Without a Freeday to decompress, the cycles flew by faster. I was glad of it. It meant I didn't have a moment to dwell on all of my worries. The tournament and my escape had approached with the speed of an out-of-control race car. And most importantly, I was getting stronger.

The additional Dueling class had brought on my sword work and earned me another point in Toughness. Sure, I was still at the bottom of the class compared to students who'd had fencing lessons since childhood, but I was still damned pleased with my progress.

My biggest improvement was in Harmony. Despite not being able to take an extra lesson in Aetheric magic, the relentless grind from Master Quesal every cycle which involved holding us back until both Ellaazi and I suffered Mana Fatigue, had paid off.

I'd only gone up a point in the stat, but my Mage class had rocketed four whole levels, and I received a +5 boon in Aetheric connection. That meant I could access and use Spirit Power with far more control than before. So while my mana pool hadn't increased much, what I could get out of it certainly had.

Finally, Mental Acuity had soared by two points. Spending an additional four hours in a Leadership, Command, and Strategy medley every cycle played no small part. It turned out, once Hertan had eased up on his propagandist Archon supremacy stories, both he and Master Kathar were more capable than I'd given them credit for.

An unexpected additional bonus was my relationship with Arun and Olise. While we'd never be best buddies, Arun was borderline friendly, and Olise… Olise had warmed up enough not to snipe at me every five minutes.

When the tournament finally arrived, I was looking strong:

Name: Adam Henshaw

Title: Squire of House Garazal

Level: 21

Class: Warrior/Mage

Stats:

Toughness: 24 + 5

Mental Acuity: 18

Harmony: 22 + 5

Total: 64

Progress in Class:

Warrior, Level 13: 35/120

Level 10 Boon: +5 in durability-based Toughness (not reflected in level)

Tradesman, Level 0: 0/10

Mage, Level 11: 5/50

Level 10 Boon: +5 in Aetheric Connection-based Harmony (not reflected in level)

Mage Skills:

Enchant Item: Level 3

Regenerate (Personal): Level 2

Spirit Burst (AoE): Level 3

Spirit Blast (Projectile): Level 3

Spirit Strike (Melee): Level 1 (Tier 2)

Spirit Hand (Levitation): Level 2

Flame Blast (Projectile): Level 2

Flame Burst (AoE): Level 1

Water Blast (Projectile): Level 1

Water Burst (AoE): Level 1

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The dorm room buzzed with quiet activity as everyone packed, chatted and pretended not to feel the weight of what came next.

I crouched beside my bed and pulled out my non-regulation enchantment rod filled with things I doubted Elasin Garazal would be happy I possessed. Or rather confused as why I would need them.

I wanted to make one last check, make sure I hadn't forgotten anything. Make sure nothing came to mind last minute.

First was the short sword Torma had acquired for me. It was perfect for what I needed. No flourishes, no elegance, just a solid functional blade that was sharp enough to split a falling hair and, more importantly, do damage to enchanted armor:

Weapon: Whittle (Short-sword)

Type: One-handed melee

Level Requirement: 20

Price Range: 280 to 300 Unitols

Enchantments:

Level 2 Rune of Sharpness – Increases cutting efficiency vs. armor and flesh

Activatable Rune Level 2 Rune of Vibration. – Activates on command. 5% mana use per use.

Durability: 2000/2000

Next were the daggers from Ellaazi. Only she could've given me something so ridiculous.

The first, with a blade etched in tight spirals of mirrored steel, enchanted to vibrate at high frequency when thrown. Which was fine. Except that the vibration created a howling sound to put fear into the hearts of your enemies.

The second? Well, it was just a nasty little dagger. Harder healing damage multiplier. Very serviceable though.

Weapon: Howler (Dagger)

Type: Ranged or melee

Level Requirement: 18

Price Range: 180 to 220 Unitols

Enchantments:

Kinetic Vibration Core: Stored vibration activates when thrown, increasing armor penetration.

Disruption Layer: Activated by vibration, creates an intense howl that can unbalance susceptible enemies. Note: Unsuitable for stealth.

Durability: 92% - 2300/2500

Weapon: Sharp Infection (Dagger)

Type: Melee

Level Requirement: 18

Price Range: 200 to 240 Unitols

Enchantments:

Level 2 Rend Rune (Indebted) – Increases tearing potential by 40%; wounds created by this weapon are 25% harder to heal via magic or medicine.

Level 2 Force Rune (Anchored) – Adds blunt kinetic impact on thrust or slash, increasing impact trauma without damaging the blade's edge.

Note: Made for killing, not dueling. Commonly banned from regulated arenas.

Durability: 95% – 2375/2500

Yoru had not disappointed with his offering for me either. Six vials of mana fatigue elixirs and five twist-and-throw Fire Blast rods.

Satisfied, I had everything I could prepared, I turned to my friends.

"I honestly don't know how to thank you guys for everything you've done for me this year," I said for not the first time.

As we couldn't speak freely because of the pin, there was an awkwardness to the last night in our dorm together. For me, it was that stupid, nagging sense of betrayal. I was leaving good friends behind and what could have been a perfectly good life where I actually meant something. Not that I wouldn't have a purpose back on Earth, but that didn't dim the feeling.

Torma strode toward me, Arms wide. "Bring it in Earther. We'll still have tomorrow, but this is our last night here… till next year," he added a wink for emphasis on the lie. I gave him a hug, with much back slapping.

Yoru was next and it was like hugging an elephant. He squeezed me hard enough to make my ribs creak and when he finally let go, he grinned. "It's been an absolute honor, Adam."

"You too, Yoru. You're an amazing friend."

"And I'll always be your friend. No matter what happens."

I turned toward Ellaazi last of all. She was standing stiff near the door. I grinned at the feisty Nyvren. "You too, come on. You're not getting out of it."

She actually took a step back as I moved forward. "I don't want to," she muttered. "If I do this, then it feels final."

Ressa must've already sensed the hesitation and she'd crept behind Ellaazi.

As the Nyvren took another step back, she pounced like a cat, dragging her into a hug. I chuckled and darted to complete the group squeeze.

When we finally separated, I looked at them all with something close to love. "It hasn't been long, but you're honestly like family."

"Judging by your brother, that's not much of a compliment," Torma said.

"No," I admitted. "But it's been a long time since I truly considered him family. Unlike you lot."

Ressa glanced at me then. Just a second too long. She didn't say anything. Didn't have to.

Torma cleared his throat. "Let's not get too soppy. We've got beers and whisky to drink!"

He scooted behind the kitchen counter and the clink of glass bottles played like music to my ears.

No sooner than I'd taken one and sat on the couch, a knock came at the door.

We all looked at each other puzzled apart from Ellaazi who bounded over to the door looking ready to kill.

When Warden Anso's face appeared in the doorway, I groaned. He greeted Ellaazi respectfully, then entered with another.

"I didn't expect to see you here again this year," I said, getting to my feet and checking the stats of the woman he was with:

Name: Kiafa Garazal

Title: 5th Scion of House Garazal / Augur of House Garazal

Level: 35

Class: Mage/Tradesman

Holy shit. A literal child of the boss man. That could not be good.

Anso smiled warmly. "We're only here to collect you. Nothing too dramatic this time."

"Collect me?"

"Yes. Did we not discuss it on our last meeting?"

"Discuss what? You didn't discuss anything."

"Ah, well, as you are representing House Garazal tomorrow. You will spend this evening preparing at the Prime's Citadel on Jolata."

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