The Stubborn Skill-Grinder In A Time Loop

Chapter 39: Training & A Cold War

Two hours passed, and only then did the first emperor and Orodan come up.

The Gods’ Avatars were stone-faced, but that was merely the usual quirk of no facial expressions being displayed during divine possession. And the rest of the Novarrians in the chamber looked quite flabbergasted. Their expressions ranged from outraged to downright fearful, whether that was towards the first emperor or Orodan himself he wasn’t sure.

“You live?! Emperor! This miscreant possesses Divine Resistance and has rampaged about your city with wanton bloodlust! The amount of destruction-”

“Vespidia.”

The singular name from the emperor’s lips shut the God of Time up immediately.

“Your Majesty,” the reincarnated assassin replied while bowing deeply.

“Did any innocents die outside?” Balastion asked.

“No, your Majesty, no deaths from today’s events, merely a few shops broken up and livelihoods disrupted,” she replied.

“Good. Ensure that the people who suffered damages are given double compensation in apology,” the ruler of Novarria spoke. He then turned towards the Avatars. “As for this, it shan’t be necessary, make yourselves scarce. Malzim, please remain so that we may speak.”

The Avatar of the God of Death nodded in assent.

“Balastion! Has your time in secluded meditation softened you?! Your capital was barged into by this interloper, what is the meaning of this?”

“Eximus, I will remind you to watch how you speak lest you find yourself short another Avatar,” Balastion warned. “My dealings with Orodan Wainwright are none of your business. Now begone before I decide the worship of the God of Time is due to be outlawed.”

The Avatar of Eximus’s hands trembled, but the God of Time wasn’t stupid. Both he and Ilyatana complied. The rest of the Novarrians also obeyed their ruler and left. Which meant that only Orodan, his book inside the spatial ring, the Avatar of Malzim, and Balastion Novar remained.

“Now then, I believe you said you owed Malzim a great debt. Allow me to then make a formal introduction, Malzim, meet Orodan Wainwright the time looper,” the first emperor spoke. “You did him a good turn in one of his very early loops by giving him a Blessing which allowed him to call for death whenever he needed it.”

“Truly? You’ll have to tell me about this time looping business at a later time Balastion, as for my Blessing, I do not sense it upon you…”

“That would be because I finally learned how to cleanse my soul of them,” Orodan replied. “Nothing against you, but I had the Blessings of a few more unwanted Gods who were using them to track and manipulate me. I must say though… although I’ve spoken to you in passing before, I haven’t truly had a chance to thank you properly face to face. I, Orodan Wainwright, will forever be grateful for the good turn you did me when I needed it. Even if you have no memory of doing so, just know that I will be there should you need it.”

The Avatar of Malzim shook his head.

“Young one, you needn’t profess such gratitude. I simply acted according to my duty,” Malzim spoke. “While some of my fellows act rather selfishly, myself and Halor still believe in upholding our divine duties towards mortal-kind.”

“Is that something you’re bound to, or something you’ve chosen to do?” Orodan asked.

“It is by choice. If we allowed unchecked suffering, what good are we as Gods?” Malzim posed. “I make an effort to ease any cases of extreme suffering I see when I am called for.”

It was true. Upon Inuan, anyone screaming out to the God of Death for an end to their suffering would often find death coming for them soon after. It wasn’t known how it occurred, but it made extended torture and interrogation a complicated matter as there was a high chance anyone who genuinely wanted death could get it by calling upon Malzim. In fact, Orodan himself must’ve gotten the God of Death’s attention in the loop where he received his Blessing for the first time.

“You’re a far more pleasant God than some others I’ve met,” Orodan said.

“Malzim is a friend of mine,” Balastion Novar interjected. “The only reason I spoke of the time loops to him is because I know he would not betray my confidence. We have much to do Orodan Wainwright, and I’ve brought Malzim here so that I might convince him to alter his course of action.”

“Surely you do not expect me to change my mind on our argument, old friend?” Malzim asked. “I am no warrior like yourself or Agathor, why do you continually ask me to stand and fight a hopeless battle against the descending threat? I have seen what that crown of yours can do, trapping the consciousness of a God within their Avatar, even temporarily, poses frightening implications for what a more skilled and powerful user of the Eldritch could do.”

“You speak so often of your ‘divine duty’, yet you’d abandon this world to flee for another? What happens when the Eldritch subsumes Alastaia and then begins invading other worlds?” Balastion asked. “Will you continue to flee forever?”

“Your attempts to target my pride are fruitless Balastion. I have long accepted that I am no warrior or martyr,” Malzim spoke. “When the Eldritch comes, I will attempt to ferry the souls of the dead and grant death to any who fall to its corruption, however that is all I am willing to do. You cannot expect me to die.”

“But what if it wasn’t so hopeless a battle? What if we had on our side, a warrior nearly as strong as I who can also slay Avatars?” Balastion asked, and then looked towards Orodan. “He has the mythical rarity Eldritch Resistance skill, it needn’t be a hopeless battle, stand and fight with us! Have some hope in our bonds of friendship and the power of mortal-kind!”

“Truly? You actually possess the Eldritch Resistance skill?” Malzim asked. “This time loop you’re in, perhaps a detailed explanation is in order.”

And so, the next two hours went by as Orodan spoke, Balastion interjected at key moments to elaborate, and the Avatar of Malzim nodded in understanding.

“And that is why I hold genuine hope in beating back the foul champion of the Eldritch Gods,” Balastion spoke. “This must be fate, for a man like him to arrive in our hour of need. We now know the limits of the enemy’s strength, and we have a warrior who can resist it toe to toe, join us Malzim, the risk to yourself needn’t be so great!”

