Enough Is Enough

Going to the dungeon for target practice turned out to be a terrible plan after all. It quickly became a comedy of errors, but it was not dangerous since we were facing slims and kobolds, and other minor pests. Kobolds, of course were the only threats of any significance. But on the first level they didn't use weapons, so the risk was extremely low.

After arriving at the dungeon, we were informed that the guildmaster had summoned us. So, after a thorough lashing in the dungeon, we went to the guildmaster, and as expected we were ordered to report to the Imperial Academy and take the entrance exams.

“Let's go back to training, but not in the dungeon,” I said.

“Yes, we obviously need some more basic training,” Darby said.

So we returned to my former master's home and I set up moving targets, and a stationary golem for Aoi and Darby to practice one. At the end of the day, I questioned them all on material likely to be covered in a written exam, and determined they had probably sufficient knowledge to squeak by on the exams.

“Your knowledge of our kingdom and its history is really quite lacking, but your magikal power is far beyond normal. There is no way they will not make us all attend the Academy. We will have to claim that I recruited you all from the slums, to prevent them from suspecting you all as spies. Since I am well known as a child of the slums it will be easily accepted. Everyone will assume, I educated you. While we were at the guild office, I checked the board and found an easy quest we can take as a live target practice,” I said.

“Are you sure we are ready for a live practice?” Aoi asked.

“No, but it will be a safe task. Please trust me, I can complete the quest on my own if it comes to it. I really want to get some live practice in, so that you can all have some confidence in your skills. I believe in all of you,” I said.

“Alright, I will to try,” Aoi said.

“I have no problem, trying again. We have to do it eventually, and I trust your judgment,” Darby said.

So, very early on the day before we had to head to the capital, and begin our life in the Academy, we headed out to some farmland on the far northern edge of the Demon Woods to complete a guild request.

“Alright today's quest is to deal with a horned rabbit and slim infestation that is damaging crops. Darby and Aoi you will be our front line pointing at the woods. Kanae and I will be in the back and dealing with anything that gets past you. Let's start with both of you casting a shield on yourselves. Be aware your armor is sufficient to protect you from such low level threats, but I want you to get used to casting personal shields,” I said.

“Shield!” Darby and Aoi cast together.

“Shield!” I cast on myself.

“Eå's Shield!” Kanae cast on herself, which was serious overkill.

The slimes were the first pest to approach, and Aoi and Darby were doing far better than our failed attempt in the dungeon, but they were still missing quite a few. Slimes were in fact quite fast, and as such made excellent training targets. The horned rabbits began to appear about a half hour later. By the time we had taken down all monsters, Aoi and Darby had gotten much better.

“Ok, so, I picked up another quest while at the guild. It's a little more demanding, but I think you've reached a good enough level to attempt it. There's also a goblin infestation not too far from here. Do you feel confident enough to give it a shot?” I asked.

“Why not.” Aoi said.

“Yes! Sounds like fun. I'll finally get a chance to use my new halberd in actual battle!” Darby said.

“Alright let's go then. Darby, walk up in front with me. Aoi in the center and Kanae protect us in the back,” I said as I led us off.

As we progressed, I showed everyone the things to notice to track goblins. Goblins were, in general, easy to track. Organized goblins were different, because they would be led, and organized, by a goblin general. So knowing the different patterns was a key tracking skill to be alert to the kind, and likely size, of the goblin party.

“Goblins are fairly easy to track. However, there are certain patterns that help determine the danger the goblin party represents. Notice how the goblins just trample over the forest. See how these tracks are wild and chaotic. This is a small grouping, and they lack the more organized chaos of a group led by a goblin general. Goblin generals organize the goblins in an effort to hide the size of the party. So the tracks are slightly denser, and less overtly chaotic. Now the group we are hunting do not yet have a goblin general,” I instructed.

“I see! That's really very interesting. So there is an art and a science to tracking?” Darby asked.

“Yes, indeed. There is a great deal of knowledge to be learned to be a top-notch adventurer, or soldier. You three are disadvantaged as a result of your early upbringing. What you three lack is easily remedied by your outstanding abilities to learn quickly. You are all very gifted and pick up everything quite rapidly. As a side effect you are all ranking up rapidly, as you learn,” I said.

“Thank you. That's good to know. I suppose it is the blessing of the goddess,” Kanae said.

