August 29th, 2018.

  Morning came way too fast for Helo. He is starting to think that it might not be his injury that is making him sleep more. He thinks that there must be something else going on. Because when he was truly injured all over, his body used a lot of his naturally produced energy to heal him. But by this point he just has to wait for his recovery, there are no more cracked channels or bruises. So, he should be gaining more energy.

  Instead, he continues to want to sleep more and more. It’s not like Lelai minds, if she had it her way, they would never get out of bed. Groaning loudly into the air, he just wants to go back to bed.

  Rapid knocking on his door is what finally gets him to get up. Using a light application of ‘Dark Hand’ Helo opens the door. At the moment he is sitting on the edge of his bed with his blanket covering his lower half. Helo already knows it is Alli that came to wake him.

  As the door swings open, she expected to see Helo standing in front of her. Instead, he is on his bed with his upper body exposed and with bed head. Blushing Alli starts to stammer. “Oh... Ah... Yeah... It’s almost time to go.” Then with a quick movement the door slams closed.

  “Haa, Ahhh.” Helo sighs with a feint blush. He found her reaction funny, but he can’t help but react himself. He fights the urge to lay back down and gets into the shower. He is ready to go not long after. Getting to the central living area the party is all ready, he is the last to arrive. Aiko gives him a glare and hands a wrapped breakfast sandwich to him. “Thanks.” He says with a smile. Then he walks through the party and out to door.

  The party looks at him like ‘really. You just show up and act like you run the place.’ But it is only a moment before they all follow. As they walk Rocco explains to Alli and Hinata everything that they learned yesterday and what happened at the restaurant. They didn’t learn much, but the basic information is still helpful.

  They were able to learn a little about their neighbors though. The closest neighbor seems to be an eternal student. If you think of the outside world as life, then the school is a microcosm trying to emulate it. Because of this, the school has its own crafters, merchants, fighters, and anything you would find in the outside. The only difference is the need to pay tuition not taxes.

  For nobles, they are expected to stay four years. In that time, they will work hard, take all their classes, fight, and play politics in this microcosm of life. But all of that is expensive and costs money. Normal students can slow down and take their time, get a job, learn a craft, take their classes and slowly level. They have longer lives, who cares if they finish school at thirty or forty. Because of all these options, some people stay longer than necessary because they have a good thing going, respect and power. Stuff that in the outside world they would have very little of. Their neighbor is one of those people.

  From what Helo learned, he is a branch member of some minor nobility. But he owns some of the shops, and because of that he earns extra contribution toward his tuition and housing. Something interesting Helo learned about this was, some families choose to leave someone in the school as protection. If a minor family has a child about to graduate, and a major family has a child entering school. The minor family might have their kid stay for another year to act as protection.

  Helo learned about this and was interested to see if this was the reason their neighbor is still here, even after his fifth year. But he learned their neighbor is a partier and man-whore. So, he is assuming that he is still in school because of the available college age women.

  Their other neighbors are a collection of minor nobles without much backing. Nothing that Helo thinks they need to worry about. Through his research he learned that the area they are in is actually made for minor nobility. Helo thinks that someone pulled some strings to send them there, try and make them lose face. But Helo appreciates it, it separates them from everyone who might try to pressure them.

  All the noble housing is outside the eastern wall of the school’s town. They line the cliff and the other side of the road. Their house is the northern most one on the cliff side, giving them two cliff faces as protection. But the major or main family nobles all live closer to the town and in the more central area; directly east, not northeast or southeast.

  As they make the slightly longer walk back to town the party enjoy their time talking. With the new house, classes, and sights; they have a lot to talk about. But as they walk a group of people step out in front of them.

  It is seven people that are following behind a man. He is tall with dark hair and features that Hinata feels look similar somehow. As the eight people stop in front of them, seven array themselves in a crescent shape around the man.

  Helo can tell from their faces and aura’s that this is something they have done before. Each one feels no fear, only sadistic glee and greed. Squinting his eyes at them, he studies their body language. As he does this, the rest of the party passes him and flanks Alli and Hinata.

  Studying them Helo’s eye raises a fraction of an inch for a fraction of a second. The man in the middle, the supposed leader, is tier 2. He only feels like someone at the beginning of the tier. But the twenty-five-percent increase in stats that come with a tier up means that this man is still a cut above even the best tier 1’s. Not to mention the skill upgrades.

