The Stubborn Skill-Grinder In A Time Loop

Being given the keys to an opulent guest manor within Trumbetton by the Burgher while Orodan waited for the academic arrangements to be made wasn’t what he expected.

It was an improvement over his hovel, but Orodan found the larger room quite uncomfortable, as did he dislike the multiple routes of entry to the room. Although he reflected that expecting a wall to protect him was a bit silly when any real threat to him could shatter miles of terrain.

Either way, it was more mental than practical, and tt was a good thing Orodan didn’t need to sleep anymore, or else he wouldn’t have gotten much rest in such a place.

The fact that the manor had actual live-in maids was also something that made Orodan uncomfortable. Although, he was certain he had a higher Cleaning skill than at least some of them.

Manor aside, the events of the previous day after Burgher Ignatius Firesword had managed to poach him were of note.

The Capital Guard had come by on their silver-feathered griffins about ten minutes after he had finished finalizing the deal with House Firesword, and to say they were not happy would be an understatement.

The ire wasn’t directed at Orodan of course, but the Capital Guard captain that led the group was glaring daggers at the Burgher. The smile on Burgher Ignatius Firesword’s face never dimmed, as though he knew exactly what he’d done. That Orodan refused to budge no matter what wealth the captain offered was a source of further consternation.

Orodan had no plans on leaving House Firesword’s sponsorship behind. The Capital Guard was the most powerful organization within the Republic aside from the military themselves. They were large, well-organized and had a wealth of resources. However, this power came at a price. While Orodan was incredibly talented, he still wasn’t above having background checks and divinations performed on him, not at the level of talent he had revealed.

House Firesword on the other hand, as a local noble house based in Volarbury county, were always looking to expand and seek local talents who would contribute to their house. They weren’t in as powerful a position as the Capital Guard and thus wouldn’t risk turning a talent away by insisting on observer orb examinations and background checks by diviners. They would take what they could get, and in the case of Orodan they got quite a lot.

House Firesword had only humbly requested that from time to time, Orodan would answer their summons for a task or for a public appearance while the Burgher showed him off. These calls would occur even while in the Academy. Which was common practice for many of the students who were talents sponsored by local noble houses as they still wanted their investments who were already strong to contribute to organizational matters even while studying.

Students at the Bluefire Academy were the best of the best, missing examinations or assigned self-study material could easily be recovered from via extra tutelage. Keeping the sponsors of the talents at that academy content, however, was a higher priority.

The communication amulet he had been given was a novelty for Orodan.

It sounded utterly inane, for someone as strong as him who could beat a Grandmaster now, to never have used such a thing before. But it was true.

Prior to this he was merely a Private in the Volarbury county militia, and the communication amulet went to his troop’s Corporal, not him. Thus, Orodan was rather unused to the practice of using one of these things, even as it glowed blue currently.

Furthermore, they operated on mana, and attempting to reach out to him via mana was a futile effort. Which meant he’d been given a modified communications amulet that used mana to directly emit the message via sound instead of emitting it into someone’s mind like a regular one. An invention meant to serve certain paranoid mages who refused to even allow an amulet access to their mind.

“Mister Wainwright, how’ve you been? It’s Burgher Ignatius,” the amulet glowed a slight blue as it played the sound of the man’s voice. “I’m hosting a gathering tomorrow evening at the Verdant Gardens, the maids have been instructed to prepare a suitable outfit for you, so can I hope to count on your presence? A number of influential people want to meet you.”

“Of course, Burgher, that won’t be a problem,” Orodan replied, and the man went on for a bit about how pleased he was to hear it and how Orodan had made the right choice in deciding to work with his House before he ended the call.

In truth, House Firesword had a rather limited ability to really force the matter if Orodan decided later on that he wanted to switch to working alongside another organization or had better things to do. Burgher Ignatius Firesword was only an Elite himself, albeit a higher leveled one. Instead, the sponsorship between them was transactional and based on a level of goodwill. Orodan would be called to assist the house in their matters from time to time during his stay at the academy, and even in doing this he would have repaid much.

House Firesword’s position as the defacto power in Trumbetton and most of Volarbury county came not from Burgher Ignatius, but from an unknown power who preferred to stay out of the public eye, at least this was what Orodan theorized. The last attempt to walk in and bully House Firesword ended with the instigators from House Rockwood leaving the Burgher’s manor with frightened looks upon their pale faces. Who knew what they’d encountered in there?

