Chương 46: Chapter 45 - An Interesting Lesson

Elias woke a little after dawn as a stray sunbeam wove through the canopy hitting one eye. Sitting up carefully to not disturb Tia, he glanced around before settling back in after realizing he beat most of the camp awake, even the breakfast squad weren't at their post yet. Eli sat back and pondered the memories filtering into his consciousness from last night.

Some unknowable sense, one he was not sure was from the System or from the depths of his own subconscious, told him his lost memories were complete and had been returned. Almost as if some small corner of his own soul had been compartmentalized, sectioned off from the rest of his mind, but barriers had been removed and he felt whole again. Eli suspected interference from the system given the traumatic nature of the memories and the alerts he found buried in his notifications from when he arrived.

Maybe the System could sense the danger, and repressed my memories so I could escape the goblin cave before they found and killed me? I'm a lot stronger and have more stamina now after killing that bandit to rescue Astra and hitting level 10, I never would have been able to damn near decapitate a man with a single blow on Earth. If I was still sitting in the puddle having an existential crisis only a few minutes longer I would have been toast.

Eli looked at the sky, I can see why the locals practically worship the System, it does seem to look out for people, it even wouldn't let me make a deal with Vael without knowing what I was doing. It's nice to know there is more fairness in this world than my last, a conflicted smile crossed Eli's face. Damn, I have to give Vael a little credit, he really did me a solid.

If he is a god they are definitely getting a bad rep for the Godstouched, it really didn't seem like it was his fault, more like he was doing me a favor and giving me a second chance. A warm breeze surrounded Eli for a moment before drifting past, the swirling current bringing a comforting feeling in the cool morning air, like a hug from an old friend.

Elias snorted in amusement at the hesitation from his past self, I mean for an otherworldly eldritch being that plucked my soul from the stars and rebuilt my body from nothing in the blink of an eye he was super friendly. Hindsight is 20/20 so I was definitely freaking out in the moment and not thinking clearly, but he gave me a hell of a deal.

A new life in a freaking fantasy world, dragons, magic, new friends, shit Coop's cooking alone would be worth the deal if all he really wants is for me to check in on some people. I'm sure he probably didn't plan on meeting Astra, but this place is pretty great regardless. I mean what do I know, if he is a god maybe he did set all this up, and if he is responsible for me meeting my new friends I'm sold. Eli looked at the sky, tracing the fading arch of the ring with his vision as the sun rose.

He said we would meet again, if we do, I need to thank him. Eli paused for a second before wincing, I really should tell the Ladies, they have been nothing but helpful, and they deserve full disclosure at this point. Eli remembered the look Mira gave him when she wasn't sure whether she should trust him or not and he shivered. Maybe let's just start with Astra and see how it goes, I'll wait until we're alone and see how she takes it.

Eli looked down smiling as he saw Coop and Sasha had wandered over to the camp kitchen, Sasha crouched down starting the cookfire while Coop rifled through a couple crates collecting supplies. As the tinder caught Sasha stoked the fire, sneaking a glance in Cooper's direction as he bent over the crate.

Mira had recommended yesterday that Eli run his vision in a constant low level of enhancement to work on her third goal, to get used to the sensation, and with this magically enhanced vision Eli caught Sasha blushing and biting her lip before snapping her gaze back to the fire and giving it a little too much attention. I frigging knew it, Eli chortled, crowing in his head, she totally was looking a little hot and bothered in his direction after the battle yesterday.

I could have swore I saw it, I guess seeing those cleavers in action really revved her engine. Tia snapped upright with a snort, blinking sleepily, she gazed owlishly up at Eli, is it morning? She yawned. What does revving her engine mean brother-eli? Eli snickered, " I'll explain it later, but it means Ms Sasha likes Mr Cooper, but it's a secret so don't tell." Tia snorted at Eli. A secret, how? Even I can smell how much she likes him. Do all the two-legs have broken noses or are they just weird?

Eli laughed, " Both are true my scaly friend, but never mind it's time for breakfast!" A tippy tap dance in his lap and an excited hiss joined the voice in his head, Yessssssssssss.

Eli and Tia stopped by the kitchen to help with breakfast, where Eli was thankful that he was the only one that could understand Tia as she proceeded to repeatedly call out the little subtleties that Sasha was into Cooper. Brother-eli she just looked at his tail again, they really should mate already. Tia aren't you a little young for that? Eli arched a brow before snickering at the sight of the wyvern rolling her eyes, he didn't know she could do that. She's the one who wants to lay his eggs, not me.

