“Well yeah.” “Yes” Both girls agree.
“God help us all.” Luna says grabbing her head and falling back.
“Why are you surprised? We told you about how he saved us. We also said that his talents lie in places people usually keep quiet.” Alli asks, tilting her head and gazing at Luna with innocence.
“You. That. Ahhhh. I thought you were maybe exaggerating. Or I don’t know, something.” Getting up Luna looks at the door leading to the hall. “It has been half an hour. Do you think he is okay?”
At this Lelai, who is sitting on the bed being pet by Hinata gets up and scratches at the door. When Luna lets her out, she goes across the hall and scratches Helo’s door. Being let in by Luna, she looks over her shoulder at the cat girl and yips at her while kicking the door closed in her face.
Luna turning back has a look of shock. Alli and Hinata are trying to hold in their laughter. “Did… that just happen?” Luna says incredulously.
Helo was far more tired than he thought. That rush of ‘Gold’ energy feels amazing. But when it leaves, it brings all the vigor with it. Getting woken up in the shower by Lelai bopping his nose. Helo stumbles into bed and passes out.
Waking up the next morning he struggles out of bed and looks around his dark room. “Huh. So, healing is not unlimited. Even if that energy makes me feel like it is.” Getting up Helo stumbles toward the door and finds a new set of clothes sitting on a small table just inside the doorway. Holding up the clothes he nods. “Yeah, this will do.” It is a pair of black joggers with red accents and a black hoodie with red roses decorating it. Putting on the outfit Helo scoops up a sleeping Lelai and moves out of the room.
Walking out a maid sees him and escorts him to the courtyard he was in before. Within the courtyard are Alli, Hinata, Luna and Bernard. They are all talking quietly but stop as Helo walks in. Alli and Hinata look happy to see him. They can’t help but think how great he looks in that outfit. They promised to themselves that when he moves in they will choose his wardrobe. Looking at the four people then at the table they are sitting at with food. Helo nods his head, and places Lelai on the table next to the empty seat.
“Well, it looks like you enjoyed the clothes I picked out for you.” Bernard says.
“Good morning sleepyhead.” Comes from Alli in an excited voice.
“Morning Helo-Kun.” Says a calm Hinata.
Helo nods at them again saying a quiet, “Morning.” Before digging in.
Luna is not sure what to expect, but definitely not this. She sputters out. “Y… yo… you need to pay respect to your host! Why did you barely respond to the two Heiresses!”
Helo glances up at her and swallows his food. Feeling annoyed he looks at the other three and nods at Luna with his head. “Who’s this.”
With a loud laugh Bernard starts talking. “HAhaahha, do you remember over a year ago when you were 12 and I came to visit you.” Getting a nod from Helo Bernard continues. “Well, the discussion that we had that day has come to pass.”
Helo nods his head in understanding; he has thought about that conversation alot. “I’ll go with the girls.” He says calmly
At the same time, Alli speaks over him. Hinata and Alli are thinking about what to say and miss Helo’s words. Luna looks at him in shock and Bernard just smiles “We want you to come with us. We have given it a lot of thought and we both feel like we will be safer with you around!” Alli says with a smile.
Luna tries to speak up, but Hinata starts talking. “You protecting us will make us feel a lot more comfortable. We have already decided that we want you to become our personal guard. It will be a lot of responsibility. You will oversee everyone else. But that is why we have Luna. She is great at management and will work with you.”
“Stop!” Luna shouts, getting a confused look from the other girls. “He already agreed.”
“Hu.” Hinata says with a head tilt.
“I said I would go with you.” Helo states smirking lightly at the now red-faced girls. “So, when do we go.” After saying this, Helo digs back into his meal.
“We can leave tonight; you will need to meet the rest of the team.” Luna says while pulling out a phone. She books the four of them tickets and they start getting their things together. A few hours later they meet at the front of the building. Helo has a small bag over this shoulder filled mostly with Lelai’s things, the clothes on his body, his necklace and his knives. Each of the girls show up with two bags.
“What is all that for?” He asks.
“What do you mean! Where is all your stuff?” Alli asks.
“We are taking a private jet; you can bring more things.” Luna says.
“This is all my things. The only things that really matter to me are my necklace and knives.” Helo says while placing a hand on one of the handles protruding from his hip.
Bernard walks out and places a hand on Helo’s shoulder. “They are good people, the BrightMoons. But you are always welcome here.” Bernard then looks at Helo. “How has your training been going?”