“I will admit Balastion… you have probably swayed me more today than you ever have in our past debates on the matter,” Malzim replied. “But I still need time to think about this. For now, I beg your leave, old friend. And Orodan Wainwright, we shall meet again in the coming days.”

Balastion frowned and shook his head but didn’t say anything as the Avatar of Malzim left the chamber in a dark green glow of divine power which opened a portal.

Silence reigned for a few seconds before Orodan broke it.

“He… isn’t what I expected,” Orodan spoke. “He saved me in my early loops and wasn’t part of the attempted possession in my last long loop. Malzim has never attempted to coerce or manipulate me, so I knew he had a good character… but this?”

“Yes… I became fast friends with him for the same reasons,” Balastion spoke. “If all the Gods were like him, Alastaia would be a better place, but alas it would be poorly defended for Malzim is a coward.”

“An unfair assessment, no? Not everyone is meant to stand between innocents and the encroaching darkness,” Orodan defended. “I admit, some might think they’re entitled to the Gods’ protection, but from what I’ve seen, they too have limits and are far from all-powerful.”

“If he isn’t willing to die alongside his faithful, then he isn’t worthy of their worship,” Balastion retorted. “Malzim is a friend, but I’m not blind to the hypocrisy he commits by receiving the prayers of all Inuan yet deciding he will flee the world when the time comes.”

The first emperor wasn’t wrong. In Orodan’s opinion, what good was a God that wouldn’t intervene against an invading champion of enemy divinities?

“Still, he can be convinced. I saw him accompany us during my last long loop when the Prime Five travelled to Guzuhar to face the Eldritch,” Orodan spoke. “And besides, does he truly need to fight when I can do it for him?”

Orodan had no problems becoming strong enough to defeat any threats against Malzim, it was the least he could do for the God of Death who saved him from a terrible fate early on.

“That… isn’t the point. Yes, Malzim’s combat effectiveness is a minor contribution when both you and I would be fighting,” Balastion spoke. “However, seeing my friend act the craven and sully his honor by fleeing irks me. A good heart, but a weak one. It shames me to admit I respect an abrasive brute like Agathor more than I do Malzim.”

Orodan still disagreed to an extent. If people died, that was just the unfair way of the world. Malzim didn’t owe the world or his faithful any protection, even if it was quite hypocritical of him to receive faith and worship from them all the same. And Orodan knew now that divine energy was powered by faith, so it was a rather tangible benefit the God of Death received.

But, if Malzim didn’t want to fight, so it would be. Orodan would simply fight the God of Death’s battles for him if needed.

“Anyhow, we’re getting off-topic,” Orodan spoke. “How are we planning to face the Eldritch Avatar? Will you be coming to Guzuhar with me? I never saw you in my fights against that thing in any of my loops, so I assume that means you had a plan of your own.”

“You assume correctly, I intend to fight it here, and not in the Valley of Spires where it will be strongest,” Balastion spoke. “Fighting that thing there is the equivalent of running into a spear headfirst, hoping to break the point with your skull. Not all of us have the time loops which you’ve been granted.”

“I’m not willing to let Guzuhar be destroyed while we sit here twiddling our thumbs, waiting for it to arrive,” Orodan protested. “Either we protect Guzuhar and its people, or I go alone and run my head against it until I eventually succeed.”

“Your insistence on protecting innocent life is admirable but remember that you have time loops and others do not,” the first emperor replied. “I won’t tell you what you can or can’t do. And it would be foolish of me to make an enemy of a time looper who has slain Avatars to strike vengeance against the Gods who wronged him. However, you should consider that facing it here in Novar’s Peak may be your best chance of winning in this loop. Surely you wish to see what the Reward for such an unfairly difficult Quest is?”

“I’ll acquire the Reward in due time regardless,” Orodan spoke. “But you imply there’s more to this city than meets the eye.”

“Correct. Why do you think the entirety of Novar’s Peak is structured in ringed layers?” the first emperor asked. “This entire city is a gigantic ritual circle, all for one express purpose… to drain the power of the Eldritch. To face it here, would be our greatest chance of success. With the two of us fighting together, and alongside other hidden tricks we have, we can prevail.”

“Is the city itself truly designed for such a purpose? Surely it hasn’t always been like this?” Orodan asked.

“It has. From the moment I was crowned emperor nineteen-thousand years ago, this city began construction with the Eldritch threat in mind,” Balastion spoke. “Even before the ascent of the Void Horror thirty-thousand years ago, the Eldritch have always been the greatest threat to Alastaia. The elves even have records of prior incursions where they successfully breached the first gate. They died after to whatever lays beyond, but that they got that far is indicative of what their goal is.”

“Either way, you can’t expect me to ignore the enemy’s landing and just sit here,” Orodan spoke. “I apologize, but I cannot sit here and wait for it while it corrupts Guzuhar.”

“But… what if you didn’t need to?” Balastion asked. “You are here to learn magic are you not? Have you considered using that to solve the issue?”

“How can magic address this matter?” Orodan asked. “What are you suggesting?”

“Your companion earlier spoke wisely in saying that your endless energy generation could have some interesting effects when mixed with various schools of magic,” Balastion spoke. “What if you were to learn even a basic spatiomancy spell within the next six months? Your book can explain better than I.”

On cue, she fluttered out of his spatial ring and landed atop Orodan’s head with a loud thud.

