“I don’t know how I came into possession of mine but I believe it’s called [Trifecta]. Did the Lord Commander Jermain use a Mar-tech as well?” admitted Arlan even though he knew how he got his Mar-tech.
“Yes, the Lord Commander used [Raging Bull] to accelerate power into his attack. His ability let’s him multiply the force of his swing based on the weight of the weapon. He uses darksteel weapons for that purpose.”
“I see. Father, do you have any Mar-tech as well?”
“Yes, I have mastered quite a few Mar-tech. Most soldiers, adventurers or other fighters are only capable of learning a few in their lifetime. For you to know one at this age is nothing short of a genius.” stated the Duke, “One day, I’ll teach you all my Mar-techs. While your essence is extremely gifted, your physical body is holding you back still. Learning Mar-tech requires your essence to be completely drained for a day or sometimes weeks. Recovery varies from person to person. Some don’t even recover from the weight of learning Mar-tech.”
“Is there a way to know how much essence you’ll need?” asked Arlan.
“The quality of your core is most important, but efficient essence routing and current essence available are other secondary variables. The success of learning Mar-tech is dependent on those variables.” stated the Duke.
“I see. How do I measure my own core?” replied the intrigued son.
“There are many catalysts that can be used to analyze the quality of your core. There is a small ruby here in the training room against the wall near the door. Rubies are the most accurate measurement. Other gemstones aren’t as accurate but are much more common. Place your hand on the ruby and channel your essence to full.” answered the Duke.
Arlan follows his father’s instructions and approaches a ruby crystal on a pedestal placed in the center of the wall. The young baron channels all of his essence as instructed. The ruby emits a glow that pierces into Arlan’s hand. Arlan felt no pain as a letter appeared at the back of his hand.
“As I expected of someone who single handedly defeated a company of goblins.” stated the Duke proudly.
“May I have an explanation of what this means?” asked his son.
“Yes Arlan, cores are separated into ten tiers. The tenth tier is the most powerful. Within each tier, a core must be refined to a pure white to advance to the next tier. All cores start at a red color. They move from red, to orange, to yellow to white. Surpassing into the next tier requires a pure white core at your tier. Advancing tiers will multiply your essence or mana by quite a bit.
“What is my tier?” asked Arlan.
“My boy, your core has already been elevated to the third tier orange. I’ve only been able to reach the fifth tier yellow. Most soldiers or mages never break into the second tier.”
“Father, what’s the highest tier you’ve ever seen?”
“The best fighters across Althea are no higher than fifth tiers. Anything higher is considered impossible for mortals to reach. Dragons and mythical beasts have seventh tier cores.”
“How does one advance to the next tier?” asked Arlan again.
“Through intense training by cultivating your core. Arlan, at your age, with a third tier core, you’ve already reached what most fail to do in a lifetime. That’s enough for today. You’re dismissed for today.” answered Duke Reeve.
“Thank you, father.”
As Arlan bowed out, the two assigned maids removed his armor. Arlan made his way to his quarters while thinking of what he learned today.
Alright, it’s time I check out Galdo City. Although I think it may be better to check it out in secret.
Arlan ordered the two maids to stay in his quarters while he donned a blue cloak. It was the least expensive looking cloak the young baron could find. Arlan made his way to the front gate of Highmane. He was already well known among Highmane and rumours were already spreading throughout Galdo City. The guards instantly recognized him with his hood down. But as Arlan left the castle and entered the city, he raised his hood and vanished into the crowds.
The young baron’s first steps into the city felt surreal. It was his first time finally exploring a large city on Althea. While this venture was for intelligence, Arlan could not help but indulge himself in walking the streets. He found multiple vendor stalls, houses, stores, restaurants and other assortment of buildings. Within these buildings were different varying characters. The city was bustling and the people were quite lively.
Before Arlan had noticed, an hour had passed and it was already three in the afternoon. He’d just arrived at the market square, the center of Galdo City. As he explored the markets, a restaurant towards the end seduced his hunger. No one in the market recognized his face yet and he intentionally hid his sigil under his cloak.