Night came, and Orodan of course couldn’t sleep, mainly because he didn’t need to. And he was interrupted from training Eternal Soul Reactor at a low level by the intrusion of a maid who came by with a red face to let him know that she was at his service, no matter what form that service took.

Orodan sighed and sent the woman out. It was either the Burgher who had instructed her to attempt such a thing, or the woman herself felt daring and thought she could elevate her station in life by getting in bed with a talented Elite. She really wasn’t his type and the thought of such transactional exploitation left him feeling icky.

It was a bad idea too, not for Orodan, but for the woman who so foolishly hoped to lay with someone who was at least Elite-level. Some of the stories he’d heard of what happened to unfortunate civilians who tried seducing martial Elites were tragic, and that was simply from a moment of passion with no malicious intentions.

The woman had no way of knowing whether Orodan had any sadistic tendencies, so he thought her approach was foolish at best.

The moon began to fall, and dawn came as Orodan’s meditations continued and Eternal Soul Reactor and Soul Strengthening were improved over a whole day of practice. No more maids came by to bother him throughout that period.

A maid came by to let him know that breakfast had been served, and that his outfit was ready for the evening. He thanked her, went downstairs and decided to experience what food was like again.

The bread was quite good, buttered and toasted, the roast meat of some strange bird Orodan had never eaten before was also present and covered in gravy. It was delicious! Was this what nobles ate regularly?

It was quite the stark difference from what Orodan was used to with his stale bread and jerky.

During his time at Vorskard he was far too busy constantly training and fighting to eat, and there was a level of respectful distance between him and any people who might’ve wanted to invite him for a meal. His reputation back in that loop was a bit too intimidating to allow people to approach casually.

But this was great food!

Orodan genuinely thanked the maids before going to the dressing room and putting on the outfit that had been designated for him. It was perhaps the most opulent thing he had ever worn in his life.

A majestic black leather jacket with red trimmings, and underneath was an ornate and almost ceremonial looking dress shirt and pants with similar colored trimmings. Finally, a flowing cape with the symbol of a flaming sword flowed from his back.

It was undoubtedly meant to be a symbol of his allegiance to House Firesword. But Orodan found himself appreciating how comfortable the material felt compared to the standard militia tunic he wore. Furthermore, there was ample space on his belt to keep weapons on, and even a hook on his back, behind the cape for his shield! Fashionable, but practical. Orodan thought that the outfit was meant to portray the image of a civilized warrior who was of high class.

A bit ostentatious, but acceptable.

He finished donning his weapons along with the outfit and decided to take a walk about town, heading towards the commercial district.

People on the streets gave him a wide berth and heads swiveled to stare at him. His attention-grabbing outfit was somewhat irksome, but on the bright side, any shops he walked into immediately showed him their very best merchandise.

“Young master, this is a rare potion of titan’s strength! It courses through your veins and will cause qualitative improvements in your physique. Each point of Physical Fitness you have will go farther,” the merchant explained as Orodan stood within this rather well-off alchemy shop.

“I see… would it be possible to know where you got this from? Is it a local alchemist?” Orodan asked. He was genuinely interested by the prospect of a potion that could enhance him even further, but he felt that any potion that merely affected his body would simply not last unlike his skill levels and other parts of his Status that were tied to his soul.

“The alchemist who made this is none other than Gideon Fusturus,” the merchant replied knowingly. But Orodan didn’t know who that was, and his look of confusion must have made the man feel bad enough to elaborate. “You know… the Elite-Alchemist of House Firesword? The greatest alchemist in our humble county?”

Ah, no wonder the man expected him to know who that was. He had seen the name ‘Fusturus’ on the occasional expensive potion or elixir he’d seen in cargo shipments during highway inspections, but knew nothing of the man himself. While Orodan wore the colors and sigil of House Firesword, he had yet to properly be inducted into it and introduced to people.

Perhaps Orodan would get a chance to meet the man at some point and ask him about alchemy and the possibility of making a potion that improved not just his body, but his very soul.

He perused some more of the shop’s wares which included various expensive healing potions, potions of virility which Orodan summarily ignored, and potions which restored mana, stamina and even gave more temporary buffs.

“And might I call your eye to this one, good sir?” the merchant asked and then pointed to a black potion. “This is a rare obscuration potion which will prevent others from peering into your Status for a set time, quite useful in social settings!”

Or for dastardly deeds, which was left unsaid. He was surprised it was legal to sell, but he supposed there were ways to counter it.