“Sh! We are getting close. Can you smell them?” I asked. They all stopped and began sniffing the air.

“I think I can,” Kanae said.

“I can feel the closeness of them, now that I am focusing. I sense eighteen, I think,” Darby said.

“Yes, very good. I sense eighteen as well. OK, let's hit it,” I said.

With that we leapt in to battle with goblins. Darby jumped in like a legendary warrior god, swinging his new halberd. Aoi fired a half dozen exploding arrows, and Kanae swung around to get a clear shot with her bow and started firing off attacks. I only had a chance to take out one of the goblins before they were wiped out.

“Now, we need to collect the left, or right ear, of the goblins. It needs to be the same one for all of them. If a goblin has neither ear left intact, then we can't claim it. This is the place to prevent adventurers claiming more than they actually killed,” I said.

Just as I finished saying that, the air became charged.

“Area shield!” I cast.

A blinding purple light slammed down through the forest burning through my erected shield, and we were all blasted out at different angles. The trees shattered and shards of wood flew outward from the center of the explosion. Darby, Kanae, and I landed on our feet, or knees. Our personal shields the only thing preventing us from being skewered by the flying shards. From the center of the beam a person appeared.

A young boy, no woman, with short black hair, and stunningly blue-gold eyes. Her face was like a porcelain doll. Her clothing was all black, of very strange manufacture. All the summoned were dressed in odd clothes, but her clothes were far odder. I had no words to describe. There were buckles and ornaments all over her clothing and her black hat looked like some kind of magikal-mechanical creation like a magik artifact. When she saw us she tensed up and drew a pair of oddly shaped knives.

“Relax! We are not your enemies. We have been hunting goblins, and you landed in the middle of our field of battle. Sadly, your landing seems to have scattered or destroyed their carcasses, and we may struggle to find enough of their remains to claim the reward. I am Deirdre the Foundling, leader of our party. I am half-dragonkin. Welcome traveler,” I said standing up, putting my weapons away, and raising my hands up palms facing each other. Darby and Kanae rose and did the same. Aoi slowly got up and did likewise.

“I am Diarmuid Ó Neill, I am the party's front line attacker. Just call me Darby. I arrived in the same manner as you a couple of weeks ago, with my friend Aoi. I am human,” Darby said.

“I am Takanaka Aoi. Aoi is my given name. I am also human. Welcome fellow traveler,” Aoi said.

“I am Kanae Dreamweaver. I am an elf, and arrived here about two months ago. Welcome fellow traveler,” Kanae said.

The summonee sheathed her blades. She took a more neutral stance but remained guarded.

“I am Kiera Mulryan. I am a human. I hope we can be friends,” Kiera said.

“I also hope we can be friends. Now, the first thing I think you should know, is that you shouldn't let anyone know you've been summoned here. Summoning is a crime in this world, and you will be hunted and executed if anyone discovers you have been summoned here. My three companions are in the same position as you. I strongly suggest you join our party. I will never reveal your secret, and do all that I can to prevent it from being revealed. Next, I'd like to search this area and try and salvage the results of our hunt. We are not in need of the money, but would like to claim the reward, if possible. So I ask you to allow us to hunt through this wreckage and ask you to wait for us. After, we are headed to the local town of Nirvan. We would be happy to provide you a room in our home to stay. Also, you should register with the Adventurers Guild. Lastly we are next headed to the Imperial Academy of Magik where we have been ordered by the Queen to take the entrance exam and enter the Academy. Meaning they won't let us fail the exam. I suggest you join us. It will be an ideal place to learn about this world and gain the knowledge to keep your secret safe,” I said.

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“Well that all sound rather lovely. Too good to be true in fact,” Kiera said.

“I can imagine,” I said.

“It's a lot to take in all at once.” Darby said.

“So, is this your harem? Darby?” Kiera said.

“Hardly. But it will be good to have another guy in the party. I hope you'll join us,” Darby said.

“I'm a woman you dolt!” Kiera said.

“That went well. You really have no perception Darby. Do try to be at least marginally more observant. You really can be such a dunce. Not every woman has huge knockers. Pervert,” Aoi giggled.

“I'm sorry!” Darby said.

Kanae and I laughed.

“Go ahead and look for your goblins. I'll just sit here, until you're done,” Kiera said.

“Let's search now,” I said.

In the end we found twelve corpses, but only 9 had ears we could use.