“Use your head, boy!” she spoke. “The man is onto something. If we taught you even the basic Spatial Fold spell, with Draconic Mana Channelling and your absurd power you could potentially fold space to the point that the Eldritch lands upon this city instead of that icy northern continent.”

Orodan stopped for a moment and pondered. Could it really be so simple?

“Is a feat of such power even possible with spatiomancy?” Orodan asked. “I know my energy generation is incredibly high, but to reach across such a distance and drag it here?”

“Well, that is up to you to prove now, isn’t it?” she asked challengingly. “Of course, a feat of such power would not be possible for a regular spatiomancer, but what does that matter to you? For a walking generator of infinite power, you’re limited only by how much your body can take. Now get that stupid look off your face and close your mouth before a fly wanders in, we have work to do and no time to waste.”

“And I assume this work involves going to the Novar’s Peak Academy and learning magic?” Orodan asked.

“Yes, but no. You don’t actually think I’d allow a walking weapon like you to attend class with regular first-year students?” Balastion asked. “You’ll have private tutors for schools of magic, and even your teachers for the crafts will come to you. Allowing you near impressionable students can only lead to disaster.”

The beginnings of a plan of action were beginning to form. Honing his crafts, his ancillary skills such as Teaching and Basic Healing, and learning relevant schools of magic such as spatiomancy.

“I’ll also have to ask if you could send someone to bring two people I think could really benefit from the education of Novar’s Peak. But also, so I can develop my Teaching skill,” Orodan requested. “A goblin named Zukelmux from the deep depths of Ranmere’s Folly in the Republic, and a little girl from Scarmorrow in Volarbury County in the Republic, her name is Aliya.”

“It will be done,” Balastion spoke. “Now then, I have my meditations to return to, and you have much to learn.”

It was time to stubbornly grind all of his skills and learn new ones over the next six months.

“You know, your talent in spatiomancy isn’t half-bad. Yes, you could be said to be average, but with a mind and work ethic like yours an average talent can still become a legend,” the familiar triple-Grandmaster space mage spoke. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I still have a hard time believing that you’re a teacher in the Empire of Novarria as well,” Orodan remarked. “Aren’t there any concerns of loyalty or espionage?”

“Nonsense! I’m almost two-thousand years old and most of the Grandmasters of Novarria are friends of mine,” Destartes spoke. “A mere ‘liberation war’ caused mainly due to draconic and divine conflicts isn’t enough to see me chased away from my home city. I owe no allegiances to any Gods and aren’t as deeply tied to international politics as some Grandmasters are. I was also born in Novar’s Peak and occasionally give guest lectures on spatiomancy at the Academy. Although… whoever requested I personally tutor you must have some serious pull, they made the offer incredibly appealing and spared no expense in compensations.”

Yes, this was Destartes. The strongest mage in the Republic of Aden. The same space mage he’d tried learning spatiomancy from in the last long loop. Back then, he’d been told that his talent was atrocious even if his work ethic was decent. But now… the language had changed, cementing in Orodan’s mind that Agathor’s Blessing must’ve had something to do with it at the time.

“Yes, well… it’s rather important that I learn the Spatial Fold spell within the next six months,” Orodan spoke. “How likely do you think that is?”

“Guaranteed. Your talent isn’t bad, at least average, but your work ethic, focus, and complete lack of a need to stop for recharging mana is utterly profound,” the man spoke. “You must be a martial specialist, no? High Physical Fitness would explain why you haven’t eaten, drank or slept in the last forty-eight hours while I’ve had to do all of those things. Still, I haven’t actually seen you drink any mana potions or use crystals… do you have an enchantment on you?”

“No, I just regenerate more mana than I use,” Orodan answered.

“T-truly? Are you a dragon in human form then?” Destartes asked. “Oh! The possibilities…!”

Orodan tuned out the man’s maddened ramblings about the next era of space magic.

They were inside a truly expensive time dilation chamber that had a ratio of one to twenty. One hour in the real world was equivalent to twenty hours within this chamber. Balastion Novar had asked Orodan to not speak of its existence, as the Time Wind would doubtlessly snoop around and perhaps become offended if they knew this chamber deep beneath the royal citadel existed. Even Destartes was thoroughly scanned by a Grandmaster-Psionic and agreed to have his memories altered upon exit.

Currently, Orodan’s task was to feel the spatial ripples emanating off a strange orb, which Destartes said was a training aid for beginning spatiomancers. Of course, it would normally be somewhat difficult for new students, however Vision of Purity allowed Orodan to sense the impurities in space caused by this orb, and he easily grasped it. The fact that he was a veteran of hundreds of battles and had encountered enemy portals and drained them also made it a trifling task.

The second task of manipulating the ripples was the harder one, and this was where Orodan had to take some time. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it. Instead, as usual, it was because Orodan insisted on doing things the hard way.

“Must you seek utter perfection in everything you do? Trying to control the spatial ripples with soul energy instead of mana will take far longer,” his book companion spoke, flying about his head and occasionally giving him a smack upside the head to ‘test his ability to maintain focus’. “Even just a mana-powered Spatial Fold, backed by your Draconic Mana Channelling and endless energy will be enough.”

“It’s not about what’s enough, but about doing it the proper way,” Orodan said through gritted teeth as he focused hard enough that his nose bled. “I refuse to take shortcuts. I’ll either do it correctly, or not at all.”

“Hmm… on the bright side,” Destartes interjected. “Your dogged insistence on manipulating the ripples with soul energy may very well give you Space Mastery instead of Space Magic Mastery. Far more powerful and versatile, and only something I’ve seen a few people possess due to Bloodlines.”

