Noah scratched the back of his neck as he tried to think of an explanation that would make him and Lee look a bit less like psychopaths that had just happened to stumble across a fight at an opportunistic time. Lee tearing the head off the monster after it was already dead really wasn’t going to do them any favors.

  But the armored woman beat him to speaking.

  “Who are you?” she asked, still standing a foot behind the man accompanying her. Judging by their positioning and what Noah could recall from the brief introduction he’d gotten, she was the man’s apprentice. “Where did you come from?”

  “Silence, Alina,” the woman’s companion said tersely. His eyes bore into Noah from beneath his helm and he shifted a foot to the side to keep himself between Noah and the woman. It didn’t seem like he trusted them much.

  Can’t imagine why.

  “We’re just travelers,” Noah said, raising his hands in what he meant to be a placating gesture.

  Both of the armored figures flinched slightly. Alina started to bring her own hands up before her teacher’s arm shot out and stopped her. It struck Noah a moment later that after sending a massive shockwave at the monkey with just a punch, there was a good chance moving his hands around at all wasn’t going to be a very comforting move.

  “Just travelers,” the armored man repeated. “I see. You arrived at a very convenient time. We appreciate it.”

  “Can we keep this?” Lee asked, nudging the dead monkey’s severed head with her foot. “I broke it. Sorry.”

  “Keep it?” Alina asked, aghast. A laugh burst free from her. “Well, it’s not like we’re going to stop you. I don’t think there’s anything we could do if we tried.”

  She reached up to her helm. Her armor clicked, then let out a hiss. Steam puffed out from the connection as she pulled the helm free to reveal sharp features framed by bright red hair that had been pulled back into a bun to keep it from getting into her eyes.

  The woman’s teacher glanced back at the sound. “Alina—”

  “Master Corban, I don’t think it matters at this point. The armor isn’t going to change anything,” Alina said. She tossed her helm to the ground at her feet and grabbed her right gauntlet. Another hiss of steam escaped her armor as she pulled it free so she could wipe the sweat from her brow with the back of an unburdened hand.

  Corban hesitated for a moment longer. Then he blew out a sigh and reached up to his own helm. It detached with yet one more burst of steam to reveal a considerably younger man than Noah had expected. Corban couldn’t have been more than a few days past forty. His features were just as sharp as those of his apprentice, but his face was trimmed with a well-kept black beard.

  “This is Lee.” Noah nodded to the demon, whose attention was still largely held by the dead monster. “And I’m Noah.”

  “You’ve already gathered our names,” Corban said. “We appreciate your timing. The two of us were in a bit of a tough situation. That fight wasn’t going to go well for us.”

  “You’re not from Coral, are you?” Alina asked. There was a hint of excitement in her tone. “Which Empire are you from?”

  “Hush,” Corban said sharply. “Watch yourself, Alina.”

  “Come on,” Alina replied. “It’s obvious. And if they’re going to come after us, then asking a question isn’t going to change anything. Why would I worry about something that can’t be changed?”

  Corban let out the long-suffering sigh of a teacher that really didn’t want his students to do something but didn’t actually have a particularly great reason to stop them. It was one that Noah knew well.

  “It’s fine. She’s right,” Noah said. He didn’t see any reason to hide it. “We’re here for the Tournament. We’ve just gotten slightly waylaid on the way over. I’m not the best with directions.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “You’re heading for Aqua Terra?” Corban asked.

  “Yeah,” Noah said. “Are we close?”

  Corban stared at him for a second. “No.”

  Well, I suppose that really shouldn’t be much of a surprise.

  “Are we at least heading in the right direction?”

  “Given where you came from?” Corban tilted his head to the side. Then he nodded slightly. “Yes. You’re on course.”

  “Great,” Noah said. “Thank you. One last question. I don’t suppose you could point me in the direction of the nearest town? We need to stop by to gather some supplies. A tailor would be nice as well. Preferably a place large enough to have one.”

  Alina and Corban exchanged a glance.