It might have been nice to encounter such a potion many loops ago when evading detection was a problem, but not anymore, as Orodan had both a skill and an actual Blessing which filled that role.

He thanked the man and left the shop, deciding to peruse more wares until it was time to attend the party at the Verdant Gardens.

***

It was a few hours later when he was perusing a weapons shop that he was begrudgingly forced to respond when Burgher Ignatius contacted him via amulet to let him know that an escort would be sent to his lodgings within thirty minutes.

Orodan tried to insist that he could make his way to the Verdant Gardens by himself, but the Burgher pleaded and explained that the escort was as much for his sake and honor as it was Orodan’s convenience.

He once again begrudgingly agreed and made his way back to the guest manor to await the arrival of his escort.

A brown-feathered griffin soon touched down on the ground, and beside it, another one landed bearing a rider.

“Mister Orodan Wainwright?” the man asked, and Orodan nodded. “Burgher Ignatius Firesword requests your presence at the Verdant Gardens, sir.”

He had to give credit to the Burgher, the man knew how to impress. He had expected a carriage being escorted by some troops… but to send an actual griffin rider with a spare griffin for Orodan to ride as well? Quite opulent, and certain to be quite the statement as to his importance to House Firesword.

There was no comical fear or bucking around. The griffin was very well trained and undoubtedly used to carrying first time riders often. And Orodan could jump off the tallest mountain in the world and hit the ground without suffering any discomfort. But sailing through the air - without an enemy’s attack sending him flying - was a novel experience.

In less than a minute the two griffins made distance and Orodan could see the rather large venue the party was being held in. On the ground he could see a pillar of green smoke rising from a spacious clearing, and this was likely where flying riders were expected to land.

They touched ground and the escorting rider, an Elite himself, waved at Orodan.

“They’ll be expecting you within sir, it’s been a pleasure. I hope to work alongside you soon,” the man politely concluded as he flew off. Word of Orodan’s strength must have spread faster than he thought.

He was ushered from the landing zone to the back door of the spacious venue, where multiple attendants were waiting for him.

“Mister Wainwright, we are pleased to have you with us at the Verdant Gardens, Burgher Ignatius is just in the middle of his speech and he’s about to introduce you shortly, please come with me,” the head attendant said.

Before Orodan could even ask what the speech was about and why he needed introducing, he was ushered along with urgency until he was on the stage. Ahead of him was Burgher Ignatius Firesword, addressing the crowd of partygoers. His voice magically amplified.

“-and in hosting this gathering to honor the friends of my house, the hardworking people of significance in our county and to celebrate the future of the Republic, I’d like to now introduce a young man of incredible talent who will undoubtedly be a boon to House Firesword and Volarbury county. May I present, Mister Orodan Wainwright!”

Burgher Ignatius was looking right at him, beckoning him to step forth as he said this.

Orodan wasn’t shy about stepping in front of a big audience, after all, one of the duties he had as a member of the county militia was dispersing rowdy crowds. But beating an angry mob into submission and standing before an expectant one as the center of attention were two different things.

“This young man recently took a special test at our county’s examination center, and handily bested a battle-hardened Elite! A sense of loyalty towards the home he grew up in bade him to take the sponsorship offer from House Firesword instead of the Capital Guard,” the Burgher spoke. “It’s hardworking young folk like Mister Wainwright here who hold the future of our county in their hands, so let us join together and celebrate our good fortune tonight! Please, dine, drink and make merry! To better days!”

The cheers erupted throughout the Verdant Gardens as the speech concluded.

Thankfully the Burgher had mercy on Orodan and wasn’t actually expecting him to give a speech of his own. The man gave a slight hand gesture to the artificers controlling the spotlight to cut it off and return the venue to its regular lighting.

Orodan saw tables being laid out with absolutely scrumptious looking food he had only ever seen from a distance in his life. Ornate bottles of fragrant wine were brought out, and waiters and waitresses dressed in fanciful uniforms came out to serve it all.

“I know you come from humble beginnings Mister Wainwright, but this is but a taste of what House Firesword has to offer. We can offer you much if you stay with us,” the Burgher spoke. “I feel it prudent you be warned though… there are plenty of wolves among the guests who have their eyes set on you.”

“Wolves? How so?” Orodan asked. He felt rather out of his element here. His comfort zone was in the middle of battle, where both his and his foe’s lives were on the line. He preferred the honest transaction of blood and steel, not this dance of politics and subtlety. “I’ve never been to a gathering such as this before.”

