NOVEL NEXT Chapter 75: The Return
The demons, coated in Wulf's potion, didn't last much longer. After a few minutes, they cleared away the hordes approaching the fallen Oronith. The crews of Clegghold's Oroniths descended to lend a hand, and then, when it was all over, they carried the five of them back to shore.
Wulf kept an eye on Umoch the whole time, but the boy did nothing. He seemed resigned to his fate.
When they returned to the shore, it seemed their diversion had lured out a great number of the small demons to the lake. Clegghold's non-Ascendant guards and footmen marched through the streets, using their momentum to crush the demon hordes, and cavalry charged up and down the roads, cleaning up the stragglers.
All in all, a victory. Some buildings had been trampled, and the colossal fiends had stormed a path through the city. There would be some fires to put out, but it was nowhere near the total destruction that Clegghold had faced last time.
Finally, a pair of guardsmen found them, and when they identified Umoch, they dragged him away. He probably wouldn't face any punishment for sabotaging the defences of the city, but it didn't matter. Wulf had his revenge, and Umoch had someone else to answer to now.
Wulf heaved a sigh of relief. He and the others stood around for a few hours, watching the moons rise and pass overhead, walking the lakeside promenade.
When Wulf's mind finally registered that the danger was over, he leaned against the railing overlooking the lake, admiring the fiend corpses they'd left behind.
"We should get you to a healer," Kalee said after a little silence. "You'll need help."
"I can hold on a little longer," Wulf replied. "I'm sure there are worse wounds that need tending to."
He craned his neck down, looking at his bracer, about to assess his status. But a voice called from behind, "You again?"
Four cats, two black, and two white, stepped toward him and his friends. He recognized Mantri, and Kalee's Messenger was probably the same, but the other two—who walked straight toward Seith and Irmond, were new.
"By the Field!" Irmond exclaimed. "Oh, it's actually happening? A Grand Mark! I can't believe it!"
"It's actually coming to tell you to clean your armpits," Seith muttered.
"Oh, come on…" Irmond grumbled. "Your Messenger is going to tell you to get better at fixing rune-lines faster, then."
"Low blow."
"Well, elves don't stink. You're smelling Wulf."
Wulf just snorted, then bent down and faced Mantri, letting the rest of the world fade away around him. "Hey there," he said. He reached out and scratched the Messenger between the ears. "I told you I'd see you again."
"I shouldn't underestimate you," Mantri murmured. "Only once in a century do we see people as…lucky as you. To have multiple Grand Marks is a great honour."
It wasn't luck. Not this time. But Wulf kept that to himself.
Mantri reached out and placed a paw on Wulf's thigh. "I bestow another Grand Mark upon you. Good luck, and good work. The Field is very impressed with you."
Wulf nodded. "It better be."
"I would say I don't expect to see you again, however…" Mantri turned away. "I somehow suspect you will prove me very wrong."
Wulf raised his eyebrows. "Very. Well, see you around, kitty."
"I…I trust you," Mantri meowed. "It has been a welcome break from the boredom of celestial servitude."
Wulf chuckled. "Well, any time."
"Bring me back again," Mantri said. "And we will see."
He glanced over at Kalee, then at Irmond and Seith. When he looked back down, the cats were gone.
Out of curiosity, he immediately raised his wrist and concentrated on the Mark, trying to assess it:
[Grand Mark achieved: Wraithmaster]
By earning a Grand Mark, all your previous regular Marks have been condensed into one: [Poisonous Foundations]
[Wraithmaster] You have tamed the legendary Silent Wraith, at great cost to your mana and personal well-being. Your abilities can now draw chaos out of living spirits and other creatures. Drawing chaos from a spirit temporarily doubles your chaos resistance.
Wulf nodded. All he could think to say was, "Nice…" It was definitely the nineteen-year-old mind talking.
But he wasn't done. There was still much to assess. He held up his bracer and willed the Mark's description to disappear, leaving only the prior alert that he could upgrade his abilities.
It read:
Skill Upgrade Available
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[By Your Will]
[Arm of the Alchemist]
[Bastion]
[Chaotic Alteration]
[Deadline]
The Field never told you what the upgrades did before you picked it, but it would always be beneficial.
He just needed to decide what ability would be best for him going into the future. He stared at it for a few seconds, but the answer was pretty clear. His most used ability was [Arm of the Alchemist]. Mentally, he selected that, and the Field adjusted for a few seconds, tingling along his arm and reaching down to his core.
After a few seconds, the sheet adjusted:
[Skill Upgraded: Arm of the Alchemist]
[Arm of the Alchemist] You can spend your personal mana to manipulate any potion. Control of the potion can take any form you see fit, though you cannot transmute its form or change its state. Under this ability, poisonous potions become splatter potions. Your ability to smoothly control the potion scales with the quality of the potion. Cohesion of the potion scales with your Tier.
Wulf nodded. The changes were subtle. The potions not having to be made by his hand was mildly helpful, but better yet, him being able to turn potions into splatter potions would be incredibly useful. And he'd be immune to it if he touched them, considering his resistance to poisons.
