Hyro entered into Bucks office after being called in, “How did your first day of classes go Hyro?” Buck asked as Hyro took a seat. “I think it went well, I leveled up.” Hyro said excitedly. “I heard, you are making some great progress. There are two things I wanted to discuss with you, first is actually about Leveling up. I know others have mentioned before, but be careful and do not activate the Wheel of fate. For most people it is just a harmless nuisance and costly, but with your luck you could be facing death or worse, yes there could be amazing options, but the odds would be stacked heavily against you unless you went in with 11,000 contribution points.” Hyro looked worried and after some internal deliberation decided not to tell Buck about the Wheel of Chaos, for now. Buck continued, “The other thing is about your Sanctuary, that place will be exceedingly helpful, but do be careful when and where you access it. Ambient magic from the surrounding area goes into it, so here so here at the academy for instance is perfectly fine, but do that in a dungeon, mountain top or other area with stronger magic and the Sanctuary can change or keep you inside longer. It is advisable to have someone always near and knowing that you are entering Sanctuary before entering, at least until you can upgrade your Sanctuary.”
“How do I upgrade my Sanctuary?” Hyro was very interested in this as it was his first real skill that was not fleeting. Buck had this answer ready, “There are a few ways to level skills and spells, constant usage of them, as you explore you may find items to help upgrade them or as you gain experience and level certain thresholds give the option to upgrade skills or spells, the first skill upgrade is level twenty four. The Contribution store will also start gaining the option to upgrade them as well but that isn't until level twenty five and it is a pricey option.” Hyro nodded in understanding, “Got it, use it safely as much as I can and continue working on gaining experience.” Buck chuckled, “That’s why I like you boy, you grasp the concept and at least point yourself in the right direction. I also wanted to let you know that I have started investigating the Order of Chaos. No books or scrolls we have here had any information containing them, but I do have some connections trying to dig up some information. I am telling you this in hopes that you do not do anything reckless to try and get information about them. I do not think you would but we have had students in the past do careless things to try and gain more experience or complete a quest.” Buck paused for a short moment, “Before I let you head to dinner, are there any questions that you have for me?” Hyro thought for a moment before shaking his head, “Not that I can think of for now, Thank you.”
Hyro left Buck’s office and headed to the cafeteria. Everyone was there like last night, but everyone wasn’t waiting like last time and it was more buffet style than the previous night's family style dinner. Hyro found the table with those that he sat with the previous night and they talked and ate together, Hyro had a great time finally making some real friends for the first time in his life. After they were done eating and cleaning up their area, most started to head to do their own things before bedtime, Enris stayed back to talk with Hyro, “So you are the first of your class to level up! How does it feel?” Hyro was not sure how to respond so just went with the truth, “I can’t believe it honestly, I do not feel much different.” Enris laughed, “Yeah I thought the same thing when I leveled first in my class, it’s a weird feeling, and you won't feel the effects until you add five or more points into one ability point, if you do it a couple points at a time you may never actually feel the difference but the effects will be apparent.” That made sense to Hyro, when you work out or eat better you do not see the effects right away and they are so gradual for you that you do not always notice the difference. Enris continued speaking, “I don’t have any other plans for the night and I am not tired yet. What do you say we spar in the arena?”
“Aren’t you level ten? You will destroy me!” Hyro responded, Enris laughed again, “In a normal fight, probably, this will just be a spar, we can leave weapons out and no combat spells or skills, just practice of our hand to hand fighting abilities and non combat spells and skills.” Eh what do I have to lose, maybe I can gain some experience from it. Hyro thought before responding, “Sure, why not.” The two made their way to the arena, it was brisk outside but it was manageable. Nobody else was out at the arena so they had the whole place to themselves. They stood about ten feet away from each other towards the center of the arena when Enris laid down some ground rules, “Like I said before, no active combat skills or abilities, no weapons, just hand to hand combat for a fun sparring match. We will keep going until we get tired of sparing or someone gives up. There should not be much blood or knock out but that will end the sparring match too. Do you agree?” Hyro nodded and the two began their match.
