ACT V
THE GLORY WARS
After the heartfelt conversation, Vanir regained his brief confidence. He might not have known what lineage his little backer belonged to in detail, but the definite thing known about Parvian royalty to a commoner like him was that they were all crazy strong. And Hans already had proven his prowess fighting Delimira. "Ahem!", Embarrassed, he asked Hans, “So how should I address you - Lord Hans, prince —”
“Just stick to the Senior.”
“Okay. Then senior, how do you plan on getting the potion? What I need is super expensive.”
“Why are you mentioning money all of a sudden?” Hans shrugged him off, saying, “I won’t buy it. Didn’t you hear me before? Who I am?”
“Yeah,” Vanir said in anticipation, “That's why I think you’ll have a lot of money.”
“Tsk, tsk,” Hans clicked his tongue in annoyance and asked him, “Who are the ones who raised Samson?”
“Who knows,” Vanir shrugged his shoulder, imitating Hans and justified, “We commoners neither have the luxury nor the time to know the theatrics of our own royalties, and you are asking me about a foreign nation.” This reply left Hans speechless. Vanir was the first person who knew nothing about his infamous father. Sighing, he said, “Then learn some idiot, go to the library, at least get to know the world history,” pausing, he added, “Dean Sierra and Rudolf are my grandparents.”
“Wow, really?”
“So will they get it for us?” Vanir asked leaving Hans even more speechless, “My father was the one thing, but this idiot doesn’t even know about granny.” Taking a long breath to calm himself, he asked, “Were you living under the rock the whole time? Grandma is the world’s best healer. A potion from her can even wake up dead. Your father’s condition is nothing. He will stand on his feet in no time and recover his mental state too.”
“Really, senior? He‘ll regain his mind too?” Vanir said, his eyes moistened and looking at him, Hans couldn't help but comment, “Hey stop crying all the time, You are the genius of spell crafting. Give some face to your dead pride.”
“Sorry sir, I was so busy making ends meet that I never even got the chance to cry for the past two years. It feels like everything will be smooth from now on.”
“What are you mumbling, your hellish life awaits you.”
“That's fine by me senior. I can do anything if it means becoming stronger.” Taking a long breather, he finally relaxed, “But, you must know my condition well, with the way I am now. I can hardly pass the second year. I was trying to work my butt off and enter the apprenticeship in alchemy after failing the third, but you said you’d make me a warlock right? Since it is the least I have to be to protect you —”
“Well, you aren’t wrong. First, we have to increase your mana pool.” Hans said, thinking hard about the option available to him, but Vanir interrupted him in a very commoner way again, “That will be expensive too senior.”
“Don’t talk like a poor bastard. You are with me now.” Hans rebuked since Vanir kept mentioning money every time he spoke and continued in his annoyed tone, “What I hate the most is spending money and since my bank… let’s say we are not on talking terms now.”
“Aren't you contradicting yourself?” Vanir asked, and Hans realised his words really came out wrong. One was suggesting to him not to worry about money while the other was telling him to be a miser. And his sudden pause made Vanir understand what bank Hans might have been talking about, “Oh yes, Director Winter’s daughter.” He said clasping his hands, “You still haven't made up with her? She is rich beyond imagination senior. With her help, you could —”
“If I wanted to use her, I wouldn’t have done things this way, Vanir. She is a friend. I can’t just use her.”
"Wow, a friend, I thought you had some grudge against her..." Vanir gagged himself, realising he was blabbering aloud and quickly changed the subject, “Then how I’m supposed to increase mana?”
"I picked a blabbermouth, I see. Let's fix his bad habit of speaking out of the turn first." Snickering, Hans responded, “ The old-fashioned way. “ he said, as his lips stretched ear to ear, “You’ll be eating mana hearts from now on, and it will be raw, junior. So be ready to skip the days when I want you to. We’ll be hunting things ourselves.”
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
“You seem to have a short memory, you keep forgetting who I am.”
