Oathtaker | Chapter 6 - Curiosities Grow

  “Where’d you learn to fight like that?” Kal asked Mark as he walked back to them who were clearly impressed, though by then they were already used to the sight of Mark winning the duels without breaking a sweat. In fact the most impressive part wasn't his stances, it was the fact Lady Shizuki Marraine de Revelante was able to be on par with him.

  “An Old Soldier taught me,” Mark responded, not an entire lie. A General who was close to the Noxsolis Family was the one who taught them the stances and positions on how to fight, Mark later added additions of his own combining the iron discipline with his own brand of combat.

  ‘Come to think of it, I wonder where's Crom.’ Mark thought remembering the Soldier who taught him this. He was a family friend that had long served under his father but he disappeared during the chaos when the Empire fell. What he does know is that he was with Freia when everything went to hell, and if Freia is here in Revalante then it is possible that he is alive.

  ‘Should have asked Freia earlier, oh well.’ Mark thought.

  “I'm more impressed that you can easily deflect Baltix spells with that, what is that sword even made of?” Neri asked as she and Sierra glanced at his sword now in its sheath.

  “Imperial Steel,” Mark said casually.

  “Oh cool it's–what?!” Neri asked, well Mark understood her reaction. Imperial Steel swords, apart from durability and near mythic quality, are perfect weapons for handling or dealing with Magic. It is very common to see Imperial soldiers armed with Imperial Steel swords and deflect or cut through Mana like they're nothing, it's what makes them even highly valuable after all.

  “How?!” Sierra asked in utter confusion as well.

  “I looked,” Mark responded in the bluntest way possible with Kal chuckling in response. “It took me a while wandering through the Nightfall Expanse but I found one.”

  “You what?!” All three of them asked in utter shock.

  Well Mark couldn't fault them for that, technically speaking only a few can enter due to the dangers the region had. Second only to the Bloodlands, for different reasons.

  “I mean it's not as dangerous as the Bloodlands after all, I spent a year or more there.” Mark said with a shrug as he did so as the three stared at him.

  “Mark…buddy can you tell us more about how the hell did you survive in the Nightfall Expanse and the Bloodlands?” Kal asked as he helped Mark sit down, his expression was filled with awe and horror as he realized this.

  “And why did you spend months trying to find an Imperial Steel Sword too?” Neri added.

  “Or even how you ended up there in the first place?” Sierra pointed out.

  “I got lost,” Mark said with a relaxed smile, it was a lie, what really happened was–

  [Orthros Citadel]

  [Sentralis]

  [Five Years Ago]

  13 year old Marcus Noxsolis Orthros sprinted through the halls of the Citadel as it shook, a City wide announcement was blaring as Citizens were told to flee to the nearest evacuation zone but in the chaos he got separated from his biological mother and his father took off trying to stop the main cause of this.

  An ear splitting roar was heard as Marcus covered one pair of his ears, unfortunately it was the “Man” Ears and not his more sensitive “Beast” Ears and immediately he heard nothing but an ever present ringing noise.

  ‘I need to find the others!’ Marcus thought as his first instinct was to find his family but as he wandered into the balcony the Citadel shook causing him to stumble as someone grabbed him, Marcus looked up to find an Imperial Knight helping him.

  The Knight tried to speak but he couldn't hear what he was saying and then something made him look to the side as though someone was calling him. The Knight gave Marcus one last hesitant look as he marched off alongside the other Imperial Knights sprinting with heavy weaponry trying to deal with the threat that was attacking the Citadel.

  Marcus tried to follow hoping to find his family but the floor of the Citadel began to buckle and crack, Marcus looked down as the side he was standing on began to break apart and slowly tilt downwards as though the very part of the Citadel he was standing on began to fall apart.

  He tried to run to the ledge but in his fear, he could not move his legs as he was too terrified to even take a step as slowly the part of the Citadel broke as he, and several others both Citizen and Soldier, began to descend below as the Citadel began to fracture and fall apart with several massive chunks of the Citadel began to fall from the sky.

  ‘Is this…is this how I'll die?’ Mark thought as he extended his hand, as though hoping that he'll be able to grab something that would prevent him from falling to his death, provided that he doesn't get crushed by the debris that were descending alongside them.

  [Kristoph Ranger College]

  [Revalante, Western Sentralis]

  “And that concludes today’s lecture.” Professor Freia said as the class had ended as the Realta had faded once more. One of two notable things about her lessons, apart from her fatalistic sink or swim lessons, was the preference to use Realtas.

  It would have been entertaining had she not made it clear that she was too lazy to hold a class properly, in fact she is often seen sitting burning through piles of books that she brought all the while an Astral Projection of herself was floating over them doing the lessons.

  “Man I still can’t get used to getting out of this class traumatized,” Sierra said with awe. “Like how on Vestige is she able to do all of those high powered spells without breaking concentration or sweat.”

