Chương 7: 6 Reception

I blinked, suddenly back in the sanctum, my hand on the System node. My palm prickled, and I lifted it from the pearlescent orb. I squinted at the new symbol on my palm. It was the seal—a man wrestling a drake. Jorg, the world serpent, coiled around them in gold. As I stared at it, the seal faded, leaving my hand unmarked." Granduncle, I give you Antonio Marco Moretti, level one User, level five Martial. Class: Swashbuckler. Cousin in Paradise."

The audience applauded politely, but my mother's voice cut over it all.

"Let's go, Tony! That's my boy!" My face heated, and I forced myself not to look her way. I stepped back, glancing at Granduncle. My terminal hovered in my vision. <<Name: Don Rafael Vargas>> <<Class: Seal Keeper>> <<Rank: Granduncle of Paradise Rock>> <<Lvl: Mage-41; User-5>> <<Total: 46>> <<Stats: >> Might (STR) — 4 Will (WIS) — 15 Focus (INT) — 17 Resilience (CON) — 6 (-2) Grace (DEX) — 5 Cunning (CHA) — 11 I shook my head, and the terminal blurred with the movement.

"Congratulations, Antonio," Granduncle said, motioning for me to take my place with the graduating class. I fell back into formation, feeling oddly calm. I'd done it. I was a Cousin. Now life began.

"Ingred Valentini of the Coppersmeldt Clan," Granduncle said. Ingred stepped out of line, jogging around the rank to meet at the node. I glanced at Naomi, testing out the new HUD. <<Name: Naomi Myrkrath>> <<Class: Synaptic Grappler>> <<Rank: Cousin of Paradise Rock>> <<Lvl: User-2; Psionic-5>> <<Total: 7>> <<Stats: >> Might (STR) — 5 Will (WIS) — 7 Focus (INT) — 10 Resilience (CON) — 5 Grace (DEX) — 6 Cunning (CHA) — 8 I had so many questions about the HUD, so many experiments to run.

I turned my head but kept my eyes forward. The holographic terminal drifted, settling somewhere between where I was looking and where I was facing.

"Put your HUD away," my team leader hissed.

"You look like a baby horse seeing the sky for the first time."

"How?" I whispered back.

"Settings, close window," she whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

"It should leave an open tab if you need it." I followed her instructions, and the terminal blinked away. As helpful as it was, it pulled at my focus. After about a minute and a half, Ingred shook her head, pulling her hand off the node. Knowing what to look for, I watched the seal fade into her hand." Granduncle, I give you Ingred Valentini of the Coppersmeldt Clan, level two User, level five Mage. Class: Winter Artillerist. Cousin in Paradise." I clapped loudly for her.

That made two of us at level seven, and no one under level five. For a new team, we had an impressive lineup. The other cadets took their turns. I couldn't have told you what any of them got; my head was still spinning with excitement. Eventually recovering from my awe, I lifted my chin and settled into the sharpest, tightest parade rest position of my entire life. After everyone else got classes, Granduncle shifted to the audience. Leaning heavily on his cane, he lifted his voice.

"Mentors, teachers, and families. I give you our newest Cousins of the High Family." This time, the hall erupted, the crowd bolting to their feet with applause. Granduncle shifted to us as the shutters slid open on their own, filling the stateroom with early evening light.

"Well then," he said, inclining his head to the guests.

"Don't let me keep you. Let's celebrate." On that cue, a band I hadn't noticed struck up a lively, finger-plucked guitar melody. A traditional accordion danced around the tune. The crowd surged over the tile map, and my class rushed to meet them. I grinned so wide my face ached. I don't know if it was the folk music or the fact that this was the best day of my life, but Jorg, what a day. Despite being one of the tallest in the room, I had to stand on my toes to look for my family.

I spotted Lance first and started moving to meet him. His ruby eyes met mine, and he shook his head. He pointed. I followed his gesture and found my mother and sister pressing their way through Ingred's tide of siblings. Right, I caught his unspoken message: family first. I marched toward them, chest high, neck stiff. My mother extended her arms to me, strands of her honey-brown hair spilling from her head wrap.

"Tony!" I met her, taking her hands. She drew me into a kiss on each cheek.

"Hey, mama," I said, blushing.

"My boy, what did you do to your clothes?" She picked at a tear in my stained, damp white shirt.

"Situation at the dock," I said as officially as I could. I shrugged with all the nonchalance I could muster.

"Couldn't be avoided." Her face darkened.

"And what's this?" Her fingers traced my neck.

"Antonio, tell me the reason you're late isn't because of some tavern flower." My sister, Elena, snickered.

