Chapter 146-147

Chapter 146

“Are you channeling through the Median Sky Vein in your brain?” Jacob repeats.

“What?”

“Am I having a stroke?” Jacob says. “Am I not pronouncing it correctly?”

“I hear it good, Boss,” Jacob's squire says.

“Professor?” Jacob turns toward Veythra again.

“Did you just say the Median Sky Vein?” Veythra trembles on the spot.

“Yeah?”

That's exactly where I'm starting the Skill Loop. How the hell does he know?!

“Yes, Cloud. Why?”

“I just happen to have read something on this Skill. The Median Sky Vein is creating a massive imbalance in the way you channel your Skill. It's a vein we usually use for Ocular Skills, but the problem with that is that you're defaulting to it for that very reason. Instead, you should try the Nether Vein.”

“You want me to start channeling an Ocular Skill through my lower abdomen, Cloud?” Veythra frowns. “Are you stupid? I could blind myself. There's too much negative energy that--”

“Loop it thrice through the set of Nether Veins in your lower abdomen and groin, then pass it once through the most central Heavenly Heart Vein. That should solve the biggest problem.”

Veythra is about to offer a rebuttal when she frowns.

All the negative energy accumulated in the Nether Veins would be partly purified by the Heavenly Heart Vein. That can't be, though, can it? This would...

She takes a deep breath and, against her better judgment, does what Jacob Cloud just suggested.

She can feel a cold sensation forming in her lower abdomen and she grits her teeth as she starts channeling the Skill.

If I go blind, I'm killing this stupid kid.

She's an unparalleled expert when it comes to Mana circulation and soon she perfects which Nether Veins she should use. Right after, she starts circulating that very cold Mana into her centermost Heavenly Heart Vein. After that, she brings it to the vein path that she used to follow before.

This is a Skill that only the greatest experts among Infernals manage to master. Most of the Royals, including her very sister, haven't yet mastered it. And it's too much bad karma to have an expert teach you what they discovered themselves, therefore Veythra has been struggling for a decade to find a way to resolve the problems within the Skill since it's going to be so important for her next Class Rank-up.

When she opens her eyes, she expects a stinging sensation and the feeling of blood dripping down her cheeks.

Yet, she sees the world in a much clearer light than before. And she can feel the Skill's main ability, which allows her to channel Mana in the real world through her eyes in an instant and then...

[Devilish Sight (Mithril) - Level 14 > Level 45]

Veythra takes a DEEP breath before looking toward Jacob Cloud.

WHO IS THIS DAMN KID?!

“Did it work?” Jacob asks innocently. “If you're channeling it through the Supraorbital Straight Veins, by the way, I recommend you try to switch it to the Infraorbital Fire Veins. It's unorthodox, I know, but...”

Veythra tunes him out and immediately follows his advice.

[Devilish Sight (Mithril) - Level 45 > Level 53]

She takes an even deeper breath.

“That's as much as I know about the Skill, though,” Jacob says. “I'm sorry, I hope it's enough.”

YOU'RE SORRY?! THIS IS... THIS IS PRICELESS! I COULD SELL THIS KNOWLEDGE FOR SO MUCH I WOULDN’T NEED TO TEACH, ADVENTURE, OR EVEN DO ANYTHING FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!

Shook, Veythra nods ever so slowly.

“Sure. This is enough.”

“So, I just have to wait for Iskara to come back and then I go into a Dungeon with her? Is that it?”

“That is it…” Veythra says, not even bothering to try and obstruct Jacob Cloud’s future anymore.

She’s too shell-shocked by the fact that she just gained fifty levels in a Mithril-Ranked Skill that is renowned for being incredibly difficult to level up.

She cannot fathom how Jacob just did that.

“I will inform Iskara,” Veythra says, still mentally looking at her Skill to make sure her eyes didn’t betray her.

“So what exactly do I need to do?” Jacob asks.

“There’s a Dungeon I wanted you to explore. It’s a small Dungeon with an Intermediate Diamond Rank Boss.”

“Wouldn’t Iskara be able to take care of that alone?” Jacob asks.

Veythra shakes her head.

“The problem is not the Boss. There are Early and Intermediate Diamond Rank Shadow Mimics infesting the Dungeon. Plus, there’s a restriction on level. Only those at Early Platinum Rank and below can enter the Dungeon.”