Lastly, he held up the scissors, and assessed them:
Fate Cutters (Unique)
Xerion scissors crafted by an alchemist determined to change his fate. With an assertion of will, they can amplify the user's transmutation skills and store all chaotic and orderly essences drawn from materials, up to one thousand units of either.
The storage limit increases with each living creature whose fate is permanently altered by these scissors.
They will only function for their bonded maker.
"That's…impressive," Wulf said, staring right at the scissors. He slid them back into the sheath on his back, moving carefully, and handling them gingerly.
"Now, Wulf, are you satisfied?" Kalee asked. "You're really bleeding, and we'd better get you some help."
He gave a half-hearted nod, then said, "Yeah. Alright. Let's call it a day."
~ ~ ~
For a week, they remained in Clegghold. Wulf spent a few days in a tent on the main thoroughfare, with healers watching over him, until they finally dismissed him and sent him to an unused flat, where he was permitted to relax. But two Low-Iron Ascendants waited outside the flat's door, making sure he, Kalee, Seith, and Irmond didn't escape. They had received orders from Dr. Langold.
At the end of the week, Dr. Langold arrived in-person.
"Yes, yes, thank you for watching over them," Langold told the guards as he stepped inside the cramped flat.
"They saved my life," one of the guards said, leaning in through the door.
"Oh, they did? That's wonderful to hear, Stigand," Langold replied. "Glad to hear a former student is staying safe. Now, if you will, I'd appreciate a little privacy." He shut the door quickly and marched across the room.
Wulf sat on a couch in the flat's central living room, nursing his injured shoulder. "Hey, headmaster." He gave a little wave.
"Are the others here?" Langold asked.
Kalee emerged from a room on one side of the flat, and Seith and Irmond poked their heads out of the bedroom.
"Sit down," Langold instructed.
They did.
"I must admit, I'm quite impressed," Langold said. "Your respective faculties have agreed not to expel you, and Dr. Azanthius has made another crossing with a few of his professors. He plans to meet us back at the Academy, and it is imperative that we don't delay."
"Dr. Azanthius?" Wulf asked.
"Yes, he has a few messages he would like to deliver to you four." Langold chuckled. "I have no clue what they could be."
Wulf glanced at Kalee. "No clue…"
She laughed softly.
"Will you return with me?" Langold asked. "If I say so, you will be released from custody here, and Silent Wraith will be removed from the lake…and brought along with us."
"Of course, sir," Wulf said. "I'm more than happy to return with you."
~ ~ ~
By the time they made it back to the Istalis Academy, it was the very beginning of Fourthmonth. Most of the snow had melted, save for a few patches in the shade, and green grass was sprouting in all the cracks. Best of all, the border wall had been completely repaired.
As soon as they returned to the Academy, though, they made straight for Dr. Langold's office. He let the four of them inside right away, then beckoned them to sit in the chairs.
"It seems your little deal with Umoch has paid off," Dr. Langold said. "Before exams have even begun, he's dropped out. I'm sure I'll be hearing from his father soon, however, my hands are tied. I can do nothing about a drop-out." Landgold offered Wulf a smile. "Congratulations."
Wulf nodded.
"Now, I will welcome our guest, Dr. Azanthius," he said—loud enough that his voice could be heard through the door.
The door creaked open, and Dr. Azanthius walked in. He didn't shut it the whole way. "Dr. Langold told me of your continued demon-slaying success," he said. "Congratulations are in order, I suppose."
"Thank you, sir," Wulf said, and Kalee, Irmond, and Seith followed up with similar expressions of gratitude.
"And, seeing your success in claiming the Silent Wraith, the Centralis Academy has decided to make an offer to you. This summer, you may cross the ocean on a sealiner, and you may spend your next semester at the Centralis Academy if you choose. Being the most prestigious school in the world, you would receive a wealth of supplies, and have access to some of the best instructors in the world. Not to mention, access to our dungeon. Of course, this offer extends to all four of you."
Wulf glanced at Dr. Langold, and the headmaster dipped his head. "It is not my place to stand in the way of my star students' greatness. I strongly recommend that you take this offer."
"Granted, of course," Azanthius continued, "that you perform well in your final exams."
"What about the tournament?" Wulf asked.
"Ah, yes." Azanthius stroked his chin. "I'm sure we will have a few dropouts in our Middle Bracket for you to fill up, should you choose to join our tournament. But you will have to wait until the fall semester begins."
Wulf nodded. There really wasn't much to think on—he got both of his wishes. To see the wider world, and a chance to greatly increase his strength. "I'm in," he said quickly.
The others didn't hesitate, either.
"Very well. I will have the appropriate forms sent to your dormitories for you to sign and submit to us." Azanthius dipped his head. "I have brought along a few of our instructors from the Centralis Academy, as well, to help inspect the Silent Wraith. However, I figured they may like an introduction."
At that, the door swung open, and five more Ascendants in the white robes of the Centralis Academy marched in. They were unremarkable, save for the woman at the back. She was tall, with long, braided blonde hair and an athletic physique. Oh her back, she carried a heavy stone hammer.
Wulf's eyes widened.
She was the last to introduce herself. "Greetings, presumptive candidates. You may call me Instructor Arnau, and I will be your combat and spirits trainer." She gave a respectful bow. "I believe we can make wonderful Ascendants out of you, yet."