  “Years of practice, I suppose.” Neri said with a shrug as she picked her notes up and walked out.

  “You got plenty of time then,” Kal joked, earning a groan from Sierra.

  “Elves aren’t Ageless. That’s a myth made by our more narcissistic cousins.” Sierra responded with a sound of irritation.

  ‘Marcus, stay a while we need to talk.’ He heard the voice of Freia enter his head, Mark sighed as he watched the trio head off with Mark gesturing at them to go ahead and he'll catch up.

  As soon as they were gone, he looked downwards to find Freia still in her seat preoccupied with a book as Mark descended the stairs as he made his way towards her with a frown on his face but as he walked towards her, Freia reached for her staff once more and waved at the door which closed shut and was given a pale green sheen to it indicating that she had enchanted the room providing them some privacy within this.

  “After you decided to enroll I did some digging around,” She said, closing the book and looking at him. “I realised many of your documentation are fabrications.”

  “I had official documents prior to that, but I lost it.” Mark replied, that was a lie. Clint and his cronies broke into his home at Last Light and tore and destroyed his official documents that he, as Mark Grauwolfe, needed to enroll into Kristoph Ranger College. He decided to legally be Mark Grauwolfe as nobody would have believed he was one of Emperor Ioshua Noxsolis Orthros’s sons, albeit one of his illegitimate ones.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “Are you aware that if the other Faculty found out, they would not only expel you but also label you as an Illegal Entrant?” Freia said with a worried look. Even your Citizenship is fabricated.”

  “A lot of things happened and I had no choice BUT to resort to forgery to be honest.” Mark said with a shrug. “Spent a large sum of Thrones just for it.”

  “Are you aware that I can’t defend or cover for you if they ever find out that you’re an illegal entrant and your documents are obviously fake?” Freia asked worriedly, it was one of the few moments where she shows genuine concern as she has been quite aloof most of the time.

  “Is that concern I see you have on your face Professor Robin?” Mark said jokingly.

  “I’m serious Marcus, if you get caught this could be bad for you.” She said with a grim look on her face.

  “I know the risks Freia, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.” Mark said with a sigh as he looked at the door. “Is that locked?”

  Freia looked like she wanted to say something but she let out a sigh as the faint mana flow began to fade out and a faint clicking noise was heard as he grabbed his bag and left the room.

  [The Reluctant Reincarnation]

  To be quite honest, he sees the whole thing as one massive inconvenience given that he very much sorted out the necessary documentation but because some petty hyena decided to screw him over he had to use fabricated documents.

  But despite him acting like it was nothing to be worried about, deep down he was internally worried since this could very much determine future plans. He needed to become a Scout Ranger to receive the training so he can survive his search for his family. Otherwise he didn’t need to, he’d gladly be on his way trying to track them down.

  “Alright listen up,” Their Combat Instructor said during their Survival Training as they all gathered in the outskirts of Revalante on a series of ruins that are maintained by the College's appointed Rangers for field training.

  “Group yourselves in Trios or Pairs, your objective search and rescue, meaning that you will have to go around and find various training dummies and bring them here.” He informed them who was grizzled looking older man named Lowell who makes comments how he was this distinguished Imperial Knight, though Mark can tell he's at least a low ranking Imperial Footsoldier who was sent to the rear guard.

  “Guess I'm the odd man out,” Mark chuckled, turning to Neri, Sierra and Kal who all had awkward and apologetic looks on their faces.

  All the while all of them are dressed in the standard white and green combat jacket and pants of the Academy.

  “Look I–”

  “Save it, I'm gonna go and find someone else–” He said as bur was interrupted by someone speaking up.

  “I’ll be your partner.” He turned to see Shizuki walking towards him, her mask slightly activated to show her smile, clearly eager for the idea.

  “Found one,” Mark said with Shizuki grinning wider than that.

  “This is pretty nostalgic,” She said, hopping through the woods as Mark walked ahead with his revolver in hand as he scanned the area. “Reminds me of how we first met.”

  “I'm surprised you didn't decide to report me after seeing me again,” Mark said as he turned to Shizuki casually leaning on her staff. “I did steal a relic.”

  “True but you still saved me from that mess, I could have died there are all.” Shizuki said as Mark kept a focused look anticipating a possible attack or spotting their expected objectives, he glanced back at Shizuki who was still leaning against a tree.

  ~Staaare~

  “What?” Mark asked clearly, noticing her stare has some kind of intent behind it.

  “You seem on edge, surely your skills can anticipate it without so much as looking like a fight will break out right?” She said with a rather teasing smile.

  “It helps to be prepared, that's all.” Mark responded with a low voice as they heard a faint growling noise. Mark gripped Thunderbull with one hand, and unsheathed the Imperial Officer Sword with the other as he stepped forward and aimed his revolver through the bushes.

  Emerged where a pack of Howlers, a group of Chimeras that resembled bipedal wolves as faint green ichor leaks out from their mouths as they were snarling at him clearly fresh out of a hunt and are hungry for more.