“The Boss,” Veythra continues, “has some very interesting drops. Even for someone like me. I want you to bring me every single material that it leaves behind after its death. And I want my niece to come along with you and whomever you might choose for this mission.” 

Veythra doesn’t want to make it too obvious that she wants Iskara and Jacob to get closer. It isn’t a matter of the heart as much as it is a matter of Karma for her. She recognizes that Jacob Cloud is destined for something big—not necessarily good, but most definitely big. There is no way that this boy will be a nobody in the future. And hitching her own niece’s Karma on his will ensure that Iskara goes through great events. Even if Jacob Cloud dies, that won’t damage Iskara—if anything, it will still expose her to the windfalls of Jacob Cloud’s Karma.

“Sure,” Jacob replies, shifting his weight and glancing around the room as if expecting something more. “Is there anything else?” 

“No, Jacob Cloud, that is all.” 

*

It is fascinating that all it took to convince Professor Veythra was to show her the flaws in her own Skill.

I mean, I get it. She was probably stuck on that for a while and for me to just solve her problem... maybe she took it as a stroke of luck.

However, even though I have the Headmaster protection, I don't want to push it. The less people know about my Rainbow Skill, the better. Not even the Headmaster can be in all places at all times and I don't want someone to abduct me and try to steal my Skill. I don't think that King Baalrek will always be capable of saving my life like he did with Orrivane's aunt.

*

Three days later, I walk around the courtyard close to my dorm and I find Orrivane and Lancelot talking to each other and eating together.

Surprisingly enough, the good-natured, lazy nature of Orrivane jives perfectly with Lancelot's.

What I find interesting, however, is not just the fact that they seem to have become friends, but there's a clear hint of respect in Orrivane's eyes for Lancelot.

I know that he saw how strong Lancelot is, but it really feels like Orrivane saw something that even I haven't seen. I wonder what.

But I don't worry too much about it.

"Jacob," Orrivane says, yawning. "Iskara has come back. Also, you have a visitor."

He points toward a shaded part of the courtyard and I see none other than Nimirea, the Elf.

I walk up to her and I take stock of her new looks.

Nimirea was pretty before, even in rags. But now that she's wearing an emerald green tunic and her hair is clean and gathered in a bun over her head, despite her tomboyish appearance, she's...

"My father came to visit."

"Huh?" I say, distracted. "Sir Renquell?"

"I had not seen him in... a long time. My mother is a human. By protocol, he's not allowed to see a bastard, half-Elf heir he sired."

The revelation washes over me and I raise an eyebrow, "I didn't know about that. It seems like Elves have a bunch of rules that should be changed."

"That's putting it lightly," Nimirea says, studying me from head to toe. "He mentioned you, actually. Several times. He sees his daughter for the first time in almost a decade and he spends as much time making sure I was alright to ask about you. I didn't have much to tell him, however, since I don't know you."

"Other than I saved your life," I reply cheekily.

"Other than you saved my life," she nods. "I have yet to thank you."

She bows at me and gives a couple of coughs, embarrassed.

"The Headmaster told me that the only way for me not to be assassinated as soon as I put my foot outside the Academy is to enroll in the first-year. I had never planned on doing so. Only nobles and good-hearted idiots join the Knights thinking they'll be changing the world. I've always taken a more direct approach."

"Domestic terrorism, civil wars, and slaughter?" I ask.

"All good approaches," Nimirea nods curtly.

"I don't know about that, but sure. So, the Headmaster convinced you to join the Academy. Now, you'll be bound by Knights' rules, though. There are Oaths, etc."

"I will be bound by nothing and no one if I'm willing to die for what's right."

"Errr, sure," I say.

She's one intense person, I suppose.

"So, why did you want to see me? If it was just to thank me, that's... I appreciate it. But I've also just done what was right in those circumstances. It wasn't about you, specifically. It was about justice."

I see Nimirea narrowing her eyes and clenching her fists.

I hear a slapping sound and I turn to see Lancelot slapping his forehead and Lancelot bending on his knees, looking at the ground and shaking his head.

What's up with them?

You truly understand NOTHING of the female kind, Jacob Cloud.

What? What did I say?

You are hopeless. But lucky. Perhaps, a woman will one day force you into marriage. I don't see many other paths to you spawning children. Unless you can learn to do that on your own.

