The Strongest Spellblade

“Another day in paradise,” Dan said as we got up in the morning. A Nurse rolled in a tray of food for each of us.

“I don’t understand how they can make food so bland,” I said.

“That’s how it is,” Sam replied while the conjoined people took turns eating. I had gotten used to it, but it had creeped me out at first.

“So, leaving any day now?” Dan asked me.

“When my mother returns, yes,” I replied.

“It would be nice to get out of here one day,” Sam said.

“Just need to slave away and raise the money,” Dan added.

I felt for bad for them. When my mother came back I would ask her if we could help these other children. After breakfast, I went to the common room to study while Tutor Damian supervised.

While I was copying some runes, Tutor Damian got up. I glanced up and there was a familiar face sitting down in his place at our study table.

“Mother,” I greeted her when she returned. I was studying in the common room under Damian’s supervision. I did that for the morning and afternoon, while I spent the evenings working on sensory skills or Meditation.

I would chat with the Forgotten at meals as well. The beast kids that had been around, were gone, replaced with new ones. “Any complications or issues while I was gone?” she asked me.

“No. The Healers have checked on me regularly, but there are no complications. Um, but I wanted to ask about the people I am sharing a room with. Could we help them out?” I asked.

My mother just stared at me. “What makes you think they need help?” she asked.

“Um, well they are joined together. They keep saying that they can’t afford to pay for the surgery,” I said. My mother slowly shook her head.

“Son. While the Healers are stubborn, obstinate, and afraid of their own shadow, they don’t leave children untreated,” she said.

“But there are other cases, the Forgotten. Allen the Allergic and Multi-Eye Marven,” I said and my mother nodded.

“Those two cases are incredibly complex. I did look into who you would be staying with before I left. Allen’s body is incredibly weak. He is taking nutrition potions and works with specialized skill Tutors to increase his Vitality. It isn’t easy, but there is progress being made.”

“You know these kids?” I asked.

“Yes. Do you think I would let you stay someplace dangerous or that I wasn’t absolutely sure about?” My mother shook her head. “As for Marven, he is the rare beast child that comes from a much different kind of monster while living after his birth. The main issue is reconstructing his entire head, without damaging his brain. They are waiting until he grows older while trying to figure out how to separate the eyes from the brain without killing him,” she explained.

“Oh,” I replied not sure what to say. “But then what about Dan and Sam?” I asked.

“Do you really want to know?” my mother asked me. What could be the problem? “My son, you are innocent to a lot of things, including people who lie just to lie,” she said.

“What is he lying about?” I asked. “A nursed talked about the costs of this place when I was brought here.”

“They can have the surgery at any time, they are just afraid of dying. As for the nurse, she clearly doesn’t understand or had wrong information,” she said.

“What? It isn’t due to the cost?” I demanded.

“While this place is insanely expensive, they routinely help out children. Most of them go on to lead productive lives in various support roles and in the nearby farming communities. Treatment is never denied to children here at the Five Star Institute of Healing,” she said.

“But there is a risk? And the children have to work off their debt?” I asked.

“There is a risk with anything in life. But if they are separated, one will likely lose access to their status, the loss of access would shatter their soul. They are afraid that they will be the one to die. As for children working off their debt, they need a profession and their parents aren’t around. That means someone talks to them and gives them options. Most choose a quiet and simple life of farming, since the parents that abandoned them tend to be adventurers,” she said.

“What if they care a lot about the other? They have been together for a long time,” I asked.

“That could also be the reason. But I find cowardice a better explanation than love in most cases. At least that has been my experience,” my mother said.

“Then why make a big deal about the cost?” I asked.

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“Because they are cowards. Cowards do not say they are cowards. They do not wear a sign or tell people what they are. You can see it in their actions. That gnawing fear of the unknown. Not everyone is like us, afraid to step forward regardless of the risks,” my mother explained.

I had gotten along with them. I didn’t know what to think. That they had been lying the entire time. Well maybe not lying, but they clearly misled me. “You wouldn’t lie to me?” I asked hesitantly.

“It is not worth my time or effort to deceive you. I am many things, but I dislike lies and deception. It is probably the main thing I dislike about your father. He is ambitious, but all nobles are too proud of their social skills. As for the two boys you are friends with you can go ask if you don’t believe me and ruin what friendship you have between all of you,” my mother said.

“They didn’t want to label themselves as a coward,” I muttered.

“Indeed. That is why I dislike nobles and people who try and talk their way out of things. The only truth is strength. You are either strong or you are weak. This is the honesty of the dungeon. There are no lies down there. Everything is out to get you. I love you my son, but I will not coddle or shield you from the harshness of the world. I decided that once you were older than 8, your childhood was over,” my mother said.

“But they were nice,” I muttered quietly. It was a lot to take in. I thought we were friends. I had talked about my life outside this place. And Sam and Dan shared numerous parts of their lives growing up and some interesting patients they had seen in the past.

