Book 2: Chapter 61 (Patreon)

The next day, Orrin sat in one of Arandir’s comfy armchairs explaining the different names of Administrator skills to an increasingly agitated elf.

“You are sure? None of the skills have a description?” Arandir paced as Orrin lounged. “The System does not obfuscate. It wants us to have the information needed to succeed in our selected path. There is not any reason for it…”

Orrin tuned out Arandir’s rambling. He had already read the full list of Administrator powers to the elder. He hadn’t told the man about the cost of each skill but that was mostly because Arandir was more upset that there was no description of what anything did.

· Assign Class (5 Administrator Points)

· Reset Class (5 Administrator Points)

· Assign Quest (10 Administrator Points)

o Edit Reward (10 Administrator Points)

· Unlock Ability: Skill (10 Administrator   Points)

· Unlock Ability: Spell (10 Administrator   Points)

· Edit Stats (Sanctioned) (10 Administrator   Points)

o Remove

o Assign

· Edit Stats (Sanctioned) (10 Administrator   Points)

o Full Reset

· Edit Stats (Unsanctioned) (10 Administrator   Points)

o Remove

o Assign

· Edit Stats (Unsanctioned) (10 Administrator   Points)

o Full Reset

· Imbue (50 Administrator Points)

· Scry (20 Administrator Points)

· Change Race (15 Administrator Points)

· Create Relic (30 Administrator Points)

“Orrin, we will simply have to unlock every skill. I will have my scouts search for Dungeons. While I believe that Assign Class is unlikely to be the skill that helps us, there is a small chance. Or perhaps Assign Quest or Edit Reward would allow you to create more Administrators… I am going in circles.”

Despite Arandir’s words, the man was animated more than Orrin had ever seen. The hope of fulfilling his family’s greatest wish, restoring Administrators to the world, coupled with his enthusiasm at the new puzzle in his life was the greatest gift Arandir had ever received. He was acting like a child on Christmas morning with so many presents to open he was frozen still.

“I was sort of hoping to use some of my points on Assign Class,” Orrin interrupted his constant stream-of-consciousness talking. “I have a friend who wants to be a [Healer] but the Hospital has kicked him out.”

Arandir frowned, “What did he do to deserve that? I would not suggest going against them if they had cause.”

Orrin felt his temper rise a bit as he thought of the unjust treatment of his friend. “When I first met him, he was passed out from disobeying orders and trying to heal more people than allowed. He was bullied by other healer wannabes for no reason. He’s a good person and a friend but didn’t want to play the games the Hospital plays. You know, technically, I think the Hospital would try to have me arrested. I healed a bunch of people during a demon attack a few months ago while all their healers stood around watching people die. I know nothing about being a healer, I just have [Heal Small Wounds], which has come in handy a bunch of times, but my friend has studied his entire life to be able to help people. So, no. I don’t think he did anything to deserve it. If I can help him, I want to do it.”

Arandir’s frown grew as Orrin spoke, revving him up more.

“Also, stop talking about me like I’m some sort of experiment. I agreed to tell you the skills but I never said you could pick what I end up spending my points on.”

The older elf pulled a chair up to Orrin and sat, reaching out his arm. Orrin hesitated before clasping the man’s hand.

“Orrin, forgive my words if they offended you. Our Hospital would never allow those sorts of things to happen. Our [Healers] view their powers as a gift for all,” Arandir spoke softly. “Whatever path you decide to take is your own. I will make suggestions and perhaps at times beg you to consider my words, but only you can make your own choices. If you want to take Assign Class and help your friend, do it. I will send for a friend who knows the different healing classes so that you can help him.”

Orrin felt his face go red as Arandir spoke calmly to him, making him feel like he’d thrown a tantrum. “I’d appreciate that. I don’t want to give him a class that gets him in trouble somehow.”

Arandir laughed. “Somehow, I think that is exactly what would happen if I let you stumble your way through this alone.” He paused. “Go ahead, then.”

Orrin smirked and selected his first Administrator skill.

Unlock the   Administrator Skill: Assign Class for 5 Administrator Points?

Yes or No?

Yes.

Orrin caught Arandir’s eye for a moment as a well of power rose up inside him. He couldn’t figure out why the elf was bending sideways and moving so fast.

