Published at 16th of February 2024 2:23 pm

Chapter 2.23 Advanced Dungeon Combat

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Nox and his party reported for Advanced Dungeon Combat a quarter of an hour before it was due to begin. They started their warm-up straight away, stretching and then jogging around the long, ring-shaped roof. Two other groups joined them not long after. Prince Louis Mercer, Nox’s half-brother, led one, and Nox didn’t know the second group.

“They took last semester off,” Alexander told them. “They’ve been delving along the Imperum’s borders. Professor Wolfhammer told me they failed Advanced Dungeon Combat last time. This is their second attempt.”

Even though they were an essential part of his arsenal, Nox insisted Lillin leave his essences in her pocket dimension. He didn’t know what Professor Wolfhammer had in store for him but wanted to test his new spells with no handicaps or crutches. There would inevitably be times when Nox had no essences or any brews at hand. Nox needed to be able to fight when the time came and believed his mana system had finally reached a point to make that possible.

Even though brewing and launching the shop had him exhausted, Nox had stayed up late into the night, upgrading his new star and creating his first moon.

Nox Ratra

Journeyman

Crystalize Essence | Essence Animation

99/99 | 19/19

Essence Shaping | Arrow

35/36 | 8/9

The milestone didn’t come with any intrinsic benefits, but he was excited to get his star’s maximum mana to the triple digits. Once Nox reached Adept rank, he’d also gain the ability to change the sequence of planets in his mana system. Bodies closer to the star tended to have a deeper connection to them, interacting more intimately with the core spell.

The benefit didn’t feel particularly relevant to Nox’s current planets. Essence Shaping’s runescript ensured it didn’t need to rely on the star to function. Things weren’t too different for Essence Animation. The spell only needed to lock on to crystallized essence before executing the pre-decided set of movements. Nox wondered whether things would be different for a planet dedicated to familiars or summoning.

“Nox.” Louis approached him once they finished their warm-up. “Can we talk?” He hesitantly glanced at Nox’s party. “Alone?”

“Whatever you have to say to Nox, you can—”

“It’s alright,” Nox told Lillin before nodding to the roof’s trunk-facing side. His half-brother followed close behind him, and they stopped once they were far enough away. Nox doubted Lillin’s inhuman ears would hear them over the wind. “How can I help you, Prince Louis?”

“I just wanted to apologize for everything that happened between you and Ed.” Louis hesitated again. His expression and fidgeting betrayed his discomfort. “And the cult. I just wanted you to know that I didn’t have anything to do with it or know of his involvement with the abductions.”

“I guessed as much, Louis.” Nox shot his half-brother a polite smile. “You’re not guilty of your brother’s crimes. If that’s all—”

“I also owe you an apology for everything you experienced while living on the Golden Isles,” Louis continued, breaking eye contact and looking at the floor. “I wasn't completely ignorant of everything Ed and my father were doing. I’d be lying if I said it bothered me.”

“Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that you just didn’t care?”

“I suppose that would be accurate. We’re blood, and there is no excuse for my nonchalance. Only Ed knew about the assassination attempts, though.”

“Hold on a moment.” Nox moved closer to Louis and continued at a lower volume. “How do you know about that now? I expected Queen Mercer to keep everything under wraps.”

Louis sighed, slumping against Ygg’s trunk. The young prince looked his age when he pulled his legs close, hugged them, and rested his chin on his knees. “Things in the palace have been a mess the past couple of months,” he said. “Mother stripped Ed of all his titles, inheritance, and privileges. He’s not allowed to leave the grounds, allowed to interact with outsiders or train in weapons and magic. Ed may call whores, eat, and read all he wants, but that’s it.

“Father was expectedly furious about the sentencing. He had a public outburst during the sentencing, threatening you, your aunt, and her family in front of all mother’s subjects.” Louis looked apologetic when he met Nox’s eyes again. “When Mother didn’t back down and warned him against it, he threw a goblet at her. I’m sure dodging would’ve been no trouble for her, but she took the blow to the face, and it drew blood.

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“The queen’s guard immediately arrested him, and during the following chaos, Father admitted to sending assassins after you. Apparently, he started not long after Mother moved you to Mou’s household. I think he wanted a reaction from Mother. Well.” He exhaled deeply. “He got one. It was more cold than angry. Apparently, she knew about the attempts and had been sabotaging them all along. Father thought he was untouchable after preventing war with the Imperium and bridging the relationship. He was wrong.

“Mother doesn’t need the Gedges anymore since she has a stronger alliance with the Imperian trade authorities than my father ever did. This all happened in front of our new Imperium ambassador. Mother considered sentencing Father to death, but the ambassador and I begged for a more lenient punishment. So she gave him the same sentence as Ed, except father won’t get any whores. She’s keeping an eye on them, and if either steps out of line, she’ll have them put down.”

