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JULES
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Jules wrapped up his own shopping list when Cyrus walked back toward him with a cache of kiwis in one hand and a slightly duller Ryoku crystal in the other. It made Jules both happy and sad. Even fruit’s a delicacy. Jules reached for a kiwi. “Hey, give me one’a them.”
Cyrus swung his stash out of reach and snapped at Jules’ hand. Jules laughed as his friend delicately placed each kiwi in his pack. Of course, it didn’t really matter how someone physically loaded a Container Inventory, but at this moment, it was a matter of principle to Cyrus, who tossed the second-to-last one at Jules and kept the last to himself. Jules cut his in half with his hunting knife, and Cyrus gnashed his teeth into it whole.
“You, uh, you ever eaten one of these before, Cy?”
“Not since I was a kid.” Jules looked at his friend’s hands, which oozed with juice and bits of kiwi fur surrounding the carnage. Cyrus smiled and displayed more kiwi fur in between his teeth. “What? Waste not, want not.”
After they’d cleaned their hands, they inspected Liam’s list. Whatever Script he'd used check off every item, and they watched as his signature etched across both of their Scholars Guild applications.
> [Fatherly Advice — Quest Objective COMPLETED: Complete your chores list.]
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> [Fatherly Advice — QUEST COMPLETED]
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> [Fatherly Advice — REWARD GRANTED: Dad’s signature on Scholar’s Guild application.]
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> [Join the Scholars Guild — Quest Objective COMPLETED: Complete your application.]
Jules and Cyrus dashed through town to Political Parkway. White buildings made of dull sandstone and shells lined the street, which contrasted the colorful wooden structures of most of Coralhaven. It gave the impression of somewhere meant to last and withstand, even if it lacked any culture. “Gotta be quick, before the Ceremony bells ring again.” Jules walked up to the Scholars Guilds' door.
Cyrus burst through the doors without a moment's hesitation. “Runemaster Cyrus, reporting for duty, Sirs!” He saluted and clicked his heels at the two surprised recruiters. Jules shook his head and filed in behind.
“Aye, these chaps again,” said a hardened recruiter. “Finally got the docs in order, then? Been a few days.” A jagged vertical scar stretched across the man's cheek. He went by Field Recruiter Tack, but Jules and Cyrus had nicknamed him Bootstrapper.
“Yes, we’ve been hunting and tracking with my father over the weekend. We had to finish his lessons before we could join.”
“Hunting?” The second recruiter hunched some massive books on his desk. “Lot of good that will do you in the Scholars Guild.” Wears robes that scream, ‘I live at the library.’ Jules and Cyrus had no idea what this man's name was, though he'd told them several times. They preferred his nickname, Bookstacker.
“Bah, he's right if you’re one of them boring, book-reading Scholars.” Bootstrapper stood up. “All we Hydromages do is fight beasts in the wild.”
“Which is precisely why you are mere affiliates of the Scholars.” Bookstacker never stood up for them.
“Aye. You study magic, and we use it.”
“Well, I suppose you should thank us then,” Bookstacker said. Jules cleared his throat. “What about you two? Do you think the Hydromages are true Scholars?”
“I plan to both study magic and use it, Sir,” Cyrus said, again at attention.
“Just like the Enchanters, Forgers, and other associated Factions, if you’re a Scholar, you’re a Scholar.” Bookstacker frowned at Jules. Bootstrapper laughed. “Here are our formal applications for your review.” Jules bowed, which clearly pleased Bookstacker.
“No need to be so formal here,” said Bootstrapper, after he'd already received the formality. “With me, anyway. Etiquette can get you killed out there.” The two recruiters reviewed the applications. They pointed out some items, glanced at each other, and whispered. While Jules was extremely used to it at home, he still feared rejection. Gonna be a problem somewhere, I feel it. He looked at Cyrus, who beamed with confidence. “All seems in order,” said Bootstrapper.
Bookstacker shot a look of contempt. “Perhaps for the Hydromages, but as for the Scholars, I certainly have questions about your resumes here. We typically only accept one-in-ten applicants,” he glanced at his Hydromage partner, “no matter how badly we need grunts to guard the Shrines. At which Skills do you two excel?”
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“Hand-to-Hand,” Jules said. “Stealth. Blades. But I’m really interested in Conjuration.” Bookstacker responded by looking at Cyrus. Damn…
“Elemental Magic. Alteration. Stealth as well.”
“And Classes which interest you are…?”
“Shaman,” Jules said. “But I really just want to fight monsters.” Bookstacker’s lost interest in me, but ole 'Straps seems intrigued.
“I want to be an Alter, Sir.” Both recruiters roared with laughter. Assholes. But at least the pressure’s off me now.
“What else, boy?” Bootstrapper asked.
“I will be an Alter, or I will die trying. Until then, a simple Mage or Sorcerer will do. Sir.”
“You throw those words around—Alter and Sorcerer—with confidence.” 'Stacks is over us.
“Reminds me,” Bootstrapper said, “of a Pirate Line Cook who wanted to be a Chef out in Lustris Haven.”
“He knows a lot of Runes already,” Jules said. “He’s probably mastered a few, even ready for Scrolls.” Bootstrapper stroked his beard.
“What happened to him?” Cyrus asked.
“To who?” Bootstraps asked. Bookstacker muttered it should be to whom.
“The Pirate, Sir,” Cyrus said. Jules’ cheeks flushed. Come on, Cy.
