Chapter 42: Derren

Chapter 42: Derren

That last attack was faster than your other ones, Pete observed, straightening back up. But it was a fair bit weaker too.

Yeah. I miscalculated a bit, Chance said, shaking his wrist off with a disappointed frown. He couldnt help but notice that the lines of Karma hed utilized were still connected to Pete, just slightly dimmer than they had been before. Was he not using all of their power? Or perhaps there was just too much to use at once?

You put up a good fight, Pete said approvingly. He clapped Chance on the shoulder as his weapon shifted back to a staff. Truly, lad. Youre improving at an incredible speed. Ive never seen someone from Earth grow like you do.

Thanks. Chance knelt and picked his urumi up. It morphed back into a bracelet, slipping around his wrist before he could even start to wonder how to make it transform.

Interesting weapon you got there, Pete said. I would have thought youd go for a magic weapon that enhanced your abilities, not made itself more portable. I can see the benefit, though. Mine is quite similar. Couldnt have been cheap, though. Magical weapons run quite a bit of coin. Whered you get it?

It kind of just happened, Chance said with a shrug. I got lucky and got a gift from someone.

Lucky, huh?

Chance chuckled. They returned to the house, ignoring the curious gazes of the few spectators that had gathered during their session. At least nobody had said anything this time. Yeo and Bella were both in the kitchen when they returned.

Did Chance win? Yeo asked through a sandwich.

Of course not, Pete grumbled. What kind of mentor would I be if I lost to a Squire ranked student that hasnt even been cultivating for two months yet? He put up a great fight, though.

Got time for another? Yeo asked, shoving the rest of the sandwich into his mouth and swallowing without chewing. He brushed his hands off and grinned. Im raring for a fight.

Just work it off on a monster, Bella said. Were all out of our rooms now, so we might as well get to a job, not to mention that youve sparred with Pete constantly these past few days.

I do like money, Yeo said, tapping his chin with a finger. Right. What are we doing? Stomping Soothounds again?

Both Chance and Bella grimaced.

Yeah, its not really all that fun, Yeo said, answering for them. But they did pay really well.

If we could just get acknowledged as Squires by the Shikari, wed be able to take jobs that made so much more money than this, Bella said, taking a scroll from the countertop and waving it. The Soothounds did seem like good money, but something was also clearly going on over there. Im not sure its a good idea for us to get involved anymore.

I agree, Chance said, nodding quickly. The less Bella and Yeo were near the Old City, the better. He trusted it a little more than he had before, but not nearly enough to risk their lives. There was no way to know for sure that it was telling the truth. Did we get any new jobs maybe? Something that pays a bit better?

Not as a Foundling, Bella said.

Kids, I feel like theres a very obvious path to getting some better jobs, Pete drawled from his chair. I wish I could figure out what it was, though. Truly confounding.

We could just try ranking up again? Chance offered. Theres no actual special test or the like this time, right? We can just go talk to Gibson and get a proctor assigned.

Not Gibson, Bella said, tossing the scroll back onto the counter. He hates getting bothered with small things, and this counts as small. We can head to the training grounds where we took our previous test and there should probably be someone there that can oversee the test. If not, we could check the Shikari base.

Works for me, Yeo said, rolling his neck and grinning. Lets go, then. If its anything like the last exam, itll be done real quick and we can go make some money after.

Pete bid them farewell as the three headed out of the house and headed to the training grounds. The ringing of metal and flash of Essence clashing filled the air as they stepped through the iron gate and headed toward the center, passing dozens of sparring Shikari.

Passing by several people sitting on the benches, Chance paused. He glanced over his shoulder. The grey hair of one of the men had caught his eye, and the bow resting against his side confirmed the mans identity. He sat beside a heavyset man wearing cloth robes.

Thats the guy that we ran into at Hounds, Chance said after theyd passed him.

Oh, it is, Yeo said, glancing back to confirm. You think hes a proctor?

He doesnt look all that much older than us, though, Chance said. He recalled Petes words about the correlation between age and power, then cleared his throat. Guess that doesnt mean much, though. Do proctors also hunt monsters?

All the Shikari do. Proctoring is just an extra bit, Bella said. If you know him, we might as well ask.

Im not so sure Id go as far as to say we know him, Chance hedged, but it was too late. Bella and Yeo were already walking toward the man. He glanced up at them, his hair covering a large portion of his face, as they arrived.

You dont happen to be a proctor, do you? Bella asked.The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

I hate to say it, but I dont think any of my attacks are going to get through this Essence, Yeo growled. Chance? I dont suppose youve learned any techniques?

