CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT

  DAYS LEFT BEFORE RARE CLASS CUTOFF DATE: (2/15)

  When Richard came to, it was lying atop a fluffy cloud, so unbelievably soft, that he honestly contemplated falling back asleep for several long seconds. Just closing his eyes, and drifting off to dreamland. Of course, that was when all his myriad aches and pains began to make themselves known in no uncertain terms. And after that, his memories of the last few… hours? …days? Began to resurface in full.

  For the briefest moment, he panicked. Tried to lurch from… wherever it was he now found himself. Paradise? Heaven?

  Why does it have to be so darn soft?! How am I supposed to save the world when I know comforts like this exist?! I’ll never get anything done, I tell you!

  Tried, and subsequently failed when a gentle but firm hand pressed him back into the waiting arms of nirvana. What could only be the embrace of Opon herself. Richard let out a soft groan of contentment.

  Well… if you insist.

  Except… Richard let out another groan. This one of resignation. No, he really shouldn’t. He had questions after all. Primarily, where exactly he was, how exactly he’d gotten here, and whether the kids were-

  The kids!

  This time, when Richard sprang to a sitting position, that firm hand from earlier was just the slightest bit too slow to react. His vision swam as a sudden feeling of vertigo overcame him. Those same hands reaching out to steady him before he fell. In a few seconds, however, the strange vertigo passed. It still left him feeling weirdly hollow and extremely weak, though it was nothing he couldn’t power through, he told himself.

  Only now did he finally get a good look at his surroundings, as well as who exactly had been watching over him all this time. He lay inside a medium sized tent. Gray canvas, messy sleeping arrangements, with room enough to fit four adults in a pinch, it was your standard system created fare. Where he lay exactly was a bit more of a mystery. Because, at a glance, it very much looked like he was lying on top of nothing at all. Merely floating a couple of feet in the air, the floor of the tent completely visible from where he sat.

  Then it hit him. This was ambient mana. Had to be. Penelope, the little angel, must’ve asked her “floaty friends” to bless him with the best night of sleep he’d had in the last decade or more. He deemed this payment acceptable for all the strife she put him through. And as for the person watching over him, he was actually genuinely surprised. Not that there was anything wrong with her being there exactly. Though he’d have been lying if he said she was the first person that popped into his mind.

  Maya stared back at him with an oddly mature expression. Concern furrowing her brow, though whether that was for his safety, or something else, he could not tell. Suddenly, Richard was able to make out sounds outside the tent. Shouts and censored invectives. A screaming match in full swing not that far away. If he’d wanted, with his strength as high as it was, he could’ve listened in on the heated discussion.

  Not wishing for anything of the sort, however, he merely sat in the increasingly awkward silence of the tent, and waited for the unpredictable young woman to spit out whatever it was she wanted to say. Their little staring contest continued for several long seconds. The argument outside growing to the point it was becoming really hard to ignore.

  Oh for the love of-!

  He didn’t have time for this. It was just as he was beginning to contemplate exiting the tent just to see what all the fuss was about, that Maya finally spoke up. When she did, she spoke like they were picking up a conversation they’d had only moments before.

  “So… you’re, like, crazy smart huh?”

  Richard blinked.

  That was not at all what he’d been expecting her to say. Should he respond? Nod? Richard glanced about the tent warily. He didn’t see any nefarious creatures in the wings, waiting to eavesdrop at the most inopportune moment, though that didn’t mean there weren’t any. He’d be a fool to lower his guard just like that.

  “See! That’s what I’m talking about! The way you look at stuff! It’s, like, super creepy.”

  Richard frowned. No it wasn’t.

  “Normal babies just sort of… drool on things, you know? You’re, like, way too intense to be normal.”

  What-? What exactly was she implying? Was she calling him a freak?!

  “You’re all dissectie and stuff. Like Neo in the matrix? All calculating bullet trajectories and doing mad flips through the air. Okay, so maybe not that last part, but-”

  Richard said nothing to incriminate himself, and yet still, somehow, by some trick of intuition he could not currently explain, the young woman’s eyes widened imperceptibly.

  “Wha- No way-! You’re forking with me, right- holy shirt, no you’re serious!”

  What in the- how-?! Is she a mindreader or something!? Get out of my head!

  “Can you do a backflip?! Please please please, tell me you can do a backflip. Oh, that’d be so sick. Ooo! Can you show me?! Actually, no wait. Probably best to keep a low profile for now. Denise has kinda been on a warpath lately. You know, ever since you invited all those aliens into the tutorial and nearly got all the little tots killed.”

  Richard choked on his own saliva.

  “Yeah, she’s pissed. Also, I know you can talk, by the way. Kinda insulting you refuse to answer me. Like, hello~? Is this thing on?”

  Richard tried not to react, he really did, but going by the smirk that slowly crept across her face, he apparently didn’t do a good enough job.