“Understandable, after all my people tell me you’re on record as formerly being a Private in the county militia. It’s good that you chose to bypass them and come to Trumbetton. Given your talent, you would have come here regardless,” Burgher Ignatius explained.

Once he had accepted the Burgher’s offer, the man had quickly made some calls and had him granted the rank of Lieutenant in the militia. It was mostly nominal, but also practical in that he could order most members of the militia around with impunity. Lieutenant was also the highest field rank one could have in the command structure of Volarbury’s militia before one started working behind a desk from a command station.

“As for the opportunists… plenty of people here see quite the chance to pounce on when a young man with the strength to beat Elites suddenly appears. You can expect plenty of gifts to make you feel indebted, requests to help solve their problems, and some might even try to introduce you to their sons and daughters in the hopes of you making friends,” Burgher Ignatius explained. “And… I hope I do not have to elaborate how much of a headache it would cause me if you got a girl pregnant?”

“That won’t be necessary sir… I’m not so easily swayed,” Orodan answered.

“Good, good. One more thing, while most of the guests wouldn’t risk offending me by attempting to recruit you outright… there are some nobles from the Capital here and they may try to tempt you with a brazen offer,” the man said. “Of course, I trust your interests remain firmly with the county you grew up in.”

Orodan sensed the man was slightly concerned about that. It really was a momentous occasion when a noble house of House Firesword’s caliber managed to secure an absurd talent like Orodan. Individuals of such talent would usually be swooped up by an organization or noble house from Karilsgard, the capital.

But the man needn’t have worried.

Orodan’s goals lay firmly in remaining with House Firesword, bettering Volarbury county and acquiring a formal education at the Bluefire Academy. He also wanted to see just how the effects of disabling the ancient war machine reverberated in a period of six months, and was curious to see what happened to the continent of Inuan after the descent of the Eldritch Avatar. While he knew nothing could stop it, surely his home continent didn’t just roll over and die?

As for the consequences of draining the ancient machine in this loop? Firstly, the news spread like wildfire that House Argon were traitors to the Republic. He had killed the enemy Masters inside the main control chamber incredibly swiftly and his entire body was shrouded with a cloud of white soul energy which meant that the surviving Republican Masters didn’t get to see who he was. Secondly, with the death of Baron Viglas Argon, the holdings of House Argon were deemed the property of traitors and summarily re-distributed to ‘friends’ of the Republic. Among which, were House Simarji and House Firesword.

However, that was the extent of it, and given that Orodan had rushed in at the dead of night, slaughtered all enemies before him and disabled the machine within the span of a few minutes… it really wasn’t a flashy event that anyone heard much about. Thus, the occurrence was only relegated to rumors, and the Republic military swept in and took control of the mountain. Probably in the hopes of eventually activating the machine again.

Even if he had a far bigger problem approaching in six months, Orodan was just glad that he could cleanly complete the Quest he had started this whole mess with and ensure the survival of innocent people like Old Man Hannegan and Vilia Coventor.

The consequences of his actions aside, he was now at a social event that required his attention. And there was plenty of delicious looking food laid out on the tables that was practically asking to be savored!

But much to his exasperation, Orodan’s journey to sample it was interrupted.

An older, but not elderly, lady in an ornate dress approached him, a confident and mysterious smile upon her face. Accompanying her was a calm-looking young man in standard suit and shirt, and a young woman in a rather daring dress that revealed more than normal who had a nervous smile on her face.

The trio cornered him as he was making his way to the table to get some food.

“Quite the introduction and high praise the Burgher gave you,” the young man spoke. “You must be very strong. I can’t even stalemate an Elite yet, holding on for survival for some time is the most I can do, but you can outright beat one? Incredible.”

“Well, it depends on the Elite as well. One with a high-rarity active combat skill, or multiple skills past the Elite threshold is a different story,” Orodan said, underselling himself. “But the fact that you can hold your own against an Elite… even as an Adept that’s impressive itself.”

“Perhaps, but not on your level, all I can do is work hard and hope to get as far in life as my talent will take me,” the young man spoke. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced, I’m Novus Eldragon.”

“Orodan Wainwright,” he replied and shook the calm young man’s hand.

Orodan had just met Novus, but he already held a good opinion of the young man. Calm and hard-working enough to reach the Adept level at his age and even survive against an Elite for a bit, it was pretty good talent.

“Boys and their talk of skills and rarities, some things never change…” the older woman interjected. “Novus, will you not introduce your own mother and sister?”

At this, the young man seemed somewhat subdued and amended his error.