"I'm glad to know that you would have helped just about anyone in that situation. That is very noble of you."

"Thank you," I say. "I would have indeed helped anyone."

I hear another slapping sound and now Orrivane groans out loud.

I see Nimirea's face becoming redder and I'm starting to get very confused about this whole thing.

"Anyway," I say, trying to salvage the situation. "What can I do for you?"

"I need money," Nimirea says.

"Ok?"

"The Headmaster told me I must adventure on Quests with you."

"He said what now? Why would--"

I feel a slap on the back of my neck which almost makes me faceplant and Lancelot, who's run up to my side, speaks on my behalf.

"What he means to say, milady," Lancelot says, keeping a steady hold of me and making me look to the ground in a half-bow, "is that he's honored to have you. We are about to leave for an Elite Dungeon, in fact. And we'd be happy to share the rewards with you."

"He was raised in a mine, milady," Orrivane says with the same mannerism of Fatty while kicking my heel. "He doesn't know any better. You should forgive his bad manners."

"That makes sense," Nimirea sighs. "I'll be happy to join. I don't mean to impose, however. I will be pulling my weight. When do we leave and who do I have the pleasure to fight along?"

"I am Lord Orrivane Nyxmoor," the Void Mage says. "Champion. Void Mage. Breaker. This other fellow, instead..."

"I'm Lancelot and I'm Boss Jacob's Squire. I'm a..."

Lancelot finally releases me and whispers, "what am I, again?"

"Dead," I say, cracking my neck and staring daggers at him. "You're dead."

"He loves to joke," Lancelot says. "I'm good at attack and defense, both. Maybe a bit more defense than attack? I have a thick layer of muscles all around as you can see. They're very good at blocking spells and blows."

"Muscles? A thick layer of--"

"We'll be leaving for an Elite Dungeon soon. We just need to fetch another Champion, milady Nimirea," Orrivane says, but then he suddenly stutters. "O--oh. Wait. Milady, we need a word with Jacob. There are some... arrangements we need to take care of before leaving. We'll be back with you shortly."

They drag me away from Nimirea before Orrivane puts his hands in his hair.

"You're dead. I didn't realize it yet, but you're dead, dead."

"Why would I be dead?"

"Iskara is about to see that you saved Nimirea," Lancelot realizes.

"And?" I ask, confused. "What about that?"

"She's going to be jelly," Lancelot chimes.

"Jelly?"

"Jealous," Orrivane says pensively. "Maybe... you should apologize in advance."

"For..."

"Saving Lady Nimirea," Orrivane explains as if it was completely normal.

"You want me to apologize to Iskara for saving Nimirea? Ok. Riddle me this. Why is that even a thing?"

Lancelot and Orrivane look at each other.

"He's dead," the Void Mage says.

"Dead, dead," Lancelot nods along.

Chapter 147

There is very little to do for Iskara other than return to the Academy and acquiesce to her parents' demands.

Walking toward the meeting point with Jacob--she's been instructed by her Aunt through a message to meet with the Guide of the Champions to visit an Elite Dungeon she needs something from--she wonders about what she's going to do next.

What her parents basically told her is that if Jacob was to become a threat in any way, shape, or form, she must inform them. And she can of course conclude that the only way they're going to deal with him is going to be through violence. Blackmail, she supposes, would be the course if Jacob was a common Infernal. It's not unheard of marrying a commoner into nobility or, in the most egregious cases, Royalty, in order to acquire the skillset of a very talented commoner. As her family often preached, it's always better to indoctrinate a commoner and give them a Royal's treatment than have someone who might perhaps become strong enough to lead a rebellion against them be dissatisfied with the current state of affairs.

Yet, Iskara knows Jacob enough to know that he'd never cave in to blackmail or the prospect of becoming a Royal. First of all, she finds the notion of her parents accepting a Human into the Infernal Royal Family laughable at best--something that would have people hanged for suggesting it, at worst. But even if she managed to convince her family that it's better to have Jacob marry into Royalty, Jacob wouldn't accept. He's tied to the Academy and being a Knight in a much larger measure than he is to whatever nobility or Royalty. And she doesn't forget that Jacob is technically Royalty. He's a Valemont bastard. And even though the Valemonts are not even close to the influence that Infernals exercise over the world. It doesn't make him a plebeian either.