"Mama, what?" My eyes widened. The memory of the Deep One's tentacle wrapped around my neck pressed into my mind, suckers dragging on my skin as he tried to murder me. I flushed hot.

"No, no, no. Don't tell me—""I can get you a scarf to cover them if you'd like," Elena chuckled. I jerked my collar up and fastened the top button. I had no mirror, but I didn't need to see myself to know that circular bruises ringed my entire neck. Why couldn't Springweather have healed those? Like the fool I was, I had gone to graduation covered in hickies.

"It's a good look," Elena said.

"You worry about your appearance too much." I glanced at her. Elena was practically my mother's reflection—save for a few impossible-to-miss exceptions. My gaze caught the leather-thick patches of black along her cheek and jaw. Her gloves covered the ones on the back of her hands. Everyone said she had the purest soul. To me, her baby brother, she was a terror. Externally, she inherited some of my father's traits. I was the opposite; I carried more of him inside.

Some of my good mood bled away as I recalled those deviant human traits—Apex Wrath and Apex Pride. On the outside, I passed as ordinary because I took precautions. My marks only surfaced when I lost my temper; my clash on the dock had coaxed them out. I'd have to work on that later.

"Well, Mama, I did it," I said, stuffing down my intrusive thoughts.

"And I'm so proud of you," she said, cupping my face. Several brass loops jingled on her wrist. After a few minutes of catching up, Lance swaggered over. His red skin, marked with mottled patterns, and his pointed ears fanning out into subtle fins, spoke to his heritage as an ocean dweller. My spine stiffened at my teacher's arrival. As always, the last thing I wanted was to disappoint him.

"Mrs. Moretti," the handsome Aqua-primord said with a half-bow. Mother curtsied, sobering abruptly. Her eyes fixed on the scar running across his throat—a parting gift from my father.

"Uncle Coralfin," she said, eyes dropping to the ground.

"I can't begin to thank you for the guidance you've offered my son."

"Absolutely," Elena agreed, brown eyes glinting mischievously.

"He'd be hopeless without you." This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Lance chuckled.

"Don't know about that. Tony's got a good head. He'd have found his way with or without me."

"I don't know," my mother said, folding her arms over her chest.

"He started behaving much better after he began training under you."

"Mama," I hissed, cheeks growing ruddy.

"Well, ma'am, I've never had a student so committed. He's relentless."

"On that, we can agree," my mother said. Then, glancing between us, she stepped back.

"I think I bumped into one of the Valentini kids when I was coming over here. I should apologize. Come, Elena."

"Mama?" she asked, gazing at the Sea Ranger dreamily.

"Let's go," my mother said, catching her by the hand and dragging her away.

"Well," Lance said, watching them go.

"How was it?" I bit my tongue, weighing whether to mention that Ourabora had shown me his past. I could have brought up Rutwin, but I didn't want to dig through old baggage.

"It was something," I said instead. He smiled.

"I'll need you to walk me through your feats later. I'll see about helping you optimize it."

"Thanks," I said. He hesitated.

"Hey, Tony, now that you've seen the terminal, you've seen those family-wide quests." My jaw tensed, and I nodded.

"Puppetmaster," the word slipped out like a curse.

"Listen, I don't want you doing anything foolish, like going after him on your own." Cold rain and violent lightning raged as Puppetmaster and Lance lunged at each other. Elena screamed at me, dragging me back towards the house— I shook my head. Lance stood before me, talking and smiling. Not drenched to the bone. Not covered in blood.

"We'll assign you to some more manageable quests for the first few years." The mention of time tightened something in my chest.

"What about that timer on the other quest?" I asked.

"What's happening in four months?"

"Disregard both those quests, please," he said urgently.

"In fact, they were issued in error. We're trying to get them taken down. Ourabora's giving us some systemic problems." A sudden chill brushed my spine. I'm never wrong. Ourabora's words filled me with a wave of vertigo.

"Lance," I said, glancing up. We were in the sanctum, which meant she could be watching.

"Yes?" I considered how to phrase it.

"Do the system and Granduncle ever disagree?" He shifted, arms tightening across his chest.

"Disagree, no. But sometimes the algorithm gets buggy. Nothing to worry about." I followed his gaze to where Kerelev and Granduncle slipped through a door into the corridor that led to the administrative chambers.

"Does Granduncle look okay?" I asked.

"He's moving like he's in pain." Lance blinked in surprise. He hesitated.

"Perhaps. I wouldn't worry. Granduncle has been here long before any of us were born, and he'll be here long after." He frowned.

"I need to go. Enjoy the reception." I nudged my cutlass's handle, angling the sheath out of an elderly gentleman's path.

