Two days.

  It took two more days to clear the swamp of Lumifrax, and honestly, it felt more like an extermination than a hunt. After the spirit realm, we'd made it halfway back to Riverbend when Valor had completely drained my mana. I collapsed near the Gaia statue while Cass had to me the rest of the way.

  I really needed to figure out how to use Valor without dying, because —that was magic. It turned me into a goddamn superhero. Where Bravery felt pompous and self-absorbed, Valor felt just and righteous. It felt like magic, the way I had always imagined it would. That moment of .

  Too bad it drained mana like a black hole. I could only maintain it for a minute or two, and I had no clue how to actually turn it off.

  Thankfully, Lou lent me a quarterstaff for the next attempt, which went smoother—though we quickly understood the reason for the job’s high classification. There had to be hundreds of these frogs spread across the area. We organized the swamp into sections and systematically cleared them. Not glamorous, but it worked. I didn't need Valor again, thankfully.

  Turns out, not using a spear made things easier. The Lumifrax were squishy enough that blunt force did the job, cutting down on purple goo explosions—not that it helped the smell.

  Once we found our groove, Cass and I made an excellent team. Staying close, Bravery gave me just enough warning to dodge attacks or shift out of her line while she dealt killing blows. I acted as the vanguard, clearing paths while Cass cleaned up behind me. Red stayed just out of the fray, trailing along and stacking mana pearls for me to store. By day's end, we were a well-oiled machine with a pile of pearls to show for it.

  Trading pearls back in Riverbend was easy enough. The Vildar residents didn't even bother hiding their overcharging. With at least two hundred pearls between us, we didn't care as we loaded up on dried meats, roasted vegetables, and cheeses. We ate like kings before Cass passed out and I started meditating—only to be yanked from my trance by the putrid stench of Red's gas.

  He definitely shouldn't get any more cheese.

  On the second day, we woke to find the rain had finally cleared. The relief was short-lived. The air hung thick with humidity, and the heat inside the armor was suffocating. Every step through the swamp felt heavier, like the air itself conspired against us.

  We hunted the remaining Lumifrax mechanically, movements precise but devoid of energy. Even Red seemed worn down, his usual enthusiasm dulled. I stopped several times to let him drink from my water gourd, cool laps of his tongue the only sign he was still enjoying himself.

  By mid-afternoon, we'd circled the swamp entirely and realized it was drying up. Our work was done.

  Back at the hall in Riverbend, I peeled off my armor and flopped onto the cool wooden floor. Relief was instant, but not enough.

  "It's too fucking hot," I groaned into the floorboards.

  Red padded over and snuffled at me, nose cold against my ear before he started licking, trying to cheer me up. I heard Cass changing behind me. When I was sure she was done, I looked up to see her grinning.

  "But we're getting paid," she said, holding out a hand to help me up. "That's the best part. Now get dressed. Think you can store both armors?"

  Even with over a hundred mana pearls stored in the earring, I hadn't found its upper limit yet, so I nodded and tucked away both armor sets. Cool air on my skin was a luxury I hadn't realized I missed. Everyone was right—armor was awful.

  Cass kept her swords on her hip, though they sat awkwardly without proper loops from her armor. Still, she seemed in much better spirits.

  "You're awfully spry," I said after using my wash kit. "Two fucking days of disgusting frogs."

  She laughed. "If it was easy, they wouldn't pay for it! Didn't expect a spirit realm, though. Those weird Glid frogs weren't normal."

  "I assume this is something we report?"

  Cass nodded. "We'll let Gary know."

  She furrowed her brow. "If I was counting correctly... that first day I definitely won the bet."

  I blinked, half forgetting we'd made a bet, and shrugged. "I was late to the party. You won fair and square. What are your demands? Karma must remain light."

  She chuckled. "Remember the offer you made in the meditation room?"

  "Oh! You want to make beer?"

  She nodded, smiling sheepishly. "Everyone I know is good at something. Felix and his research; Erik grows herbs and flowers. Elizabeth is an artist. Even Henrik's good at cooking. Me? I just fight."

  I stared at her, words taking a moment to sink in. "Wait, you've got to be kidding. Erik gardens?"

  Cass smirked as my surprise turned into hearty laughter.

  "Gaia's tits, he's good at it too!"

  "You're not just going to drink it all, are you?" I asked, half-joking.

  "I mean... yeah?" she replied with a toothy grin. "What good is making beer if you don't make sure it's good?"

  Before I could respond, heavy knocking sounded on the door. Cass opened it, revealing two Sentarians standing in the doorway. They bowed deeply, hands clasped in front of their navels.

  "Amituofo, initiates," one said. "Louis informs us you have completed your hunt. These humble drivers wish to offer transportation back to La-Roc for a small fee."