“Will you join us as we travel back to Nirvan?” Kanae asked.

“I see no reason not to. I will even go to the Adventurers guild with you, and register,” Kiera said.

“Before we do, I would recommend that you conceal your true power. It will be quite shocking if you don't, and you may cause many to suspect you are either a monster, a demon spy, or a summoned. I would suggest making your level at most fifty. Humans almost never reach a level of ninety such as you are. Also, you'll want to register in private, since you have all natural elements and the dark element. Almost no one has even three elements, and once the queen is informed of your elements you'll also be forced to attend the Academy, or be executed. I don't know what her plans are for us, but you can be sure she intends to use us for some purpose or other. If our existence were to become common knowledge it could plunge the world into war over us. We are likely the five strongest beings in this world, excluding the dragons, and dragonkin,” I said.

“How do you know my level!?” Kiera said, stepping back and taking a defensive position.

“I told you, I am half-dragonkin. You have no secrets from me. Even if you are nearly the same level as me. Once you are trained up, you'll probably surpass me for several years. Then you'll be able to hide your status from me,” I said.

“Ok, so how do I conceal my powers?” Kiera said.

“Cast a spell on yourself. So I suggest casting Level limit 49, rather than say 45 or 50, or to an even lower one, but keep it at least above 35. Also, how old are you? You appear to be 15. Lastly, I apologize for peering in at your stats. Given I know how you got here, I peered in to your stats without asking permission. It is a taboo to casually peer at, or even ask to examine, one's elements and level. Naturally, it's different for officials to do it, or in a true battle,” I said.

“Well you only did it for my own welfare, right? I'm ok with that. But I'd like to know your stats in return.”

“I am now level 91, and I have affinity for all the natural elements. My job class is overlord. I have no clue what that means, other than my mother must have secretly been a member of the royal family. No one knows my job class other than you four. I'm pretty sure the royal family would have me executed if they found out my real job class. I have my job class disguised as melee mage. It helps explain how I can be both a mage and a frontline fighter. I am fifteen,” I said.

“Overlord? And you were asking me if I was the Demon Lord? I think the real question is what are you?” Kanae laughed.

“Well job titles are just potential paths anyway. No one is forced to be what their job title is. I mean plenty of people get the job title of thief and never become a thief. Many become spies, or undercover agents, and even sheriffs. It really just is an indication of one's innate abilities. So I have an innate ability to be a ruler, and even a ruler of rulers. This is probably not all that unexpected of a dragonkin-human offspring,” I said.

“True,” Darby said.

“I think it's kind of awesome,” Aoi said.

“Seems to be more of a burden, if you ask me. I definitely wouldn't want that kind of responsibility,” Kiera said.

“I agree. I just want to be free, and have a peaceful, and fun life, with enough money to live comfortably. Anyway now I think you should conceal your level stats,” I said.

“Oh, yes. Level limit 49,” Kiera said and she shimmered.

“Oh, I can feel it shift,” Kiera said.

“Yes, it actually limits how much of your power you can call up. To reset you levels the spell is Limit break. You can play around with hiding and resetting your levels as we travel back. I'll try to explain some basic information and customs as we travel back,” I said.

We chatted on our way back. Mostly we chatted about what I thought Kiera needed to know before running into people. I walked at the rear with Kiera, who remained vigilant the entire trip. We returned to Nirvan and entered the guildhall. Those present began staring at, and whispering about us.

“Those damn ragdolls have added another slummy scum to their ranks. If something doesn't change they might pollute the whole guild,” Damien said none too softly.

There were some among the guild parties who agreed with him, but not many wanted to risk getting on our bad side. Christine had a rather exhausted expression seeing us.

“Looks like you have found another person for your party. I suppose you want to register ... her, as well? Will you be joining their party or are you just registering?” Christine said after we reached her at the counter.

“I am going to register, and at least temporarily join their party. I'm not sure on my future plans just yet. I would like to register privately,” Kiera said.

“First however, we have two quests to turn in as complete,” I said.

“Very well, proceed,” Christine said.

“First we completed pest control concerning the slimes and horned rabbits in the northern province,” I said, turning in the rabbit carcasses and the slime cores.

“Very good, that will be of tremendous relief to the farmers,” Christine said.