"You're not staying?" He stroked his chin.

"While I wouldn't miss your graduation, I was also summoned." I turned, taking in Aunt Springweather and Uncle Titangavel.

"A lot of senior High Family here today."

"Yeah," he said, then forced a smile and cuffed me lightly on the shoulder.

"Have fun, Tony, this is your day." He nodded and took his leave. I stared at his back, probably longer than I should have. At least three Uncles and an Aunt here all at once. Errors in the system. Granduncle's health. What was going on? One reason Lance was my favorite was that he didn't do politics, so why did it feel like he was keeping secrets?

"Tony!" I turned to find Ingred approaching. My mother spoke to her parents, and Elena held one of their dwarven toddlers. Ingred had a lot of siblings, like twenty. I didn't know how her parents did it. Elena and I were tempted to strangle each other pretty much every day.

"Hey, Ingred," I said, clasping her forearm in the traditional Coppersmeldt greeting.

"Winter Artillerist? That's hot iron."

"So says you, Master Swashbuckler." I took a mock bow. She brushed icy blond hair from her face.

"I wanted to say thanks for covering my back at the docks," she said.

"I don't think I would have fared so well against the Deep One unarmed." I snorted.

"I know you, Coppersmeldts hold onto debt for lifetimes. I was just paying back what I owed. Thanks for saving me from being shark bait." She smirked.

"You should see the feats I picked up. I'm going to be a much better support now."

"Deal," I said, waving to one of my sailing instructors.

"Hey," she said, twisting her sleeve and shifting her weight to one foot.

"Clan party tonight. Nothing big, only two Coppersmeldts graduated this year. But if you want to come—""Black waves, sure!" I said. Only a bilge rat would miss a dwarf party. She laughed, punching me lightly.

"Livia and Elena are invited as well, of course."

"We'll be there," I promised. She hesitated, tugging on her cuff.

"What?" I asked.

"Look, Tony, I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Oh?" my brow rose. She glanced around before continuing.

"I saw the family quest. Puppetmaster—""What about him?" I asked, all mirth draining in an instant.

"Well, I know what he did to you. Everything he put your family through. It's just—I need to know you're not going to run off after him." I scoffed.

"Why shouldn't I?" I asked.

"The quest is open to all High Family members. I'm a Cousin now."

"A level six Cousin," she cut in.

"Look, you're not ready for him. None of us are. Let's just focus on lower-level quests until we can get strong enough to face him. When that time comes, I'll be there to help you bring him down. For now, though—" Her icy blue eyes searched the mask that was my face.

"Course," I said, voice emotionless.

"I'm not an idiot. I'm not going to seek out a fight I know I can't win." Tension eased from her shoulders, and she nodded once.

"Good. Hey, we're going to make a great team." One of her siblings called to her, and she shrugged apologetically before jogging off. I wasn't thinking about the Coppersmeldt party, or even the graduation reception. Why did everyone have to bring him up? Like, I was some idiot ready to jump feet first into a volcano? But—my hand closed around my cutlass's handle. I had promised I wouldn't seek him out. If I happened upon Puppetmaster while I was out on the sea, could I honestly say I'd keep my head?

I bit my tongue. Maybe they did know me. Another Coppersmeldt approached, and my skin crawled as his shadow reached me. Uncle Bruk Titangavel stared up at me, lips pressed together. I went to attention.

"Uncle Titangavel," I croaked. His toe tapped rapidly.

"So. You made it," he said in a voice that conveyed he hadn't expected it.

"Y—yes, sir."

"Hmm," he grumbled.

"Didn't know you had it in you." I was a Cousin now. Not a cadet. I tried to force the tension from my shoulders. I couldn't.

"Yes, sir. I'm committed."

"Yes," he said, sweeping the room.

"So was he." That was a gut punch. He didn't need to use my father's name for me to know who he was talking about.

"I'm still not sure about you," he said, dark eyes locking back onto me.

"Prove me wrong."

"Um, okay?" But he was already wandering off. I exhaled, shoulders slumping. A true Coppersmeldt, Bruk knew how to hold a generational grudge. He'd made it his personal mission to drive me out of the course. He held me to a higher standard, putting me on the spot and taking every opportunity to embarrass me. That backfired. I'd channeled his animosity, using it to fuel my motivation. I shuddered, trying to brush off the uneasy heat. Then I noticed Naomi.