  I glanced at Cass, who looked surprised, but I didn't hesitate. "Yes!" I said, pulling a handful of mana pearls from my earring. Both Sentarians' mandible-like jaws fell open as their eyes widened.

  "Is this enough?" I asked.

  The ride back was long and bumpy, but not as awful as it would've been on foot, especially in the blazing heat. Most of the trip, I spent talking with Cass about brewing beer, going over what equipment she might need. I wasn't entirely sure what tools were available here, but she seemed to grasp the basics, and her memory impressed me.

  "So, it's basically just tea?" she asked as we exited the Greenmarch, La-Roc coming into view ahead.

  "Well, sort of. You boil it to concentrate the sugar, let it cool, and then add yeast. That's pretty much it. Honestly, it's harder to mess up than get right—at least until you make complex ones," I replied. Cass lit up at the simplicity, though she admitted she had no idea what yeast was. I assured her Katie must have some, since it's used for baking bread. It wouldn't be perfect, but it would be enough to see if she wanted to keep experimenting.

  As we passed through La-Roc's gates, the drivers pulled to a stop just inside the walls. "This is where the Trailbinder must be stored. This humble driver hopes the ride was pleasant," one said.

  It wasn't, but we nodded politely and climbed out. Red, who'd actually joined us on the wagon this time, leaped down in an awkward, gangly motion.

  We'd only been gone a couple of days, and I'd only been in La-Roc about a week, but it felt good to be back somewhere familiar. La-Roc might not be Earth, but I was accepting it as home. Stretching as we walked through bustling streets, I greeted a few Sentarians we passed. The city's core was alive with activity—Floran, Vildar, and Gaians mingling in sunlit avenues.

  "You know," I said, glancing at Cass as we wove through the crowd, "I didn't think about it, but how do we prove we did the job? We could've just shown up and said we did it. How do they know we actually killed all those frogs?"

  Cass grinned and spun to walk backward, effortlessly navigating the streets. "You can't really lie to Gary," she said casually, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

  The conversation fizzled as we reached the Tower. The mid-afternoon sun hung low in the sky, and my legs ached from the trek. Even with mana reinforcing them, the day had been long, and riding Trailbinders had taken its toll. Red hesitated at the base of the Tower's steps, ears swiveling like he was debating something.

  "You want to wait out here, Red?" I asked, crouching to scratch behind his ears. He gave me a long look, then turned and started up the stairs, hesitant but determined. He glanced back to make sure we were following, tail swishing nervously.

  The Citadel's domed lobby welcomed us with strange familiarity. The domed ceiling echoed faintly with distant voices, and the ever-present buzz of mana hung in the air. Gary, stationed at his usual spot at the desk, looked up and grinned as we approached. He glanced at Red and raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, lingering only for a moment.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  "Ah! The Acolyte has returned. You both look considerably stronger than when you left," he said, voice warm as he motioned for us to step forward.

  Gary placed a manascript down and motioned for me to place my hand on it.

  "Do you swear that, to the best of your ability, you have completed this ordained hunt?"

  The word "ordained" snagged in my mind for a moment, but I nodded. "I... We do," I said, voice steady despite the weight of his gaze.

  Gary's eyes fixed on me for a moment, then stamped the script with an air of finality. He raised his voice much louder than I thought possible. It wasn't just loud—it seemed to echo from everywhere.

  "Let it be known that Acolyte Ben Crawford, the Breaker, has completed his first Class-E hunt!"

  The room erupted into cheers, several Hunters adding their voices to the celebration. Gary continued, his tone booming with ceremony. The whole thing put a goofy grin on my face.

  "That's the spirit, Breaker," he said, tone light and approving. "Now for your reward."

  He placed a small wooden box on the desk and slid it open to reveal a single silver coin nestled on velvet. Next to it, he set a jingling bag on the counter. "One silver, and fifty red."

  Cass scooped up the bag with a satisfied nod. "Why don't you keep the silver?" She said, tossing me a sly wink. "It's not quite half, but these will be easier to spend."

  "Where is your armor? I will submit them for repairs," Gary asked casually.

  I grinned and dumped the stinking armor sets onto the surface between us. A nearby Vildar gagged at the smell.

  "Ah," Gary said, voice incredulous as he stored the armor somewhere behind the counter. "And a cleaning. Would you have any mana pearls to sell to the Tower?"

  I smirked again, and tipped my hand, spilling at least fifty pearls onto the desk in a cascade from my earring. A few rolled off the edge, and Cass scrambled to catch them.

  "Is this worth anything?" I asked, deadpan.