Nox felt at a loss for words. He was pleased to hear of his mother finally acting on Lord Gedge and Ed’s crimes, but it felt much too late for such gestures. Some part of Nox always knew her behavior toward him wasn’t indifferent but never truly understood the extent of it.

“I just thought you should know.” Louis smiled weakly. “I don’t know what happened between you and Mother at the end of last semester, but when we met afterward, she looked sorrowful and almost broken.” He stood and offered Nox a hand. “Hope it’s not too late to fix things between us, brother. If there is anything I can ever do for the torture my family put you through and my transgressions, please let me know.”

Nox stared at Louis for a moment. All the words that came out of his mouth felt sincere, but a part of him wondered whether it was all a trick. After thinking it over for a moment, he shook Louis’ hand. The prince had only just reached adulthood and wasn’t as bad a presence without the Mercers influencing him. Nox hoped his sister wouldn’t suffer the same brainwashing.

“There is one little thing you can do for me, Louis,” Nox said. He didn’t want to forgive Louis straight away, but the prince could be of use to him. “I don’t know if you’ve heard. I recently opened a shop in the city. Ratra’s Knightly Brews.”

“I’ve heard. Congratulations on the knighthood, by the way.” Louis appeared embarrassed as he continued. “I was envious when Mother told me. You actually earned your title instead of inheriting it.”

"Thanks." Nox laughed. "It was unexpected. I didn't really go in looking for a title. It just happened. I suppose I did some good."

"The reports say you did a lot more than just some good, Nox. Creating a brew for killing the unkillable? Saving hundreds of lives with new potions and hands-on medical care? I know that youre an alchemist, but i wasnt aware of your surgeoning skills." He pauses looking embarasses. "I'm envious and impresses. Anyway. Why don't you tell me what help you need?

“The cosmetics side of the business has a decent reputation. Unfortunately, my other products—namely my empowering brews, recovery brews, Trap Foam, and other delving supplies—don’t as of yet. Do you think you could spread the word? Perhaps make a show of coming in at some point with a few friends and purchasing a few things?”

“Is that all?” Louis laughed. “That doesn’t even count as a favor. Of course, I’ll help. Leave it to me, brother.”

"Thank you, Louis." Nox placed a hand on his half-brother's shoulder. "Sorry i was so horrible to you before. I suppose I took out a lot of my resentment towards Ed and your father on you."

"I'd love it if we could move past all of that," Louis said. "Perhaps we can go out some time and have a drink. I don't know what you like to do for fun. Perhaps axe throwing or we can visit a range sometime?"

"We'll figure something out." Nox chuckled, clapping Louis on the back.

The party appeared confused when the half-siblings returned, chatting and smiling. Nox mouthed ‘later’ since Professor Wolfhammer had just reached the rooftop. It felt good to know the Gedges were finally facing the consequences of their actions. They had used the Trade Empire’s reliance on them for the Imperium connection to get away with a lot over the years. It didn’t excuse Queen Mercer’s inaction, but he sort of understood her struggles. War with the Imperium would’ve bankrupted the Trade Empire and possibly marked its end. Now, the two superpowers were close trading partners. Whatever position the Gedges leveraged had lost its value.

Nox still didn’t know how to feel about the rest of the Mercers. His grandparents, especially his grandmother and former queen, hated him for existing. She apparently never approved of the relationship between Nox’s parents. Instead, the woman had pushed his mother to marry a member of the Imperian royal family to cement the relationship between the two nations. The only reason the former queen didn’t act against Pallav Ratra was his alchemical creations and his willingness to share the patents with the Trade Empire.

“Welcome to Advanced Dungeon Combat,” Professor Wolfhammer said. “We have a handful of extra students this semester.” He nodded at the trio following him. Sam spotted Joey Greengrass among them. “They aren’t officially a part of the course and are taking Intermediate Dungeon Combat. However, they’ll attend First and Third-day sessions if they don’t have other lessons.”

“That’s not fair!” A member of Louis’ party exclaimed. “We had to work our butts off to sign up for this course. I’ve been at this university for four years. Why did I never get the opportunity to audit this course?”

“Because Dean Woodson said so.” The professor sighed. “Things and circumstances change, and we need to adapt. The last few months have forced us to change how we do things. Terrastalia. Sundarshahar. The Hanging Gardens. The dungeons are changing, and this is doubly relevant for Expert and Archon dungeons. There will be more daring delving campaigns, which means our numbers will diminish. Dean Woodson sees great potential for growth in these three, so they’re getting the opportunity to train with you. That doesn’t mean they’ll receive the same qualifications and licenses you will for officially completing this course. Any more protests?”

No one spoke up.

“Good. Then we can begin.”

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