Published at 29th of November 2025 6:47 pm

Chapter ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY FIVE: Kind Effort

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

175

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The call came late in the morning, and if it had been almost anyone else, Alden would have ignored it.

The auriad flashlight spell was an astounding work of art. The way the author had drawn the first joints of the fourth fingers in the second to last instructional diagram showed so much attention to precision and

And Evul-arths name was in front of his eyes, blocking that diagram.

He dropped the indigo loop, shook the tangles out, and shoved it all the way up his arm.

System, the books need to go back to stor

He gave it credit for not even making him finish the sentence. He stared at the place where his spellbook had been, then knelt a little straighter on his cushion before he answered the call.

Stuart was in his bedroom at the Rapport. Once again, his sister wasnt present even though she must have made the call happen. Alden wondered if Evul-arth was busy, or if during the family negotiations Stuart had somehow arranged their communication situation more to his own liking.

I may never again see him squashed under the lounger pillows.

Hi, said Alden, pulling the earring out of his lobe. Its good to talk to you again so soon.

You were wearing Olorn Moms earring! Stuarts face and tone were thrilled.

I would wear it all the time if I could, Alden said seriously. All the time. You have to thank her for me. My brain loves this thing. I want to give it all my blood.

Stuart beamed. I have welcome news. Healer Yenu-pezth has agreed to a meeting with you.

Alden swallowed. That is welcome news.

It will be Monday, said Stuart. Youll walk with her in a place that eases the mind and discuss what you want to better about yourself with her help. She will tell you her methods, your options, ask about worries you might havethe same things we talked about before you left here but in more detail.

Monday. That was a whole weekend away, so it was ridiculous that his thoughts were whirling like Stuart had just told him hed be teleported to the mind healer in the next two seconds.

Are you kneeling by a toilet?

Alden looked to his left. Yes.

On your cushion? Wearing the earring? Stuart was regarding him curiously. Are you studying the toilet?

It was true that Alden had no obvious learning materials since hed hidden them away. Still, dude

Im not wasting your moms gift on the plumbing, he said. I was watching a science lecture.

Before I started practicing my new light spell.

But why are you learning beside a toilet? Is it a human custom?

Alden smiled. Yes. It symbolizes the removal of shitty ideas from our brains.

I understand. Stuart nodded graciously. The custom is a little unusual, from an Artonan perspective, but if it is

The sound of Aldens laughter echoing through the bathroom cut him off.

Stuart gasped. You liar!

It was a joke!

Its too strange to be a joke!

Alden finished cackling, then leaned over to grab a wad of toilet paper and dab at his eyes. Im studying in here because its peaceful and private. Theres nothing that strange about it.

Stuarts face said he disagreed.

Better change the subject before he decides hes made a mistake with his friend choice.

Youre home at an unusual time. He could hear the clatter of ryeh-bt claw blunts on the floor, even though Other Alden wasnt in view. Stuart was at his desk, wearing the sleeveless black shirt that seemed to be a standard underlayer for his LeafSong uniform.

Emban, he explained. I agreed to serve as her votary for a while. Im still attending classes, but Im coming back here at every opportunity to make it obvious Im available if she needs something.

Thats a lot of teleporting.

It is. After I understand how shes feeling, I might change the arrangement. Right now, she doesnt seem to want company. There was a shadow of something that might have been worry in his voice.

Emban-arth. Definer of Grooves.

Has she affixed again? Alden thought hed caught a couple of hints during his stay that she was about to do it.

Did she justis there anything I can do to help? he asked.

To help me with Emban? Stuarts brows quirked.

Alden scratched the back of his neck. I dont know what I think I could do. But if you want something preserved or if she wants to call a friendly alien and talk in the middle of the night.

Sometimes you really need a friendly alien to call and talk to you in the middle of the night.

Or something like that, he concluded. Im available.

I will tell her you offered, Stuart said. Maybe <<kind effort>> will turn the <<corners of the mouth>>.

Alden wasnt familiar with that saying, but he was impressed they had a specific word just for the corners of the mouth. I hope she

It should also make her feel an adequate amount of guilt for talking about how you didnt seem interesting enough for the amount of <<turbulence>> in the house.

Alden blinked. Emban-arth thinks Im not interesting?

Not interesting enough to be the cause of turbulence, Stuart said.

Did she expect me to be more interesting in a good way or a bad way?

I shouldnt have mentioned it, said Stuart. Please dont worry over it or feel offended. I think Emban was more focused on our familys reaction to you than on your behavior.

Im not offended, said Alden, tossing the toilet paper at the trashcan in the corner. Sometimes I think I could happily live my whole life without being interesting.