Like that, the training continued for hours.

Orodan wasn’t trying to merely use mana to manipulate the spatial ripples emanating from the orb, but he also wasn’t using All-Consuming Rage as he could simply drain the orb outright, but that wasn’t the goal.

Rather, he was using Absolute Soul Dominion upon the spatial ripples, trying to intimately understand them, become familiar with them. His focus knew no bounds, and he concentrated till his eyes and nose began bleeding.

[Absolute Soul Dominion 61 → Absolute Soul Dominion 62]

“M-mister Wainwright…! Are you okay?” Destartes asked.

“He’s fine, this is rather normal by his standards,” his book companion interjected. “Just another day of hard work for the world’s greatest idiot.”

He let the backlash hit her for that one and continued working, however five more hours later, he wasn’t sure if obtaining Space Mastery by using his soul to directly manipulate space would be so easy. He was beginning to get truly familiar with space, and some understandings of his advanced, but he didn’t gain any skill.

Upon his insistence, he wanted to do it the hard way, by acquiring Space Mastery first and then casting Spatial Fold after rather than learning a spell first and acquiring the Mastery after. It was stupid, but Orodan had a feeling that acquiring merely Space Magic Mastery wouldn’t be enough to draw the Eldritch comet towards Novarria, thus he was intent on pulling out all the stops.

Three more days of training later, which was three hours of real time, he was no closer, but had a very solid understanding of space now. And gained three more levels in Absolute Soul Dominion, bringing it to 65. Plus, a bell was ringing near the door, signifying that someone had sent a message inside the chamber.

Orodan rose to his feet and went to the magical display panel. The message stated that his students had arrived, and his presence was requested. With a sigh, his hand went to the controlling mechanism and shut the time dilation down.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

The sleeping Destartes was awoken, and they stepped out and parted ways with the agreement that they would train again tomorrow. In truth, Orodan was certain that in just a month of real-world time, he could obtain Space Mastery.

“How dreadfully boring that was,” his companion spoke. “Next time, I think we ought to spice it up a bit by throwing things at your head. Have I mentioned that it’s a rather appealing target?”

“Have I mentioned how flammable you’re looking nowadays?” Orodan asked with a smile on his face.

“Never mind…”

“Besides, if you’re bored, why don’t we multi-task? I’m past the phase where the orb needs my complete focus,” Orodan remarked. “I could probably practice my fire magic or even learn other branches? Why don’t you teach me mental combat from next session?

Orodan wasn’t certain, but he would swear that she fluttered in a most maniacal way when he said that. He did his best to put it to the back of his mind and moved on, towards his provided residence.

The first emperor had spared no expenses, and Orodan was essentially given one of the towers of the royal citadel as his residence. Maids, butlers, and various servants staffed the tower, and it was ludicrously opulent beyond compare. No guest manor he’d been in compared to the sheer luxury of this tower of the royal citadel.

“This is a bit much…” Orodan remarked.

“Speak for yourself! I finally receive the treatment a woman of my stature is due,” his book companion spoke.

“Your stature is perhaps ten by twelve inches,” Orodan retorted. “Can you even feel the comfort of a pillow?”

“It’s the principle of the matter, boy!” she exclaimed and then plopped down atop a very luxurious pillow on a gold-trimmed couch. They were at an entrance reserved only for them, with no staff nearby, so she felt comfortable acting like this.

Orodan left her to her own devices and went down to the main entrance to see three familiar faces. The first, Vespidia, who brought him his students, and the other two, Aliya the aspiring warrior, and Zukelmux the goblin.

“Greetings Orodan Wainwright, I have here, your two disciples,” Vespidia spoke. “They’ve undoubtedly caught a lot of flies in their mouths with how they’ve been staring at everything along the way. You two, henceforth, Orodan Wainwright is your teacher, show due respect.”

“Master!” Zukelmux immediately bowed. “I am honored that you would seek out our Rising Spears tribe all for the sake of taking on a student! I am not worthy…!”

Aliya immediately bowed as well.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” she exclaimed. “I won’t mess this chance up! I’ll prove myself and become the best warrior ever! I don’t know why you wanted a little girl from some small town as your student, but I’ll prove you made the right decision!”

Orodan was taken aback at the sheer sincerity in both their voices. He didn’t even know them in this loop yet! Frankly, why weren’t there more questions from both about being invited to be disciple for some strange and powerful teacher in the Novarrian capital?

“Vespidia… it’s maybe been six hours, how’re they here so quickly?” Orodan asked. “Did her parents agree to this? Did his tribe give their assent?”

He had an uncomfortable feeling in his gut as he asked. He really hoped they hadn’t marched in and butchered his tribe or kidnapped her from home. But, given how they were speaking, he didn’t think it was the case, so he quashed the thought.

“Our Intelligence Service is rather efficient when they want to be,” she spoke. “Guaranteeing the entirety of the Rising Spears tribe a protected plot of land was rather simple; in fact, many scholars are quite interested in meeting peaceful goblins who lean towards a gentler disposition. As for the girl, we simply offered her family well-paying jobs, training, and a fully paid relocation to Novar’s Peak.”

“Mother and Father will be working for a wealthy merchant in the Commercial District, I think that’s what they call it, right?” she asked and Vespidia nodded. “They’re both learning things they never thought possible.”

“Well, that’s good to hear,” Orodan spoke. “You have my thanks for arranging this, Vespidia, I hope it wasn’t too much trouble.”