  “I mean, talk about rude! Like, I have feelings too you know? No one ever taught you manners or what?”

  Maya started, as if suddenly struck by lightning.

  “Wait a minute. Has anyone ever taught you manners?! Shirt, wait, do you even know, like, literally anything?! Quick! What’s- uhh, what’s twelve times forty three?!”

  Richard stared at her blankly. She stared back, expectantly. When it became obvious he had no intentions of answering her impromptu pop quiz, she shrugged.

  “You know what? Honestly, same. Math kinda blows.”

  She scratched her chin idly, before her eyes lit up once more.

  “Actually, you know what? Take it from me, I’m basically a twelve year veteran at this point. When you get the chance—you know, if earth is still a thing in four years, and not some alien pop up where gray-men pawn off all our natural resources—definitely skip the whole K through 12 track. Massive waste of time.”

  Richard opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again. What was he doing?

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  “I mean, I don’t know anyone who’s dropped out—like dropped out dropped out—but I watched a couple YouTube videos? Unschooling is the future, man. Like, sure, they can’t read or whatever, but they have life skills, you know? Crazy underrated in my opinion.”

  Richard gaped at the girl for several long seconds, letting her “advice” go in one ear, and straight out the other. Really, who un-ironically told a child not to stay in school? Looking completely unabashed, even proud, of the little dollop of wisdom she’d dropped in his lap, Richard honestly contemplated breaking cover, if only to talk some sense into the girl.

  He never got that chance however, as, in that very instant a small head just so happened to poke its way into the tent.

  “Maya, Mrs. Smith wants to know if-!” Alice abruptly cut off when she caught sight of him.

  Richard suppressed a sigh, resigning himself to the inevitable.

  The shriek she produced could have put a banshee’s to shame. And in the next moments, entirely against his will, he was smothered in five year old children, clearly very new to the concept of personal space. Foreheads and elbows finding tender spots he’d have rather left un-prodded. And all the tears and snot definitely weren’t helping things any.

  I mean, really, why all the fuss? I’m fine aren’t I? Stupid brats. Getting all worked up over nothing.

  Discreetly, Richard palmed away the tears leaking from his own eyes. It was all their wriggling, he assured himself. They must’ve gotten something in his eye. Thankfully, their little reunion came to an end eventually. The mood taking a full one eighty when Denise shoved her way into the tent. Suddenly feeling as if the temperature had dropped by several degrees. And the glare she sent his way… Robin, looking rather flustered, hurried in after her. Making the not especially large tent rather cramped all of the sudden.

  “Kids,” immediately you could tell Denise was fighting to maintain a level tone. “Why don’t you go outside and play? The grownups need to have a little chat.”

  “But-!” the kids chorused, bunching in closer to him in turn.

  “No buts!” this time the woman failed to moderate her tone, wincing at the frightened reaction her words evinced.

  She didn’t apologize, however. Instead firming her lips into a hard line, and turning her glacial gaze towards a wary looking Maya.

  “Maya, go with them. Make sure they don’t do anything stupid.”

  The young woman audibly gulped, before herding the reluctant children out of the tent. Sending one last unreadable glance his way, before disappearing through the gray flap. Once it’d swung closed, and the only ones remaining were Robin, Denise, and him, Richard felt the temperature drop by a few more degrees. He locked gazes with Denise as she loomed over him, arms crossed—fury writ large on her expression. Robin merely settled down in the far corner, as if she were merely a spectator to goings on.

  Eventually, Denise plopped down into a sitting position with a huff. Resting a hand on thin air, there was a shiver of reality, and suddenly her weapon type regalia was there. She rested the flat of the blade across her knees, though, most notably, she didn’t release the hilt of the rapier for a second. The next words she spoke came out as more of a snarl than anything

  “Well then! Our oh so mysterious Mr. Watcher. What exactly do you have to say for yourself?”

  +++

  A number of responses ran through his head in that instant. Excuses, apologies, even a few distractions or two. Richard’s gaze sweeping across the messy tent floor. Hands patting down his little onesie for possible solutions.

  No pocket sand, unfortunately. Of course, for that l’d need pockets first, which also poses a bit of an issue. Really should make that a higher priority moving forward.

  In the end though, only one thing in particular stood out as being of the highest priority. Something, or rather, someone who had been on his mind ever since coming to. When Richard opened his mouth, Robin leaned forward unconsciously, as if hanging on his every word. Hungry for the answer to a question she hadn’t yet voiced.

  “Where’s Penelope?”

  She hadn’t been among the gaggle of children which rushed into the tent to greet him. Something for which he found incredibly concerning. In fact, the only reason he wasn’t panicking right now, was the fact that no one seemed especially morose. Mostly just mad. At him, to be exact. And really, that only applied to Denise. Who was always mad, so it honestly wasn’t much to go on.

  Denise froze, mouth hanging half ajar, caught between caustic remark and incomprehension.

