Chapter 5 Part 2 of 2 (Patreon)

“To get from the Tenth Realm to the Ninth Realm requires a lot of elemental power. If they move to the Ninth Realm, we can cut off their rear at the Tenth Realm and whittle down their numbers over time.”

“Very good, Miss Jung. Because of this, there have been no incursions into the Ninth Realm. In the Third Incursion a group of devourers worked together to enter the Tenth Realm, and it proved the effectiveness of the Tenth Realm unification and routed their attack. They are smart beasts and can, and will, adapt. In the Fourth Incursion they attacked our preparation stations, clearing out several with mana-based systems. The Devourers require mana to teleport into the Ten Realms. In the Fifth Incursion they attacked the preparation stations again and used mana stones to gain entry to the Seventh Realm.”

“What is the importance of the Fifth Incursion on the Ten Realms? Mister Rodriguez.”

“Dunno.”

“Well, I would hope that for someone who hasn’t shown up to his classes that they would have at least some basic knowledge.” The other students smirked while David picked out an Association student. “Mister Khan?”

“The Fifth Incursion reached from the Seventh Realm down into the Fifth Realm before it was stopped. To suppress it an agreement was reached between the Humans, Elves and Gnomes, ending the ten realms ‘Rising wars’ and creating the Imperium and Associations. The Eighth Realm became a testing ground, the Ninth an academy, all preparation stations were decommissioned and closed off and the three races united against their common foe.”

“Correct, it was the last Incursion to make it lower than the Tenth Realm in seven hundred and thirty-eight years. The Associations were developed to reach into the lowest realms and assist in the growth of all people within the Ten Realms. We must all know why the Devourers fight us.” He pointed at Erik, turning it into a question.

“The Devourer we fought wasn’t too focused on telling us about his motivations, it was just looking to kill us all and consume mana. Thing was strong as hell once it made it to the seventh realm.”

“Doubtful,” David said dismissively. Causing a rise of sniggers in the class and glares shot at Erik and Rugrat. “Probably only a high-level demi-human. Even Ravagers are hard to find past the ninth realm.”

“Dunno, people from the academy did say he was a Devourer, right?” Rugrat mused aloud.

“Yes, yes, they did. Apparently graduates don’t know as much about it as their teachers though. Must be saying demi-humans are Devourers for credit.”

“If you are trying to insult my academy—” David raised an eyebrow. The lower realm sect members know nothing but strength, lying through their teeth, full of words without merit. Devourers had only been spotted in the tenth realm and then rarely, with Ravagers being the main attackers.

These two had to be lying and had gone so far as to bring his academy into it. David turned away from them to quell his frustration.

“A Devourer, for those who don’t know, are creatures from the shattered realm that have complete mastery over a single element. As they gain control over more elements, they will increase the number of stars associated with them. A two-star Devourer, for example, controls two elements. They do not have mana, instead the reason that they come to the Ten Realms and want nothing more than to eat us, is because they want to consume our mana. This calms down their elements and gives them much greater control. Unlike those that pass through the Ten Realms, they do not have elemental and mana cultivation processes implanted into their bodies.”

He removed the pressure from Erik and Rugrat, hiding his frown. They looked unaffected.

“It is the duty of the Imperium to keep the Ten Realms safe from the Devourers and Ravagers of the Shattered realms. Unlike the sects, clans, and others that look to use the Ten Realms for their own gain, our actions allow others to do as they want and live comfortable lives.”

He scanned the room, seeing everyone but Erik and Rugrat sitting taller. Some of the other students were sending them dark looks.

“What about attacking the Shattered Realms?” Miss Jung asked.

“Numbers. There are few from the lower realms that are willing to put their selfish ways to the side and join the Imperium’s cause.”

David ignored Erik’s snort.

“There are many Shattered realms connected to the Tenth Realm, we would need to clear out all of those planets before we could push on. The Ravagers and Devourers, if they have the opportunity, will charge through any opening into the Ten Realms, and not all the people of the Ten Realms are prepared to do the same to secure the safety of the Realms.”

***

Erik was almost relieved when he and Rugrat walked to their combat classes.

“I don’t think that the teachers like us much.”

“We’re not from the Associations, they probably think we’re taking up space for their precious people from the younger generation.”

“Xun Liang seems different at least.”

“Well I could tell you that for free.” Rugrat snorted.

“Does something look different.” Erik looked at the broken building and the elevator parts scattered across the area.

They ran towards the gap where the elevator had been, drawing their weapons and pulling on their helmets. They jumped down the hole, crashing into the ground and rushed into the reception.

“Are you trying to make me choke on my food!” Xun Liang complained.

“Chew with your mouth closed.” Weebla rocked in her chair, moving her thread out of the way.