“Then we went into the forest to scout and remove the goblin threat. There was no goblin general, but there probably would have been one soon. We took down eighteen goblins, but due to an accidental explosion six of them were vaporized, and three others left too mangled to extract the proper proof, so we only have nine goblin ears as proof of our quest. The remains of the battle are in the 37th sector of the forest,” I said.

Sigh

“Very well, We shall send out a verification team to confirm your story. We will notify you when our investigation is concluded. Do try to be more careful in the future. We really do not have the staffing for such monitoring. Do you have anything else?” Christine said in a visibly disgruntled mood.

“No that's it for today, we'll be heading out to the Capital tomorrow,” I said.

“Now, you, Miss ...? Please follow me” Christine said.

“Alright” Kiera said.

“We'll be here when you're done,” I said.

“Are you not coming with?” Kiera asked.

“We can, if you wish,” I said.

“I think that would be best,” Kiera said.

“Alright then,” I said. We all went back to a private room.

“Did you find another ridiculously overpowered individual in the slums? You could have at least gotten dressed in something other than these rags before dragging her in here,” Christine said.

“Yes, Kiera is quite an impressive lady. She's a highly gifted and unique lady,” I said.

“Please place your hand on the chrystal, Miss Kiera. All natural elements and darkness. Of course. I'm not even surprised anymore with the people you dig up. Please place your hand on the skill board,” Christine said.

“Oh, A thief and a rogue, from the slums. Color me surprised. Level 49 no less. You are a real threat to society. The Queen will be very interested in you, for sure. Please try not to steal the crown jewels while you are in the Capital,” Christine said.

“I have never stolen anything! Just because I have the thief skills doesn't mean I've acted on those skills!” Kiera said very agitated.

“Sure. Whatever. An honest fifteen-year-old individual from the slums. Stranger things have happened,” Christine said without any conviction.

“It's alright Kiera. Your job class is highly valued among adventurers. Your skills will be extremely useful in dungeons. Everyone of the Queen's spies will be thieves, and rogues. Christine is right, the queen will be very interested in you for her spy network,” I said.

“Oh, I hadn't even thought about such jobs for that job class. I had just assumed spies had their own class,” Kiera said.

“Oddly enough there is no spy class, or at least I have never heard that to be the case,” I said.

“It is an extremely rare job class, and only ever seen in noble families with a long history of spies,” Christine said.

“I see, that makes sense then why I've never heard of it,” I said.

“I will have the guildmaster make you a letter of introduction for the Academy exam, since you probably won't have enough time to have the queen's order arrive,” Christine said.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Next is the arena evaluation,” Christine said.

“We should skip that test. She has no dueling experience or training,” I said.

“I don't mind, I'm confident in my abilities,” Kiera said.

“I think you should let me train you a little first,” I said.

“I'm fine. I know how to protect myself,” Kiera said.

“Fine, lead on Miss Christine,” I said.

“You can't use those ornamental knives. You won't last two seconds with those ridiculous things. Let me lend you my knives, at least,” I whispered to Kiera.

“You'll see, these will be fabulous,” Kiera said.

“Fine. At least take this one, as well,” I said.

“Fine,” Kiera said in a very sour mood.

A large heavily muscled mountain of a man came out into the arena to challenge Kiera. The battle began, and the Guild's champion destroyed both of Kiera's ridiculously curved and recurved knives in the first two attacks. They looked like children's fantasy toy knives. Once Kiera pulled out my knife, she was able to parry and out maneuver the walking mountain that the Guild champion was.

“I was surprised you actually tried to use those ridiculous blades in a real battle. You really do not have any true knowledge of weaponry,” Christine said after the battle was over.

“You will be given a D-Rank, considering that lack of knowledge. Given your other skills, you could almost be an S-Ranked adventurer if you had some modicum of common sense,” Christine said.

“Well you've certainly got a unique one here Miss Ragdoll Monster. Thankfully, she won't be my problem for long,” Christine said handing her an adventurer ID, and tag, along with the introduction letter that had arrived from the guildmaster.

“Let's go get something to eat and then off to bed. I'm exhausted, and we have a long day tomorrow,” I said.

“Sounds wonderful,” Aoi said.

“I'm starving!” Darby said.

Off we went to our regular pub. Where we ate, drank, talked and laughed. Then off to our residence.

“This is your home?” Kiera asked, somewhat surprised.

“We are only renting it, since we'll be going to the Capital tomorrow for the Academy. Boarding for the Academy will be considerably more resplendent, most likely,” I said.