“A child even younger than me, you are strong but —”
“Ha, this habit of his... that sentence would have worked if this idiot knew about my father.” He calmed himself again and stated, “Listen Vanir, I lived in Ghost Isles since my toddler days, You know the place right? The most dangerous beast zone in the world. " He explained, emphasising, "My grandfather, Rudolf, a Warlord. He raised me to survive there. So what could a two-star beast zone do to me? You get it now, right? I'm that good at hunting.”
With this, Hans bid farewell to Vanir since there was a lot to prepare, 2000 credits, his schedule for two months in suspension, and the Glory Wars selections. On top of it, he has to get his poor subordinate in shape. “Ha, how much these tiny shoulders of mine can carry.” He sighed and went to one place that could help him solve most of his problems, his housemaster’s office.
“Thud! Thud! Thud!” He knocked on Walter’s doors and went inside, “Professor, your favourite student needs your help.”
“When did you become my favourite, you shameless farmboy.”
“I don’t remember you calling anyone else with a cute pet name, sir.”
“So what can I do for you, my favourite student,” Walter said putting his elbows on the table.
“First —”
“There are more than one,” Walter interrupted, and Hans nodded shamelessly, continuing, “First, tell me what are the criteria for Glory Wars selection.”
“Hmm…” Walter thought and replied, “A little friendly competition —”
“Can I bypass it somehow?” Hans asked and waited for Walter’s reply with anticipating eyes, but Walter denied it firmly, “I don’t run this place, and it would be unfair for others if I just put you on the reservation.”
“I see a ‘but’ coming sir,” Hans asked again.
“Yes, there is a way, but your little stunt has ruined your chances.”
“What?” Hans responded, confused. So Walter clarified, “There is a thing called seeded position. I'd have recommended you, and the panel for selection would have voted, but do you think, anyone sane would offend Aredhel for you unless you wanna announce who you are, Your chances are —”
“That's not happening.” Hans firmly denied so Walter tried explaining, “Farmboy, that is inevitable, Almost half of the senior professors know this, and soon the rest of them will too. Even Parv found you so what is stopping you?”
“This is not the time, professor.”
“Fine then you are out of options, but... There is another way too...” Walter said, rolling his eyes, and that made Hans excited, buttering up Walter, he asked, “Now, that's Professor Walter for you, he always has a way —”
“Stop bootlicking, farmboy,” Walter interrupted and proposed his solution, “Do something so big that others have to choose you no matter what.”
“You mean —”
“Bring a third-class beast carcass to the Alchemy department, they have the most say in the Concordia. If they can vouch for you, no one would think once to reject my proposal. And it might help you earn some credits for your punishment too. Two birds one stone.”
“Well, it's some decent tactic and it solves my second problem too, but how about three birds one stone?" Hans suggested, "Let me bring my underling to tag along.”
“What can a first-year help you achieve.”
“Sir you seem to forget what you told me before; We have a very low number of members, and that’s why we can’t do many things to raise our House's prestige. But one thing you must remember. There is a reason you are chosen in this House." Hnas repeated Walter's words, asking, "Remember it now. That underling of mine, I’ll make him my sturdy wall.”
“Shutting up me with my own words, fine I’ll get that first year for you, but you should visit the Task Hall. Have a good look at what will give you the most credits first, farmboy.”
Hans left the office, and since half of his problems seemed to find their solution, it was time for him to fulfil his promise to Vanir. With this thought in mind, he went to find his grandmother in Administration. Upon reaching her office, he heard a familiar voice.“Aren’t you showing yourself too much brother —”
“Sis, is grandma free.”
“No, she is busy. The summit from before is finally showing its impact, diplomats keep visiting, and Alliance sent another today for discussion.”
“So they are getting serious about Xandor —”
“You knew?” Vaness asked.
“Of course, I have a head sis, and I dare say a pretty good one too”
“So ask that good head of yours, if you barging in here is a good idea or not?”
“I can’t help it, I need to fulfil a promise.”
“So what do you need?”
“My grandma, for starters.”
AnnouncementI was told that reading the chapter in justified format is troublesome in mobile. So I formatted it all left this time. Tell me if you find this awkward.