Smiling Helo unsheathes a knife and holds it up. Everyone looks at the beautiful dark grey blade in Helo’s hand. Luna covers her gasp with a hand. “Is that magic metal!”
“The words you said about finding what makes my aura unique really helped.” Helo says this as a blackish purple smoke travels up his arm. It swirls around his wrist and hand before condensing its spiral around the blade. The spiral picks up speed as Helo pulls more energy into his will. Focusing on the idea of nullifying whatever the blade touches. A few moments later when the spiral is so dense you can’t see the blade, it gets sucked into the metal.
Gasping Alli says, “AAAHhh, it’s so pretty.”
“Yeah, it is. What does it do?” Hinata asks.
Looking at his blade with pride Helo can feel his stressed and tired mental reserves dwindling rapidly. It isn’t the large amount that gets sucked away on contract. But it is constant and more than three times as much as him keeping his presence masked fully. It also takes all his concentration.
Smiling, he says. “I believe increased penetration.” Helo says while releasing the energy and smoothly putting his blade away. Taking a deep breath, he continues, “I’m not totally sure yet but my affinity’s concept has something to do with darkness and its ability to erode and nullify.” Shrugging, he says. “I’m just not sure yet.”
The three girls look at him in shocks. “So, it was like what Micah-San does? With this sword-staff?” Hinata asks.
Bernard speaks up at this point. “Yes and no. Micah’s concept is based around using it with a sword. Helo is doing something much more impressive. Especially for his age. He found his aura over 30 years before most people do. Plus, only a small fraction of people even makes it to the point of needing to find an aura to advance.” Bernard says this looking proud. “My teachings must be profound”
All the teenagers look at him with mouths agape. “Well, it looks like your car is here. Get in.” He says, pushing them into the car.
As all four and the fox are in the car. They quickly make it to the airport and are led directly to the private jet. Looking around Helo can’t help but be amazed. He has never been on an airplane or seen luxury like this. Before taking off Alli gets a phone call.
“Hey daddy.” She says while sitting down. “So, you want us to drop off Helo with you before he meets the team.” Nodding her head she agrees. “Without Lelai.”
Looking up she is going to tell Helo, but he is already asleep with his arms wrapped around Lelai.
Luna speaks up looking at him. “Yah know. If this was my first time meeting him, I would think he was adorable.” Then looking at the two girls. “But I don’t think I can see him that way anymore.”
Hinata and Alli shake their heads. Hinata speaks up, “He is different, but he saved us. Do you think he will be able to meet the expectations we have.”
Luna thinks for a moment. “I think so. He will have trouble with the team. But once we enter our first dungeon together, they will come around. As for him assisting you. If you both are patient and don’t mind all the bullying he will go through with the other families.
Finally landing near the Brightmoon estate Alli asks Luna to wake up Helo. Quietly walking up to him she taps his shoulder. As soon as her hand touches Helo he jolts with a hand going for his knife. Eyes flashing red, he looks at Luna then slowly stands up.
Shaking lightly Luna says, “We have landed. They girls are getting ready to go.”
Luna leads the three of them off the plane. She is taking her role as manager seriously. “We have two cars. One car will bring Helo to Clan Leader Brightmoon the other will bring us back to our wing of the estate.”
Alli comes up to Helo and nervously says. “Daddy said that Lelai should come with us. We will let her go into your room so she won’t be bothered.”
Looking at Lelai and seeing that she is okay, he gets into the car. Sitting in the back of one car, Helo is wondering what awaits him. He isn’t worried though, Ms. Accleas taught Helo meditation from a young age to help him keep his emotions in check. Ever since he punched Dorimer in the face he has understood that keeping his emotions together is important.
In the other car the girls are chatting while they head back to their home. Petting Lelai Hinata can’t help but wonder why Clan Leader Brightmoon needed Helo. Assuming that they will learn eventually she doesn’t say anything. Quickly they arrive and leave the car. Standing outside waiting for them is their entire party, they came to greet their leaders but also, they are waiting to see who this new member is. Most of them are not sure how to feel about this so-called second in command.
They all are waiting for the fourth member to get of the car but once they realize nobody is coming out Kenneth speaks up, “So what, the person didn’t want to join or are they a fox.”
Audibly sighing, Alli responds to him. “This fox is Lelai, and she is his companion. My father wanted to speak with him before he met everyone. Now we are tired, I’m going to go get some sleep.”
Alli and Hinata head into their room with Lelai. They leave Luna outside. Everyone looks at Luna for a moment and the girl wilts under their gazes.