“Fuck,” Orrin was able to mumble as he passed out and slide off the chair.

“… wrong with him?”

“Arandir, if you don’t back off, I’m going to put you in a coma,” a stern female voice spoke close to Orrin’s face. “You drag me up here without any explanation and force me to examine a random human child who is sleeping on your floor. I appreciate your vote but if this is the kind of treatment I’m going to get from you, I’ll gladly resign as elder.”

“Lyra, please.”

“He appears to be in completely ordinary health for a human. Perhaps he is faking his sleep to avoid more of your stories.”

Orrin could hear the voices but focused instead on his body. When he’d used the Administrator Points for the first time, he’d felt something inside burst. Warmth spreading to each fingertip and toe, just before he passed out. Now, every last part of his body tingled.

He felt like he had the day he and Daniel had discovered energy drinks for the first time. They’d smuggled a case into Daniel’s room during a long weekend, playing video games and drinking can after can. They’d made it over 24 hours before the first signs that this was a bad idea had shown their face. The crash had been the worst part, with the tingling of his extremities making Orrin promise to never drink another drop of the stuff. Until he’d found coffee that is.

He clenched his fingers.

“See? He’s moving. One hundred percent alive and well. I’ll be off, then. Leanthun lied to me about the paperwork. If I end up a bureaucrat because of you, Arandir…”

Orrin opened his eyes. The voice that was threatening Arandir belonged to a rather pretty and very short elven woman. She was leaning over him and used two fingers to pull his eye open more. Even while she threatened to leave, she performed a full exam on Orrin, poking and prodding him until he finally spoke.

“I’m fine,” his voice came out in a croak. He swallowed twice. “I’m fine. You can take your hand out of my shirt, thank you.”

She ignored him and pushed her hands up to his chest. Orrin felt a gentle vibration from her palms. “His lungs are clear. No problems with the heart that I can detect.”

“Arandir?” Orrin glanced up at the man. His hand was covering his mouth but Orrin couldn’t tell if he was worried or amused.

“Orrin, this is Lyra, the newest Elder of Healing. Lyra, this is Orrin, friend to the [Hero] and delegate of the lords of Dey.”

Orrin glared. Arandir was definitely amused.

“What made you pass out, Orrin?” Lyra moved her hands south. “Are you ill or was I correct in my assessment that Arandir was boring you to death?”

Orrin slapped her hands away and crawled backward, climbing his way on the couch. He sat with as much dignity as he could with his shirt half undone. “I— I’m better now. Thank you, I guess.”

“Better manners than most of the humans, I suppose.” Lyra slapped her knees as she stood. “Arandir. Never a pleasure, but you keep it interesting.”

“Before you leave, Lyra,” Arandir moved in front of her. “Orrin has a passing interest in healing. If you could—”

“Ary, I’m not a teacher. I’m not wasting my time answering questions to a child. Find a novice trainee from the Hospital to satisfy his questions. Now if you’ll excuse me?”

Arandir did not excuse her. He stayed planted in her path. “Lyra…”

“Arandir…”

Orrin couldn’t help it. He laughed. They both turned on him with their hawkish eyes. Arandir’s blue and Lyra’s green stopping the laughter in his throat.

Orrin held up his hands. “Sorry. Sorry. I just haven’t seen anyone stand up to Arandir since I met him. It’s good to see him told off a bit.”

Arandir continued to glower but Lyra held out her hand to shake. “It’s my pleasure. Someone has to keep him from getting too big a head. He might be in charge but not really. He’s still such a child at times. Honestly, trying to tell me what to do.”

Orrin shook her hand. He’d met a few different important people who felt they had to meet the Dey delegate. Some had soft hands from working in the government and some had hard-callused hands. Lyra’s hands reminded him of his mom’s. They were hard from constant work but the way she held his hand was soft and kind. These were hands that treated patients and soothed loved ones. The hands of a healer.

“He meant well. I have a friend who wants to be a healer but the Hospital in Dey isn’t what it is here, so I hear.” Orrin released her hand. “He’s just looking for a few pointers on the best path.”

Lyra frowned. “The Hospital in Dey has always been a bit backward but they usually do well enough with the training. If he can’t get through the basics, I’m not sure he’d be able to handle most of the usual healer classes. What exactly are you looking for?”