He makes good food, their clutch would be very strong, although it is sad that neither of them have tails, with the way she is looking I bet she is thinking about how good he would look with one. Please Tia, I doubt she wants him to have a tail, it wouldn't be very nice to want to change a mate, would you want your future mate to want you to NOT have a tail.

Please if a male told me something so stupid I would shoot one of sister-astra's laser beams at him and cook him like a stupid bird, only dumb birds think tails are bad.

"Good Morning Mr Mercer." Eli looked up to see Mira on the other side of the prep table, and by the expression of amusement on her face she must have caught most of Tia's rant.

"I am glad to find you both in good spirits, please ensure to eat hearty this morning, and see Mr Taylor before we depart. Your training starts today and the last thing we need is an ill fitting set of trousers to distract from our efforts."" Do not forget, I am expecting an answer to my question before we begin."

She smiled at the team before leaving, " Good Morning Mr Cooper, Ms Sasha, the morning repast smells especially excellent this morning, I am looking forward to what new developments may arise from your efforts!" Tia chittered, See brother-eli? Not all two-legs have broken noses. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

The morning passed quickly, although Eli was a little concerned when Cooper loaded him down with a couple extra servings, and an ominous ' trust me you'll need it today'. Eli was more than happy to stop by and see Mr Taylor as he was the one currently assigned to close guard duty with Astra this morning, and it gave him a chance to say hi.

She hit him with another one of those 1000-watt smiles, that was better than a cup of coffee, before turning back to her review of the report detailing the plan to return the refugees to their homes. Private Taylor was a well built man with brown hair, hazel eyes, and a welcoming smile. Given that he was the sole archer in the squad assigned to her personal security detail, Eli assumed he was fairly skilled.

The tailoring skill that he possessed may have been one of the stranger experiences Elias has had so far in this world. The man rolled his eyes when Eli told him what Astra had sent him for, but the fact that he did it with a smile belied that he wasn't too bothered with it. He had Eli duck into a nearby tent while he stood outside keeping an eye on Astra and instructed Eli to swap into his outfits one by one and let him know each time he was dressed.

Eli's amazement grew with each application, and the man reached through the flap tapped Eli on the shoulder, and every garment he was wearing shifted contorting its portions until it resulted into a comfortable fit. While the fit wasn't perfect, it was not only far better than before, but it was much better than many tailored outfits Eli had worn before, and he only a couple of the best may exceed the man's skill. Eli gave the man a deeply impressed look as he left the tent."

Damn man, you have a real gift on your hands, that skill is really impressive! Where did you pick up something like that?" The man smiled, " Glad to be of service, and it's an old trade secret. Like an actual secret, family members are Oathbound to not reveal how it's done." Eli gave a low whistle, " Must be a hell of a secret." The man laughed, " You have no idea, technically I'm not supposed to use it outside of the family shop, but for the Lady's friends?" He shrugged, " Consider it on the house."

Eli thanked the man, and waved goodbye to Astra before heading off to find Mira. Elias found Mira waiting at the edge of the trail as the patrol finished packing up the camp, he was surprised to find she was not mounted on a ridgeback today like she normally would be when the patrol was travelling between camps." Good Morning Mr Mercer, you have my gratitude for your prompt arrival. Today will be your first informed step on the path to power, I hope you are at least as excited as I am.

With this important day comes an equally important question." She snapped her fingers and her privacy zone dropped.

"So Mr Mercer, who do you want to be?"

Elias looked at her in confusion, she smirked, " Ah you expected something different?" Maybe something please choose between [Warrior], [Mage], and [Scout]?" She rolled her eyes, " Please Mr Mercer give me some credit, maybe something like [Barrier Mage], or [Bloodstained Bezerker], or maybe a truly rare and esoteric class like [Arcane Trickster Sailor]?" Eli nodded a little sheepishly, " Ok, yeah but something more like the last ones."

Mira nodded with an amused expression, " An understandable misunderstanding Mr Mercer, and easy to forgive, but you won't find my lessons in a ten copper manual, nor am I some shriveled old monk conning younglings out of their hard earned coins with a well trod path." She snorted, tossing her raven black hair as she began slowly pacing in a circle around Eli with her hands behind her back." No Mr Mercer, I overheard your conversation with Mr Cooper yesterday, and I most certainly know you are a learned man.