“Far from it. Seeing the shocked faces of people as they saw a goblin walking through the city was worth it. Threatening them, even more so,” she replied. “Besides, when his Majesty holds you in such high favor, such a thing is a mere trifle. I’m curious, about who you are, but I don’t believe it’s my place to ask.”

“Not at all, I’ll speak to you again at a later date and we might talk more then,” Orodan answered. “I should probably introduce myself to my new students however.”

Vespidia nodded and made herself scarce with her invisibility skill, however Orodan could still sense her with his Vision of Purity and her gaze lingered on the scene for a while longer before she left.

Orodan looked at them; they looked at him.

“I am Orodan Wainwright, I’ve seen great potential in the both of you, and from today, I’ll be taking you two on as my students,” Orodan spoke. “There’s no need to call me Master, or anything of the sort. Just Orodan will do.”

“Master, I refuse! I couldn’t disrespect your trust by referring to you so casually!” Zukelmux spoke, and Aliya nodded. Orodan sighed.

“Alright, alright… how about Teacher? That seems like a fair compromise don’t you-”

“Hah! Teacher!? Who do you think you’re kidding, boy!” were the words of a haughty book that decided to land atop his head with a loud thump. “This fool Orodan Wainwright doesn’t even want to teach himself magi- urk!”

He threw her towards the fireplace and sent a gentle Flare towards it.

“Apologies, you’ll have to ignore my least favorite book,” Orodan spoke as she angrily fluttered about and avoided becoming kindling. “For some reason she’s forgotten her own self-imposed rule of not talking in front of others.”

“Who else is watching?! I mentally nudged the staff to make themselves scarce,” she spoke. “I can even alter their memories if you want.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Orodan stated. “Mental intrusion is for enemies; respect the sanctity of their minds or you’ll be sent to the donations box of a ratty library.”

“Hmmph! Fine…!” she answered and then fluttered about near the heads of his two students watching them intently.

“She won’t harm you… well, except if you’re training and it’d help expedite your growth. I’d also advise against touching her directly or attempting to read the pages,” Orodan remarked with a smile as both Zukelmux and Aliya nervously looked at the flying book. “But as I was saying, Teacher will do. From now on, I’ll be training you two. What did Vespidia tell you the arrangement would involve?”

“Teacher, Miss Vespidia told us that we’d be attending the Novar’s Peak Academy during the day and then spending the remaining time with you after classes to receive your tutelage,” Zukelmux explained. “Additionally, we were informed that as disciples we would be required to carry out tasks for you and bring honor to your name.”

“Well, she may have gone a bit far with the last part,” Orodan replied. “I don’t need you to bring honor to my name, I can fight my own battles. But that being said, it’s good that she’s arranged the academy as I’m no replacement for a formal education. Although, I will occasionally have you adventure out and engage in combat as a means to further your own growth, not for me.”

Zukelmux looked as though his eyes were overflowing with respect and admiration and Aliya looked quite relieved at hearing his explanation and she looked excited even.

“Teacher… our classes at the Academy start from tomorrow, but for now what do you want us to do?” Aliya asked.

“Well, how about we see where the both of you are at in terms of combat?” Orodan asked. “Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.”

The two of them could only have an excited look in their eyes.

His two students were utterly battered and exhausted upon the floor of the tower’s time dilated training chamber.

[Teaching 9 → Teaching 10]

That was the last message he received. The skill had started at level 6 before his session and ended at level 10 over the four hours of gruelling training he put the two of them through.

Well, it wasn’t the two of them as much as it was Zukelmux. Aliya, while quite the talent and on the verge of reaching the Apprentice-level at Staff Mastery, just wasn’t on the level of Zukelmux the Elite-level spear and shield wielding warrior who could jump a tier to fight. He would be a top tier talent at any academy.

She became exhausted quite early and sat out while Orodan tested Zukelmux and sought to force the goblin to improve in every aspect of combat.

“Haah…. haaah…. Teacher…! I’ve gained multiple skill levels from this bout! Thank you for your tutelage!” Zukelmux replied.

Aliya however looked quite worried, as though she’d disappointed Orodan.

“Why’re you looking as though someone’s stolen your food?” Orodan asked. “Don’t tell me you feel inadequate…”

Her eyes widened and her fists clenched.

“Aliya… you realize that Zukelmux is an Elite-level warrior, correct?” Orodan asked. “How old are you Zukelmux?”

“Eighteen years of age, Teacher,” the goblin replied.

“And how old are you, Aliya?”

“Eight…” she quietly mouthed.

“Don’t you think it’s a little unrealistic to expect you’ll perform the same as him then?” Orodan asked. “I’m not about to get rid of you if that’s what you’re concerned about. Rather, your near-Apprentice skills are really good, better than any of my weapon skills were at your age.”

What he didn’t tell her was that his Combat Mastery was at level 11 by the time he was her age, whereas hers was merely 3. She was a prodigy in some respects, but Orodan had to admit, he wasn’t too shabby either.

Still, his words of reassurance did a lot to make her ease up. He wasn’t planning on getting rid of any of them.

“Teacher, will we continue for another session? I feel as though I could go for another,” Zukelmux spoke.

“On the contrary, the spar was merely a means of seeing where you stand,” Orodan spoke. “Before we begin, I’ll have to ask whether you two are truly up to the task of bearing the intense demands of my training. I will not lie; my training will be difficult and often leave you injured and mentally battered. I’ll heal all injuries of course, but my methods are rather extreme. If you aren’t prepared to face that, simply don’t return tomorrow and I won’t say a word of complaint, and nothing will be taken away from you.”

Zukelmux looked determined, but Aliya… her eyes were positively blazing with determination.