“Mister Wainwright, might I introduce Katareya Eldragon, my mother, and Lucifreya Eldragon, my younger sister,” Novus spoke. “We’re minor nobility, but House Eldragon has served the Republic since its formation.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” Orodan replied as his eyes lingered upon the older woman’s pleasant and secretive smile.

“Now then, I hear Burgher Ignatius will be sponsoring for you to attend the Bluefire Academy? It’s quite the accomplishment, you should be proud of yourself young man,” Katareya spoke with a pretty smirk on her face.

“If you don’t mind me saying, you don’t look old enough to be calling me a young man,” Orodan remarked, and the woman’s smile grew just a slight bit wider.

“I wouldn’t presume to put on the airs of a younger woman, not since my husband passed.”

“My condolences… he left a very beautiful wife behind.”

At that, some of the nearby whispers and mutters grew silent, the woman’s face took on a surprised expression and Orodan would swear he saw the lightest dusting of pink upon her face. Next to her, Lucifreya’s face was red in second-hand embarrassment and Novus was giving Orodan a disapproving look.

Had he really just gone and done that?

Thankfully Burgher Ignatius Firesword came to the rescue.

“The vigor and daring of young men nowadays, eh?” he came in with a joking tone, and even Orodan had to momentarily pause to take in what he’d been doing. He had a thing for mysterious women but hadn’t expected to get so carried away in flirting with a widowed noble lady in front of her daughter - who he was actually meant to get on with - and her son.

“I’m afraid I must steal Mister Wainwright here away before he damages your heart, Lady Katareya, for he has some more people who wish to meet him,” the host of the party spoke as he ushered Orodan away. And once far enough away he spoke. “While she really isn’t the worst option… don’t you think trying to seduce a widowed woman from a minor noble house is a bit much my young friend?”

“Apologies Burgher… I honestly don’t know what came over me,” Orodan replied.

Which wasn’t exactly true. His mind was resolute, and he’d definitely felt a social skill. But if it affected him it was only because he’d allowed it. Whatever advance he made was of his own volition.

“Well, I do know what came over you, and it was likely a social skill.”

“Those exist?” Orodan asked incredulously.

“Of course! Not to say Lady Katareya’s level in whichever one she has is particularly high… but if you were naturally taken by her to begin with and your guard was down…”

Orodan could see what the man meant now. It was a combination of factors no doubt. But even if it was a skill that made him a bit more forward than he normally was… he wouldn’t deny that he found her attractive.

The Burgher must have seen the look upon his face and thus simply sighed. “Young men, ugh! Just make informed choices… Gods forbid you conceive a child? It will lead to an unnecessary burden on your shoulders.”

Orodan took the man’s advice seriously.

Burgher Ignatius led him to another group of conversing guests, three men and two women.

“-honestly, my attempts at breaking past the Elite threshold in my Enchanting are starting to frustrate me,” one of the women spoke. “I don’t know how you’ve cracked level 70 in Alchemy at your age Gideon.”

“Good people, might I intrude upon your conversation here alongside my young friend Orodan Wainwright?” the Burgher asked, and naturally everyone gave him their attention. “Here we have Gideon Fusturus and my cousin Helga Firesword. Given your rather destructive line of work, an Elite Alchemist and an Adept Enchanter are good people to know.”

The other three who were conversing in the original group of five took the hint and dispersed to other areas of the party.

“Orodan Wainwright? The registrat at my store informed me of you, it’s good to make your acquaintance,” the man spoke in a very rapid voice, as though he was rushing and had somewhere to be. “I hear you were looking into the potion of titan’s strength? It’s barely adequate to line the shelf of that shop. On the other hand, the potion of leviathan’s fury I can concoct is somewhat decent, I’ll have you try that sometime.”

“You know about me perusing your shop?” Orodan asked. “And have me try it? Isn’t that an expensive potion?”

“Of course, I know about everything that goes on in my store. Someone as important as you walking in would naturally lead to the storekeeper informing me. How do you think I market superior products to my wealthier clients?” Gideon clarified. “And the cost of one potion of leviathan’s fury really isn’t that high, rather, the understanding I would obtain in witnessing someone as powerful as you imbibe it would be worth far more than the cost of the potion’s ingredients.”

“Fair enough, but what I’m looking for is not a potion that merely improves my body physically… but a potion that improves my soul and indirectly strengthens my body as a result, much like the Physical Fitness skill does,” Orodan explained, and the Alchemist went silent.