  Still Alli and Hinata look at him with no fear, only annoyance. “Haaaaa.” Hinata sighs. Looking up with a political smile she checks her watch. “Well, we did leave a little early. So, I guess we have a few minutes. To whom do I owe the pleasure of your company.” She worded things this way because she doesn't think this man has anything against her. It is more likely someone paid the man to make things difficult for them.

  A look of surprise flashes across his face and he laughs. “Ahhahahah. G’day miss, nothing gets by those sharp eyes of yours, does it sugartits.”

  Hinata’s face flashes in disgust at the name. To her right Rocco snarls and Helo can see his hand flex toward his blade. But he restrains himself and it only comes out as a twitch.

  “But don’t worry, my employer wanted you to know who he is. Arron Erington says g’day mate and fuck you.” The man smiles with a disgusting grin, and the rest of his party starts to spread out.

  Hinata just looks at him in confusion. “Who?” The party around her all fidgets too. Alli taps her chin, and Luna even pulls out her bag of holding and starts looking through her notes.

  The look of smug satisfaction on the leader’s face turns into astonishment. He was sent by a man that said Alli and Hinata personally wronged him. That they went out of their way to make his life miserable, put him in danger. But they have no idea who he is.

  He has done this a few times, getting paid by a disgruntled man or woman, to beat up and rob someone. Life in the School of Awakening is a hard place. Things happen in the dungeons and during training. Sometimes people want someone else to take care of the hard stuff.

  “Ya’ll don’t know him?” He and his group stop and stare for a second. Everyone in Alli and Hinata’s party shake their heads.

  Looking around, Alli speaks up. “NoPe.” She pops the ‘P’ aggressively and shrugs.

  “Well, we still got a job to do.” The man steps forward and cracks his knuckles.

  “Wait!” Luna shouts as she holds up a piece of paper. “He was the tier 2 man that was hiding and trying to get some guards to take him back away. The Australian one.”

  At Luna’s words both Alli and Hinata look at one another. “Ohhhh that jerk?” Alli says. “Well, I can’t say I'm actually surprised he would hire some goons to attack us.” She looks at the eight men. “No offence.”

  The tension that was in the air has cooled considerably due to the rather funny situation. But the leader just shrugs. “We are what we are. But sorry miss. I still have to earn my keep.”

  Alli just waves her hand. “It’s cool. We understand.”

  Hinata looks at all with a face that screams ‘what are you talking about’ she says. “We do?”

  Her entire party looks at her, and Alli just shrugs. Behind them Helo is holding in a laugh. Everyone’s stances subtly shift as they all know what is about to happen. Then right before the tier 2 leader is about to attack, someone shouts from behind Helo.

  “Hey Alli! Is that you! Oh... My... Gosh... You look so cute in the school uniform, honestly, I am jelly. You fill it out so well.” Camilla Carbani says. She is distantly related to Keneth and his brother. But she is cousins with Luca. He is one of the guys that wants to seduce Alli. He is also the Heir to the Carbani Clan. The head’s brother is Enzo, and he has twin’s Camilla and Dino.

  Alli turns in surprise, and she wants to shout out a warning but by the time she looks back at her almost attackers, they are leaving. Looking back at Camilla she smiles. “It is so good to see you! It has been since what? The last clan meeting!” She runs forward and gives Camilla a hug.

  She is in her second year at school. Her house is much closer to the center than Alli’s but she also lives with her brother and next to Luca. She had the option to team up with her brother. But she chose to have her own party. She had a few close friends that joined her party, but the rest are made up of people at the school that she found.

  Camilla walks up and smiles beautifully at Helo. She has a slim build and stands about five-seven, but she has visible curves. Her face has sharp features with dark hair and eyes. She flutters her eyes expecting a reaction, but Helo just raises an eyebrow. He has been living with the constant flirting of Alli and Hinata. Some random girl won’t get a reaction from him.

  Turning back to Alli she continues forward and splits the party. Giving Alli a hug she turns to Hinata and does the same. Coming from behind Camilla another three girls and a guy follow.

  “Soooo. Your off to orientation, right?” Camilla asks while linking her arms to the two girls. “When I went last year. Ugh. It was so boring. But it might answer some of the questions you have had about school. The one’s that your parents couldn't answer.”

  Alli being the most vocal of the party starts happily answering her questions. “Yep! We are all super excited.” As she says this her party looks at one another.

  Camilla laughs and pulls Alli and Hinata with her. “I’ll walk with you then. I have to pick something up near the auditorium.”