“I’ll show you… I’ll work harder than anyone you’ve ever seen!” Aliya declared, her hands gripping around her quarterstaff.

“Very well then, we have more time remaining, and now the real regimen starts,” Orodan spoke. “Fancy skills and high rarities are good, but I feel that academies often coddle students by not focusing on the fundamentals of what makes a warrior. Hard work, pain, sweat and blood. Let’s hone that Physical Fitness and Pain Resistance, shall we?”

Teaching had gained another two levels.

The eyes of both his students looked utterly grim and hopeless as their bodies were battered and quite injured in multiple places. But they’d persevered and made excellent gains over the course of another twenty-four hours of training.

Every time they got too tired or injured, Orodan would throw a healing potion at them, restoring them to full condition. Like that, they endlessly trained for twenty-four hours.

“And I thought I was sadistic… how could you hit that little girl in such a manner?” his book companion asked. “Have you no shame?”

“Don’t disrespect her by calling her a little girl, that one… she’s a warrior,” Orodan spoke. “She has quite the temper and drive for success. It was less me hitting her and more her charging into my attacks with her body to try and gain Pain Resistance levels faster. I approve of her mentality.”

“Of course, she’s a maniac like you,” she spoke. “This master-disciple arrangement was meant to be.”

“Teacher…! I’m a Staff Apprentice!” Aliya exclaimed with a gleeful cheer. “I have a title now!”

“Well done, I’m sure you’ll reach the Adept-level soon at this pace,” Orodan praised. “How about you Zukelmux, made any gains after that?”

“Yes Teacher… two entire levels in Physical Fitness and one in Combat Mastery… I’ve never experienced such intensity of training before, but nor have I gained levels so quickly either,” the goblin replied.

“Good, good. For today, that will be all,” Orodan spoke. “Get some rest, and we’ll reconvene after classes tomorrow for more of the same. If you have any crafts or hobbies, be sure to hone them as well, a warrior must sharpen the mind and self in more ways than just combat to achieve growth.”

Both his students diligently nodded and then left. He was quite satisfied with the results of today. If he continued on the course of Teaching, he could likely teach Adeltaj how to become a dual-Grandmaster, the first emperor how to acquire Eldritch Resistance, and Mahari how to acquire the elemental fist once more. He could do more than just fight; he could empower others to become better versions of themselves. He could repay many of the debts he owed to those who did him good turns in the prior loops.

He left the training chamber himself and made way for his next destination, the Grand Crafting Hall of the Novar’s Peak Academy where he would work on sharpening his various crafts.

The Novar’s Peak Academy was in fact the second biggest building in the Royal District. It was directly next to the Imperial Citadel which was the tallest building. The Novar’s Peak Academy was a gigantic tower; a tower so big that it was the Academy.

Unlike Bluefire, which was a campus with multiple buildings, Novar’s Peak Academy was simply one gigantic tower, dwarfed only by the peak of the Imperial Citadel it was adjacent to. Teleporters took students, faculty and visitors to various floors and sections of the tower, and many floors had entrances connecting to the other towers of the Royal District via incredibly long stone bridges which looked majestic and formed a web of interconnected towers, of which the academy was a part.

He passed by the throngs of students and made his way to the teleporter for the school of Alchemy, upon stepping through the portal he found the classroom he was to meet his personal tutor within.

It would be a long day of crafting and learning.

He gained two levels in Jewelcrafting and Basic Healing, but the other crafts would take more days to see gains in.

“So then, after a full day of time dilation aided training, bullying your new students and learning magic and the crafts, how do you like Novarria? Have I convinced you to betray your country yet?” Balastion Novar joked.

“While it’s quite the city and the infrastructure, wealth and education are without a doubt superior to Bluefire’s… I wouldn’t say I’ve quite been convinced to become Novarrian just yet,” Orodan replied. “That being said, with six months of this training, I’m confident I can pull the Eldritch Avatar and force it to land in Novarria instead. I assume you’ll obviously evacuate the city when the time comes in preparation for battle?”

“Of course, and I’m glad to hear you feel confident in learning the spatiomancy within that time,” Balastion spoke. “I know you say you’re in a time loop, and I can tell it’s the truth too… it still behooves me to act as though this life is my only one. So, I’m rather relieved to hear you shouldn’t need multiple loops to learn how to pull it towards us.”

“I don’t know if we’ll still be capable of outright defeating it though,” Orodan spoke. “Not without severe casualties at least. The last time I won it was at the expense of my own death and the deaths of three World Guardians and multiple Avatars. Guzuhar sank to the sea in our fighting, and I only killed it through Warrior’s Reciprocity which returned its own damage with a multiplier. Not to mention, being empowered by three Gods myself.”

“Needless to say, empowering either of us with divine power is out of the picture. Save for a few, I detest the Gods as much as you do,” the first emperor said. “But let’s not engage in defeatism, whether we win or not, we can only plant our feet and meet the foe like warriors, no? Or in your case, plant your feet, die like a warrior, and repeat the situation as many times as necessary till you succeed.”

“I suppose that is my standard tactic,” Orodan remarked.

“Come, let us speak of other matters,” the emperor diverted. “During your explanation of the loops you mentioned encountering the elven Gods at one point. Tell me what your impression of them was.”

“I can’t say I hated them… but they clearly have some sort of captive divinity that they’re using, Faraine? I believe that’s the name I heard mentioned by the man who tried channelling her, and yourself when we spoke about the issue,” Orodan stated. “Who is she?”