“What you are asking for… it’s been tried, and with oft-disastrous results. I’m afraid it’s beyond my skill level,” Gideon clarified, but at seeing Orodan’s disappointment, continued. “But! Bluefire Academy has many high-level alchemists, they could certainly assist you in your inquiries.”

“That sounds excellent,” Orodan replied.

“Are you two done talking shop about your odorous potions, Gideon?” the woman finally interjected. “As Ignatius said, I’m Helga Firesword, and my cousin keeps me around because I’m rather good at enchanting things.”

“Well, I also keep you around because you’re my cousin!” the Burgher added with mock offense. “But yes, she is rather good at making something like your sword capable of things such as burning your enemies, shooting bolts of lightning and other flashy but dangerous effects.”

Orodan didn’t think he’d be using regular mana-based enchantments anytime soon. His own Mana Resistance might cause complications in using the mana-based enchantment weaved by someone else. He just didn’t think mana was the superior form of energy either.

“Good to meet you, but I’ve meant to ask an enchanter for a while now, but can enchantments be powered by things other than mana?” Orodan asked. “Such as perhaps, vitality… or soul energy?”

“Are you saying a sword that can spit flames hot enough to melt rock isn’t good enough for you because it’s powered by mana?” the diminutive woman asked with an annoyed tone in her voice. “I’ve heard about people in the Eastern Kingdoms using soul energy to power enchantments, but it’s a strange art. And of course, blood mages can power enchantments with vitality, but that’s subject to a whole host of laws in the Republic. Here, we follow the Imperial enchanting tradition, and mana’s what we got. Conveniently transportable in crystal form, can be easily recovered, and it’s standard.”

“I see, of course, I don’t mean to imply your mana-based enchanting isn’t good enough for me,” Orodan amended. “That being said, I don’t think I’ll be letting anyone enchant my sword, it’s been with me through a lot of battles and Weapon Aura serves me just fine. I’m also told Weapon Aura interferes with enchantments.”

“But Weapon Aura only strengthens the durability of your weapon… what if you had a fantastic, forged weapon and didn’t have to care about durability? Combine that with an enchantment and you’d multiply your battle power immensely!”

Orodan refused to accept this. He would not trade one for the other. He decided there and then, that one of his goals in the Bluefire Academy would be to experiment with Weapon Aura till he could produce enchantment like effects with it, and he also resolved to learn to power the skill with soul energy instead of mana. He was confident he could show the small woman his own superior way in time.

“Well, this conversation is getting a bit technical for my tastes,” Burgher Ignatius interjected. “But the Bluefire Academy is renowned across the world Orodan, so you can definitely find enchanters there among the staff who likely know of soul energy powered enchantments.”

“But… I put down ‘martial academy’ on my form at the examination center?”

And the Burgher couldn’t help but laugh and fondly put a hand on Orodan’s shoulder.

“Ah… I apologize my young friend, but sometimes I truly forget you come from humble beginnings, but it only assures me of your character,” Burgher Ignatius said and then continued. “The Bluefire Academy is the greatest academy in the Republic and world-renowned for a reason, it is an academy for martial, magic and crafting focused students. It caters to all needs. The academy existed even before the formation of the Republic and our independence from the Novarrians. The greatest talents of all fields are present in that academy, and they have teachers who are at the Master-level, with headmasters and headmistresses who are Grandmasters.”

Orodan now understood that not only would he be getting a formal education as one would expect in a martial academy, but he would also have access to what was basically a magic academy and a crafting academy in one. In fact, he deduced that cross-training and intermingling among the disciplines was likely encouraged to promote innovation and growth.

“That sounds… fantastic,” Orodan muttered. “Isn’t the tuition expensive?”

“Concern yourself not with that, it’s your incredible talent that makes you worthy of a placement there. Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if you managed to even secure a scholarship from the academy itself, not that it would matter as our House will gladly pay your tuition all the same,” the Burgher explained. “And who knows? Perhaps you’ll bring great prestige to House Firesword by doing well in the Inter-Academy Tournament held near the end of the year. It would certainly gain you, and by extension us, a great deal of renown worldwide.”

Orodan thought about an Inter-Academy Tournament and could only laugh to himself.

Perhaps this would have been fair if he’d applied to the Bluefire Academy at the beginning of his loops. But for the current Orodan who could beat the average Grandmaster? The idea of fighting seventeen to twenty-one year old students in a worldwide competition was a bit ridiculous.