Enris stood still, waiting for Hyro to make the first move, which he did. Hyro dove forward diagonally into a roll to put himself closer to Enris, just out of striking distance, Enris still barely moved until Hyro came up and tried to land a body blow, Enris responded by simply moving to the side. Hyro followed up by trying to land multiple jabs, but Enris had a flowing back step that allowed him to effortlessly dodge each attack. While back stepping Enris traced a line on his palm, “Invisiblis!” As soon as he said the word of power while dodging Hyro’s latest punch, Enris vanished. Hyro took a defensive stance, trying to get any clue to where Enris might be, but he could not notice any movement in the grass. “Ooof” Hyro had the breath taken out of him from a jag in the gut, followed by a side jab, Enris was still nowhere to be seen. This isn’t good, I have to find a way to spot him or I’ll be out without landing a single jab. Hyro was hopeful that a spell or some sort of power would come to him but nothing. Then Hyro had an idea, not a good idea but it was all he had. Hyro dropped his defensive stance and stood Still and closed his eyes, he was going to see if his sanctuary could spot Enris. Hyro was waiting, taking deep breaths to concentrate, waiting, breathing, waiting…
“Punch incoming, just above the navel… NOW!” Hyro heard someone yell at him, no, not someone, himself?! It Worked! He reacted fast, feeling the punch make contact with him Hyro was able to grab the arm in response with one hand before taking the full blow. With his other hand Hyro sent out a jab, making contact with some part of Enris. Hyro kept a hold of the arm and punched a second time before letting go, he heard a small thud as Enris fell back and Enris reappeared, laying on the ground. “Heh, it usually takes people a lot longer to do that without enhancements, let’s see how you deal with this though.” Enris stood up as he spoke and started tracking another line on his palm, “Celeritas.” Enris seemed to disappear again, but this time it was just a fast dash forward. Celeritas? From the word and what is happening I am guessing it's a speed boost, now I just need… Hyro’s thoughts were cut off as Enris finished his dash forward and Landed five jabs in quick succession, knocking Hyro on his back. While on his back Hyro saw slight movement in the corner of his eye, not Enris, it was smaller, it was another plant snake! Hyro started getting up, “Enris we…” That was all he could get out before Enris was next to him again, kicking him back down.
Hyro needed to do something, are we just being watched or is there something more? Ahhh While thinking Hyro felt pain in his hands and feet again. Another spell! Hyro quickly glanced at his hand to see a glowing L shaped line, he then rolled away hoping to avoid any more strikes for the time being. Heh, I know this one! Dad has it, and it's not an attack so I can use it! As Hyro stood up out of the roll he traced the line and yelled out, “Exardescere!” Holding his hand diagonally up bright, blinding lights poured from his hand. Enris paused in his movement giving Hyro the opening he needed. Hyro ran, but not towards Enris, towards the Plant Snake, “Enris, we need to stop! We are being watched!” As he finished speaking he grabbed the plant snake and tossed it towards Enris. Hyro watched in horror as the plant opened to reveal fangs mid air, latching right on to Enris’s arm.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Aarrghh!” Enris screamed in pain as he ripped the plant out of his arm, threw it to the ground and stopped on it. Hyro ran over to his side, “Enris I am so sorry, I did not mean to… We have to get you to Helina, if it is what I think it is, the hallucinations will start soon.” Enris didn't reply, Hyro was not sure he could if he wanted to. Hyro tried to help support his weight but could not do it alone with Enris starting to fade in and out. “James, I know you are there, Come help!” Hyro was not sure James was actually close, but it was this or leave Enris to go get help and he was not inclined to do that. Out of the shadows James stepped out, “I… I am so sorry, I just wanted to watch, you seemed so familiar but I am not supposed to interact with the students if possible.” James sheepishly said, stepping out. He’s lying straight to my face, Hyro thought before shouting orders. “Well it is too late for that now, Help me take him to the Helina!” James did as he was told and grabbed the other side of Enris as the two took him inside to Helina’s office.