She hears a chorus of “come on!” “Tell us!” “Was he cute!”. Once they are quiet, she shivers and says to them, “He is at the same time far more than I expected and not what I expected at all. Just don’t get him upset with you or threaten his fox. He will surprise you so give him a chance.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Three in the group take those words as a challenge. Kenneth who thinks he is hot shit and the two who expected to be the personal guards of Hinata and Alli. Deciding that they would test him when they meet him.
Watching through the window Helo sees the estate that he is going to live in go by. He is amazed at the size of the houses and the property. It’s beautiful. Located in a valley, it is surrounded by mountains. The valley is about five miles long and four wide. But it seems that every few miles at the peak of the mountains are guard towers. The edges of the valley have trees up until the mountain cliffs. The valley itself has a large lake and river within. It starts at a waterfall at the back of the valley and flows down through it exiting near the road into the valley itself. There is a massive ranch style house in the center with its own yard. It is on the right side of the river and is directly on the lake. There are four other houses and a mixture of other buildings including a farmhouse.
Pulling to a stop, Helo assumes that they have arrived. Looking around they are at the back wall of the valley with a cliff reaching up into the sky like a tower into heaven. The peak is shrouded in blue mist.
To his left is a massive waterfall coming off the side of the cliff and at its base is its own little pond. To his right is an ominous cavern. Looking behind him he has a view of the entire valley. He can see a small farm with animals and in the distance, he can even see where Alli’s car pulled in.
She pulled up to the closest of the four houses that are near the central one. Her house is on the right side of the valley in the bottom right corner. Her house is large and looks like a large cabin. It is directly up against the small tree line that surrounds the valley and has an open yard with nothing else built on it. From what Helo understands she is just starting to make her party so her houses yard is empty on purpose.
Directly in front of her house is the lake and the main house. On the other side of the river that splits the valley like a snake is three other houses with various building near all the main houses. These are things like barns, shops, warehouses. Each house acts like it’s okay mini property. With what looks like barracks around the outside near each watch tower.
The driver steps out of the car and motions for the cave. “They are this way sir. Follow me.”
Following the driver, Helo steps into the cave. He can hear his steps ringing on the walls. Almost naturally Helo feels his heartbeat and draws out a strand of darkness. Weaving it into his aura, his feet start to emit small whisps of black.
The steps bouncing off the walls now belong only to the driver. Looking over his shoulder the man studies Helo. He is a driver for both Little Miss Alli and Hinata, he isn’t a normal man. He is a peak tier two existence. His level is almost 100 but he can’t hear the boy walk. The only thing he gets from focusing on the boy’s feet is an aura of an ancient beast. Shivering slightly and nodding his head the man thinks, I see now why they are doing this. This boy is not simple.
Arriving at the end of the cave the driver bows and heads back outside. Looking around Helo decides that the only thing left to do is take a look around. Searching around the back of the cave Helo can feel external mana flowing through the walls and floor. After a few minutes of looking around and not getting much from it he decides to open the door.
As he opens the door, he starts walking along a large passageway that bends at the end. With his steps still concealed he keeps walking. Hearing a noise in the distance Helo focuses on his hearing. “Are you sure you left him outside the door. Ah huh, ahuh. So, you didn’t tell him to enter. Is he just standing their like some buffoon… No no wait he is walking in now.” The man speaking is a younger looking version of Graham; he has a larger frame and a scowl on his face. “Damn punk making us wait.”
Helo is walking down the bend and sees three men standing near a pedestal. The walls are filled with murals and the back has another exit that looks like a swirling mass of energy. “It’s good to see you again Helo. I heard from Bernard that your practice has been going well but based on your steps, it’s much better than that.” A smiling Micah says.
Smiling at Micah Helo says. “Yes Sir. I even worked on what you showed me.” Grinning up at the three men on the pedestal Helo ignores the other two and pulls out a blade. The scowling little Graham steps forward, he looks like he is about to burst a blood vessel, but he gets held back by his father.
Whispering in his son’s ear he says, “Calm down Calain. This kid lived in a cave most of his life all alone. Plus, focus on his feet, what do you feel. Keep looking at that knife. You’re going to be treating him respectfully soon all on your own. It’s best to treat him familiarly and be on friendly terms. “
Annoyed by what his father said but still doing as he is asked Calain reaches out with his senses. Trying to feel what kind of magic this child is performing, he cannot feel anything. Reaching out again all he feels is a profound darkness emanating from this kid’s feet. Coughing lightly, he looks at his father and thinks, you want this little beast near Alli and Hinata! Keeping quiet he focuses on the blade only for his jaw to drop open.