  “Who?” the two said in unison.

  “The little empress?”

  Now it was his turn to look confused. They just stared back at him blankly.

  “The one that floats!”

  Really, how had they not figured out her name yet? The light of realization dawned in their eyes. Light which, in the case of Denise, quickly transformed into burning hot coals.

  “Oh! You mean the baby girl- Penelope, was it?” Robin commented. “She’s-”

  “She’s currently holding off those scaled aliens you apparently brought down on all our heads. She also refuses to let the tutorial guide back into the clearing, something I’m sure you also had a hand in!”

  Richard ignored her words and their implications, already leaping to his feet and marching his way out of the tent.

  “Oh no you don’t-!”

  Denise reached forward and latched onto his arm, no doubt with the intention of arresting his momentum and continuing their discussion. Denise squawked as he barely paused in his stride. And, instead of halting him in his tracks, full stop, she was instead dragged along the floor as he exited the tent.

  “Argh-! S-stop-! You little- this florking- ack!”

  Her words cut off as she began hacking and coughing, a tuft of grass having apparently found its way into her throat. Letting go of his shoulder suddenly, she rose sharply to her feet, dusting off her clothes and glaring daggers at everyone in their surroundings, as if trying to maintain some semblance of dignity. The woman rested her hand on the hilt of her rapier, another glare aimed his way.

  “Now you just wait one second! I don’t remember saying you could leave!”

  She took a threatening step forward. Richard rolled his eyes, and promptly tied both of her shoes together with a mana thread. When she tried to take another menacing step forward, she tripped. Falling face first onto the spongy green turf. Richard could understand where she was coming from, he really could, but now was most definitely not the time. There would be plenty of room for pointing blame later. For now…

  At last, Richard spotted her. And, much to his relief, she didn’t seem to be in any danger. Floating near the edge of camp, maybe twenty or so paces from the edge of the system barrier, was Penelope. Her attention so focused on what was happening behind the blue transparent dome, that she didn’t notice his approach until he’s sidled up right next to her.

  “So. What’s the situation?”

  Her head snapped around so fast, he thought she was in danger of hurting herself. Her eyes immediately met his, grew very very round, and, of course, then came the water works. She slammed into his chest hard enough to lay him out flat. He allowed it. Rubbing her back with gentle circular motions while she wept. Again, he was forced to palm at his own cheeks, really getting sick and tired of all the dust getting in his eyes.

  Eventually, after he couldn’t say for how long, their tearful reunion came to a close. Her ambient mana casually lifting him to his feet, though, most notably, the little empress refused to let go. Clinging onto his back and peering over his shoulder.

  Richard’s pulse quickened. His hands shook imperceptibly, eyes going very distant. Then he felt a gentle squeeze from behind, and the moment passed. His eyes cleared and he was met with a sight that soured any good feelings he might’ve felt only moments before. An encampment surrounded their little dome of safety. Ra’ak Neerian’s—like those he blown past in his desperate flight—of all shapes and sizes. Leveling entire sections of the forest to build makeshift accommodations.

  Sentries posted at several points along the dome, staring in on them with malicious intent. And at the center of all the hustle and bustle—trunks felled and transported, sawed and arranged—was the creature. Simply standing there, as still as a statue, it’s gleaming yellow eyes fixed on them. Richard shivered involuntarily, and the creature grinned. Richard turned his back on the creature, figuring, if it hadn’t gotten in yet, it wasn’t likely to any time soon.

  Although… just in case.

  “How long do you think you can keep him out?” Richard whispered.

  In response, the girl merely pounded her chest, and gave him a triumphant thumbs up. Richard blinked.

  “Huh. Alright then. Enough said,” Penelope beamed. “You’ll tell me if it starts to take a toll, though, won’t you?”

  The young girl thought about it, eyes searching the clouds for answers, before snapping her attention back to him and nodding decisively.

  “Well okay then. Now…”

  Richard raised his gaze to take in their little campsite. Everyone had gathered. Some visibly irate—he didn’t want to name names—while others were merely confused or curious.

  “Well, this is quite the pickle we now find ourselves in, isn’t it?”

  Denise’s eye twitched.

  “Was that a joke? Are you making jokes right now?! Do you have any idea the kind of shir- argh! The kind of nonsense we now find ourselves in because of you?!”

  Richard didn’t even bother asking who told the woman this had all been because of him. He suspected he already knew.

  “Hmm. Well if I really am at fault, as you say, who better to get us out of this mess than me?”

  Denise scoffed. The others, meanwhile, grew increasingly slack jawed and wide eyed the longer he spoke. Robin, Eva, and Marlene sharing disbelieving glances with one another. Only Maya and the kids seemed unsurprised. And of course, Denise was too furious to consider the implications.

  “And why on earth would we ever listen to you?!”

  “Oh! Actually the answer to that one is really rather simple. It’s because, my dear, I am the chosen emissary of a god.”