They carried Enris to Helina’s office and banged on the door, some rustling could be heard from the other side before the door swung open and Helina was standing in the doorway and looked shocked at what she saw. She had Hyro and James place Enris on the bed in the room and Immediately got to work, only asking one question, “James this is your poison, Oui?” James nodded at first until he realized she was not looking at him, “Uh, yes ma’am, sorry ma’am.” Helina looked up for the briefest of moments and spoke in a demanding tone, “Return to your supervisor immediately, Hyro you can stay and assist, just get me what I ask for,” James gave a look to Hyro before leaving, Hyro felt both regret and hatred in the stare, but did not have time to think about it. Hyro stayed as Helina requested, getting bandages, medicine, everything she asked for he was there to help fix his mistake. It did not take long, Helina cast a spell to help purge the poison and then wrapped up the area. Enris was shaking the whole time up until she purged the poison, now he just lay resting.
“Now Hyro, What exactly happened?” Helina asked as she sat at her desk. Hyro told her everything, from the sparring match, the spell he used, even trying to activate Sanctuary mid fight, leading up to how Enris ended up poisoned. After listening to the explanation she replied, “Hyro, do you not realize what could have happened if you were attacked while in sanctuary? It is very dangerous and you are lucky to still be you. How Enris was poisoned seems to be a mistake.” Hyro blurted out, “Oh course it was!” Helina reassured him, “Oui Hyro, you are not in trouble, this is a school for learning and everyone knows the risk of being an Adventurer, just make sure to have someone else nearby when sparing next time S'il vous pla?t.” Hyro nodded, “Definitely.” He paused for a moment before deciding to ask his next question, “What did you mean when you said that I was lucky to still be me?”
“Oh Hyro, with as much I have seen you since you have started I forgot that you are still so new. This will probably be covered in a class eventually, but you need to know now. When in Sanctuary state, if you were to get hit with a strong enough force, you could lose control of your own body, and one of the residents of your sanctuary could take over. Now most hopefully would not, but not every version is kind and helpful. That is why no one ever uses it anywhere but in a safe environment.” Hyro was speechless, he did not realize he was putting himself in such danger. “I can see by your face that you regret this action and will strive to not let that happen. Now I will wake Enris, can you see him to his room for the night?” Hyro nodded in agreement.
Hyro and Enris walked slowly to Enris’s room, Hyro was not sure where it was so he followed Enris but stayed close enough in case he was still weak. As they walked they talked a little about what happened. After Hyro explained his side Enris spoke up, “You actually were trying to enter your Sanctuary mid fight, I was wondering why you started to glow, I almost struck you hard then but paused thinking that you were activating a skill or something, guess it is lucky for you that I didn’t.” Hyro felt his heart sink knowing that he came that close to possibly losing himself, but then focused on what Enris said, “I didn’t ‘almost’ enter my Sanctuary, my Sanctuary is why I was able to stop your punch.” Enris stopped walking, “Hyro, that’s unheard of, are you sure?” Hyro nodded, “Yeah, otherwise you would have beaten me right then and there. I am really sorry for what happened after that though.” Enris shrugged it off, “Hey you tried to talk before I came for another attack again, this is on me as much as it is you. By the way I never told you why I asked you to spar. When I first started, a Second year came to me after I reached level Two and offered to spar. I learned so much from the fight that I got halfway to the next level and vowed to do the same for at least one person when I could, so how did we do? Have you checked your sheet yet?”
Hyro took a quick look and he was shocked. “I leveled up.” Hyro said quietly. “YOU WHAT!” Enris shouted in reply. “There is no way you leveled up from one fight, but that wasn’t a normal fight I guess.” Hyro had to check again to make sure, but he leveled for sure, there was also a new achievement, and a change to his Sanctuary.
CHANGES IN CHARACTER SHEET LEVEL UP!
Another popup from the system came just as he was looking over the changes.
After he got Enris back safely to his room, Hyro returned to his own room for the night. Hyro spent his ability points before doing anything else, putting two into vitality and one into strength, putting them both at fourteen. Next he pulled out the map he was given with his schedule and poured his power into it, all of the rooms were now labeled as well as a compass being added. Well this will be very helpful, he thought to himself. Hyro laid in bed, thinking about the message from the system, well really from the Order of Chaos, Change what is ‘Right’ or ‘Normal’, the teachers are not going to like that. That thought put a smile on his face as he drifted off to sleep.
