentionally became a hindrance or a part of this madness… then someone practically wish to spread enmity of me among some, in order to get rid of me, embarrassed me or just to find out my ability?”
“That’s the possibilities… You’re sharp Felt, here I thought I need to explain that as well.”
“Heh… That’s my junior.”
“So that guy yesterday… umm… whatever his name was, was merely a pawn in such struggle? Someone could’ve feed him extra spicy false rumours?”
“Yes… extra spicy you say… Yes, unthinkable to think of such simple man driven by emotion to be a Mastermind. Perhaps so if he was faking it, but… unlikely.”
Zoei said.
“Ah, what have I got myself into…”
“Well, we are partly to blame as well.” Zoei sighed.
“Huh? Why?”
“Since you’re quite close with us.”
“It’s only been a week, was it? If we count our first day meeting… how could that affect anything?”
“People pick up such news quite fast Felt. As a newcomer you don’t have any idea how horrible these so-called noble boys could be. We ourselves have a lot of enemies… those facilitators of yours; we chose them for their manners -- kindness, not much for strength or influence."
Zoei eyed Zack, and he continued.
"And most of them are not nobles of the main house; they are sons and daughters of Knights. Now that the seniors have returned…”
He sat down just beside Felt.
“…Expect to find some rude and dangerous seniors from now on.”
He grabbed Felt’s shoulder, saying so seriously.
It was eerie to see such a carefree person all the time suddenly being all serious.
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“We’ll do what we can, but on your part as well do be careful. Careful of who you trust, and never let yourself be under a situation where you could be slandered. If you need to leave the Academy, be sure to check from time to time people trailing you…”
Zoei patted his shoulder. Felt thought for awhile… then nodded.
“So basically, I can trust the seniors who were my facilitators?”
“If you trust our judgement.”
“If our judgement was correct.”
Zack and then Zoei answered. Felt remembered, “A first year… friend of both of you?” was what Lilith uttered the first time they met. She was likely aware of the situation in the Academy.
- Seemed like the end of my peaceful days here… huhuu…
“Heh! You looked quite troubled.”
“Pretty much, Zack-sempai… I just know I might have made quite a few enemies… who wouldn’t…”
Zack stared at him intently, examining him. Felt noticed his stare, but could only venture a guess what he was thinking. Zoei went silent, allowing him to finish what he was doing.
- What? What?
- His eyes… this boy is better than I originally thought.
- Master?
“Listen up, Felt.”
“Y-yes?”
“Regardless of what others say, envy, plotting or trying to take you down…”
“Uh-huh…”
“Never lose sight of your goal – always have that in mind – those without goal are pretty much living their life like a ghost ship without a crew – or a crew without a destination or a captain. NEVER-LOSE-SIGHT-OF-YOUR-GOAL.”
- Goals…? what are my goal…
Felt reminiscent. What he had experience all this week was actually substantial, different from his normal way of life so far. His father was a royal knight, but due to work he had barely enough time to train him, so he became rather lazy in his physical training. For all throughout his years, all he cared about most of the time was the training of his mind, and sinfully he ignored – whenever his father was not around – the training of his body.
He had experience a change.
The very centre of that change, was the pact – to build a just Empire, to uphold justice and not turn a blind eye over injustice. It was easy enough to promise such, but to keep it would mean making himself enemies of many – of which that very fact demotivated him just then. In that very moment, in his mind flashed the image of people – poor people, slum, war fugitives and even slaves to the empires around his small nation.
How will he keep his promise if even such a small event disturbs him so?
-- Never. I’ll never be weak anymore – mental, physical or spiritual – or lacking perseverance! Never! To keep my promise I need strength – and strength does not come to the weak minded!
He looked Zack straight in the eyes, determined to keep his promise to the Kaiser… and his Master, Shia’rine.
“ Yes, sempai. Absolutely!”
“Heh, those are good eyes, Felt. Keep that determination and I’ll be looking forward to seeing you at the top.”
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