“The elevator and the building?” Erik asked.

“I went to raid-uhh gather some food from the cafeteria and when I was leaving there was a great big metal thing in the shaft. You’re saying that was an elevator? Huh, well, yeah, might need some people to fix it, those things move so slow though.” Xun Liang waved his hand.

“Will you stop breaking things in my training room,” Weebla sighed.

“Sorry about that.” Xun Liang bowed towards her and jerked his head towards the teleportation pads. “Got to take these two for their training now.”

Erik took a half-step forward, remembering all that he had gone through the last time.

“I’m glad to see you both!” Xun Liang said.

Erik felt him grab the back of their armor, pushing them forward through the doors whether they wanted to or not.

“I can walk by myself!” Rugrat complained.

“Best to help you along!”

They all stepped onto a formation and appeared in a training square. There were golems against one wall, and a door that led to an arena as big as the one Erik and Rugrat had competed in to join Avegaaren.

“All right. While sending you off to the training areas all the time is fun, it is limited. You need to learn how to fight. Don’t worry, the Telarri will become a fun way to test out your skills.

“Erik, Rugrat.” He indicated to two squares of the four in the room.

Erik and Rugrat walked to the different training squares.

“I think it would be best to train three days with fighting, then another doing any other courses that you’ve signed up for. I am a master cook and formation master. Weebla is a master smith and tailor; are there any crafts you are interested in?

“I’m a healer and an alchemist,” Erik said.

“Strange combination for someone from the lower realms. I applaud you for your forward thinking.”

Erik remembered David Mueller, but there was no condescension in Xun Liang’s voice as he looked to Rugrat.

“Just smithing for me.”

“Very well, there are many teachers of both here. What levels have you reached if you don’t mind my prying?”

“Expert,” Erik said.

“Same.”

“In which one?” Xun Liang asked Erik.

“Both.”

“Well, then you are two oddities. This should be very interesting. I am excited to get started! Okay, to get started, whatever you were doing before, forget it. While you’re with me, unless I say so, you are not to use your rifles. You should always wear your armor though. Try and forget everything you’ve learned, not actively, that’s impossible, but always press upon what you’re trying to learn, as you did the last time we were together.”

Erik and Rugrat checked their gear.

“Good! We’ll start with movement techniques. You have some rudimentary ones but it’s time we expanded on that.” With a clap of his hands, two humanoid golems animated and moved towards the sparring squares.

“All right, first I’m going to teach the two of you how to dodge properly. You two are jumping around all over the place and it’s just a mess. Try to limit your movements. Move to the side when there’s a strong attack coming for you. Move, but try to not fall to the ground. Begin!”

“Wha-?” Erik was punched in the helmet. He hit the ground and rolled up.

“What did I just say! Center off with your opponent. Rugrat, don’t look at him sideways.”

Erik and Rugrat proceeded to get their ass beat over several hours while Xun Liang gave them advice in real time, reading a book as he did so.

“All right, we’ll end here today.” Xun Liang was reading a book as he gave them advice.

“Are you even focusing on us?” Rugrat asked.

“Unlike you two airheads I can use my domain all the time and see everything that is happening inside it without pulsing. Something I noticed that the two of you weren’t doing. Don’t worry, I’ll get you to do it next time.” He threw two tokens and flipped the page in his book.

Erik and Rugrat caught the tokens. Erik grunted as he stood upright.

“These tokens will allow you access back into the training area. I’ll see you at five am tomorrow. Have fun with your study day. Toodles,” He fluttered his fingers.

“How long will it take us to get better? Aren’t you supposed to be showing us forms or something on how to dodge?” Erik asked.

Xun Liang looked up from his book.

“That is what the golems will teach you. There are hundreds of ways to dodge and attack. First the golems are going to teach you how much it sucks to be hit. You are already adjusting well.” Rugrat grunted into his hand.

“All of the attacks coming from the golem you should be able to redirect, then dodge. With real opponents it is better to dodge than redirect because any contact with your enemy, they can hit you with a spell or deliver elements right into your body. Your first goal is to remain on your feet and not get hit.”

“And the second?” Erik asked.

“Will come with time. You two are the type to hear the final goal and start working towards that from the beginning instead of taking all the steps along the way. Now go to your other classes. You will be able to use any formation in the academy to reach the training area here. And Rugrat, I talked to Weebla. She will be happy to teach or guide you in the way of smithing for a lesson. If you can work together then she might teach you more.”

Erik and Rugrat used the teleportation formations and headed to their accommodations, meeting the Special Team members they were debriefed again. Armed with a list from Alva and Egbert they headed to the library to learn.

Erik and Rugrat’s time at Avegaaren had started.