But all that this does is to make the current situation even more difficult to deal with.

Iskara finds herself between a rock and a hard place.

If she doesn't report on Jacob, her family might strip her of everything. If she does report on Jacob, there's a very good chance that he will be stripped of everything.

Jacob saved her--and every Champion's--life from Azrakel in the Tomb of Fate. Without him, they would have all succumbed.

Yet, despite the deep gratitude that Iskara feels toward Jacob, she is not sure of what to do next.

I've worked so hard for my freedom, for my independence. I've finally mastered Lucifer's Veins, one of the best possible Rainbow Skills I could ever find. I am the sole inheritor of the throne and there's no one who would ever oppose my claim. Power is at my fingertips... I'm getting so close to be strong enough to gain my freedom.

In a few decades, or perhaps longer, Iskara would gain enough power to be immune to the blackmail and threats from her family. Sadly, that's not the situation right now.

Right now, she still has a choice to make.

Jacob or herself.

Hopefully, he doesn't have terrible ideas that would force me to reveal everything to my parents and have him hunted down. Even with the Headmaster protecting him, I'm not sure my family would stop. They are wary of the man, but it doesn't mean they don't feel confident in taking him down if worse came to worst.

Finally, she arrives at the vessel they're taking to go explore the Long Shadows Grotto, the Elite Dungeon that her Aunt wants them to retrieve something from.

When she arrives at the ship that has been arranged for them, she sees three familiar faces.

Jacob, the recipient of her latest dilemma.

Lancelot, his Squire.

Orrivane, one of the other Champions and a very powerful Void Mage who controls a terrifying Rainbow Skill.

Yet, there's a person she doesn't recognize.

Standing alongside them there's a woman with pitch black hair and deep blue eyes. She's stunningly gorgeous and Iskara can already feel from the little vibrations coming from her aura that she's also very strong.

Who's that? she frowns.

"Princess," Jacob smiles.

"You know I don't want you to call me that," Iskara says, not taking her eyes off the raven-haired woman.

"Sure," Jacob coughs, confused. "This is Nimirea. She goes by without last names. You might know her father, though. Sir Renquell, the Elven Wandering Knight."

Iskara narrows her eyes and nods.

"Pleasure to meet you, Lady Nimirea. You met Jacob through your father, I assume."

"Princess Iskara," Nimirea smiles thinly. "No. I was about to be sentenced to death. Jacob, Lancelot, his Squire, and Lord Orrivane jumped into the fray as my champions during the trial and saved my life. It was all Jacob's ideas, I heard."

Iskara briefly turns over her shoulder where Eliskar, the strongest of her Squires and escort for this trip, stands on guard. She gives him a long eyeful and he returns an imperceptible nod. He's going to gather as much information as possible on this girl.

"Jacob has always been a charitable man," Iskara says, staring at Nimirea from head to toes. "Too much, at times."

"Indeed," Nimirea smiles. "I heard that he saved your life back in the Tomb of Fate. No one knows the details, but rumors say you two share a special bond."

"We do," Iskara says.

"I mean, we're both Champions," Jacob intercepts. "All Champions got very much closer after what happened in the Tomb of Fate."

"Oh, so is it just because we're Champions that we've got a special bond, Jacob?" Iskara asks pointedly.

"I mean, err..." Jacob is left speechless.

"You did see my naked body and touched it as if it was the most normal thing in this world," Iskara says with a seductive smile. "Is that something you've done with all the other Champions as well?"

"It was because of a Skill!" Jacob protests.

"So those rumors are true as well," Nimirea smiles. "Good to know. But there's very little that the flesh can do against a union of the spirit."

"OK! Boarding now!" Jacob says, throwing his hands up. "I have no idea why you two are behaving like this, but we're burning daylight. It's a short ride anyway. Let's get this over with and come back before tomorrow, please."

Iskara nods slowly, "sure, let's go."

*

Jacob brings everyone in front of a giant cavern's entrance marked by an equally giant portal.

"This island is uninhabited apparently," he explains. "This Dungeon has too many random spillages, even when it's half empty. From what Professor Veythra says, it's because of all the Shadow Mimics that hide inside the Long Shadows Grotto. They alter the balance of the ecosystem. Our mission today is to kill as many as we can find. My Skills are capable of identifying them anywhere. But they're all at Early Diamond Level and given how strong Shadow Mimics are on average, being able to copy one's Skills and all, it's not going to be easy."