  Gary raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "I see the young Acolyte has a sense of humor." He pulled out a contraption resembling a scale, all brass fittings and faintly glowing glyphs. Scooping the pearls onto it, he watched as the device flared. "That is rather fortunate. For Class-F, these pearls are unusually dense."

  "Oh, that's right!" I said. "There was a spirit realm out there, filled with weird versions of the Lumifrax. Pretty sure I accidentally blew it up."

  Gary motioned for another Gary to approach, whispered something I tried to lip-read but couldn't, and Gary-two nodded.

  "We appreciate the additional information. Five additional red coins to balance the karma."

  He counted out twenty-five additional red coins and placed them in two neat stacks like poker chips.

  "Can't go wrong with walking-around money," I said, storing the coins in my earring.

  I still had plenty of pearls left and briefly considered selling them all. They'd clearly fetch good prices, but their utility made me hesitate. Better to hold on to them.

  As I picked up the silver mana coin from the earlier reward, a sharp jolt of static jumped through my hand. The concentration of mana was staggering, far beyond anything I'd touched before. Storing it alongside gadgets in my earring, I couldn't help but wonder: If a red mana coin could fuel a trap capable of that explosion, what kind of devastation could a silver coin unleash?

  Without warning, a gust of wind swept through the antechamber, unsettling papers and ruffling my hair. The energy in the room shifted abruptly, and a hush fell over everyone as they instinctively straightened, attention snapping to the stairs.

  "Ben!" a familiar voice called.

  I turned to see Elena descending from the second level, appearance disheveled like she'd thrown on her linen clothes in a hurry. Her gaze landed on me, sharp and direct, before flicking to Red.

  All eyes shifted to me and Red. He was sitting in what could only be described as a ridiculous pose, but as scrutiny fell on him, his ears drooped, hackles raising in visible discomfort. He ducked his head, clearly nervous under the sudden attention.

  "That’s Red, my familiar," I decided, resting a reassuring hand on his back. "Where I go, he goes."

  Elena scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Of course he is." But then her expression softened as she looked at Red. Her voice shifted, becoming gentler, almost reverent. "Be at ease, wandering one. This is a safe place, and the mana here is pure. You need wander no more."

  Her words seemed to settle him instantly. Red perked up, ears lifting, tension in his posture melting away like that was all he'd needed to hear.

  Cass nudged me, tone abrupt. "I'll meet you at Katie's. Go talk with Elena—this seems important."

  I could feel the weight of eyes on me as I climbed the stairs, Elena leading the way with sharp, purposeful strides. She didn't speak, just whirled ahead, guiding me down a long hallway deeper into the Tower.

  We hadn't been walking long before I broke the silence.

  "What's—"

  Elena held up a hand to stop me, expression sharp. "Gary, if you please?" she said, seemingly to no one.

  "As commanded, Head Mistress," came a voice from behind me, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. My aura hadn't even registered him.

  Before I could process that, the hallway itself shifted. The world tilted in a way that made my stomach churn, dizzying weightlessness washing over me. Then, just as suddenly, gravity slammed back into place, and I staggered to find myself standing before two massive stone doors. Each was carved in intricate bas-relief, depicting radiant towers stretching skyward.

  A soft shaking sound pulled me from my daze. Red stood beside me, giving a full-body shake before letting out a high-pitched yawn. I guessed he didn't appreciate whatever that was.

  Elena stepped forward, pushing the grand doors open to reveal a room that screamed opulence even by the Tower's standards. Sunlight poured through towering arched windows, casting warm golden hues across marble floors polished to a mirror-like finish. At the center stood the desk—a massive, carved masterpiece adorned with gilded accents, dominating the space like a throne. It rested on an ornate rug, flanked by four high-backed chairs designed for royalty rather than practicality.

  As we stepped inside, Elena made a quick motion behind her, and when I glanced back, the doors were gone—replaced by a seamless, white-polished wall. The gesture seemed to drain her, shoulders sagging as her all-business demeanor softened into something closer to exhaustion.

  She strode toward the desk, motioning for me to sit. I obliged, sinking into the plush seat, which was as comfortable as it looked. Red, however, jumped into another chair and promptly spun it in a full circle, tongue hanging out in what could only be described as smug satisfaction.

  "It's about time you and I talked without my mother around," Elena began, lowering herself into the chair behind the desk. She studied me for a moment, gaze sharp but less formal. "Before you ask, yes, we're at the top of the Tower. No, not that top—the other one."

  Red looked confused when I glanced at him, which was normal since he was a dog, but I was probably just as confused.

  "I've been preoccupied—Felix had been binding his Seal, and you've been busy. I wish we had more time to chat, but we've got a big fucking problem."

  The words hit like a thunderclap. My pulse quickened, goosebumps prickling my arms.