“Faraine is one of the Elven Four, the elven Goddess of Truth, Justice and Freedom… which is ironic beyond compare that her fellow Gods have her imprisoned in the divine realm and are using her as a battery to be drawn upon by bearers of that wretched experimental Bloodline,” Balastion explained. “The story of how that came to be is a long one, but it all began fifteen-thousand years ago when one of the Eldritch star-beasts sent by their foul divinities tried invading the elven continent.”

Orodan recalled reading about the event. In fact, it was the historical event which Cyvrosdyr boasted about during their first meeting, claiming that he defeated the rampaging Eldritch star-beast after the Chosen One failed. Cyvrosdyr’s bragging aside, the records of the event did mention that the elven Chosen One of Faraine failed and valorously fell in battle, necessitating the arrival of the World Guardian who then defeated the rampaging beast.

“Ah, that’s right. I recall that wintry dragon boasting about it at the time,” Orodan remarked.

“You’ve met him in your loops? Of course, you have… he still maintains his anger towards me when we fought once in my younger years, and I thoroughly trounced him. It wasn’t a fight to the death of course,” Balastion spoke. “He fought well, but still gets offended whenever I mention that humans are naturally more talented than dragons are. We’re roughly the same age and he still lags behind me.”

“You are rather old… how is that possible?” Orodan asked.

“There are more methods to ageless immortality than you would think. In a sense, you have one yourself,” Balastion spoke. “But that’s a conversation for another day. On the matter of the elves, officially, the Chosen One of Faraine failed, the Avatar died, and then the World Guardian had to intervene to protect Eldiron.”

“Of course, you aren’t mentioning it because that’s what actually happened,” Orodan said, and Balastion nodded. “Then, what occurred?”

“As you’ve begun to see in your loops… the Eldritch energies are very corruptive, to the point that even Gods can be infected,” Balastion Novar explained.

“Then… she’s corrupted by the Eldritch? It didn’t exactly sound like it during that brief moment I heard her during my fight against Othorion Evertree,” Orodan spoke. “She was more surprised that she was free.”

Balastion looked downwards in contemplation.

“So, what Vespidia says is true then,” the first emperor muttered. “She was corrupted by the Eldritch, yes. But she isn’t any longer if what you and Vespidia say is true.”

“She gained Eldritch Resistance and held onto her sense of self then?” Orodan asked. “Why hasn’t she been freed by her fellow brethren then?”

“And that, my friend, is why Vespidia hates the Gods so very much and doubtlessly why she plans to attend this Inter-Academy Tournament in the hopes of freeing her,” Balastion answered. “From what she tells me, even after Faraine developed Eldritch Resistance and regained her own mind, her fellow elven Gods still kept her imprisoned. Whether due to fear or the convenience of her being a divine battery and well of power for that wretched Bloodline, I do not know.”

“The Bloodline? You mean the one Othorion Evertree has? It isn’t even that powerful, I beat him in the last long loop rather easily,” Orodan stated.

“Yes, but you beat a mere Elite-level student who couldn’t even jump a tier,” Balastion explained, and Orodan now understood. “Avatars face the limitation of burning their host out if they use too much energy, yet this Othorion Evertree was stronger than a Favored Avatar while merely at the Elite-level and with no Blessings. Tell me, Orodan, how strong do you think a quadruple-Grandmaster Chosen One with such a Bloodline would be?”

Of course, the elves had quadruple-Grandmasters, they lived far longer than humans and consequently had more time to develop their skills. In humans however, the number of quadruple-Grandmasters in history could be counted on one hand. Such a being, possessed of a Bloodline which allowed them to freely call upon a Goddess’s power with almost no limitation… would be a ferocious force to be reckoned with.

“Quite strong… why haven’t they taken this continent over then?” Orodan asked.

“Partially because there isn’t much which interests them aside from energy wells and the crown, and partly because the dragons would band together to drive them off,” Balastion spoke. “But the main reason, would be me. My natural power backed by the crown I wear is a deterrent which prevents them from interfering overly much lest they earn my ire. However, I’m also wary of my elven counterpart who is just as powerful as I and has the ability to call upon copious amounts of divine energy. He too is a bearer of the same Bloodline Othorion Evertree has.”

“And you don’t have Divine Resistance… but I do,” Orodan said, and he now understood. “You want me to engage in all-out war against Eldiron? The collateral damage would be unfathomable.”

“Not at all. I don’t want you to engage in war, least of all against the elves who are an asset against the Eldritch. But your Divine Resistance gives you the unique advantage of being able to act where I cannot if you encounter any agents who possess the Bloodline,” Balastion spoke. “If I were to begin acting directly, it would create openings elsewhere, and it would give that troublesome elf the excuse to escalate and then it might very well lead to actual conflict.”

“What do you wish of me then?” Orodan asked.

“You met members of the Novarrian Intelligence Service upon entering the city, did you not?”

“Yes, they rather rudely attempted to pry into my mind,” Orodan replied. “Not very successfully.”

“I apologize on their behalf, but they would not be agents of a surveillance state if our elven rivals hadn’t forced us into this position,” the first emperor spoke. “For at least ten-thousand years now, my Empire has been in a cold war against the elves of Eldiron. Intelligence and counterintelligence are one of those battlefields, and the psionics of Eldiron have ours handily beat. There are plenty of elven spies and those subverted by the elves running through my city, and I’d like to ask for your help in ferreting them out.”

“And this isn’t something you could do?” Orodan asked.