  The rest of the walk went uneventfully. Helo never got the names of the people what intended to attack them. But he did get a good read on their auras and scents, so he will find them later. While walking the only two people talking were Alli and Camilla. Nobody really minded it though.

  Entering the small town they walked toward the western section. This is where most of the school buildings are. There are stores, gyms, office buildings, and classrooms. But they are heading toward one of the largest. It is a massive building that is beautifully crafted from stone. The interior is lavishly decorated with gold and purple. Helo is surprised by how it looks.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  He learns why from Camilla’s endless chattering. “So, this is where performances are held, major school functions and auctions. Some of the most impressive auctions on earth have been held here.”

  After hearing about the auction, it makes sense that the place would look so extravagant. Saying goodbye to Camilla and the rest of her party, the group enters into the fancy building.

  To enter they climb a set of stone steps and walk through two large wooden doors. After the doors they reach a large entrance room. Many people between the ages of sixteen and nineteen are standing around waiting to enter the auditorium.

  Many of the different nobles and Heirs that Alli and Hinata have met are a year or two older than them. Even with that there is one person in the room they are looking for. Maria Carvalho, she is a Brazilian beauty and is the same age as them. They didn’t meet her when they were really young. She wasn't originally part of the main family. But her magical potential was so high that she got adopted into the main family.

  She started showing up when they were around eleven and they became fast friends. Alli’s head is whipping around searching but she can’t seem to find her. Hinata is much calmer, she knows that they will eventually run into each other.

  With the loud and clear sound of a bell, the doors to the auditorium itself start to swing open. Like a wave, the teenagers all head into the room. They all start taking seats at random. Helo is a little surprised that there isn't much pushing or arguing. Everyone is acting surprisingly calm.

  But looking up front he can see why. A large man with a stern appearance is standing on the stage. He appears to be middle age, and he has an extremely impressive beard that is braided down his front. Once everyone is seated the man steps up to the front of the stage. He paces as he beings to speak. “You might not know who I am, so I will introduce myself. I am Hal Frison.”

  At this some people let out a gasp. But the man keeps speaking. “The Frison name comes with a lot of responsibility and trust. It is the name of the main family of the Friggheim clan. I was entrusted to run this school; I have been doing it for almost a hundred years.” The man goes on to talk about the legacy of the school and how it was started as soon as the sixteen clans started to move to earth.

  Each of the twelve clans that are fighting to rule earth are here due to the power of their backers, favors, or the proximity of the multiversal faction to the area. But the neutral families are different, they are chosen with a purpose. The Friggheim are scholars and teachers. But that doesn’t mean they are not extremely powerful. Frigg the goddess they follow is married to one of the most powerful war-mongers' after all.

  After talking about the origin of the school he talks about how it is run. “There is a student council made up of the top ten party leaders, second year noble or eighth year commoner, doesn't matter. The different trades and businesses are all run by the students. The guards are run by the students. My teachers will teach your classes and make sure that there is at least a semblance of civility on my campus.”

  The man is still pacing but he his face is now deadly serious. “But other than that, it’s a free-for-all. No killing and no outside help. Those are the two rules that you will live by. All other rules only matter if you're caught.”

  At his words Helo is a little surprised. He had already assumed a lot. But he didn't expect almost anarchy. He looks at Hinata and Alli and he starts to feel some genuine worry, but at the same time, just a bit of excitement.

  “Every odd week first years will go to a new clan territory and fight within their dungeon. Every even week you will be in classes. Mid-terms and finals are held within Greenland.” He continues to talk about expectations for the different political classes, but he says nothing about the state of the school, Helo was hoping to get some more information, like, the Indian Clan has a strangle hold on all imported food goods.

  Instead, he was basically told that power rules. This is something Helo already knows. But he grew up in a society where there was a set of laws, laws nobody could break. Now he is told that he is in an area where it is essential anarchy except for some assumed moral guidelines.

  Letting out a sigh he waits for the man to finish his speech. Once he is done everyone starts to head back to their new homes. There is a since of excitement mixed with anxiety. Non-noble teenagers are all worried about finding some backing. Noble teenagers are worried that their clan rivals might be in a position of power over them.

  Leaving the auditorium and starting their walk back Alli sighs. “That was a lot.” Then she grins. “Sounds like we have to just become the strongest.”