No matter what monstrous youths showed up at this Inter-Academy Tournament, he was guaranteed to crush them all with laughable ease. But the world was a big place, and who knew what secrets other people held. He would see when the time came.

“Anyhow, come Mister Wainwright, we have dallied long enough, there are more people to meet,” the Burgher said, and Orodan internally groaned.

When would he get to eat some of the food?

***

The rest of the gathering went smoothly with Burgher Ignatius next to him. The man was using Orodan as a status symbol and a way to flaunt House Firesword’s power as much as Orodan was using him as a shield and guide in annoying social situations.

He was dragged into meeting various minor and major nobility from inside the county and outside… and especially their daughters, whom Orodan did his best to respectfully decline at all turns since Burgher Ignatius’s warnings. But also, because someone particular had drawn his attention earlier.

The Burgher paraded him around in front of two off-duty Capital Guard captains. The two men were on good terms with Burgher Ignatius and recounted to him how much their compatriot was fuming about missing out on the opportunity to poach Orodan for the Capital Guard. Something which should have earned the man a hefty commission and accolades for bringing in someone so powerful. When his numerous escalating offers of wealth and whatever Orodan could want were turned down, the man had left in seething rage.

The man had let everybody in the Palace hear about his frustrations about House Firesword, something that left the Burgher smiling brightly.

Near the end of the night, Orodan finally managed to eat some of the food.

Juicy gravy covered meat which nearly melted off the bone, richly flavored and buttered vegetables, hearty starches and succulent fruits. It all tasted amazing and was the best part about the night.

Finally, the night ended and Orodan left the Verdant Gardens.

But not alone.

Which was why, despite not needing it, he actually slept for the first time in a very long while. He found himself waking up in the Burgher’s guest manor…

…with Katareya Eldragon laying under the blankets next to him.

Now, how had that happened again?

Social skill or not, Orodan wouldn’t lie to himself. He found her mature confidence and mysterious allure attractive. And he liked a scheming woman with a sense of cunning.

Admittedly, she was a bit flummoxed too, given that she was expecting her daughter Lucifreya to be the one who tried to seduce him. But here they were, in bed together.

“Novus can’t know of this,” Orodan spoke.

“He isn’t stupid sweet thing; do you think he’ll simply pull the covers over his eyes and not realize that his mother didn’t come home with him and his sister?” the older woman asked in a teasing tone.

“Well… what do I do then?” Orodan asked. “I’m unused to the social conventions surrounding nobility, are there customs I’m supposed to follow now?”

“Dear boy, this is why I like you. So much muscle, yet so little brain,” she gently insulted. “Why say or do anything at all? Novus is his own man, but the same goes for myself. I’m the nominal head of House Eldragon. Do you think little Novus gets to say anything to me about who I choose to consort with?”

She made a good point. Perhaps the way of nobility was to simply let such things be and neither confirm nor deny? A quiet projection of power, maintained by simply daring anyone to say anything, by saying nothing at all.

Orodan had never been good at keeping secrets though.

“Now then… what shall we name the baby?”

Orodan paled.

***

Turns out having all these vitality skills and a high level of Physical Fitness meant that he was rather good at making unhappy mistakes. A trip to a healer had confirmed it.

But thankfully, Katareya wasn’t a cruel woman, nor was she in any mood for having another child at this point in her life. So, she had the issue taken care of via alchemical means. Something he was eternally grateful to her for.

But it didn’t get Orodan off the hook from the meeting he was currently having. It was like sitting in the head matron’s room again, being told off for fighting.

“So… Mister Wainwright,” the Burgher slowly said. “Have we perhaps learned to better contain ourselves and our impulses from this terrifying experience?”

Orodan would have liked to say yes to the Burgher’s question. That he had learned! That he would never engage in such frivolous debauchery again!

But the look on Orodan’s face must’ve said otherwise, and Burgher Ignatius Firesword saw it, for the palm of his hand met his face and he could only sigh in resignation.

“Truly, could you not have chosen someone else at least? Not that Lady Katareya is a bad woman… but we have plenty of older women with haughty and mysterious demeanors in House Firesword!” the Burgher exclaimed with amused frustration. “Now I’ll have to actually begin talking to her again…”

“You have a history with her Burgher?” Orodan asked.

“Not in the way you’re thinking Mister Wainwright,” the Burgher quickly clarified. “Rather, it was her late husband who was an important retainer of House Firesword. The man fell in battle defending one of my caravans against Guzuharan raiders during a simple escort along the coast. I ensure my fallen man’s family are treated well and taken care of, but I… haven’t spoken overmuch to his widow since then, out of guilt or shame I do not know.”