There was a crashing sound, and Stuart dove for a cup just before it fell off the edge of his desk.

Other Alden doesnt feel the same way, he grumbled while his fingers dripped what looked like grain tea.

******

******

Hey, guys, said Alden. Are either of you free for the next three hours?

Hed just finished with Stuart, and after barely resisting the urge to stick his earring back in and forget the world, hed called Boe and Jeremy.

Im free for two and a half, said Jeremy. He was playing a video game in his room. Badly, since he had a turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce sandwich in one hand. Kimberlys family is buying her a car this afternoon, and Im going along for the final test drive.

Car shopping? asked Alden. Whats she getting?

Black Friday deal on a lightly used Volkswagen Beetle.

And Im doing nothing, said Boe. He was in the kitchen at home, and he was eating, too. But his lunch was spoonfuls of peanut butter straight out of the jar. Unless catching up on all the anime episodes Ive missed counts as something.

It doesnt, Jeremy and Alden said together.

Boe flipped them off. What are we doing for three hours? And why does it involve you sitting on the floor by the toilet?

Nobody appreciates my study nook. Alden stood up. Im going to pay back a wordchainone that has the potential to make me an anxious, miserable wreck.

The double Peace of Mind debt was weighing on him.

You want us to watch you be a miserable wreck for three hours? Boe asked. Are you sure thats

No. I want you to distract me so that I dont become a miserable wreck. Please ignore me if I seem tense while we spend all of the apology money the Artonan ambassador, who is a creep, gave me last night.

Yes, said Jeremy, perking up. Finally. Youre going to take my advice and buy!

Not a luxury penthouse, said Alden. I dont know what one costs, but I know Im not spending that much.

Then maybe

I dont think a motorcycle is ideal right now either.

How much money will we be spending? Boe asked.

Thee hundred thousand argold.

Jeremy started choking on his sandwich.

Boe shoved up his glasses. He was smiling, but in a way that said he couldnt believe what he was hearing. You want us to help you blow almost a million dollars in three hours? Dont you think thats slightly too expensive for an anti-anxiety measure?

Bash-nor told me I should spend it to warm my mood, and he called me a poor little ryeh-bt surrounded by monsters before showing off a very lethal looking spell. My first idea for spending his money was to buy several hundred thousand cheap toy rabbits so that I could have a helicopter drop them on his head.

No, said Boe.

During a press conference.

Fine, you self-destructive dumbass. Lets spend a million dollars.

Alden paced the room, enjoying Jeremys guffaws and Boes snarking at every new money blowing idea that was suggested. The bad half of Peace of Mind hit hard, but the company and the entertainment kept it from accelerating as much as it would have.

When he fretted over his Opposite stone not blinking back, he was distracted by a picture Jeremy sent him of a terrifying Easter bunny suit that cost fifteen thousand dollars. He couldnt express half of his fears aloud, but if he got too quiet for too long one of them always came through. With the bunny suit, an Irish castle he would never be able to visit, or a cat tower so large hed have to take all the furniture and the bromeliad out of the living room in his dorm apartment to fit it in.

The absurd suggestions were interspersed with more serious ones, and finally Alden decided to be serious.

Lets give it to charity. Most of it can go to ones we like, and maybe a little can go to one Bash-nor would hate if he ever knew.

Okay. What charities do you like? Boe asked.

Not that one Jeremy found earlier.

What have you got against Giant Wolves for Illinois? Jeremy asked.

If it was giant wombatsoh! Boe, does the zoo take donations?

Ill check.

It was so much money, and it was so exciting to make a list of recipients. They were playing that what if I had a million bucks game you never really thought youd get to play. And the three of them were still having fun researching organizations while Jeremy rode shotgun in Kimberly Martinezs future car.

Youre supposed to be paying attention to the car, Alden said, laughing as Jeremy completely ignored his girlfriends questions about whether or not he heard a rattle coming from the backseat.

Alden! Kimberly called. If it was me, Id get a hundred thousand dollars in cash. Stick it in twenty envelopes and pass them out to people who I saw being good people. Like a random act of kindness for the randomly kind.

That sounds like so much fun. But you really need to be paying attention to your car, too. Were going to cut you guys off.

No! the two of them said at the same time.

You could donate to One Hundred Percent Swim, said Jeremy. Join Skiff in making sure Chicagoans are water-ready.

You could buy enough pizzas for Kimberly checked the rearview mirror. Was that a red light?

I think it was yellow, said Jeremy.

Bye, you two, Alden said firmly. Text me more ideas when the car is stopped, and its impossible for you to cause an accident.

He hung up on Jeremy.