Smirking at Calain, Micah watches as darkness spirals out of the kids’ body and into his hand. From there it creates a vortex around the Kukri before being absorbed into it. “That is very impressive. I showed you the technique once, and you can now perform it. I’m proud of you.”
Helo smiles up at the man and finally focuses on the other two men. Graham takes this moment to speak, “That was impressive Helo. I am Alli’s father Graham Brightmoon and the Clan leader. How long did that take you to learn?”
“Hello Mr. Brightmoon… Sir. Well. I have been practicing the idea for a while. Maybe six months.” At that all the men look at him in shock. Not knowing what is wrong, Helo continues. “But I preformed it for the first time last night.”
Coughing Graham says, “Ah, ahem, yes that is amazing progress. Now do you know why you are here?”
Shaking his head in the negative Graham continues speaking while the other two men take a step back. “I’ll have to give you some history. Essentially, 16 families were chosen from a powerful magic community to prepare the earth for when magic would become commonplace. The day that this happens, we call it The Integration. Too many, it will be an apocalypse. This will happen within the next five to ten years. By that point we are permitted to reveal our family’s presence to the world and help it transition. The 16 families will also be competing to see who is ruling earth. Do you understand?”
Nodding Helo doesn’t know what to say. “Anyway. We are one of those families. We have this core here. It is a dungeon core but also a node to connect to the wider universe. It is emitting mana and preparing the world. If we don’t then the world will be destroyed when the wider galaxy reaches us. Alli and Hinata are part of this political world, and they choose you to be the Personal Guard for them both. This is ridiculous. At 15 we families send our children to a school that travels between families so they can train at each household. These children will form parties and groups to face the horrors of the wider world together. Normally there are five or eight people. But Hinata and Alli teamed up, so their party is ten. They want you to be their secondhand man. Do you understand.”
Nodding again, Helo asks. “So why am I here?”
“Well, I don’t like the idea. I had already chosen someone for Alli’s position, but you took her place. I was going to veto the who thing, but Micah asked me to give you a chance. So, this is your chance.”
“Before a Personal Guard for the leader of the Brightmoon Clan is chosen they must survive a month in the dungeon on the highest-level floor of the tier of their master. They are alone and only allowed to bring with them their personal weapon and a bag of food. You will be taking this same test. But, instead of lasting a month it will be one week. Instead of just surviving you must at least beat the boss on the tenth floor of the first tier. Understood.”
“Yes sir. Ah. Sooo if I do this. You won’t send me away?” Helo asks
“No, you’re not getting sent away. But if I’m going to let my daughter trust you with her safety, I need to know that I can trust you.” Graham says while walking toward the pedestal in the center of the room. It is a basketball sized globe that is emmiting a glowing blue pulse. “This core is connected to the main core of the dungeon. It allows us to control mana emissions and what floor you end up on. Certain people can even modify the layout and enemies within. The first tier starts at level 10 and the tenth floor of the tier means enemies with an average level of twenty. This is the same level of my daughter and her friend. Their other party members are all level 15-18”
Micah steps up now. “What is important for you is that this core can also put someone through what we call an awakening. It allows your body to grow past normal limits. Later touching it will also instigate the gaining of classes. You will understand more once you touch the core.” Motioning for Helo to steps up, Micah feels giddy as he watches the boy reach for the core.
The core is cool to the touch. It has a glossy texture. After a moment of standing there with nothing happening, Helo feels a jolt travelling from his hand through his entire body. It is an invasive energy that feels like it is studying him. Standing still he is about to pull back due to feeling uncomfortable, but the energy leaves him. A moment later there is a text scrolling down his vision.
Falling back and trying to grasp at the text, Helo lands on his butt. Hearing laughing he looks up to see the three men. Micah says, “Haha it’s okay. That text is what we call The System. It will help you understand the world around you as well as yourself. It is a great tool for growth. Now, this is the most basic version that they give to new worlds. Some families have personal cores given to them by benefactors thousands of years ago. But all you need to know is that it will help in the dungeon.”
Looking at the text obstructing him Helo hears a noise, looking around it seems like no one else heard it.
“Bing”
System Interface Stone #52072987520 has Encountered a New Being.
Commencing Evaluation.
Evaluation Complete.