  “Banesloft is close. It should have what you need,” Corban said after a few seconds of hesitation. “We came from there. And now that the monster is dead, we’ll be headed back. It would be remiss of me not to invite you to join us on the way back.”

  Noah blinked. That was even better than he’d hoped. Now there would be no chance they somehow missed the town.

  “That would be convenient. Thank you.”

  “After saving us from having to deal with that thing, it’s the least I can offer,” Corban said. He sent another look at the fallen monkey, then shook his head.

  “What tier of the tournament are you going to compete in?” Alina piped up.

  Corban shot her a look, but she ignored it. Noah got the feeling that was a common occurrence. He fought to keep himself from laughing.

  “I’m Rank 5,” Noah replied. “So… that tier.”

  Unless I hit Rank 6 before I make it there. That’s not an impossibility. I just need access to a bunch more runes that fit my path. World Tremor feels like it’s going to fit in perfectly, so I only need 3 more Rank 5s.

  “Rank 5?” Corban’s eyes widened.

  “Seriously?” Alina nearly choked. “If you don’t mind my asking, why does your domain feel so strong? I don’t sense a Soul Domain. Are you hiding it?”

  “Alina,” Corban said sharply. “Helm on. Prepare to depart.”

  “Corban!” Alina complained. “Come on! You never let me—”

  “Helm,” Corban snapped. “Now.”

  Alina blew out a huff and jammed her helm back onto her head. Something clicked within her armor, locking it into place.

  Noah’s head tilted slightly to the side.

  That armor of theirs is totally soldier equipment, right? It seems pretty advanced. I wonder what else it does. It’s too bad I didn’t get a chance to see either of them fighting. Obsidia has so much magic that I’ve never come across before — or magic that’s been perfected so much beyond where the Arbalest Empire was that it probably doesn’t feel even slightly related.

  “It’s fine,” Noah said. “I’ve got students myself. I’m not unused to questions. They don’t bother me. But I won’t be going into details about my magic. I prefer to keep that close to chest, especially considering the reason I’m here. One doesn’t make it very far in a tournament if your opponents have a way to find out exactly what you’re capable of.”

  “That is more than your right,” Corban said firmly. He sent a look back at Alina. “Keeping things close to chest and not revealing them — a lesson that you would do well to learn from.”

  Alina harrumphed. “You’re old and withered. You’ve already seen everything. I want to learn.”

  “I am trying to keep you from killing yourself. There are more ways to learn than thrusting yourself head-first into every single situation you come across,” Corban said. He pinched the bridge of his nose, then shook his head. “We will be having a discussion on restraint once we make it back to Banesloft.”

  “Can I bring this with me?” Lee asked, lifting the huge monkey head into the air.

  Corban and Noah exchanged a glance. The bearded man’s lips twitched in the faintest of smiles before his stern demeanor re-set itself.

  “No,” Noah said. “I don’t think they’ll much appreciate you dragging the head of a massive monster into their town.”

  “Aw,” Lee said.

  “I would suggest taking some proof of its death,” Corban said. “The town has a bounty for defeating dangerous monsters. You normally have to bring a lot of proof of the kill, but we’ll vouch for you. Just a fang will do.”

  A bounty? That would be nice. We’re dead broke. I don’t even understand what currency they use here.

  Lee snapped off one of the monster’s fangs with a loud crack. Alina stared at her. Even with the armor covering her face, the awe in her eyes was undisguisable.

  Looks like we’re still kind of in the boonies. Still, these two don’t exactly strike me as weak. Corban is something around a low Rank 5, and I think Alina is Rank 4. Their runes feel fairly well put together as well. I wonder if that’s standard for the area.

  “Is there anything else you wish to do with the body?” Corban asked.

  “Should there be?” Noah asked.

  “There’s always more. I do not presume to know your goals or abilities. But, if you’re prepared, I will take you to Banesbridge. We aren’t far.” Corban pulled his helm back onto his head. It automatically connected with the rest of his armor with a hiss. “The trip should only be a few hours at the most.”

  “I’d say we’re ready. No reason to waste time,” Noah said with a shrug. “Lead the way.”

  Patreon (50 chapters ahead!)