"We have two Champions," Iskara sneers, "what do you think the challenge will be, exactly? The Shadow Mimics' powers are not going to be greater than ours. They're most likely going to copy me and Orrivane since we're the strongest. Let's just keep an eye out."

"Someone's a bit arrogant," Nimirea comments. "Who says that you two are the strongest?"

"The fact that we're Champions, Elf," Iskara replies.

"I wasn't there for the Champion's Test or there might have been eleven Champions," Nimirea states confidently.

"We'll see how all this talk translates to fighting," Iskara snorts. "I'm very curious to see what you're capable of, milady."

We enter the Long Shadows Grotto and I explain what I've read from the information.

"There are only two floors, but one of the problems of this place is the lack of directions. Usually, Dungeons have rooms and corridors because of how the System organizes the wild energy in them. Here, we have to rely on alternative forms of navigation."

The entire group has entered and we're resting on what looks like a threshold of complete darkness. There's no walls, no stone, nothing to reference to in order to orient oneself. It's almost as if the Dungeon has been completely smoothened out by the shadows it hosts.

"I can't really see what's what," Iskara frowns. "How are we going to move through that?"

"We could use magical resonance. Shoot Mana across the walls, wait to get a good sense of--"

"That's the first room," I say, pointing toward one of the corners of the place.

"How do you know?" Iskara frowns.

"Skills," let's get moving.

Iskara looks skeptical for a second since Jacob has just pointed at a lump of darkness that looks like every other bit of darkness.

"What, you don't trust your own Guide? Is that because you're an Infernal and you believe yourself better than anybody else?" Nimirea asks.

"You two, behave," I quip. "We need to stay focused."

"My bad," Nimirea sighs. "I was rude. I apologize, Princess."

That's nice, I think to myself.

That's not a real apology.

What?

But Iskara's next question distracts me from my inner conversation with King Baalrek.

"Why did you accept coming here? What are you looking to get from this Dungeon, Jacob?"

"Nothing in particular from this Dungeon. However, your Aunt promised me a Skill Crystal if I was to succeed retrieving whatever it is that she's looking from the Boss."

"What Skill Crystal?" the Infernal Princess asks.

"I'm looking at Hellraiser Sword, the Diamond-Ranked Skill, to be my Platinum Class Cornerstone."

Iskara's eyes go wide.

"That's..."

"A Forbidden Royal Skill," I reply. "But don't worry about it, I don't have any bad intentions."

Well, not toward Infernals. Certainly toward the Cults, I think to myself.

But Iskara seems still shook.

"Jacob, do you understand how dangerous that skill is? Do you have any idea what it means for someone to base an early Class such as their Platinum Class on it?"

"I mean, I thought you'd be the first to understand why I want it," I say, frowning.

"What do you mean?" Iskara asks back.

"Well, there's only so much I can progress in sheer power to catch up with the other Champions, no? That's why I chose a future Class that is more suited to my talents. The only reason I won against your brother is that I had Hellish Reversal. Without it, I would have never been able to win. But with it, I could kill someone much stronger than me. If I become an Affliction Specialist, which is like a very specific type of Support who can double as a Breaker in specific cases, I can be much more useful on the battlefield. It also pairs well with my role as a Guide.”

“Jacob,” Iskara says speaks very slowly looking straight into my eyes. “Hellraiser Sword…” 

“What’s the matter, it’s just a Skill,” Nimirea says. 

“It’s not just a Skill,” Iskara spins and hisses at the Elf. “Your people are weak. Their Classes are weak. You don’t understand what kind of power he’s trying to mess with!” 

“Princess,” I say, balking, “please calm down. Why are you getting so worked up if your Aunt is good with this trade?” 

“My Aunt is a fool!” Iskara stomps her foot. 

Eliskar, her giant Squire clears his voice. 

“Your Highness,” he says in a low voice. “Please, show some restraint.”

“Silence, Eliskar!” Iskara spins on her heels and rages at her Squire as well. 

“Iskara, is everything ok?” I ask, confused. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing! Everything’s good! Let’s just move on!” The Infernal Princess says, smoldering. 

Any idea what’s going on? I ask King Baalrek.

I got a hunch.