“Nice people are often cowards. Since they have to hide behind words, politics, and other such things. While most of the other legends are bastards in their own right, at least they own up to it. There is no hiding behind false masks,” my mother said.

“I…what now?” I asked.

“Now. You will register as an adventurer and go into the dungeon. You are to stay down there and fight for three months on your own,” my mother said.

“What? Really?” I asked in shock, and she nodded.

“I was younger than you when I went into the dungeon on my own. If you live or die, that will be up to you. If you can stay down there and thrive on your own for three months, then I will be taking a much closer hand in your training,” my mother said.

“What about your Squires?” I asked.

“Their ten-year period of service is over. They have left. Perhaps one day you will meet them again,” my mother said. “If you have or don’t have the determination to go into the dungeon and kill monsters on your own, it is best we know as soon as possible.”

“If I don’t?” I asked hesitantly.

“Then you don’t. And you should consider another profession for your future. My love for you won’t diminish. The only thing I expect from you is to be the best and work hard, no matter what you do,” she said.

“Even if I read poetry as my profession?” I asked.

“Someone has been talking with their father. Then you will become the best poet out there. I can’t stand mediocrity, but I won’t control the direction of your life. If you wish to become a poet, I won’t stop you,” my mother said. That was surprising, but she seemed like a big believer in me making my own choices.

“And if I wanted to lay around and sleep all day?” I asked.

“That is called nobility, my son. I might just disown you if you wanted to become a noble,” she said with a slight smile. She was teasing me, or at least I thought so. My mother was a very stoic individual, which made it hard to understand what she was thinking based on her expression.

She pulled out a set of clothing for me. “Get changed. Basic, but reasonably high quality adventurer garb. You will be Justin, no last name. The Adventurer’s Guild doesn’t require it,” she said. I hesitated and she turned around and looked away. I quickly got changed. “Leave the gown, someone will deal with it.”

“The books?” I asked.

“Tutor Damian’s responsibility. He will collect them, don’t worry. Now follow,” she said. She just walked straight out through multiple doors, no one stopped her or said anything. I followed right behind her.

Once we reached outside there was a magical carriage waiting for us. We were on an island in a middle of a lake, with five large towers connected by various walls and buildings at the summit of the singular large hill of the island, making it look like a crown.

I quickly got into the magical carriage with my mother, not able to appreciate the breathtaking view of the farms and villages in the massive bowl shaped location. An island in the middle of a massive lake, surrounded by mountains. The magical carriage set off. “Um, so where are we going?” I asked.

“The nearest city is Monolith. I believe its claim to fame was being the site of the last battle between the collapsing Eldarin Empire and a coalition of rebel forces,” she said with a shrug. “I only remember, because several legends were involved in the battle. History is a good way to pass the time on long trips.”

“So, I am going into the dungeon? Alone?” I asked again just to be sure.

“Yes. Without my support or name. You will be Justin no last name. Before you risk your life further getting stronger, it is time to see if fighting in the dungeon alone is something you can handle,” she said.

“You aren’t going to secretly watch me or something?” I asked her. I didn’t believe she would just let me go alone.

“I am actually. A Ring of Remote Awareness,” she said and tossed a gold and platinum ring to me. “Wear it on the other hand from your Ring of Concealment. It will hide itself naturally and allow me to monitor you at all times. Don’t lose it.”

“So, you can judge me constantly?” I asked.

“Of course. Even if you do survive, I will be grading you, my son. Life is a test, and I am just stepping in as a judge for this round,” she explained. She then pulled out a set of light armor and a sword.

“Basic equipment. Well made, but it is nothing special for someone just starting off. A better start than most people, but you aren’t getting anything handed to you,” she said. I put on the armor when the magical carriage hit the water.

“It can travel over the water as well. Don’t worry. Who knows, one day, they may make something that flies. Now that will be a sight,” my mother said. I carefully tightened the straps on my armor, making everything was secure and leaving the sword to the side for now. It would be a hassle to try and attach it to my waist while in the magical carriage.

“Any other advice?” I asked.

“Don’t die. And I would prefer not to have to come and collect you either. So, try and get out of the dungeon at the end of the three months. Oh, here,” she said and passed me a metal rod with glowing numbers imprinted on a side. It was the current time. “It will let you keep track of time in the dungeon based on the location you enter. You can pull and twist one end to manually adjust the time if you come out some place other than you entered.” She then pulled out a pack and handed it to me.

“Your supplies. If you ration heavily, you will have barely enough for three months. You can find water down there, but the filter will make sure it is safe to drink,” she said.

“I…I will be back. Don’t you worry!” I exclaimed. My mother smiled at me.

“I believe in you. Now it is time to sink or swim,” she said. Well, it would still be a while until we got to the city, but it appeared she had given me everything she wanted to.