  “Ever fought Chimeras?” Mark asked as he aimed the Revolver while he spotted Shizuki raise her spear.

  “Fought a few,” She said as they heard another faint growling noise as well, this time it was deeper and different from a Howler. It was larger, maybe a few inches more, and Howlers are noted to be already six to eight feet taller hence why this particular breed of Chimera is massive and Bear-like in contrast to the Lupine howlers and are fittingly called Ogres.

  “Three Ogres and Seven Howlers,” Mark said, aiming at the Ogres. “Seems normal.”

  “Wanna switch, I can–” Shizuki said with a smile as she aimed her staff and was clearly scared but before she could finish her sentence he would grab her as they ducked as the Howlers charged at them only for them to pounce at the Ogres as they began to rip at each and attack each other with ichor all over the area.

  “Let’s leave them be, if they come after us then they’ll be too wounded to deal with them.” Mark said, grabbing her by the wrist as they began to sprint away as they ventured deeper into the woods while the faint sounds of struggle between the two Chimera species became distant. ‘Plus you look pretty scared, I can’t trust a Mage who is too nervous to make spells properly even if you are a Prodigy.’

  “How’d you know Howlers and Ogres don’t like each other?” Shizuki asked him as ran through the woods resuming their search, eventually from the corner of his eyes he spotted a cave in the distance.

  “Cave, bet there’s a ‘survivor’ in there.” Mark said, pointing there as he began to jog there.

  “Alright so let me ask you a question,” Shizuki said as she cast a sphere of light which served as their light source.

  “So long as it isn't about how babies are made sure,” Mark commented as he aimed his revolver in the darkness.

  “Ha ha, very funny.” Shizuki said sarcastically as though unamused by his remark, Mark fought the urge to smile a bit as he always found it more entertaining to see them cringe at his rather terrible jokes.

  “So where'd you learn to survive like that?” She asked him. “That fighting stance and even the knowledge you keep showing seem to be from firsthand experience rather than just something taught to you.”

  “Well, experience outranks everything so I thought I'd go for it and experience it.” Mark said with a shrug but he can sense it again. That piercing and judging stare that Shizuki had been giving him which alone was a hint that she was not believing his word for that.

  “I know that stance Mark,” She said, hopping down a step and looking at him. “It’s a common stance associated with Imperial Knights, and a true one no less.”

  “Is that what it’s called? I didn’t know, the old soldier taught me but never explained what it is.” Mark lied, he knows that well himself. First when he was younger watching the Knights drill alongside his mother and second was from an old Knight who saved him in the fallout when the Citadel fell.

  He died a few short years ago.

  “Are you aware that your tail tucks when you lie?”

  “What?” Mark said in shock as he looked behind him to find his tail was that moments ago earning a giggle from Shizuki.

  “Has nobody ever told you that?” Shizuki said with a giggle.

  “No but that explains a few things in the past,” Mark said with a low voice which only made Shizuki go on a full laugh.

  “That’s actually kind of cute, this whole time you’re trying to form this cool lone wolf persona but your tail gives away.” She said trying hard not to laugh too hard.

  “I’m not even trying, that's just me in general,” Mark said avoiding her gaze and started to feel his cheeks get warm because of that as they descended deeper into the cave. “No idea why people think this is an act and–”

  He felt a hand on his head causing him to look up and find Shizuki standing on a slab of rock with her hand on his head as though giving him a head pat, while her face was obscured by a mask he can see in the dim lighting had this look of soft warmth as though she found the whole sight endearing.

  It had this…familiar feeling to it that hasn’t felt in a long time.

  Then he stared at her in the dim lighting for a moment but then he immediately looked away even more flustered, from the corner of his eye despite the darkness, he could see her slightly embarrassed from her body language alone.

  ‘That was…rather strange, I shouldn't be thinking about that kind of thing since I'm technically a 44 year old in an 18 year old body, cause that's definitely committing a crime.’ Mark thought, which was one of three reasons he wasn't interested in being attracted to someone.

  “We should–” Mark said as the ground they were standing on suddenly shifted as they both tumbled deeper into the darkness below as he ended up descending into what appears to be a massive cavern below as he heard the faint shout of Shizuki after him as the next thing he knew he found himself planting facefirst into something soft that bunted the landing.

  Too soft in fact.

  “Are you alright?” He heard a groan from Shizuki as the next thing he looked up and realized he was now pinned on top of her. And that soft thing he had faceplanted himself on, those were her breasts this caused his face to turn red hot as he immediately sat up and tried to crawl away and–

  Thud!

  He found himself deeper into a hole, his back landing first into the ground, though it wasn’t as deep as the last one so it wasn’t any concern.

  “Mark?!” Shizuki said worriedly as the light sphere shone over him.

  “It’s fine, I panicked that’s all.” Mark replied with a wave hoping he could hide his flustered face.

  “So where the hell are we?”