Book 2: Chapter 56 (Patreon)

The following two days were a flurry of activity for everyone. Orrin had healed Madi and Daniel to the best of his ability, or at least to the best that his [Heal Small Wounds] could perform but Madi’s arm had been badly fractured and Daniel was missing several teeth. Orrin also believed his friend had a concussion. He kept looking around in a dazed fashion until an elven Healer that Arandir trusted showed up and cast a few spells.

Orrin’s resolve to take more healing spells doubled as he watched Madi’s arm bubble and twist as the bones reset correctly under the skin. When Daniel shouted in surprise as new teeth grew into the blank spaces of his smile, he pulled up his own spell.

[Heal Small   Wounds] Level Three (7,840/10,000

Just a bit more. From what little Amir had known about the healing spell progression, level three was the last time [Heal Small Wounds] could level. Completely all three levels opened up an entirely new tree of healing magic and Orrin was tempted to ask the elf healing his friends for some pointers.

Arandir had the surviving elders restrained. Devdan was dead. Orrin learned he had been the elder of justice, magic, and education. The elf was considered one of the foremost authorities on wind magic and was known to be a master duelist. He was also the head judge of their legal system… something that Arandir didn’t seem to be as worried about as Orrin was.

“He underestimated you,” Arandir had said, clapping his hand on Orrin’s shoulder. “Learn from his mistake.”

Sariandi, the elder of healing, had been in charge of the elven Hospital. Madi had concerns about letting the Healer in to see her dead body but Leanthun had assured them their version of the Hospital was not as corrupt as the human variant. Sariandi was a Healer but she’d been in an administrative role. Those who performed the work of healing were valued more in the elven nation.

The two elves that Leanthun and Arandir had fought had been taken alive. Gwynnestri and the elder of agriculture, housing, and development, would be spending the next few weeks answering questions to the other elders. Those who had not been present all swore to Arandir they had not been party or privy to the betrayal with Lord Sanerris.

Leanthun was taking the lead on keeping the council in check and working hard. Arandir sat back and let his nephew step up and Orrin caught him smiling a few times when Leanthun was particularly harsh with an elder or two who questioned him.

Orrin spent time relaxing with his friends and discussing the future. Daniel and Madi wanted to leave and go back to Dey. Daniel even offered to share the Stop the War Quest with the elves again. Running off the leader of Odrana from the heart of the elven forest apparently didn’t count as ending the war. None of them were particularly sold on going to the front lines. They agreed the only way the war would stop would be if Sanerris got what he wanted or died.

Daniel had pressured Arandir about Sanerris but the elf was cagey about giving more information on the human leader of Odrana. He gave an excuse that an Administrator shouldn’t betray the knowledge gained from their skills but Orrin thought maybe the old elf just didn’t know.

Madi was lying on a cot in the elder elf’s apartments. She was under strict orders to not move her arm for a week. Daniel was in much better shape but was keeping her company. He was teaching her how to play checkers with a spare Kala board and a handful of cherries. Madi kept absentmindedly eating to the pieces. Daniel had been more weary of all elves and a little pissy to everyone. He’d even snapped at Orrin once about something trivial.

Madi eviscerated him. Orrin hadn’t realized Daniel was angry that he’d needed saving again. He’d thought his friend had done a good job fighting a centuries-old elf and surviving. Madi’s final words had been eye-opening for them both.

“Daniel, stop being a dick. It doesn’t matter that Sanerris got away or that he kicked our asses. We all survived another attempt to kidnap you. You were even conscious for most of this fight. There isn’t a competition between you and Orrin on who can fight best or contribute more. We work best as a team. You take the fight to our enemy and Orrin supports us. I cover our blind spots.”

Orrin had thought about her words a lot. He was so used to feeling useless in a fight. He hadn’t told Madi he’d used [Blood Mana], only telling everyone that his [Toxic Touch] had been super effective against the wind mage for some reason. The rush of knowing he could fight and throw down with someone with more experience than him was intoxicating.

He knew why Daniel loved it.

He felt powerful. Even after he had turned [Mind Bastion] off and realized another person was dead because of his actions, he hadn’t felt as bad as he thought he would. The Orrin from before, the one that would stand behind Daniel, not exactly hiding but not making himself known, was gone. Devdan had come after him and his friends. If the guy couldn’t handle the price, he should have stayed in his lane.

Madi’s words that he was support had hit him hardest. He knew he couldn’t stand up to a powerhouse like Daniel unless he somehow debuffed him to a snail’s pace. Yet, he still remembered the thoughts he’d had during his class creation.

I want to be in the background, quiet and away from any main battles.

Orrin glanced at his hands. What if I wanted to be the one taking the fight to our enemies? What if I want to protect my friends?

Orrin had even tested out putting his fighting skill [Way of the Water] and [Toxic Touch] into his [Merge] slots. The error screen hadn’t told him no exactly but he was still a little disappointed.