Upon entry, a human maid with black long hair greeted the young baron without realizing his nobility. She held a very nice hourglass figure and looked to be in her early twenties. The maid guided Arlan to a table in the corner. The tavern was bustling with life and the atmosphere was joyous.
Arlan ordered a special chicken soup with freshly made plum juice. As he began devouring his food, he noticed a trio of nobles entering the tavern with two escort guards. Something bothered Arlan was this establishment didn’t seem to appeal to the upper class.
Arlan left one silver coin for the tab on the table, it was payment for his food and more. Being the son of the Duke Reeve meant he had access to a large amount of wealth. Arlan got up and followed the trio from a distance and noticed they arrived at a table with three recruit soldiers. Arlan activated [Battle Trance] to ascertain the area better.
The three noblemen appeared to be in their late teens, same with the recruits sitting at the table. A teal haired noble started by shouting at the recruits who instantly stood up from their table and bowed. “You lowlifes are insulting me when you fight against my banner during training. You need to know your place and stay your hand during combat training. Or you’ll lose it.” exclaimed the teal haired noble.
One of the recruits replied with “I apologize for our rudeness, sir. But we were merely doing as our instructor told us to.” Arlan recognized that recruit. It was JD.
JD, I thought you’d be in the Knight’s Academy by now. Not a recruit in the Midland Army.
At the end of that thought, the purple haired noble grabbed JD by his uniform’s collar and started dragging him out. With this commotion, everyone in the tavern had turned their attention to the corner. None of the maids dare say anything to the nobles.
JD allowed the nobles to drag him towards the center right pass Arlan. Afterwards, the purple haired noble proclaimed “Get on your knees and beg for our mercy. Or I’ll have you removed from the Midland Army!”
The soldier obeyed and knelt towards the nobles. Before JD could say anything, the teal haired noble raised the scabbard of his sword and prepared to strike JD. Arlan knew it was time to intervene. He had brought his mithril sword along with him.
Arlan channeled essence and used his scabbard to block the attack for JD, positioning himself right between the two in the Tavern. It knocked the teal haired noble on his rear. The nervous green haired noble replied, “Heathen! You dare get in the way of me? I’m Ralph Pennington. My father is a knight in the Midland A-”
“I don’t care.” Arlan interrupted. JD’s eyes widened as he thought he just heard Arlan’s voice.
“You’ll be punished!” Ralph threatened Arlan.
Let’s have a little fun.
“Oh no, I’m about to be punished by Ralphie boy, the pig-faced kid.” Arlan muttered sarcastically. This struck a nerve with all three nobles.
“Smitty, beat this hooligan!” ordered Ralph to one of the guard escorts. It was a guard in his late thirties wearing chainmail. The guard didn’t draw his weapon but approached Arlan with the intent to strike him with his gauntlets. Arlan motioned for JD to step back, everyone’s gaze fell upon Arlan and Smitty with the promise of violence.
Smitty was at least seven inches taller than Arlan and approached with intent. Arlan decided not to release his killing intent and used the hilt to defend himself. As Smitty approached striking distance, Arlan channeled his essence and prepared to riposte the inevitable strike.
The escort guard lunged at the young baron with his right metal fist. Arlan was able to deflect the blow with the hilt. A loud thud echoed through the entire tavern. Smitty let out a slight groan and realized his hand was broken. The guard was now rendered unable to fight.
“You damned useless soldier!” Ralph scolded his guard, “Rodrid, you beat him.”
Before the second guard could approach, six different city guards invaded the tavern and surrounded the scene. Ralph and his posse immediately pointed the guards towards JD and Arlan and accused the pair of thievery and violence. The city guards immediately drew swords. One of the senior city guards declared to Arlan, “Lower your weapons and surrender. If you refuse, you’ll pay with your blood.”
