As Ty followed General Mattison out the door, he couldn't help but express his confusion. "How did this happen so fast?" he asked. "Shouldn't trials take months? And how were they even ready for this?"
Mattison, showing a hint of relaxation despite his bandaged state, replied, "That's what they do every day, all day long. And you should know, that the trial serves more than just convicting you of wrongdoing. Upon being convicted, you are branded.
If you check your skeleton wrist, you'll see a symbol. It's the mark of the Judge who carried out your sentence. This mark prevents you from harming him or anyone under his command."
Ty, upon hearing this, glanced at his skeletal wrist, noticing the new symbol etched into it. The realization of this new reality dawned on him, adding another layer of complexity to his already unusual situation.
"It will automatically fade after the 3 months or if something more severe happens," Mattison explained. "But let's not dwell on that too much. First, I want to take you to the house arena for some tests."
Ty, a bit confused, walked alongside Mattison. "Tests? And what would happen if I just broke in and stole the sword?"
"We'll be testing all your abilities to better understand them," Mattison continued. "Watching you fight, you seem like an unrefined talent. I'm guessing you haven't had much formal training? "
"Also, trying to steal the sword wouldn't do you any good. King Griswald himself has to lift its seal. Right now, even though it looks usable, it's essentially just a paperweight without his intervention."
I see, I suppose if we have some down time I wouldn't mind trying some of my abilities in a controlled setting. I even have some I Have never used either" Ty stated with a bit of muse.
That.. is a bit terrifying, besides how did you even defeat HIM."
You mean that guy with the eye patch I assume?
Ty, upon entering the expansive room, was immediately struck by its sheer size. His gaze traveled across the vast expanse, likening it to a medium-sized American football field. Instinctively, he raised his hands above his skeletal skull, his fingers moving as if trying to measure or make sense of the room's dimensions.
Observing Ty's unusual gesture, Mattison couldn't hide his confusion. "W..what are you doing?" he asked, his expression a mix of curiosity and bewilderment. His tone suggested he was trying to understand Ty's thought process or the reason behind his peculiar actions.
As General Mattison clapped his hands, a towering figure emerged from a side door, immediately drawing attention with his imposing stature. LT Jeryln, standing at an impressive 6'6", sported a blond buzzcut accented with black streaks. His presence was commanding, and his demeanor, one of readiness and respect.
Upon receiving Mattison's instructions, LT Jeryln snapped to attention, demonstrating his readiness to assist. "It would be my honor," he declared confidently, his voice resonating with a sense of duty.
He was dressed in a white robe, cinched at the waist with a purple rope, giving him a distinguished appearance. In his hands, he held a small metal capsule. With a firm squeeze, the capsule burst open, revealing two medium-sized scabbard blades. As he expertly swung the blades against each other, a remarkable spectacle unfolded.
With each clash of the blades, clones of LT Jeryln began to materialize, each one a perfect replica of the original. After the fourth clone appeared, a bead of sweat trickled down Jeryln's brow, hinting at the effort and concentration required for this extraordinary feat.
The room buzzed with a mix of astonishment and anticipation as the clones stood ready, a testament to LT Jeryln's unique and impressive ability.
General Mattison, observing the clones with a discerning eye, nodded approvingly at LT Jeryln. "That will be enough for now," he said, acknowledging the impressive display of skill.
He then turned his attention to a clipboard he had in hand, indicating a shift towards a more systematic approach. "Let's proceed with a run-by analysis of your basic abilities,"
he instructed Ty. His tone was matter-of-fact, emphasizing the importance of thorough documentation.
"It's standard protocol to have detailed records of your capabilities," he continued. "This will help us assign you appropriately for the tasks you'll undertake over the next few months as part of your service to the capital."