Shielded by Seals [Chapter 31] (Patreon)

ToC: https://www.patreon.com/posts/132353583

I asked the attendant’s name and she introduced herself as Tara. She provided me with the credits I was owed. Together, we took the unconscious Toby and the wounded Toad to the infirmary. Both were bandaged. The doctor recommended Toby remain there for the night, so we left him.

As far as I knew, the body of the man who attacked me still grimaced at the ceiling in that dark building.

Unable to stop my feet, I allowed myself to wander down to the river. I sat at the edge and watched the ripples.

“Are you alright, young master?” Tara asked. When I remained silent, she hesitated and then said. “We are… aware. Of you, here. We knew… well. We assumed no one would be foolish enough to believe the rumors of a reward if you were to perish. Now that it’s been proven- we will be able to prevent this from happening again. You don’t need to worry.”

If it happened once, it can happen twice. The bleak thought popped up.

Tara could apparently read that reaction on my face. “The inner hand cloister… you should be safe there; Prefect Nightflower does not take her duties casually. We shall handle this side. You need not worry.”

Finally, I found the question that had been stalking this entire childhood. My heart pounded in my chest. I shivered, feeling colder than in my most intense Mana training sessions. “Is this going to be the rest of my life?”

Tara looked at me. I watched her consider lying. Then she bit her lip. “...yes.”

I looked again at the water. I had known. Truly, I had known from the beginning. What sort of places waited on the other side of transmigration. The sorts of realities that necessitated systems, just so humans could protect themselves from the dangers of the world.

But this was the first time I had felt it. The breath of doom on my neck. The first time the bloody fingers curled toward my throat with ill will.

And it wasn’t even a monster, I thought. It was a man. Who thought it would be better… if I didn’t exist.

“I guess I thought I had time,” I muttered. More time to train. Tara bowed her head, almost in apology. I shook myself and looked at Tara. “Can you keep a secret?”

I didn’t wait for her response. The fact that she had saved my life… it seemed evidence enough. I raised a hand. I created a path of twisted Mana through my body. Along that road of energy, I brought an Emit Mana.

Due to the user’s repeated actions in difficult circumstances, Proficiency of your Skill Emit Mana has increased! Proficiency +1%. For struggling to activate your Skill through a seal, +5% Proficiency.

For an impressive act, +5% Proficiency to your Role Genius.

Due to the strain of the seal, Proficiency of your Trait Accurate has increased! Proficiency +1%

Toad snapped up the Mana Bolt, even as Tara gasped. I sat back, noticing that the redness returned to his skin. Curious, and looking for a distraction, I brought up his Status Screen.

Tamed Beast: Mud-Guzzling Hog Lvl 16 (Toad)

Relationship: Intimate

Potential: Moderate

Fighting Ability: Lvl 32

My eyebrows went up. Not only did his Level and potential increase… but his fighting ability shot up a bunch? What changed?

“What Level are you?” I turned to Tara.

“This one is Level 29. Soon I hope to master-” She paused. “Ah, of course. The taboos. I cannot reveal more information in front of you.”

I waved a hand. It was enough context to know this attendant on the outer hand side, even a relatively strong seeming one, approached Level 30. Which was very short of the 100 possessed by hellion-touched creatures.

I wondered what Level Argyle had reached. 

My eyes went back out to the water. Sitting here, watching the constant flow, I felt myself gradually calming down. The water filled me with its whorls and contours. My senses numbed and became fuzzy. I just sat and observed the world. It was enough to be here. There was nothing else. 

At the end of an indeterminate time, I sighed. I had calmed down, so I stood. I might be terrified by this world… but I wasn’t petrified. At least for that, I was a little proud of myself. “That’s… enough of a break. Alright, Toad, let’s go back to the infirmary.  We will wait for Toby to wake up and take him back.”

“Young Master Ossi, you can go back and rest,” Tara said. “I can handle this.”

I shook my head. “Some things should be done personally. He protected me. So I’ll be there when he wakes up.”

“...if that is what you wish.” Tara gave me a deep bow and allowed me to leave. I brought Toad around the side of the infirmary, confident that Tara would be watching from the background. From here, I’d hear when Toby regained consciousness. 

Although I didn’t know how much of my abilities were safe to reveal, I had been forced to acknowledge a different truth; if I didn’t grind, I wouldn’t be able to improve. 

I had to take advantage of every second; if another attack happened… could the current me survive?