Unknown Variable Detected.
To Complete Full Evaluation Please Contact a High Teir Stone.
Displaying Incomplete Evaluation.
Name: Hellesion’Kai’Vital’Spiratam
Tier: 0
Bloodline: Tier 2 Vampire?
Secondary Bloodline: ?Error?
Age: 14
Class: N/A
- Level: N/A (N/A)
- Aura:
Secondary Class or Profession: N/A
- Level: N/A (N/A)
- Aura:
Stats: 79
- Strength: 5
- Agility:8
- Dexterity: 9
- Perception:15
- Vitality:16
- Endurance:6
- Intelligence:5
- Willpower: 15
Racial Skill: 5
- Greatly Enhanced Perception (Instincts) (Rare)
- Greatly Enhanced Natural Energy (Mental/Physical) (Rare)
- Regeneration (Uncommon)
- Major Vitality Siphon? (???)
- Dark Curse (???)
Class Skills: N/A
Skills: 1
- Identify (Basic)
“What! What is this?” A shocked Helo blurts out. “Racial Skills: G…”
“Hey!!! Hold up kid. Reading your status to others isn’t something you do. It is considered a taboo. The only person you should show your status screen to is Alli and Hinata. It’s customary for a sworn protector to reveal their status to their charge. Now I’ll give you a quick rundown on the stats. First, the average stat on earth is five. Ten is as high as you can reach without unique circumstances. Strength is how much force your body can produce. Agility is how quickly your body can move. Dexterity is all about precision and exact movements. It helps with things requiring hand eye coordination. Perception is your ability to see the world and take in information. Vitality is your body’s ability to heal and how much damage you can survive. Endurance is how your body does while taking damage, reducing injuries. Intelligence is all about your mind. How quickly your mind understands what your perception takes in and how well formed and powerful spells are. Willpower has to do with your mental strength. It also helps with the size of one’s mana pool. Your personal stat gains are all free points. Class stat gains are specific. Some double down on increasing their main attributes, other’s fill in weaknesses it’s up to you on what you do.”
Calain speaks up now. “Well, that sounds about like all he needs to know. He is a smart kid. I’m sure he will figure it out.” Pointing to the entrance. “The system will tell you what you need to know. Just defeat the third-floor boss. It will be easy for a kid like you.”
Glaring at Calain Helo looks over to Micah. Micah gives him a nod and says, “You will do fine kid. Take your time. Feel out your body and your stats. If you don’t make it, it’s okay. Honestly Graham gave you this test hoping you will fail. Not in a bad way but you will have a hard time with the expectations Alli has for you. She wants you to help lead the group in dangerous situation, watch over them as a Guard and disguise your true skill as being an assistant to them.” Helo looks at him incredulously. “I know. That is why I recommended Luna to help. But good luck, remember your life is more important. The first ten levels should go by quickly then you can choose a class after coming out. I’m sure Alli and Hinata are excited to help you choose one. Oh, when you get in there try saying ‘Partial Status’.”
After Helo turns around Micah coughs and says, “Kid, take this.” Then he tosses a bag at Helo. Catching the bag Helo smiles a steps forward.
Taking a deep breath Helo can feel his heart rate pick up. For the first time in a while he will be alone. Lelai was a constant companion to him for years. A part of Helo is nervous and wants to take it easy. But he knows that once his gets into a fight things might change. “Well… I’ll see you in a week.” Then all he saw was black.
Snorting in irritation Calain looks at the now empty portal and turns around. “That kid is going to get himself killed. Well, I’m sure he would have been a good servant if we were able to work some manners into him.” Turning around he walks out of the dungeon hall.
“Graham you are aware that he is going to cause problems. Especially when Helo comes out alive.”
“Yes Brother. I’m planning on it. Either he shows that he can drop the attitude and work with others, or he loses his position as leader to a sibling.” Graham says while looking after his son. Looking back at the gate he says, “You heard the kid right. ‘Racial Skill’. He isn’t human. He might be beast kin like us.”
“I’m not sure but I’ll look into it. I’ll go to the library and try to find a race with his characteristics. I have a few ideas.” Micah then leaves the hall as well. “Good luck kid.”
“Hey Alli, what do you think is taking Helo so long?” Hinata asks as they both are lying in bed. They finished showering and are now getting ready to sleep.
“I’m not sure but I’ll talk to Daddy tomorrow and ask I’m sure he is just fine. Goodnight. I’m excited for him to meet everyone.” Alli says before falling asleep.