“I see… that sounds like a tragic story. I almost feel strange about laying with her now,” Orodan remarked.

“Do not feel so my young friend, Lady Katareya is her own woman and regardless of how you saw it yourself, I assure you things occurred between you and her only because she wanted them to,” Burgher Ignatius assuaged. “You would be wrong to think she’s a helpless woman who stays in Eldragon manor while her children train to contribute to her house. Lady Katareya is an Elite-level diviner and one of the Cathedral’s best trackers. She earns enough through her regular work in this role to pay for her home and family ten times over.”

And Orodan froze once more.

An Elite-level diviner of the Cathedral…

He had basically slept with the enemy!

How the hells had Katareya not caught on to who or what Orodan was?

His thoughts spiraled in a dozen different directions until he forced himself to center them.

He had a Legendary skill blocking his fate, and the Blessing of Ozgaric obscuring it. Frankly, unless he met the Cathedral’s most powerful diviner face to face, who was likely Lady Lakshiya, he had nothing to fear from any other diviners.

Perhaps this situation needn’t end too hastily.

“Anyhow, the real reason I called you here was to let you know that your arrangements have been completed and you’re to report to the Bluefire Academy in three days,” Burgher Ignatius explained. “The lodgings you’ll have should be top notch of course, and I’ll send for a griffin escort to fly you to the academy’s drop off point where an attendant will see to you.”

“This sounds rather excessive Burgher… is a griffin escort truly needed? I can honestly run somewhere faster than a griffin can fly,” Orodan said in response.

“Running, which at your level of Physical Fitness would cause quite some property destruction if you tried getting anywhere quickly enough,” the Burgher shot back. “Besides, your entrance reflects on my House as well, so have some consideration for me at least.”

Orodan agreed to this.

“Finally, I was hoping you could do me a favor and help me with a problem my house has been facing,” the Burgher spoke, and Orodan listened attentively.

This was the first of many opportunities he would have to pay the Burgher back for his generosity and prove that he was worth the investment. Throughout the academic year the Burgher would oft call upon him for such matters as they agreed upon.

“House Firesword owns a mine in the border town of Jerestir, and for a while we’ve been making some decent profits from our ventures there. And the mines are still running well, but recently our surveyors, while tunneling and attempting to sense further underground, have discovered some rather extensive natural tunnel systems,” the man explained. “My surveyors report that these tunnels are full of incredibly valuable Dothril ore.”

“But let me guess… there are unfriendly natural denizens who make the tunnels their home?” Orodan asked, and the Burgher nodded.

“Precisely. The surveyors using Seismic Sense report that there are thousands of some sort of burrowing creature in these natural tunnels. Could be centipedes, could be something else, we don’t know for sure,” Burgher Ignatius explained. “I can give you some Elites and a few dozen Adepts, and I ask that you lead an operation to clear the tunnels of these things and determine just how far the tunnels go.”

“But I assume you want me to handle this entirely within our House so that nobody else shares in the profits?” Orodan asked.

“You might lack a formal education, but your rough upbringing has taught you to catch onto the right things it seems,” the man complimented. “Yes, exactly so. If you can, try to handle this yourself and with whatever troops I lend you. I’m not saying you should die trying, and certainly if whatever’s inside is dangerous enough or the tunnels lead even deeper past the civilized depths… then let me know, it might be too dangerous to proceed without the support of the Republic itself at that point.”

The civilized depths, it was the depth level that mortal races such as dwarves, drow and certain daring human settlements were willing to live underground at. The monsters were fewer, weaker and support from the surface wasn’t too far away.

Beneath that were the wild depths, where adventurers and expeditions would sometimes delve in the hopes of acquiring treasure, mapping the natural tunnels, or clearing out entrenched monster nests which tried raiding the civilized depths. There were rumored to be staging bases and outposts at this level for expeditions even deeper.

And beneath the wild depths… were the deep depths, which people knew little about save for certain very heavily-armed expeditions delving to that point to secure incredibly rare and valuable resources. There were some very dangerous monsters at these depths, and history books were full of cautionary records and tales of entire war parties going missing in the deep depths after encountering never before seen creatures. At this depth teleportation in and out wasn’t possible, and communication attempts with the surface failed.

Thankfully, his benefactor wasn’t unreasonable and wanted Orodan to stop once he hit merely the wild depths, if the tunnels extended that far.

“I’ll head out immediately.”