I believe you know the answer I seek, so Mr Mercer." She drew to a halt in front of him again with an imperious gaze." Who do you want to be?" Elias took a moment to marshal his thoughts at the unexpected question, Tia perched on his shoulder glancing back and forth between them. Eli sighed, there is no perfect answer, and I doubt this is some kind of trick, she doesn't seem the type. Honesty is probably the best policy." A strong man.

The kind of man who can dictate his own fate, and not suffer under the whims of the powerful, one that can protect those most important to him." Mira smiled, " A wise answer."" An unsurprising one given what I have observed of your nature so far, where others see predictability I see reliability, a fine quality." She resumed her pacing, "So what path do you walk, what is your focus on the road to ascension?"" A focus on preferably close or mid range combat with an inclusion of utility magic if possible."

She snorted, " I would have been more surprised if you picked a non-martial path." Eli gave a self-deprecating laugh before continuing, " Well you're not wrong. You are also right that Coop's words resonated with me. I would love to fight on the frontline with my comrades or play the hero and rescue the down-trodden, but I also would broaden my horizons and not be penned in."" I'm in a new world with all sorts of fascinating new things to discover.""

There are so many things I've seen in just the past few days here that are only myths in my own world. If it is possible to fold exploration and discovery into my path so I could be rewarded for pursuing seeking out the things I would anyways, well that would be the best of both worlds." Mira nodded, "Better, anything else?" Elias hesitated for a moment, " Honestly, your example of the difference in power between Astra and the rest of the men, was frankly astonishing. I couldn't get it out of my mind."

Mira snorted, " Expected." Eli sighed and blushed a little before huffing a bit, " All right fair."" I'll be straight with you, Astra is downright amazing, and for some reason you think I might be able to match her. If you think you can figure out a way for me to get an Epic class in the second tier too, I will be the hardest working student you have ever seen." Mira gave a slightly disbelieving grunt before continuing, " Well it seems must Lady trusts you immensely."

She halted in front of Eli with a feral grin, " However, that is what I like to hear." She drew herself up with a wide smile before giving a single clap, " I give you my word Mr Mercer that I will do my best, and trust me, my best efforts are very good indeed."" Now, let's see what we are working with, please share your status sheet with me Mr Mercer so we can begin to develop a training regimen.

You should also share yours with little Tia as well, while she is a little young to worry about refining her class these lessons will provide a good introduction." Eli took a minute to pull his page and display it to all three of them with a mental flex.

Name: Elias Mercer Age: 23 Class: [Child of Void] Lv 10 ============ Health: 90/90 Stamina: 210/210 Mana: 250/250 ============ Vitality: 9 Strength: 21 Endurance: 21 Dexterity: 10 Intelligence: 25 Wisdom: 9 Willpower: 26 Charisma: 7 Free points: 70 ============ Class 1: [Child of the Void] Class 2: Locked Class 3: Locked ============ Class Skills: [Child of the Void] Locked ============ General Skills Observant: Lv 10 Tracking: Lv 7 Stealth: Lv 10 Eagle's Eye: Lv 10 Basic Weapon Crafting - Primitive: Lv 4 Basic Weapon Proficiency - Polearms: Lv 5 Dismantling: Lv 2 Basic Weapon Proficiency - Small Blades: Lv 8 Stalwart: Lv 1 Companion Bond- Tiamat Mercer: Lv 1 Free Skill Slots: 0 / 10 Mira clasped her hands together and leaned forward with a slightly uncharacteristic expression of glee, " Yesssss, now Mr Mercer, let us see what we are working with …"

Eli blinked and when he opened his eyes between one moment and the next, Mira's aura uncoiled, her privacy dome had turned opaque, misting the air with an encrusting of frost, and Eli froze as a pressure deeper than the depths of the ocean borne down on him. A rattling gasp rasped from his throat as he felt the keen edge of Mira's blade pressed against his throat as Tiamat whimpered in fear.

As Eli's gaze met Mira's, the look in her eyes caused the bottom of his stomach to drop, fury or rage would confuse him, but the placid calm dispassion of her flat gaze was more terrifying than any other response would be, as if his death was of no concern to her at all." Mr Mercer."" If you so much as twitch, I will separate your head from your shoulders."" You are not to move a muscle, and do only as I say if you want to live beyond this moment."