[Way of the Water]   cannot be used until 100% integrated. [Merge] Failed.

Orrin had been too scared of Styx and too busy to work more on the skill. Something he was going to make damn sure he had the time to do in the future.

If I was at 100% integration, could I have taken out Sanerris?

He spent most of the morning of the first day fussing over Daniel and Madi until they’d shunted him away. Sitting around doing nothing didn’t appeal to him. Instead, Orrin found a small corner of Arandir’s apartment and sat down, activating [Way of the Water].

Styx, the watery trainer, waited in the same spot, as if Orrin had never left.

“Hey, Styx. You been well?”

Styx didn’t respond at first, but when Orrin activated the continue option, the yes and no answer game began again. Orrin still couldn’t get any real information from the magical construct but he did get the absolute shit beat out of him.

It took him ten hours before Styx was satisfied and Orrin gained the next five percent increase. When the blue box had appeared, Orrin waved to the watery man and gladly exited the training session.

[Way of the   Water]: 10% 2/20 completed. Continue or Save Progress?

Now he remembered why he hadn’t jumped back in to train. It was fucking exhausting. He nestled back up near his friends.

He’d been dozing on and off since returning, watching Daniel beat Madi at their game, when his name being called repeatedly broke him from his reverie.

“Orrin,” Arandir waved off a group of runners and approached the trio. “May I speak with you?”

Madi clucked her tongue as Daniel jumped several pieces of fruit. “You didn’t say we can do that.”

Daniel popped her pieces in his mouth and chewed. “I’m sure I told you about double-jumping.”

Orrin stood from his seat and moved with Arandir, leaving his friends to their squabble. “What’s up?”

Arandir’s eyes glanced up for a brief moment. “Ah. A greeting, not a literal question. I believe Daniel and Lady Catanzano are planning a return to Dey. I would like to extend my personal invitation for you to come study with me at my home.”

“No offense, but why would I ever do that? Your people are in disarray, half your elders are dead or imprisoned, and I would have to leave my friends.”

Orrin wasn’t trying to be rude, but that Arandir even asked seemed a little nonsensical. Arandir chuckled and raised a hand. A bubble of air surrounded them.

“Now we may speak without others listening in,” the elf said. “What I am offering is not for you to help with my people. Leanthun will be my proxy here and help the council regain their feet. I want you to read my great-grandfather’s books. I want to help you train your spells and skills. I want to help you unlock your Administrator powers so that when Sanerris returns, and he will return, you can put him down so hard that he never gets back up.”

A flash of anger gleamed in the old man’s eyes at the last.

“I still don’t want to leave my friends,” Orrin countered. “I appreciate the offer and don’t mean to sound ungrateful but –”

“They are invited as well. My house is isolated, located near the northern ocean and away from the fighting near the border. A wonderful place for the [Hero] to train. Lady Catanzano has taken a very well-researched path for her class. One that I may be able to help her with. At the very least, ask them.”

Orrin considered but didn’t bring it up right away. Daniel and Madi were still licking their wounds and he wasn’t sure himself. He thought maybe heading back to Dey was the best idea and had not mentioned anything.

“What did he want?” Daniel asked, making it clear he was still pissed at Arandir and all the elves.

“He wants us to go with him to his house to train... Mr. Miyagi style.” Orrin moved his hands in a circle.

Madi connected a chain of attacks and cleared half the board. “This game is simple. Are you sure you don’t want to play Kala? I can teach you.”

“Not interested,” Daniel made a few more moves before scooping up the fruit and eating it. “You win.”

“I’m guessing by you ignoring me, we aren’t going?”

Daniel paused and turned to Orrin. “Are you seriously considering it? They just tried to kidnap and kill us.”

“Just the bad ones,” Orrin argued. “I’m not saying I want to go, but he’s super old and knows stuff. Every story has an old wise man who teaches you how to use magic or swing your sword.”

Madi grunted as she twisted. The sling they’d put her in for her arm was bulky. “I want to get home, Orrin. I need to convince my father to send some troops to help push back Odrana. They’ve played with the political leaders of two major factions in our world and I know Lord Sanerris isn’t going to stop until he captures Daniel. Dey will be the safest place for us to be.”

“Fuck safe, I want to attack Odrana directly.” Daniel stood up from his seat and swayed. The Healer had told him to take it easy and not make any sudden movements for a few days. Brain injuries weren’t an exact science… or magic. His concussion would likely linger for a while yet. He sat back down gingerly. “I hate it when the room spins.”

“I don’t disagree,” Orrin said, holding up his hands. “I only mentioned it because you asked, D.”

“How many houses does the guy have anyway?” Daniel grumbled. “I thought this was his place.”

“I think this is his city apartment,” Orrin teased. “He was inviting us to his beach house.”

Daniel went silent as he moved a few berries back on the board. “Madi, does your world have surfboards?”