‘My head hurts enough, I don't need to imagine shit too.’
After I got out of bed I just sat there for a while, leaned back in my desk chair. I noticed a blinking light in the corner of my vision the whole time, but I needed the moment to catch up. When I was ready I opened up my notifications.
--System Requirements Met--
-Quest: Take the day with Humility!
-Requirements: 5/5 Met.
- Learn a valuable lesson and grow from it. Met
- Keep to your word! 3/3 Met
- Prove your dedication in a craft you find undesirable. Met
- Earn Kyle's respect and Brimiri's trust back. Met
- Pass Brimiri's test! Met
Reward: Withheld General Skills, a special General Skill, one Rank in practiced Skill.
–System info–
- General Skills: Skills anyone can learn, but are said to be easier for some to acquire, and for others near impossible.
‘That's both helpful and not very helpful at the same time,’ I sigh and carry on.
–General Skill(s) earned–
-Pain Resistance
-Hemorrhage Resistance
-Basic Blunt damage Nullification(U)
-Stable Care
-Defensive Movement.
“Well that's neat, I guess but I'll check those later. Since I'm taking off today, I should run by the stables one last time to help Kyle and thank him,” I outline to myself as I get dressed.
“Then I imagine Brimiri might have made me something to say goodbye and wish me well.”
Taking one last glance at the new General Skills, something clicked.
“Ah, so I didn't hit my head again.” I nod sagely and start on my short trek over to the stables. I decided to travel through St.Perri as much as possible to avoid the morning air, for at least a while longer. This added another 10 minutes to my walk, but I'd counted for that when I woke up.
In what felt like no time at all, I arrived at the stables, or at least I had though I had. Where the stables had been was an empty lot, no signs that a stable had even been in this location.
“What magic bullshit is this?” I say with a shake of my head. “Wish I had slept in now. Guess I'll go run around the garden for a bit before the Gardners come out.”
As I ran I took the time to really look at the garden, realizing the next time I see this garden, St.Perri at all, would be in 4 years. The thought left me feeling sentimental as I jogged, dodging around tools left out by the children that moved in a few days ago.
‘Man, I just got back and it's already time to leave again.’
I stopped to stare at the herbs and spices the kitchen staff grew, smelling the peppers and mint before moving on again. I looked at all the changing colors of the flowers and trees, shifting from soft yellows to mellow blues and around to easy greens. A scene to showcase joy and kindness.
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‘She always made sure we could stay positive in every little way and I didn't notice,’ coming to a stop in front of the cathedral, I sat down on the step and caught my breath.
“Early morning?” The question brought me up short.
Brimiri had managed to sneak up on me while I was catching my breath, though to be fair the town could probably hear me gasping for air at the end of my jog.
“Yeah, I was going to help Kyle again but I somehow forgot how to get to the stables,” I returned. Brimiri just quirked her head in confusion.
“Why Syil, are you okay? We don't have a stable at St. Perri. Who'd use the horses? we don't have Knights stationed here.” I could have sworn her lip was quivering a bit but I wasn't sure.
“I see, I guess I was still caught up in a dream this morning. Maybe after yesterday's training I was thinking of an easier life.” I quipped with a smile.
We slipped into a companionable silence, just watching as the dark sky began to be painted in morning hues. The morning air seemed just as companionable as well. Eventually Brimiri broke the silence.
“I'm going to miss you Syil, it's very rare I spend so many years with one child like I have with you.” She paused for a moment as if trying to word her thoughts.
“It's a tragedy what happened to you, but for what it's worth, I'm glad I was the one to raise you.” She had to wipe her eyes. “I know you'll do well out there Syil, tricks and all.” She finished by giving me a tight hug that left my bones creaking.
‘Systems above, she gives a tight hug for having one arm.’
She let me go and I wheezed in a breath. Her blatant show of emotion froze me for a moment before I collected myself.
“I promise I'll do my best to write, and if I can somehow visit before the end of the school term I will.” I said resolutely, a soft chime I barely registered in the background.
“Well I certainly hope so young man, it would be very unbecoming to stay out of contact,” she said with a stern face that quickly fell back into her normal joviality. “But really Syil, just take things easy. Your first year isn't supposed to be some hero story, but it's also not going to be like preliminary school. I don't believe I have to remind you about patience,” she added with a raised eyebrow and a small smirk.
Taking the message she spoke to heart, “Yes Ma'am. I'll look before I leap next time. No, every time from now on.” I said with a wry smile.
“No Syil, that's a life of paranoia. Just take your time, that's all I ask. Now!” She shouted with a clap of her hands. “We have to get you ready for the carriage, it gets here in an hour and you gave me plenty of time to get you packed. Now go bathe, you smell like a goblins armpit, and you really don't wanna smell like that.”
She started to walk off, quickly calling back.
“Be quick and come to the kitchen afterwards,” and she was off. Not wanting to waste any more time, I took off as asked.
___________________________________
I decided to lounge in the water for about 15 minutes before I got out and redressed. When I finished toweling my hair and the light hit the falling strand, I noticed my hair for the first time.
‘Purple, no blue? Or is it both..’ I carefully brought myself up to the mirror, taking my appearance in and feeling my breath catch. ‘My eyes were dirt brown, now they're ice blue and I think periwinkle? Cool.’ I leaned closer admiring my new eye color.
‘Glad I'm not blond.’ I chuckled, moving onto my hair, it had turned a color that looked black till the light traced the strands, making them almost seem to sparkle in blues and purples.
“I feel like some kind edge lord left alone with hair dye,” I sigh, somewhat exasperated.
“At least the colors are cool. No, they’re Awesome!” With one last glance I finished getting dressed and rushed to the kitchen.
Brimiri was chatting with the other Sisters in the kitchen till she saw me walk in, and quickly beckoned me over to sit at the table with her.
“Sit Syil, I’ll go grab your food.” She was gone with a swish of air and back in another, both her ‘hands’ holding their own loads, held by a literal air of joviality. “Something for now and something for later.“ She winked, having seemed to read my mind. “It's on your face Syil, you'll need to work on that or you'll get taken advantage of. Now eat!” She exclaimed with a slap on my back.
She placed a plate in front of me with a full baked potato, two thick strips of bacon, and a hearty stack of pancakes. I could feel the drool pooling in my mouth and it took everything I had to not tear into it like an animal. Instead I took my time and enjoyed the flavor, noticing she hid honeycomb in the soft cakes. It was delicious and made the thought of leaving feel heavier, every moment closer to goodbye. We stayed silent all the way up till arriving at the carriage. It was comfortable, preferable even, as I don't think I could have found the words capable of filling the silence.
We didn't feel the need for any more words, it seemed, as we parted with nothing more than one more hug and smile before I climbed into the carriage. I was the only one to get on at the moment so I decided it was time to go over some of the notifications I've been ignoring.
Skill Up!
Reward Allocated!
Asteroid Field (R ), T1R1 → T1R3
-Effect: Summon 8 Shards of Spacial Ice as a controllable asteroid belt. Each Shard on proper cast can withstand 4 attacks of equal Tier or 2 attacks of one higher Tier.
‘Nice. More shards, and I can take a few more hits. Now for the General Skills,' but as I begin to pull up their description, a flash of green snaps into my awareness. Another passenger had arrived, and they were a Race i hadn't encountered in this world yet
“Morn'n man, nice to meet cha” he said as he plopped down across from me and stretched his hand out, smile wide on his face showing sharp teeth. “Radwin’s the name, pleasure’s mine.”