NEXT : EARNING CREDITS
ACT V
THE GLORY WARS
After the heartfelt conversation, Vanir regained his brief confidence. He might not have known what lineage his little backer belonged to in detail, but the definite thing known about Parvian royalty to a commoner like him was that they were all crazy strong. And Hans already had proven his prowess fighting Delimira. "Ahem!", Embarrassed, he asked Hans, “So how should I address you - Lord Hans, prince —”
“Just stick to the Senior.”
“Okay. Then senior, how do you plan on getting the potion? What I need is super expensive.”
“Why are you mentioning money all of a sudden?” Hans shrugged him off, saying, “I won’t buy it. Didn’t you hear me before? Who I am?”
“Yeah,” Vanir said in anticipation, “That's why I think you’ll have a lot of money.”
“Tsk, tsk,” Hans clicked his tongue in annoyance and asked him, “Who are the ones who raised Samson?”
“Who knows,” Vanir shrugged his shoulder, imitating Hans and justified, “We commoners neither have the luxury nor the time to know the theatrics of our own royalties, and you are asking me about a foreign nation.” This reply left Hans speechless. Vanir was the first person who knew nothing about his infamous father. Sighing, he said, “Then learn some idiot, go to the library, at least get to know the world history,” pausing, he added, “Dean Sierra and Rudolf are my grandparents.”
“Wow, really?”
“So will they get it for us?” Vanir asked leaving Hans even more speechless, “My father was the one thing, but this idiot doesn’t even know about granny.” Taking a long breath to calm himself, he asked, “Were you living under the rock the whole time? Grandma is the world’s best healer. A potion from her can even wake up dead. Your father’s condition is nothing. He will stand on his feet in no time and recover his mental state too.”
“Really, senior? He‘ll regain his mind too?” Vanir said, his eyes moistened and looking at him, Hans couldn't help but comment, “Hey stop crying all the time, You are the genius of spell crafting. Give some face to your dead pride.”
“Sorry sir, I was so busy making ends meet that I never even got the chance to cry for the past two years. It feels like everything will be smooth from now on.”
“What are you mumbling, your hellish life awaits you.”
“That's fine by me senior. I can do anything if it means becoming stronger.” Taking a long breather, he finally relaxed, “But, you must know my condition well, with the way I am now. I can hardly pass the second year. I was trying to work my butt off and enter the apprenticeship in alchemy after failing the third, but you said you’d make me a warlock right? Since it is the least I have to be to protect you —”
“Well, you aren’t wrong. First, we have to increase your mana pool.” Hans said, thinking hard about the option available to him, but Vanir interrupted him in a very commoner way again, “That will be expensive too senior.”
“Don’t talk like a poor bastard. You are with me now.” Hans rebuked since Vanir kept mentioning money every time he spoke and continued in his annoyed tone, “What I hate the most is spending money and since my bank… let’s say we are not on talking terms now.”
“Aren't you contradicting yourself?” Vanir asked, and Hans realised his words really came out wrong. One was suggesting to him not to worry about money while the other was telling him to be a miser. And his sudden pause made Vanir understand what bank Hans might have been talking about, “Oh yes, Director Winter’s daughter.” He said clasping his hands, “You still haven't made up with her? She is rich beyond imagination senior. With her help, you could —”
“If I wanted to use her, I wouldn’t have done things this way, Vanir. She is a friend. I can’t just use her.”
"Wow, a friend, I thought you had some grudge against her..." Vanir gagged himself, realising he was blabbering aloud and quickly changed the subject, “Then how I’m supposed to increase mana?”
"I picked a blabbermouth, I see. Let's fix his bad habit of speaking out of the turn first." Snickering, Hans responded, “ The old-fashioned way. “ he said, as his lips stretched ear to ear, “You’ll be eating mana hearts from now on, and it will be raw, junior. So be ready to skip the days when I want you to. We’ll be hunting things ourselves.”
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
“You seem to have a short memory, you keep forgetting who I am.”
