Chapter 64

  As Noah ate his breakfast he pondered his next course of action, primarily whether to advance his Grade now or to wait. Out of all the advancements, Grade had been the most straightforward offering a flat boost to his abilities, as if amplifying his stats. He only considered waiting on the off chance that upgrading would change the current routine. The more he thought about that possibility the more inclined to advance he became. With that decided he moved to the bathroom and sat in the empty pool. He mentally triggered the advancement and waited for the impending messages.

  [Grade increased. D > C.]

  His body began to tremble and heat up as every cell was altered. It was painful, or at least he knew it would be if his nervous system was functioning. Minutes passed while the change took root. Only once his body had fully settled did he summon his status screen.

  Status

  Name: Noah Denter

  Race: Human

  Grade: C

  Domain: Proximal

  Caste: Copper

  Gate: 2

  Path: Adept

  Level: 169

  Strength: 668

  Dexterity:668

  Constitution: 506

  Intelligence:11

  Wisdom: 13

  Willpower: 14

  XP: 2,000/10,000

  Essence: 0/10,000,000

  Stat points available: 0

  It had been a long time since his last review and he found his stats lacking. He was looking forward to converting the upcoming XP into levels for the easy gains. That being said, his new body felt electric as if every muscle was itching to move. There was something about advancements that felt almost addicting and he couldn’t contain the smile that crept across his face. He washed and got ready for the day before eagerly making his way to the training yard. He wanted to find his new limits and see how much further he could push his body. When he got to the sparring area, Recter stood waiting for him. He wore a concerned expression as he approached but it faded when he noticed Noah’s gaze.

  “Recter, good morning. Is everything alright?” Noah asked, hoping it would be the day he broke through the silence. The drakon looked conflicted for a moment and then let out a sharp hiss of breath.

  “Noah. I have been hesitant to speak, as my life has hung in the balance. However, it seems that my time will be coming to an end whether I choose to speak or not. I have been informed that we are set to fight in the arena in a month’s time unless you manage to break through. I do not wish to fight you as I believe either outcome will result in my death. For that reason, I urge you to focus on your advancement. For both our sakes.” Recter finished, before lifting his weapon. Noah pressed his lips in a tight line.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  “I will break through, Recter. I won’t let you die.” He replied, lifting his weapon in kind. They sparred for over an hour, and Recter pushed him as hard as he was able. Soon the telltale escort arrived, ushering him to his next death match. The sparring had helped him consolidate his newfound power and test his abilities, now it was time to see if they would be enough to make the difference. Once again he extended his senses, reaching for that intangible ability. It occurred to him that he really ought to practice his domain outside of these circumstances, and as much as he wished he would have started earlier, the next best time was now. When the spike-ridden rhino stepped into the ring he was ready.

  It was clear by the look in its eyes that it was measuring him, assessing him for any weaknesses. Noah waited on a razor’s edge, not daring to make the first move. He knew that one wrong step would spell his ruin, and he had been reminded that it wasn’t just his life on the line. He had opted for a long spear, having realized his relative fragility in the previous fight. If he could attack them from further away, then perhaps he could avoid a killing blow. The match went slowly, more a competition of strategists than boxers. They took turns probing each other’s defenses and exchanging feints, neither willing to fully commit to an attack. As the time went on Noah’s nerves grew along with the weight on his conscience. This wasn’t the behavior of a beast with a need for blood. No, this was the calculating nature of a survivor who was desperately clinging to life. It was with genuine remorse that he finally lashed out, taking the rhino by surprise when his feint turned serious. His spear dug deeply into the beast’s shoulder, and its leg buckled as tendons were severed. Though his heart wasn’t in it, he followed up his attack with several more, each targeting key areas on the beast’s body. It let out a wail of frustration and its body began to expand rapidly. Noah jumped back, worried that it was going to explode. Instead, it opened its mouth and let out a jet of white-hot flame directly at Noah’s position. It was all he could do to sprawl on the ground, but the flames clung to his back, instantly charring his clothing and turning his flesh black. He screamed in pain and rolled desperately in hopes of extinguishing the fire. It worked but the damage was done.

  His enhanced awareness had once again vanished and his mind was threatening to collapse under the pain. He forced himself to his feet and bit his lip as the pain demanded his attention. Magic. Strong magic means a weak body. Attack. His body didn’t move. Attack! He watched as the rhino began to expand again. Move! His will finally gained purchase and his body shot forward even as the beast directed its head toward him. He lifted his spear like a javelin and sprinted directly at the beast. Its mouth opened, revealing a cone of bright light. He threw the spear as the fire began to roll out of its mouth. His world turned white and he heard a distant squelch followed by a choking sound. Then the world faded away.

  For the first time in many months, he saw a familiar figure in his dreams, the enigma of a woman who had so thoroughly affected his life. She gave him a sad smile, and he found that his heart sank in seeing her sadness. She raised a hand to his face, cupping his cheek.

  “Noah. Don’t give in to death’s embrace. Everyone is counting on you.” She whispered, her voice like the wind.

  “Who are you?” He replied, his words seeming to dissolve as they left his mouth. She smiled, her eyes filled with affection.

  “Noah, I am your m–” Before she could finish her words Noah was yanked back to his body and his eyes flew open.

  “Noah, wake up! Don’t leave us!” Jeline shouted from his side. He stared blankly at her, his mind slowly coming back to the present. He attempted to move, to sit up, but his body didn’t budge. In fact, he couldn’t feel his body at all. Panic set in as he stared into Jeline’s face. He attempted to respond but the words didn’t form. The healer wasn’t in his line of sight but he figured that she had already attended to him. Jeline grasped his hand, but as he watched her take it into her hands it appeared as a foreign object, in no way connected to his body. What is wrong with me? He lay immobile for hours while Jeline attempted various forms of communication with him. Then came the yelling, first at the healer for her inadequacy, then at anyone else who dared step too close. Eventually, she carried him back to his room and laid him in his bed. She pulled a chair beside him and sat with him through the night. When he woke the next morning, nothing had changed, his mind was fresh but his body refused his commands. He was trapped.

  “Noah. I don’t know if you can hear me, but if you can, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize there was a worse option than death. If you are still like this when the kingdom attacks, I promise to give you a swift end.” She said the words sweetly as she squeezed his shoulder. Noah shuddered internally. He had maybe a month to find a way to fix his body and knowing Jeline, he assumed that this wouldn’t change their prior deadlines either. As he considered the looming deadlines, a single strand of hope came into view. He already had to advance his Gate, perhaps it would trigger a change in his body. He grew excited at the prospect. Sure he would miss out on a significant amount of XP but perhaps he needed the focused time to meditate. It just might work.