  Hinata and Helo are walking beside Alli, and they make eye contact. “How can she say that with a straight face?” Helo asks her.

  “I don't know. But I am a little worried, I never heard about my or Alli’s clans having any kind of power here.” She looks to Luna, and she is already trying to find out.

  The walk back is long enough where Helo knows it will start to get annoying but also won't be long if he just runs. He understands now why it is meant for the lesser nobles and why someone tried to pull some strings to put them the furthest away from the town.

  As the party reaches the wall to their property, Helo starts to feel weird. Focusing on his senses he can feel something powerful nearby. “Form up.” He says and everyone snaps into a formation around Alli and Hinata. “Forward. Hug the wall.” The group moves so that their backs are toward the wall to the property and they start to inch forward.

  The defensive fighters are ready to block and Bibbin is searching the ground ahead of them for traps. After twenty steps everyone hears a laugh. “Haha damn, you sensed me quick kid.” A tall and lean man steps out from the gate to their house. He didn't actually enter past the protective barrier. The gate is framed by wood that protrudes outward, and he was leaning on the inside of that.

  With a smile he steps forward, and everyone tenses. But then Alli lets out a loud and high-pitched noise. “EEEEEEEEEHHHH Cousin!” She yells and jumps forward. The man laughs and catches her. Spinning her in a circle he does two spins before setting her back down.

  “It has been a while mudcake.” Then he nods his head. “Let me in, we have a lot to talk about.”

  Alli is glaring at him because of the nickname. She was five when she tried to feed him a mudcake. But in her defense, she was just being a good host. With a scoff and a flip of her hair she gestures him inside.

  The team meets in the central lounge area. It is next to the kitchen and connected to the dining room. The entire place has an open concept design, but the kitchen is a little offset.

  With everyone finding their seats they start to look at the new arrival. He in turn looks at Alli. She just slightly shakes her head in confusion, and he sighs. It is Hinata that picks up on what he wants. “This is Jorden. He is Elder Anthony and Shelbys child. He is training to take his father's place as the dungeon master; he also is a scout.”

  With the introduction done Jorden waves at the group. “Yo, it’s nice to meet you.” He looks right at Helo. “Alli has been talking about y...”

  “HEY!” She yells as she dives over the coffee table and at her ‘cousin’. He easily evades the hands trying to clasp over his mouth and just smirks at Helo. At the same time all the cups, plates, and even the table magically disappear.

  A moment later the silent yet powerful maid appears and gives Alli the stink eye. She sheepishly sits back down, and the things return to their place. Then the maid disappears again. “It’s like she has some kind of mess-dar.” Gabi says in awh.

  “Hahah. Anyway, I am here to give you all the scoop on what is going on at school. There is a lot, but it is important that you know whose who, and who is in what.” He starts speaking seriously. Reaching to his back he reaches into his bag of holding and pulls out a file of paperwork.

  Some of the group is looking at him in interest but most of them are just trying to keep their focus. But nobody leaves, it is important that everyone knows what is going on at the school. “So, first off. We are in a pretty good position.” HIs serious face turns into another smirk.

  He looks smug as he points to himself. “It might be thanks to me.” Most of the party looks at him like he is joking, but Alli speaks up.

  “He is serious. His dungeon master class helps him juggle a lot of different tasks and be extremely efficient. It is part non-combat part control-mage class.” Everyone nods in understanding and realizes that Jorden’s attitude isn’t a display of his skills.

  “My party is one of the strongest, I am on the council. We also have someone who is training as a merchant and another crafter. The only place we don’t have much of a presence is on the guard force.” Jorden starts going through the paperwork. He is showing them what shops they own, what shops are under their protection. Merchants that work with them, resources they import or export. It is like they are running a city, but they are actually at school.

  “So, you don't have to worry about much.” He says to finish. Starting next year, you will most likely be getting involved in all this. But right now, you need to focus on training. I will be staying for another year. So, I won’t be leaving you all out to dry.”

  After he finishes the team has a pretty good idea about what is going on in the school. They even got a folder with information on their neighbors and even one about the party that confronted them earlier.

  Putting everything on the table Jorden stands up. “Alright. It is almost noon, and your elective registration is opening. I’ll get out of your hair.” With that Jordan leaves faster than some in the party can track. Helo is surprised by the man’s movement speed. He is supposed to be a mage.

  “He has a point. I hope everyone had a chance to go over the electives that they want. You all saw how many people were in the auditorium. There are over six-hundred first years.” Hinata says while getting up.