“A child even younger than me, you are strong but —”
“Ha, this habit of his... that sentence would have worked if this idiot knew about my father.” He calmed himself again and stated, “Listen Vanir, I lived in Ghost Isles since my toddler days, You know the place right? The most dangerous beast zone in the world. " He explained, emphasising, "My grandfather, Rudolf, a Warlord. He raised me to survive there. So what could a two-star beast zone do to me? You get it now, right? I'm that good at hunting.”
With this, Hans bid farewell to Vanir since there was a lot to prepare, 2000 credits, his schedule for two months in suspension, and the Glory Wars selections. On top of it, he has to get his poor subordinate in shape. “Ha, how much these tiny shoulders of mine can carry.” He sighed and went to one place that could help him solve most of his problems, his housemaster’s office.
“Thud! Thud! Thud!” He knocked on Walter’s doors and went inside, “Professor, your favourite student needs your help.”
“When did you become my favourite, you shameless farmboy.”
“I don’t remember you calling anyone else with a cute pet name, sir.”
“So what can I do for you, my favourite student,” Walter said putting his elbows on the table.
“First —”
“There are more than one,” Walter interrupted, and Hans nodded shamelessly, continuing, “First, tell me what are the criteria for Glory Wars selection.”
“Hmm…” Walter thought and replied, “A little friendly competition —”
“Can I bypass it somehow?” Hans asked and waited for Walter’s reply with anticipating eyes, but Walter denied it firmly, “I don’t run this place, and it would be unfair for others if I just put you on the reservation.”
“I see a ‘but’ coming sir,” Hans asked again.
“Yes, there is a way, but your little stunt has ruined your chances.”
“What?” Hans responded, confused. So Walter clarified, “There is a thing called seeded position. I'd have recommended you, and the panel for selection would have voted, but do you think, anyone sane would offend Aredhel for you unless you wanna announce who you are, Your chances are —”
“That's not happening.” Hans firmly denied so Walter tried explaining, “Farmboy, that is inevitable, Almost half of the senior professors know this, and soon the rest of them will too. Even Parv found you so what is stopping you?”
“This is not the time, professor.”
“Fine then you are out of options, but... There is another way too...” Walter said, rolling his eyes, and that made Hans excited, buttering up Walter, he asked, “Now, that's Professor Walter for you, he always has a way —”
“Stop bootlicking, farmboy,” Walter interrupted and proposed his solution, “Do something so big that others have to choose you no matter what.”
“You mean —”
“Bring a third-class beast carcass to the Alchemy department, they have the most say in the Concordia. If they can vouch for you, no one would think once to reject my proposal. And it might help you earn some credits for your punishment too. Two birds one stone.”
“Well, it's some decent tactic and it solves my second problem too, but how about three birds one stone?" Hans suggested, "Let me bring my underling to tag along.”
“What can a first-year help you achieve.”
“Sir you seem to forget what you told me before; We have a very low number of members, and that’s why we can’t do many things to raise our House's prestige. But one thing you must remember. There is a reason you are chosen in this House." Hnas repeated Walter's words, asking, "Remember it now. That underling of mine, I’ll make him my sturdy wall.”
“Shutting up me with my own words, fine I’ll get that first year for you, but you should visit the Task Hall. Have a good look at what will give you the most credits first, farmboy.”
Hans left the office, and since half of his problems seemed to find their solution, it was time for him to fulfil his promise to Vanir. With this thought in mind, he went to find his grandmother in Administration. Upon reaching her office, he heard a familiar voice.“Aren’t you showing yourself too much brother —”
“Sis, is grandma free.”
“No, she is busy. The summit from before is finally showing its impact, diplomats keep visiting, and Alliance sent another today for discussion.”
“So they are getting serious about Xandor —”
“You knew?” Vaness asked.
“Of course, I have a head sis, and I dare say a pretty good one too”
“So ask that good head of yours, if you barging in here is a good idea or not?”
“I can’t help it, I need to fulfil a promise.”
“So what do you need?”
“My grandma, for starters.”
AnnouncementI was told that reading the chapter in justified format is troublesome in mobile. So I formatted it all left this time. Tell me if you find this awkward.
NEXT : EARNING CREDITS
