Chapter 401 - [Bonus ]Days MDCCCVII - MDCCCXXII, Part III

The day was hot and nice. The light was brighter outside than in the hall, and everybody needed a moment to get used to it.

Me and Will didn't have that problem, since our bodies were different. I noticed a few clouds slowly drifting on a blue sky while waiting for them. A gentle breeze was pushing them, and cooling the atmosphere a bit.

- So this is the Ark. Most of the city is in ruins. Only the buildings in the city center and around are restored - Will explained. - We have only a population of a few hundred, and people usually focus on their own development than real estate. In the past, it didn't look so nice. The beginnings were harsh.

- I heard you were starving at first - said Josh.

- Yes, we did. It took us some time to figure out how this place was working. Not to mention the hunting in beginning was difficult. We only knew about one spot, and everybody was there, so you couldn't earn much, and if you got yourself injured... Well, that would cost you dearly. A lot of people... Didn't make it.

We passed through few alleys, and Will kept explaining our history. He was smoothing everything, to not bring the atrocities we had to survive because Dustin was there. That's how we reached the city center.

It was quite empty with hunters probably away, and other people doing stuff in the training grounds, or the hall with the gate. There were few guys hanging close to the pub, and few Wuxia soldiers on their guard posts, but that was all. 

- How cool! - shouted the boy, as he saw levitating ball. - Can I touch it?

He looked at his father, expecting a positive answer.

- Yeah. Go ahead, and put your hand on it, or one of those strange-looking things that are sticking from the ground - he pointed at the access points I bought not too long ago.

Dustin just ran straight to The Device and touched it. A moment later, a can of soda appeared on the glyph, and he immediately went to pick it up. He opened it, and took a sip, as we were slowly getting closer.

- It tastes the same! - he said, with surprise painted all over his face. - How cool!

- Is it safe? - asked Elaine.

- It's normal food. We all have been eating it for years - explained Will.

- How could he even buy that? - asked Josh. - Don't you have to use the crystals or something?

- Everybody who uses it has a starting amount of hundred points - said Will. - You should check it out too. It's very... Interesting?

He looked at me, expecting I would give him a better word to describe how it was to use the device, but I didn't have one.

- So we can also use the things sticking from the ground? - asked Elaine.

- Yes. Go ahead and try - said Will.

His ex-wife and her new boyfriend went to the two access points, to check, and Dustin in the meantime came back with, drinking from the can.

- How do you learn magic? - he casually asked his father.

I snorted, and Will gave me an angry look.

- It's not that easy, you need to do a lot of things before that - he explained. - And you, Peter, shut up.

- Sorry, your boy caught me off-guard. You can't just become a wizard out of the blue, Dustin. You need to do training, and get a lot of crystals before that, not to mention... Doing a special thing - I said, trying to avoid the word 'killing'.

- But I can become a wizard too? Just like you? - he looked at his father.

- Yes, you can. Anybody can. It's a long process, though, and takes a lot of dedication.

- Will you show me, dad?

- I need to discuss this with your mother first.

- Ok - the kid lost his cheerful mood.

Both Josh and Elaine returned. She was holding a bottle of water, and he some kind of juice. A good decision, considering how hot it was in the city.

- I see you tested it for yourself - Will pointed out.

- Yes we did. It's really strange - she said, looking over her shoulder at the levitating ball.

- It is - the agreed. - Ok, how about I show you where I work, and then maybe we can eat something? I also would like to introduce you to some of my friends. There is also a party in preparation, but that's for the evening.

- Ok, but... I would like to talk with you in private if it's possible - she replied.

- Right now?

- No, no... We can talk later, but... But I want to talk.

- Ok. Let's talk later then.

Will lad us through the streets straight to the training grounds. There was a bunch of people exercising there. Learning archery from Nadzieja, and sparing in the sandpit. We ignored them at first and went to visit the buildings.

For me, it was also the first time, so I was looking around quite curiously.

He showed us where you get examined for the correct badge, the offices of people keeping track of the reservation on the specific hunting grounds, and how do you book them. Then he showed us his own office, and after that, we returned outside.

First, we swung by the archery and looked at how Nadzieja was scolding Indian soldiers, and some newcomers. There was a bunch of Xuzards there, also training under her supervision. Dustin lost his shit seeing the lively creatures skipping around, and doing cool tricks while shooting arrows. They were very mobile, and clearly way advanced in hunting than the soldiers.

The kid really wanted to try, so we gave him a chance. In the meantime I looked around, trying to spot Ki'rai.

- She is not here - said Will, when he noticed. - She is hunting.

I just nodded.

Then we moved to the pit and observed as the Indian soldiers sparred among themselves. There were around twenty people there. They were using wooden weapons and no protective gear. Some dude from Bushido was supervising them, and a higher rank soldier was accompanying him. 

- Can I try this too? - asked Dustin.

- It's better if you don't - said Elaine.

- Then how about dad? Dad, can you show us how you fight?

- Well... - started Will.

- How about Peter shows us how he fights instead? - Wolf interrupted him, talking to the kid. - I mean, your dad already shows you some of his abilities. Don't you want to see what others can do?

Dustin looked at me, not knowing what to say, then at his dad.

- Peter? - asked Will.

I sighed.

- How about you spare with those soldiers? - proposed Wolf. - I'll go and ask their supervisor.

And he just left, before I could even say a thing.

- It will be a great motivator for them. They will be able to actually witness what they can achieve here - said Zander.

- Hey, Peter. How about you just use the minions? - asked Will. - They are weak. This way nobody will get hurt.

I just nodded. Soon after Wolf came back, and told us we have a green light. I didn't move from my spot, but the officer in charge of guys in the pit shouted at them to stop, and then went down to the pit to actually talk to them. He pointed at me a lot.

They quickly assumed a formation, expecting me to go down there, and the officer gave a thumbs up, allowing me to go.

I sighed again and shook my head. This wasn't really something I wanted, but if they were going so far as to push me into showing my skills, I was gonna show them, and make sure they will regret it.

I gave Wolf the last look before I started.