Orrin explained Amir’s situation, watching as Lyra became more agitated. She muttered under her breath and Orrin distinctly heard “kill them all” more than once.

“They took away his amulet and effectively killed his dream of becoming a real healer,” Orrin finished. “He lost his class and is helping run his father’s shop. I have [Heal Small Wounds] but I’m not a healer and thought there must—”

“You have [Heal Small Wounds]? How? What is your class?”

Orrin glanced at Arandir, who shrugged. He was still pissed.

“[Utility Warder]. It was available and I thought it would be helpful, so I bought it.”

Lyra scoffed. “You just bought it? How many times have you almost killed yourself overdrawing and trying to heal someone?”

Orrin thought back to healing in the square outside the Hospital and the backlash he’d suffered at Tony’s after. He relived the moments of healing himself, Daniel, and Madi. All the lives that would have been lost if he hadn’t taken this one spell.

“Enough to learn the risk is necessary sometimes. I’m getting better though,” Orrin answered truthfully. “Is there any recommendation you could make for my friend?”

“It’s unlikely he’ll ever be a healer,” Lyra answered bluntly. She stood in front of him with her arms crossed. “As the Elder of Healing, I’m the head of our Hospital now. I’m only saying what I’m about to tell you because Ary asked and even if he’s a bit uptight, he’s an alright guy. Our trainees use the amulets because it’s the safest way to get [Heal Small Wounds]. There are some old records of classes that came pre-loaded with healing spells but over the years the best of the best kept their secrets to themselves. They wanted to create demand for their unique skills. A healer who could regrow a limb or one who could make you see again. Slowly, our ancestors lost more and more. The Calamity was the final straw that crushed our profession. Using an amulet until a trainee can purchase [Heal Small Wounds] was all that was left to start the process. Depending on what branch of healing you want to go for, and there are a lot, you can apprentice with someone who knows a few auxiliary spells and skills but it takes decades to reach a high enough level to evolve the spell into something better. Humans usually take [Heal Moderate Wounds] if they reach that stage. There is a way to get small wounds without the amulet but your friend would need to treat injuries with potions and bandages for several years.”

“What are the classes of the Hospital? Are they all just [Healer]?”

Lyra glanced at Arandir again. “The questions you ask are well protected. We don’t give that information out to anyone who asks.”

“Tell him, Lyra,” Arandir commanded, standing straight and looking regale.

Lyra stuck her tongue out. “After an [Acolyte] passes a certain threshold in training and gets [Heal Small Wounds] on their own, they are promoted to [Healer]. Some people stick with that their entire life, moving from small to moderate wounds, then to [Heal Great Wounds]. Those are the people who make up the rank and file of the Hospital. Mana for health, as the trainees say. There are other paths. Too many to count really and we do try. When [Heal Small Wounds] reaches its maximum improvement, a few other skills and spells are unlocked. The most important is [Diagnosis] but there are also spells like [Purify], [Calm], or [Excise]. If an [Acolyte] takes moderate wounds, the others disappear. As long as you don’t take [Heal Moderate Wounds], more skills and paths open up. We teach our apprentices enough to figure out what they want to do but some want the easy path. Different classes can evolve with different combinations. [Mind Walker] sounds like a mind mage but nothing could be further from the truth. They help patients wrestle their traumas into manageable parts of their mind. I’ve seen raving men calmed to gentleness again by our [Mind Walker]. Others experiment and see what classes they can unlock.”

“But it all comes down to having the spell first?”

“That’s correct. You have to prove to the system that you want to be a healer. The amulets jump start that process.”

“Where do the amulets come from?” Orrin asked. He noticed both Arandir and Lyra tighten at the question.

“There is a finite amount. We lose a few every decade as well. Someday, I fear we’ll have none left.”

“But they weren’t around forever, right? There must have been a time before amulets.”

Lyra unfolded her arms and poured herself some water. She sat down. “I already told you. You have to treat people with standard first aid. Nothing special about it, just the slog of the work. There is no direct timeline for it either.”

Orrin considered the information. “So there isn’t a class that would just be the best for him to go for?”

Lyra shook her head. Orrin felt the frustration rising. He’d already spent the points to buy Assign Class. He’d wasted points on something that wasn’t going to help him solve his friend’s problem.

“Shit.”