Arlan remained calm and simply lowered his hood. Everyone in the tavern immediately gasped and the guards withdrew their weapons immediately. Arlan’s collar was now visible with the golden lion sigil, a special sigil signifying his baron title. The senior city guard broke the silence, “My lord, please excuse my incompetence. We were unaware that it was you. I offer my sincerest apologies.”
“I have not been offended. Arrest the three nobles and their guards.” ordered Arlan with ease. JD was shocked with silence.
The young baron was now in full control with leverage of the Reeve’s sigil. Since Arlan never heard of the Pennington name, it was safe to assume their house was of much lower status. With Arlan’s orders, the guards followed and the nobles pleaded for forgiveness. “My lord, we beg for mercy. We were not aware of your status.”
“I shall grant you mercy. Under the condition that you leave this soldier to his duties for the rest of your lives.” responded the young baron.
“Your mercy is endless, my lord.” replied Ralph as he and his posse left the tavern. Arlan ushered for the guards to leave as well and they complied. They didn’t dare question a Baron, even if the Baron was fourteen. Arlan then turned to JD who still was shocked with wide eyes. Arlan greeted first.
“It’s been a while, JD.”
“Arlan! I mean, my lor-”
“No need for manners. So Arlan is just fine.”
“Right! I thought I heard your voice! It really is you. You’re a Baron of House Reeve now.”
“I’m still not used to being a Baron either.” replied Arlan as he noticed the two other soldiers still back at the table. “Should we return to your friends and catch up?”
“As a noble, we shouldn’t sit next to you.”
“It won’t matter, no would dare question a Reeve.” stated Arlan. JD nodded and the two walked over to the nervous pair. JD tried to introduce Arlan, “This is my friend fro-”
“Baron Arlan of House Reeve. Pleased to meet you two.” inserted Arlan as he bowed.
“My lord, I’m Trent and this is Erin. We’re new recruits with the Galdo City Garrison. Please excuse our presence.” stated Trent who was taller than JD and barely fifteen years old. He wore the Midland Army recruit uniform like JD and Erin. The uniforms were dark blue long sleeve dress shirts with grey pants with medals and rank insignias. They were recruits still, not considered soldiers till they finished their training.
The trio nervously made room for Arlan to sit. The same maid who seated Arlan ran by and bowed nervously and took Arlan’s order. The recruit’s eyes widened when Arlan ordered more expensive items off the menu. Erin felt uneasy and decided to ask. “My lord, how is it that you know JD and why are you sitting with us? Wouldn’t it be better to eat at a more luxurious restaurant? Forgive my rudeness.”
“I’ve known JD for a while. We lived at the orphanage together. This is my first time exploring Galdo City and I’d like to experience the area fully. If you’re friends with JD, I’d like to thank you for keeping him out of trouble.” replied Arlan.
“My lord, Trent and I both owe JD a great deal. He’s helped us and many others endure the training. We’re thankful for your intervention.” stated Erin.
“JD, why was the Pennington kid after you?”
“I was able to beat him in a training skirmish between our banner and theirs. He didn’t enjoy being beaten by a commoner. So we came here to celebrate our victory today and that’s when he showed up.” stated JD as he looked at his cup, “Arlan… How did you end up becoming a Baron for the Reeves family?”
“I seem to have impressed Duke Reeves by slaying a company of Goblins on the way here. Then during our dinner, he was able to get a grasp of my intentions. So he ended up adopting me as his son. Duke Reeves is my father.” stated Arlan.
Once the young baron finished his sentence, Trent and Erin both choked on their drinks and began coughing. JD held a very shocked face while Arlan let out a laugh.
“I heard of the rumours of the Duke’s new son. I didn’t think it’d be you.” said JD as he let out a smile, “You didn’t change. You could’ve flashed your sigil way earlier. But you decided to break that nitwit’s hand.” Arlan wrapped his arm around JD’s neck and started rubbing his fist into JD’s head. While JD and Arlan let out laughs, Trent and Erin looked at each other in disbelief that a baron was acting so casually with them.
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