The shad-feykin stood out on a balcony alone, reading a note by the light of the setting sun. I frowned, confused. A quick sweep of the State Chamber confirmed it. I hadn't seen Aunt Flavia Myrkrath. Her mother. Naomi wiped her eyes and crumpled the note. My gut sank. Here I was, surrounded by loved ones, mentors, and friends. Who did she have? Chewing on my decision for too long, I made up my mind and started toward her. That might have been a mistake. Would intruding put me in her crosshairs?

She was a feykin, a princess, and a woman. Three things I knew very little about. Either way, she was a member of my team and alone. I stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the flatlands atop Rafael's Cove. She straightened, sniffing before she turned to me.

"Tony," she said with projected control.

"Well, this is it," I said, placing my hands on the handrail.

"We did it."

"Yes," she agreed, her warm grey cheeks flushed, her eyes swollen.

"Sorry about stabbing that Deepling while you were linked," I said.

"It looked like it hurt. Didn't realize that would happen."

"Oh, that?" She leaned against the rail and turned to face me.

"It's not supposed to. It's a me problem. My psychic links aren't dominant enough. Hopefully, my new feats will fix that." She sniffed, biting her lip. Silence followed, broken by the whistle of warm ocean air. I tensed. What now?

"So, I take it Tansy couldn't make it?" I asked, singling out her mentor rather than her mother.

"Diplomatic mission on Floating Rock," she said with a shrug. My grip tightened on the rail. If she didn't want to talk about it, she could blow me off. But I'd hate myself if I didn't offer myself as a punching bag.

"And—your mother?" Her jaw tensed.

"Burrow King's trying to break into Zalathor's crypt. She had to put down the attempt."

"They sound…lovely," I said, shivering inwardly.

"Ghoul lord and Lich," she chuckled, more a grimace than a laugh.

"Totally the neighbors I wanted."

"Hey, you should see Mister Esposito, the butcher. Lives down the street from my mom. Doesn't wear a shirt, enough hair to pass as a bugbear. I'm sure he could give this… Zalathon a run for his crypt." A genuine laugh escaped her, and she wiped a violet eye with her palm.

"It's Zalathor, and yes. I'll see if I can't send this Mister Esposito to lead my mother's horde." I smirked, savoring the image of the butcher at the head of an undead army.

"You fought well today," she said after a moment. I relaxed. She was back. Anything to help dig her out of her rut.

"I think we left much to be desired," I said, rubbing my sore shoulder.

"Oh, I agree," she said, shifting over to me.

"As a swordsman, you're fine, but as a team, we need work. A lot of it."

"Yeah," I agreed.

"We would have cleared that dock out way faster if we weren't so busy tripping over each other."

"That's why I'm calling for an early morning training session. We're going to practice fighting as a squad."

"Early morning?" I asked cautiously.

"How early is early? Cuz I was hoping to celebrate with the Coppersmeldts. You should come."

"Can't," she said.

"Family security brief just after dawn. I'm hoping to do two hours of training before that." I groaned.

"C'mon. You know I'd be the first one to show up to the gymnasium any other day—" I gestured to the crowd murmuring behind us.

"But they have their families." The realization of how insensitive the words were hit my brain way too late.

"Unlike her," the implication sang.

"What I mean is," I scrambled for words.

"If you think you're going back to your dorm to write that brief right now, you're tex wrong." She rubbed the bridge of her nose, her eyes tired.

"I've got to prepare for the security brief on the dock attack." I snorted and rolled my eyes.

"Please, you want to be a leader? Then be there for us at the Coppersmeldt clubhouse. You know, sometimes you get so stiff it drags on morale." Her violet eyes shifted past me, and she frowned.

"Looks like we're already down one member." I turned just in time to catch Bianca slipping out of the stateroom, lobster claw in hand.

"Salt, take it," I cursed.

"Did she have family here?" Naomi shook her head.

"That one's a mystery. We'll need time to crack her."

"Should I go after her?" I asked.

"She prefers to be left alone," Naomi said, scratching her nose.

"But you can try." I thought about it for a moment before turning back to Naomi.

"Tell me you'll reconsider. You won't make us train in the morning?" She folded her arms and pursed her lips.

"You're right, with the families gathered, that wouldn't be fair."

"And you're coming to the Coppersmeldt?" I pressed. She nodded.

"But I can't stay out too late. My brief—" Her eyes went wide as an evil smile slid across her lips.

"No, your brief." Warmth drained from my chest.

"What?"

"Yeah," she said, brushing dust off my collar.

"This will stop you from staying out too late, and this frees me up to spend time with the team." She raised a brow in mock surprise.

"Why do you look like you just stepped on a jellyfish?" I threw my hands up.

"I hate you so bad right now. Let's go." <<System Notice: Time to Seal Collapse: 04: 03: 04: 07: 40: 15>>