Not yet, Chance admitted, opening his third eye and scanning Derren. He was covered with strings of Karma, most of them corresponding to monsters that Chance had never seen. If this had been a real fight, he never would have had time to look at all of them. But, since Derren wasnt even moving, he flicked through the scenes within the golden threads in search of the perfect target. Give me a second.

Derren yawned again.

This is the lamest fight Ive ever been in, Yeo muttered. Bella, want to try to drag him out of the ring together? Ice the ground.

Good idea, Bella said, pointing a palm at the matted grass by Derrens feet. Frost formed over the ground, but a large circle around Derrens feet remained completely unaffected. Gods, I cant get through his aura at all. This is ridiculous. Hes even shielding the ground!

Chance finally spotted a thick thread that would suit his purposes perfectly. It was larger than most, and depicted a massive, hulking humanoid monster. It was covered in bulging muscles and carried a wicked war axe in a single hand, holding it like a childs toy.

Grinning, he flicked his urumi. The blade carved through the thread of karmic debt, drawing ice cold power through its links and into his body. Chance stiffened as it spread through his veins.

You missed, Yeo observed.

Chance tried to run at Derren, but he underestimated just how powerful the monster whose power he had stolen had been. His enhanced legs threw him straight into Derrens chest and he staggered back with a grunt.

A tiny flicker of surprise passed through Derrens eyes. Chance shook himself off and took several steps back before lowering his body and charging into Derren, driving his shoulder into the mans gut.

His teeth rattled from the force of the strike, but Derren grunted and took a single step back.

Damn, have you been doing weight training? Yeo asked.

Derren reared back and Chances eyes widened. So much for not fighting back. Chains whistled past Chance, wrapping around him and yanking him back. Derrens fist whistled past his face, just barely missing.

Thanks, Chance said as Yeo freed him with a flick.

Just do that again, Yeo said, nodding to Derren.

Chance nodded. Bella extended her hands, narrowing her eyes. The ice on the ground grew thicker, slowly creeping closer to Derrens feet. He glanced at her, and Chance took the opportunity to charge him again.

There was no point swinging his Urumi the blade wasnt suited for powerful blows, and he doubted it would do much to actually injure their proctor anyway. Instead, he threw himself into Derren once more.

The two staggered, but Chance more than Derren.

How are you doing that? Derren demanded, taking a step toward him. No Squire has that much physical strength.

Chances eyes flicked over the lines of Karma. Yeos kusarigama flashed again, this time binding around Derrens head and blocking his sight for an instant. Chance dove forward, throwing himself into the Shikaris legs.

He grunted in pain. It was like tackling a brick wall. Derren cursed above him, staggering. There was a crunch, and he threw the crumpled remains of Yeos sickles to the ground beside Chance.

As Derren knelt to grab him, Chance snagged a line of Karma with his finger. Essence lit around him as golden light poured out, forming into the jagged claw of some reptilian monster. It raked across Derrens chest with a screech.

The monsters claws only left a thin line in the cloth, but it distracted him for long enough for Bella to swing her axe into his head as hard as she could. The icy weapon shattered with a loud crash, but Derren tripped over Chances body. He pitched back, crashing to the ground with such force that Chance was tossed into the air.

Yeo caught him before he could fall on his head. The last of the power he had stolen faded away as Derren slowly rose back to his feet.

Thats terrifying, Yeo muttered, his eyes wide. I want to do that!

Train more, Derren growled. He raised a foot and drove it into the ground. Chance, along with his team, were catapulted several feet into the air. Derren thrust a palm into the air and the earth beneath them erupted. Three tendrils shot out, splitting to target them.

One caught Chance in the chest, blasting him from the air and slamming him to the ground outside the arena. Several cracks rang out as his bones broke and he cried out in pain. Dimly, he registered two thuds as Yeo and Bella smashed down near him.

Numbness raced up Chances back. He tried to move, but his legs wouldnt budge. Gritting his teeth, he forced his arm to laboriously move down to his vial of healing pills. There were only a few left, but he didnt hesitate in forcing one into his mouth. As soon as it hit his tongue, the damage started to repair itself.

He sat up with a groan. Bella was already seated, icy armor falling off her in sheets. Shed managed to encase herself in it before she hit the ground, and it didnt look like shed been injured.

To Chances surprise, Yeo was still in the arena. Hed managed to wrap one of his broken kusarigama chains around Derrens arm and had pulled himself through the strike so that he was still technically in the test.

Yeo snapped his fingers and the particles of his broken weapons leapt into the air, shooting for Derrens nose and mouth. They clattered against an invisible wall in the air. Derren raised an eyebrow. Clearing his throat, Yeo stepped over the line and took himself out of the exam before Derren could reach him.