The random cash for random kindness really does sound cool, he said. Do you guys want to do that?

Us? Youre the one making the donations. Boes hand was propped on his chin while he scrolled websites.

Yes. But that doesnt mean you cant be my good deed minions. I like the idea of all of us doing it together.

I wouldnt mind that. How do you feel about an organization that hires wizards to remove invasive species?

Im sure thats useful, but its not really my thing.

He heard his friends fingers clicking a few more times.

Your Peace of Mind is over, Boe noted.

You can tell?

Yes.

Empath confirmed.

More like overly familiar with you confirmed, Boe said. Are you sure you want to do this with your windfall? Just because it comes from someone you dont like doesnt mean you have to rush to get it out of your account.

Im completely sure. If you wanted to change my mind, you should have brought it up before you told me I could pay to have all of our names engraved on that bench that always smells disgusting.

Technically, your donation pays for public park improvements. Your reward is the plaque on the bench.

Me, you, and Jeremyon the stench bench forever.

Boe looked at him. Yeah, it seems worthwhile to me, too.

Alden sat down on the edge of the bed. Im going back to Artona I on Monday.

There was a pause.

Why? Boes voice held a note Alden recognized.

Prepped to argue.

Arguing about the trip to the mind healer would be risky right now. Alden had decided to do it, but his nerves didnt need a dose of Boes cleverly verbalized doubt dumped on them.

Ill be seeing Stuart, he said.

Youre traveling between planets to see the wizard friend twice in one week?

It only sounds extreme. Really, its easier than taking the L.

They both watched each other. After a minute, Alden decided to change the subject himself. Im going to practice propelling rocks at high rates of speed today in gym. Or maybe temper spheres. Havent decided.

Rocks, said Boe. Obviously.

But temper spheres are invisible. Its very Avowed.

Save the expensive ammo for when you actually know what youre doing. How are you propelling the rocks anyway?

Sling. Maybe catapult. Few other things.

Boe snorted.

What?

You went to the advanced superhero school to learn medieval weaponry.

Dont knock it until Ive tried it.

Pre-medieval. When was the sling invented?

******

******

Alden made an effort to get to the MPE building early, hoping that hed be able to talk to a faculty member about his likely absence on Monday. The healer Stuart was introducing him to was someone for whom you cleared your schedule, so he wouldnt be asking for a different appointment or rushing through the one hed been given.

Still kind of awkward, he thought, shifting his duffel bag to the other shoulder as he headed through the front doors. Informing them I might be taking time off to work on my mental health after I stridently refused their suggestion that I take some time off to work on my mental health.

Stuart and the Artona I kernel were just better at persuading people. That was all.

Maybe I dont even have to tell them why Ill be gone. Because of the aliens was a fantastic excuse for an Avowed and one that didnt necessarily need a lot of follow-up explanations.

Alden wasnt surprised to see students practicing on the floor when he entered the gymnasium. It was only empty during the periods between classes when it was being set up for the next group. But he was surprised by the number of teenagers watching from the bleachers, and he was a little put-out that they were all still there when he came back wearing his gym suit. After getting dressed, hed dawdled on purpose, taking a walk down the halls, checking the contents of a vending machine, and reading a thank you form letter from The Capeless Brave, a multinational organization that provided funds to the families of emergency responders and aid workers who were killed or injured on the job.

Hed definitely delayed for long enough.

Usually, this more advanced class would all have headed to the locker rooms by now, and the faculty for his own group would be in here prepping for them. Dueling doesnt have as much prep I guess.

He watched the class for a couple of minutes, trying to figure out why so many peoplemost of them wearing uniforms that marked them as stuents from the other two CNH programswere observing right now. It didnt seem like a special event, just a general combat class, playing a violent version of capture-the-flag.

Look. Look, you two! Thats him. The Matadero guy.

The excited whisper came from behind Alden, and he looked around to see two girls and a boy, all with the words Anesidoran Forever written on one cheek with face paint.

Did they like it? one of the girls asked, taking a step toward him.

What?

The wizards! she said. Did they like all the food?

Yes. Everyone seemed to have a really good time.

I offered to paint some of the vegetables for the cornucopia, but that Juniper first year wouldnt let me, said the other girl.

Jupiter. Sorry about that.

I have a grandmother who was born in Trenton, New Jersey, said the boy.

Alden had to think about that for a second. Maybehes trying to tell me he has a special connection to the holiday, or to me, by virtue of being one quarter former-American?

Cool, he said. Nice to meet you all. Sorry, though. Ive got to go to No, dont tell them where youre going. What if they want to follow you and ask questions about the cube? to a place and get ready for my class. Its starting soon.