“In all honesty, no. I’m no psionic and my ability to detect the truth is useless if memories have been wiped or altered so that the subject genuinely believes a falsehood is reality,” the emperor replied. “You’ve told me of your Absolute Soul Dominion skill, and I’d like for you to use it and work alongside my Novarrian Intelligence Service and sniff out the elven spies and those under the psionic influence of our rivals.”

On one hand, he’d be involving himself in matters which weren’t his problem. But on the other…

…it was good training for Absolute Soul Dominion.

“I accept,” Orodan replied, and Balastion actually looked surprised that he did. “What? I think it’d be good training.”

“Of course… why am I not surprised?” Balastion remarked. “You have my gratitude for agreeing to help with this issue, the Intelligence Service will contact you with further requests for your talents. Do you have any more questions about this?”

While the obvious question of: ‘why Orodan’, could use further clarification; Orodan himself understood that he was in a unique position. The Grandmasters, Chosen, and any agents of decent talent and power of a nation were always closely monitored and had lots of information on them. He on the other hand, was a complete unknown, approaching the first emperor’s level of power, who had just appeared out of nowhere. The elves wouldn’t be expecting him, and if they did, the first emperor was still in the background supporting Orodan.

Additionally, what was unsaid was that the addition of Orodan Wainwright to the Novarrians added much military prowess to their nation. It acted as an additional deterrent, even if Orodan had no interest in fighting an actual war where innocents would be slaughtered en masse.

“Two questions really,” Orodan replied. “First, in a direct war, how confident are you in victory?”

“It is a concerning prospect, and the elves haven’t pushed for a direct war thanks to the lack of any potential gains and the threat of heavy losses,” Balastion answered. “But Eldiron is old, very old. Civilization on the elven continent didn’t collapse thirty-thousand years ago, and as a result they’ve had almost a hundred-thousand years of uninterrupted development. Technologically, and in terms of manpower, material, and resources, they exceed Novarria by far. It would take all the human nations banding together to perhaps match them in terms of manpower and resources. And although I’m strong and pose a threat to any Avatars, the elves live long, and there are at least two elves I know of who rival me in power despite not calling upon divine providence.”

That was somewhat concerning. Two elves who were on the level of Balastion Novar without calling upon divine providence, and then they had that quadruple-Grandmaster with the Bloodline which allowed for free divine power. Which made it at least three incredibly powerful beings at the top end.

Still, Orodan accepted that the elves weren’t necessarily looking for direct conflict. If they wanted it, they would’ve had war by now, especially when civilization on Inuan was still weaker.

“And second, how does Vespidia know all this? What’s her role?” Orodan asked.

“That… isn’t my story to tell,” Balastion Novar replied, and Orodan accepted it. “Ask her and she might tell you herself. I hear she quite enjoys delving into the depths and treasure hunting, perhaps you two might bond over such a thing. If you brought your students along it might even be a field trip.”

Fair enough, and that did sound like a good idea for training Zukelmux and Aliya, albeit with careful supervision for the latter.

“I did always wonder though,” Orodan continued. “What’s your angle in all this? In helping me?”

“A man can’t just help the young better themselves?” Balastion asked with a smile. “Well, what if I told you I have a vision… a dream where humans, dragons, and the rest of the mortal races live in harmony upon our world. A nation where one’s species doesn’t determine their fate, where Gods are benevolent and the Eldritch has been beaten back to the foul void of space from whence they come. Where we can live together as a world, in harmony.”

“That does sound like a nice goal,” Orodan said. “Is that why you haven’t made any military actions against the Republic and Eastern Kingdoms? Given your strength, I don’t see anyone in the Republic having a chance.”

“Yes… the Republic separated primarily due to a conflict between the Time Wind dragon flight and our own allied Soaring Flame dragon flight,” Balastion explained. “Attacking the Republic would be akin to cutting off our own arm… in time I hope they will at least agree to work alongside us easier even if they maintain their independence.

“And the Eastern Kingdoms? What about them?”

“Likewise, although, they have something rather powerful guarding them, and it isn’t the World Guardian lion,” Balastion replied. “The reason I’m helping you, is because I hope in time, you’ll help bring this dream of mine to fruition. A land of peace where mortal-kind can reach its true potential, where all the continents work together, and we aren’t held back by greedy Gods or invading Eldritch. Will you help me do this, Orodan Wainwright?”

He definitely felt the influence of a social skill there, but unless the argument convinced him, Orodan’s willpower would disregard it. As it stood… Orodan didn’t disagree. Purging the foul corruption in the form of evil Gods and the Eldritch from Alastaia was already part of Orodan’s goal. As for a world of harmony, Orodan would leave that part to Balastion.

“It’s a good dream. I can definitely help with cleaning up some of the trash that makes our world dirty,” Orodan replied. “But the execution of your dream will be up to you even if I were to pave the path.”

The first emperor smiled.

“Even just that bit of assistance would be much appreciated, Orodan,” the man spoke.

“Anyhow, for now, we have bigger concerns,” Orodan spoke as he turned away. “I have much work before me, so I’ll be taking my leave.”

As it stood now, Orodan had much to do.

For his own growth: training his students, learning spatiomancy to a degree where he could force the battle against the Eldritch Avatar into Novarria, training in various schools of magic and honing his crafts.

For his tasks: finding out more about the first gate, finding out who fled after crossing the threshold, and of course, assisting the Novarrian Intelligence Service with rooting out the Eldiron spy network in Novar’s Peak, and perhaps looking into the matter of the imprisoned Goddess Faraine and how Vespidia was related to the incident.

The coming months looked to be very busy, but Orodan Wainwright had nothing but time, and one six-month long loop to sort everything out.

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