  "What kind of problem?" I asked cautiously, trying not to let dread seep into my voice. "Did I do something wrong?"

  Elena sighed and reached into a drawer, pulling out a small envelope. "My mother, the bitch, may have pushed her luck—and, by proxy, yours—a bit too far." She tossed the envelope onto the desk. "This arrived today from the Emerald Reaches. Some islands a few days away and are our primary trading partner. They're ruled by Maris Valerian, the Archon of the Strikers—and a Grandmaster. On my mother's level."

  The name Maris rang a faint bell. Alexander had mentioned her to Diana, hadn't he? And Valerian? Like Gaius Valerian—the guy at the very top of the dome?

  "Oh shit," I said cautiously.

  "The letter states in no uncertain terms that Maris isn't happy you're here. She's given me until her arrival to come up with a plan to coerce you off Ark." Elena grimaced. "Conveniently, the letter was delayed two days. She'll be here soon."

  My heart sank, but Bravery flared in my mind, steadying me. There had to be more to this—Elena wouldn't have brought me here if she was just planning to kick me through a portal.

  "And you're telling me this why?" I asked, keeping my voice calm.

  Elena's eyes sparkled as a small, wry smile tugged at her lips. "I had almost forgotten how sharp you are." She leaned back slightly, tone shifting. "Because my mother is right. Fuck me, I just said that out loud." She rubbed her temples before continuing, voice quieter but no less intense.

  "You belong here. In only a week and you’ve made no enemies—only friends. You've advanced at an alarming rate and fit in with the Hunters faster than anyone expected. The bravery that earned you your title inspired my son to advance his own Runebinding. You single-handedly took down two Arbortrux and saved part of the Greenmarch from a Monster Tide. And now, you've completed a Class-E hunt in less than three days. You walked right into a spirit realm to save a friend."

  I furrowed my brow at her. "I don't think we've given a report yet?"

  Elena scoffed. "Oh please, you think I'm going to let an Acolyte go on his first monster hunt without at least supervision?"

  I just gaped at her as her tone shifted into something more casual.

  "Ben, there are a dozen people—Veteran Hunters included—who would vouch for your honor. Fuck, even Maris's own son, Malcolm, backs you up."

  She leaned forward, and a feeling of Command washed over me, pushing up against my aura until I was surrounded in it. It seemed... respectful, composed. Like I was sitting next to an army General.

  "Unfortunately, if you stay here, things are about to get much harder for you," she said, voice quieter but sharper, each word deliberate. "So I'm only going to ask this once, and I want you to consider your answer."

  Her tone dropped, words heavy with meaning.

  "What do you want?"

  I stared at her, letting the question settle, letting her words sink in. For one thing, Malcolm being the son of some powerful warrior that even Elena was wary of? That was interesting. Wasn't he the same guy who called out Cass for having a noble family? Pot, meet kettle.

  But that wasn't at the heart of it.

  This week had been... insane. My entire life had been flipped upside down, dumped out, and left for me to piece back together. And what did I have to show for it? Apparently, Valor. Somehow, I'd helped save people—from a giant crab, giant beavers, and now giant frogs. That was something, wasn't it? And that so many people wanted me to stay... That felt good.

  Ark seemed like the best place to figure out a way back home. Even if I decided not to go, I didn't want to die on some hellscape world. I had friends here now—commitments.

  But my mind snagged on a word Elena had said. One that pulled at me, refusing to let go.

  I blinked, and suddenly I wasn't in the office anymore. I was staring at a massive set of rune-covered doors, the twisting patterns undulating and shifting in place of handles. The runes came into focus, their meaning sharp and undeniable.

  "Ya figure it out yet?" a gruff voice came from behind me. Ted? But I couldn't turn to look. Time felt frozen, like the universe itself had paused to see what I'd do next.

  It couldn't be that simple... could it?

  The Seal of Valor flickered onto the door, impossibly large and intricate. It hung there, ghostly and translucent, like a half-finished painting.

  And in that moment, I knew.

  Ted and Erik said I needed to give Valor a job, or a purpose.

  I knew exactly what magical job would use it.

  Sure, I was missing a few things, but this was my adventure.

  Reality snapped back into place like a rubber band. Elena gasped sharply as a surge of power erupted from me, Valor blazing outward in an unstoppable wave of blue energy. My chair flew back across the room with a crash as I stood, locking eyes with her.

  Red barked happily, bounding to my side as if to punctuate the moment, tail wagging furiously.

  "I'm not fucking leaving," I said, every ounce of resolve I had behind the words.

  Elena's eyes widened for a heartbeat before her lips curled into a grin. Her swirling irises faded back to normal, but the energy behind her words didn't falter.

  "Fuck me," she said, leaning back with satisfaction. "Now that's a much better answer than last time."