  Helo is sitting on the couch and thinking. The team has the elective that they are taking as a group, but he already has a lot of work to do. He is wondering if he should actually take another elective. From what he read, an enchanting elective that might be useful to him is only available after the first year. With Jorden on the council, he could make some kind of petition. But in the end Helo decides not to. He needs to figure out who the person is that he knocked out, and deal with the people who were paid to make things difficult for them.

  Choosing his classes ends up being an easy process and within twenty minutes he is done with everything he had to do for the day. There are still a few days before classes start.

  Getting up and walking around he tries to find something to do. In the end he just sits on a comfy chair in the living room petting Lelai. There are no more rituals to help awaken his bloodline, or expensive spars with Akira.

  Falling asleep on the couch he is woken up into the night by Hinata. She is bringing him some food. “You mentioned that you have been sleeping more, and I didn't think much of it. But seeing you fall asleep on the couch in the middle of the day, you might have a point.” She laughs as she hands him the food.

  “Aiko made dinner, but nobody wanted to wake you.” Hinata sits down next to him and lightly leans her body into his.

  Happily eating the food Helo is enjoying the scent of her extremely vital body and the warmth of her pressing into him. Then he perks up, he finally has an idea of what to do for the next few days. “I know what I am going to do.”

  “Mhhmmm.” Hinata mumbles with half lidded eyes. She has almost fallen asleep leaning against him.

  “I am finally going to enchant my knives.” Helo doesn't get up. He has gotten so used to Hinata and Alli flirting with him that this minor amount of cuddling doesn't faze him like it used to. Plus, he is too comfy to overly think about it.

  Early the next morning Helo is practicing with Cody in the backyard of their mansion. It truly is a beautiful sight; the property is directly against the water. They are about one-hundred feet up and looking out over the ocean.

  He has a blindfold on and is dodging his arrow using only his aura. He has ready all sorts of scrolls and books on the use and idea of an aura. It is the culmination of everything somebody is, forcing itself on reality.

  He wants to push his aura as far as it can go. He felt the fight between Akira and vampires. The fighting was done in multiple ways all at the same time. Physically, at a range, magic, affinity, and with aura. So, he has been working on using his aura more. He had to stop due to his injuries, but with his recovery he can start again.

  Feeling a flare up of magic from Cody, he knows that the next strike will be special somehow. Spinning to the left an arrow whistles past Helo’s right shoulder. As the arrow passes by, he can feel as Cody releases the string. The arrow flashes forward and starts to split.

  Attempting to track the trajectories of the ten-arrows he continues his spin, kicking his left leg up, he launches himself into the air. Leading with the left leg he flips in the air. Two arrows fly under him. Another slips between his split legs. Two go on either side of him.

  At the last second Helo tucks in his arms. His spin increases and another three arrows only nick his hip, arm and chest. The last two lodge themself into his shoulder and leg. Landing on the ground with a grunt, Helo stabilizes himself and he can feel Cody lowering his bow.

  “Keep going!” He shouts. In his aura Cody’s raises his bow and Helo can feel the giant’s magic start to flare again. Ripping out the arrows Helo’s blood starts to flow down his body. The wounds quickly start to seal.

  Their training continues for another thirty minutes. In the end Helo is only getting struck by one-in-twenty arrows. Cody’s groupings are getting closer, and his draw rate is getting faster. He wasn't trying to kill Helo, but he was still training.

  “Good job Cody. Your shots are getting a lot better!” Helo gives the giant a fist bump. The ever-silent Cody just smiles and nods.

  Heading back inside Aiko is just finishing breakfast and he flinches as the sneaky and scary maid appears, drops some salt into the food and vanishes. “WHAT IS GOING ON WITH HER!” Helo yells. He has just about had it with that maid being so suspicious.

  Aiko jumps at her yell and looks at Helo like he is crazy. “What are you talking about. There is nobody else here.” She looks around and looks at Helo. “WHAT?”

  “The maid, the one that keeps appearing!” He shouts. “You have seen her, I know you have.”

  “Helo, I think you need more rest.” Aiko steps up to him and is about to check his temperature with her hand. Well Aiko is checking his temperature the maid appears behind her without an noticeable noise, sight, or magic, she winks and disappears again.

  He throws his hands up and yells into the ceiling. He turns around and goes to shower. He is coated in blood and sweat. Behind him he can hear as Aiko giggles into her hand.