He hurried away. When he was sure they werent watching, he ducked into the storage room under the bleachers. Relieved to find it free from curious observers, he started preparing some options for the evenings duels while simultaneously monitoring his most recent messages to make sure there hadnt been any problems with his donations.

Giving away nearly a million dollars wasnt something he did every day, and he felt nervous about transferring such large quantities of money. Like he might have typed the numbers in wrong even though hed quadruple checked every one.

The Capeless Braves form letter had the amount listed, but the donation hed made to improve Anesidoras teleportation infrastructure had just instantly vanished with no follow-up letter or anything. That made him worry that the sixty-five thousand argold hadnt gone to the right project.

It was my largest donation, too.

Infrastructure meant easier teleports, which meant less stress for the Earth System, which meant Alden felt like he was paying to make sure the thing never malfunctioned. Easier teleportation was also good for a hundred other reasons.

Maybe I should call them and ask them to confirm it, he thought while he laid a dozen small bagsnow emptied of dried lavender and filled with gravelagainst a length of paracord hed put on the floor.

As far as Chicago charities, hed donated to the zoos in memory of his parents, and to the parks department for the bench. Hed given some to Skiffs free swim lessons program, too, since he found himself far more respectful of water safety a week after his own near drowning.

Hed also set money aside for Kimberlys cash envelope idea.

On Anesidora, hed anonymously sent fifteen thousand argold to an organization in F-city that provided classes to low ranks who wanted to level. And hed bought gift cards for self-defense schools and firing ranges. A lot of them. He was donating most of them to The Warren. They definitely wouldnt be the most popular freebies in Rabbit intake, but Alden would have the pleasure of imagining some future unlucky Rabbit getting a commendation for shooting a demon with the training hed paid for.

Thus annoying Bash-nor.

Long, longterm revenge. But still satisfying.

And, finally, there was the birthing center in Nashville. Theyd already emailed to set up a call so they could see him face to face and tell him how his generosity would make a difference. He was thinking of saying no thank you, out of cowardice. He didnt want someone to tell him how much trouble the sudden, wizard-ordered dirt and tree removal had been.

He placed his last gravel bag against the cord. Well, it looks interesting.

If nobody objected to him trying out this particular weapon, then he would probably do a couple of different versions of it to get the hang of it. The first challenge he was giving himself was just trying to preserve all of the individual sachet bags and the cord as a stack while ignoring the gravel. A perception game, like doing just the outside of the suitcase, only a little harder because of the number of sachets.

Once he got that part right, hed try the basic catapult with it.

Stand at my end of the dueling block, and swing it. When I drop preservation, the gravel pouches should go flying, but Ill still have the cord itself entrusted to me.

He tied another set of empty bags to the cord by their handles. If his opponent was just sitting around at the other end of the block for some reason he might get a chance for a re-load. Unlikely, but why not prep for it?

The really cool thing would be if I could drop preservation from just one gravel pouch at a time. For multiple shots with no reloading. Im not sure that would work, but I should try it some other time. Today, Ill try a sling for

Youre here earlier than usual.

Alden looked up from his project and saw that Max had just come into the storage room. The Adjuster hadnt changed out of his school uniform yet, and he was carrying a small gym bag with the name of his old high school printed on it. The uniform made him look even taller than usual.

I didnt have other classes, said Alden. Not in-person ones anyway. So all I had to do was recover from Thanksgiving and then fly over.

Max looked at the makeshift catapult, then examined a few other, pre-assembled rock-flinging options Alden had pulled out of his duffel bag. You know how hard its going to be to hit the Goliaths in the forehead, dont you?

The forehead? Im just happy to hit them at all right now.

Max stepped over to examine a pair of rather imperfect slings Alden had made for himself before leaving Matadero. They were lying on top of a stack of mats. He poked the longer one with a finger.

Whats with you and the Artonans? he asked.

Blunt.

Im sure you really were seeing a healer at the cube. But they wouldnt usually keep you as long as they have, would they? And the early teleport off the bridge

Alden dragged his duffel bag toward him and started looking through it for other options. You know, he said, its really nobodys business but mine.

Thats what youre going to tell everyone? Max asked.

No. He pretended to be totally focused on the spool of thread hed just found. Im going to tell them I have a commendation from a hntyon I met on Thegund.

Alden had time to make a crappy thread net that would hold a temper sphere before Max spoke again.

That explains a lot of things.

Alden decided not to ask which particular things he was thinking of.

I know what I want for my favor.

One of the favors from Kons party. Finally coming due. Alden looked up. What is it?

Beat Winston with the fishing line again.

Thats not the spirit of the offer. Alden frowned at him. Its supposed to be a chore with our powers.