So this doesn’t happen again… Fear chilled me, a cold and hollow imitation of death. I flinched slightly, remembering the panic when the man with the knife lunged for me. I felt shame because of how slow I had been to react. Yet all those were just memories. I couldn’t address those feelings right now. Right now, I could only focus on what was in front of me. And what I now had was an opportunity to improve.

First, I cleared out a small area of branches. Then I leapt back and forth, plucking the lowest hanging fruit.

Due to repeated actions, Proficiency of your Skill Corrosive Leap has increased! Proficiency +3%.

Due to repeated actions, Proficiency of your Skill Corrosive Leap has increased! Proficiency +1%.

…

Due to repeated actions, Proficiency of your Skill Corrosive Leap has increased! Proficiency +2%.

The act didn’t require Mana, so I could activate the Skill over and over again. Each landing released the strange distorted pulse of energy that would corrode Mana. Yet the act did require physical stamina. At some point, I grew tired enough that my form was improper; those attempts didn’t earn me any Proficiency. 

So I took a break, checked in on Toby’s condition, then returned to my spot. I grinned sideways at Toad, who once more tried to trot around while on the tips of his hooves. “You feel it too, right? We need to get better.”

I closed my eyes. I activated Concentration. Then I executed the last few Corrosive Leaps.

Due to repeated actions, Proficiency of your Skill Corrosive Leap has increased! Proficiency +2%.

Due to resistance to your focus, Proficiency of your Skill Concentration has increased! Proficiency +5%.

For an impressive act, Proficiency of your Role Genius has gained Proficiency! +1%.

Due to repeated actions, Proficiency of your Skill Corrosive Leap has increased! Proficiency +2%.

Your Skill Corrosive Leap has reached a new Proficiency! Worthless-> Basic. Your leap increases in distance and speed. The amount of chaotic energy released marginally increases. Due to an increase in Proficiency, your Mana Pool deepens.

For increasing Skill Proficiency while a Child, the Role Child has gained Proficiency! +5%.

For increasing Skill Proficiency while a Child, the Role Genius has gained Proficiency! +2%.

I allowed myself to relax as I felt the ripples running through my Mana Pool. It’s expanded depth was a much needed reminder that my efforts mattered. They were not yet enough to save me in a life-threatening situation… but my grinding wasn’t meaningless. I clenched a fist. Then, after a few stretches for my sore toddler muscles, I went back into the infirmary.

My expression brightened when I saw Toby sitting up. “Feeling better?”

“No,” Toby frowned. “I’m feeling… weak.”

I paused. I couldn’t reply to that. After all, I had the same feeling. 

“But, we survived.” Toby continued. He looked down at his hands. “Maybe… It’s not good to play heroes, or martial arts, or spies anymore.”

I felt an unspeakable grief for this kid, who had tagged along with me and been thrust in front of danger. Just like that, his innocence had been shattered. What had once been a daydream of play now became a violent reality-

“We have to do it for real,” Toby said seriously. He looked up at me. His eyes were sparkling. “We have to be heroes for real.”

I opened my mouth and closed it. “I… guess so?”

He nodded, as though this was natural. After scrutinizing Toby, I decided to keep my mouth shut; trying to convince him not to rush toward danger was a doomed effort. For now… well, training would pave the way to a better future. I couldn’t fault him for realizing this same truth.

The sun had set for several hours by the time we walked back across the river to the Inner Hand villas. We walked slowly, all of us nursing our injuries. Mine were the lightest, but I somehow suspected my thoughts were the heaviest. Although my companions were reliable… their train of thoughts were surprisingly simple; they were young.

Yet I…

A smile twisted my mouth. Perhaps I am thinking too much. Sometimes… it is better just to walk with a clear mind.

As always, we were let into the villa without trouble. We walked upstairs and settled into our bedding. In what appeared to be a race that Toby won by a narrow margin, both of my companions became instantly asleep. Their sudden snores made me laugh.

Eventually, my panic subsided enough for me to fall asleep as well. When I woke up in the morning, my eyes were clear and sharp. Time to train.

Your Skill Corrosive Leap has reached a new Proficiency! Basic-> Beginner I. You execute your leap more quickly. You can leap higher. Due to an increase in Proficiency, your Mana Pool deepens.

For increasing Skill Proficiency while a Child, the Role Child has gained Proficiency! +5%.

For increasing Skill Proficiency while a Child, the Role Genius has gained Proficiency! +2%.

With that last nudge of 2%, I broke across a Proficiency threshold.

Your Role Genius has reached a new Proficiency! Beginner I-> Beginner II!