“Oh… We boarded his ship. Didn’t make it off alive.” Jules saw no break in Cyrus’ resolve.
“Are you planning to stay true to the Scholars, or branch out to other…illustrious Factions?” Bookstacker side-eyed 'Straps.
“I’m interested in the Arcanians and the Shinsorai,” Jules said.
'Stacks scoffed. “The Shinsorai only take their own. Arcanians, though. Interesting topic in itself. And you?”
“The Alters, Sir.”
“With your zeal and resolve, you’re better suited for the Iron Maidens.”
“Easy,” 'Straps said. “I’ve never seen someone this brazen in all my recruiting. Completely delusional, but he deserves more respect than that.”
“Hm. Your friend mentioned Runes earlier. Of which ones are you proficient?” Jules hesitated, but Cyrus stepped up.
“Air, Earth, Water, Freeze, Liquid, Light. All proficient. Currently working on Fire and Strike.” Jules knew Cyrus had worked on way more than those last two. Probably being modest for my sake, though just barely. Both recruiters nodded their approval.
“And for Mr. Arcanian Shaman, here…?”
Jules gulped. Do I lie? “None, Sir.” They both stared blankly at him.
“You do realize you’re at the Scholars, boy?” Jules just looked ahead and gave no response.
“Only a few more details.” 'Straps pressed on. “Show us your Trophies.” Both boys pulled out glowing gold orbs from their packs, which hovered over their palms.
“We just got them today and haven’t equipped them yet,” Jules said. The recruiters watched the Trophies' replays of the boys slaying their wolves.
“It appears you are actually more fit for combat, Mr. Shinsorai. And you,” 'Stacks pointed at Cyrus, “are more fit for laying traps, despite all your supposed knowledge.”
“He was ready to slay my wolf with an ice spear if I had failed,” Jules said.
“Even so, deceit is not a primary trait of the esteemed Scholars.”
'Straps roared with laughter. He turned around and lifted his shirt over his shoulders to expose a massive tattoo of a wooden monster with antlers. “Found this one on patrol." The Trophy replayed its story on his skin. "Knew I couldn’t handle it on me own, but it’d killed six comrades. I had to lure it into a trap to incinerate it.” The monster seemed to reach out for Jules, off the man’s back, but it fell into a pit that erupted in flames. He pulled his shirt back down and lifted his leg onto the table. A few inches down from his knee was a wooden prosthesis. “Took me fookin’ leg first, though! And that right there, it was just a child leshy. Who knows how many more it would have killed had he matured?” He looked at the other recruiter. “Who knows how many more a 2nd Rank wolf would have caught in them woods?”
“I never knew, Tack,” 'Bookstacker whispered.
“Aye, you never asked. Now show us your Trophy.”
Bookstacker balked at the request. “It appears your Trophy will suffice for today,” he said to Cyrus. “But it also appears that you have a bit of a record.” This guy’s got a bone to pick with Cy.
“Allegedly.”
“Allegedly and…”
“I might have been convicted when I was younger. It’s entirely possible. Sir.”
“Hmm. A record. Aspirations to become an Alter…” 'Straps snorted. “Remind me of Davy Jones hisself.”
“I can vouch for Cy’s character,” Jules said. “So can my family.”
“It would appear your family has adopted him?” 'Stacks asked. He reviewed Cyrus' application through furrowed brows.
“Almost, Sir,” Cyrus said. “Legal proceedings and all, takes a while. We are just waiting—”
“Well, now.” 'Stacks’ eyes lit up with malicious glee. “Your application cannot be approved until the adoption is finalized. That, or your current guardian signs these documents before then.”
And there’s the rub.
Cyrus remained silent.
“You know Patricia. She would never do that,” Jules said. “Please, just accept his application and we will bring the final documents by on the day my parents receive them.”
“And you,” 'Stacks said to Jules. “You need to learn at least one Script to join the Scholars. Until then, you can join the Fighters Guild.”
A lump lodged in Jules' throat. Anger spread inside him. Why is he so… Jules stepped forward. “Sir—”
“Step back, child. I’ve had enough of this debacle. We're in dire need of candidates, it’s true, but proper candidates who are studious enough to read the fine print.”
“Sir—”
“This is the Scholars Guild, not some mere Faction.”
“It's our dream, Sir—”
“Return when you’ve completed the requirements. You are dismissed.”
> [Join the Scholars Guild — Quest Objective ADDED: Demonstrate your Rune knowledge.]
The injustice. Jules' chest burned. Static around his eyes caused his surrounding hair to slowly rise. What felt like a blade pierced the emblem on his chest, though from the inside out. He took another step forward and repeated, shouted his plea.
“SIR!”
The ground shifted below them once. Twice. Then the entire building shook around them. Jules and Cyrus kept their balance, though the Rumbling tried its best to throw them to the ground. 'Straps held his poise calmly, peg leg still on the table, but 'Stacks fell to the ground from his chair. Eventually, the aftershock wore off.
“Was that…?” Cyrus asked.
“Yeah. It was,” Jules said. They exchanged a quick glance and agreed to speak later, given their present company.
“Dear Salvos,” Bookstacker gasped. “Was that an earthquake? In the Shattered Isles, of all places?”
“No, you buffoon,” Bootstrapper said. “That was a Rumbling. A Shrine’s appeared in Coralhaven.”
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9
BONUS CONTENT BELOW
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