It matches the description well enough.

Alden didnt really think it did. Technically, preserving a piece of fishing line was a small, non-dangerous magical favor, but that wasnt what Kon had meant when hed announced the rules of the game.

Max rolled his eyes. Im not asking you to shorten him at the neck on his way to the bathroom one day. Just wait until the opportunity presents itself during one of your duels. Actually, you dont even have to use the fishing line. I just want you to try to beat him in any way you can at a moment when youre already supposed to be fighting him.

What makes you think I wouldnt anyway? Alden asked.

You almost never try to beat people.

Thats not exactly

You prefer experiments to victory. Its ery sane of you. Youve already got six different ways to use your skill for throwing rocks that you want to try out today, and thats with them limiting what tools you can use. He touched the sling again. But that means the next time you fight Winston youll probably be busy figuring out how your skill enhances your ability to use a surujin or youll be trying version number eighteen of that basket on a stick you made on Wednesday.

I need to look up what a surujin is. Its for Reinhard. Im going to tangle him up and then flip him like a pancake.

Maxs lips pursed.

Its going to work.

Anyway Max said. Im just asking you to focus on winning against Winston instead of learning from him. One more time.

Alden sighed. Fine. I want to beat him anyway after that crap he pulled yesterday.

You do now. Theyre not going to pair you two up today, though. Theyll give you both time to cool off. Winston will just simmer in resentment, but youll actually go back to ignoring him.

Maybe. Im still feeling a little vengeful.

Hed avoided looking at social media all day because if Winston was talking out of his ass about Esh-erdi again

Ill make an effort, he confirmed. But no promises on my success. Why do you want me to do it, though?

Max had very obvious problems with Winston. And as pissed as hed been yesterday, Alden still hadnt missed Winstons public proclamation that Alden was the best B-rank in their class.

But Alden was sure Max would rather beat the Speed Brute himself. It wasnt impossible with his traps. He just needed to wait for the right circumstances to crop up.

I want him out of my apartment, said Max. Among other things.

Alden felt his eyebrows lift. Im positive your apartment is the most hostile one on campus. I feel sorry for Jeffy. But how is me beating Winston in gym going to get him out of your dorm room?

Hes been trying to get me to move out. Im going to goad him into saying that if you beat him again hell leave instead.

Just like that?

It might take me a couple of tries.

Only a couple to get something that specific out of him?

For about the tenth time, Alden was really relieved hed tricked Lexi into being his roommate.

Max headed over to the shelf that held the drones he sometimes practiced with.

Is that other class still on the floor? Alden asked.

They just finished, and the locker room is full of them. Thats why Im in here.

They were so late, and they have an audience. Whats that about?

Its an observation period for students considering applying to the program. Thankfully they wont be watching us. The school schedules those periods to coincide with the advanced classes.

Mystery solved. Now, how do I want to manage each fight after the rocks and spheres are thrown? Shielding against the wrong person just means Im done with class for the day, and that sucks. Theyre not going to establish a penalty for dying, so I might as well

He was still thinking it through when Max said, There shouldnt be so many.

Rocks?

No, you probably need even more of those. Im talking about the people in the stands. There shouldnt be so many of them.

It looked like about three hundred or so?

Its usually more than that, said Max. But usually most of the observers are from middle schools and high schools in F-city. These are almost all from CNH or one of the other Apex schools.

Alden took his hands out of his duffel and stood. He stretched his shoulders. That makes sense. The normal crowd probably couldnt get here today because of the passenger limits on the ferry.

They can watch on the school site. Maxs forehead furrowed. I attended several of these before I got into the program. Ive never seen three hundred Apex students watching. Obstacle courses, tournaments, hero visits, graduation duelsyes, theyll pack the place if theyre allowed to because those are fun. But even if its third years, today is still just a regular class.

Its been a bad week, and its Friday afternoon. They probably just dont have anything else to do.

Thats possible. He still looked bothered.

Alden targeted him. Would you mind telling me to pick this up? If theyre clearing out, Im going to start moving my creations in there so I dont have to rush later.

Pick it up.

Gravel catapult preserved, Alden was about to leave when Max suddenly said, I think it might be good you and I got into the program when we did.

Alden looked across the stacks and bins of supplies. Max was staring at the poster that hid The Beat List.

Youre thinking everything thats happened is going to boost applications to the hero program?

I think if it did have that effect, at a time like this

That it would be hard to justify taking Bs if they had a record number of Ss, said Alden.

Max shrugged. I dont know. Well see.

Alden twirled his catapult. Well see, he agreed. Dont blame me if I kill you with this.

******

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