Chapter 362: Icepicker Emergency Meeting

Chapter 362: Icepicker Emergency Meeting

The time spent with Vend turned out longer than expected. After discovering that the door to the sword room was locked, Dallion had engaged in a training session in one of the items in the basement. In some aspects the training was no different from any Dallion had had before, however, there was one major exceptionthe training gloves were off.

From the get go Vend split into several dozen instances, attacking Dallion in any way possible at full speed. Under such conditions, neither Dallions new weapons nor his familiars were able to provide an adequate challenge. No matter how much of the space around him Dallion covered, Vend always managed to find a weakness to exploit.

All the times Dallion tried to disrupt Vends splitting, his teacher split again.

I can take care of this, Gleam suggested.

No, Dallion rose up in the air, aided by Lux. Given how much Vend knew about his abilities, it was time to start keeping a few secrets. Not to mention that using the shardfly wasnt the point of the exercise.

Dallion threw the armadil shield at the elite, then ordered it to envelop him. The cocoon sphere formed in an instant, only to capture one of the Vends instances. Dallion then quickly unleashed his whip blade, attacking with wide strikes. Each attack sliced through three instances of his opponent, at least, though not enough to land a real hit.

Youve gotten better, Vend said. You guess the pattern of my splitting.

The elite leapt up then, halving the distance to Dallion, threw one of his daggers. The weapon extended like a chain passing above Dallions shoulder. At that precise moment, Vend pulled it back.

MODERATE WOUND!

Your health has been decreased by 10%

Crap! Dallion tried to pull away, but before he could, a second dagger clung to him like a hook. Even with his vision focus, he could only see part of Vends actions.

Daggers, let me go! Dallion said.

Sorry, cant do that, one of the daggers replied. How is he going to teach you anything if we get in the way?

Besides, hes been good to us, the other dagger added.

A third chain gripped Dallion by the leg. At this point, he was already having difficulty remaining in the air.

Fine, if thats the way you want it, Dallion thought. If Vend wanted to keep him from moving away, Dallion was going to thrust right at him. Lux, as fast as you can.

Blue flames propelled Dallion forward. The next thing he knew he was in the guilds basement, Vend sitting across from him at the training table.

What happened? Dallion looked around confused, getting re-accustomed to the reality shift.

You were predictable. Vend sighed. Just because you cant see my actions doesnt mean I cant see yours. I got a dagger ready before you hit me. You can say that you skewered yourself in your attempt to knock me down. If its any consolation, you reduced my health by twenty percent.

That sounded outright insulting. Even Nil had the decency to remain silent and not rub salt in the wound. There was no way to deny itVend remained too strong.

Apart from that, you didnt do bad. The basics are there. Just avoid any stupid mistakes and you should be good for the next round.

Yeah I couldnt hit you even once. Dallion grumbled.

Thats the point. One hit is all it takes.

The more compliments were stacked the more Dallion braced for the pain that would follow.

For someone with your skills, how can you be so stupid? the vice master snapped. You say youve had several dealings with the mirror pool.

Not by my own accord, sir, Dallion managed to say.

During one of those instances you helped awakened a Vermillion Tears ring with the power to take things in and out of realms. Also, according to you, several members of the mirror pool that were with you during that event are now dead, including a cleric of the Order of the Seven Moons. Is that right so far?

Ive informed the overseer

Also, and this is my favorite part, you claim to have been visited by a member of the mirror pool you believed dead, and helped him flee the city. In the process he shared with you that theres a Star cult that plans to summon a chainling during the festival and claim the countess life.

Dallion remained silent. Said out loud that sounded pretty bad.

And now, not only to inform the countess of this danger but also for us to continue with the sword expeditions, because you suspect that the Star might be looking for something in there and it would be better for us to find it first. Do you hear yourself?

Not a word, Nil said. The fact that hes gathered everyone here means hes taking you seriously. Dont give him an excuse to punish you even more.

Punishment is the last thing on my mind right now.

Dear boy, if you get punished now, you wont be able to achieve anything. The only exception is to tell them about the skill gems.

It was easy to confuse Dallions hesitation for greed, but he had a much more pragmatic reason. The guild had given him a lot since hed come to Nerosal and not only financially. It could be said they were among his closest friends in this world, and still Dallion wasnt sure he could trust them, not all at least. Arthurows had managed to join quite easily. There was no telling if there wasnt a cultist hiding among the ranks.

Did he say anything else? The vice master asked.

Just that I should leave the city.

March, what do you think?

The part about the cult is right. Theyve been pouring in the last few months. Overseers keeping it under control for now. I dont think the target is the countess, however.

The cult wont harm a member of the imperial family, another captain said. Hell annihilate them if they did.

We didnt have such problems last year, or the year before. This appears to be the result of careful planning. There are too many coincidences for it not to be. I still dont see the connection with the sword. We searched that place from top to bottom and didnt find anything of interest.

What if its in the sunken temples? Dallion asked, trying to guide the conversation in that direction. Wont it be better to resume expeditions to be on the safe side?

A sharp glance from the vice master told him that he wasnt supposed to talk unless spoken to.

There will be no further expeditions, the man said. The sword will be locked and sealed until we get instructions on what to do with it. Meanwhile, Ill inform the Lord Mayor. Hell handle things from there. Dallion, youll continue as if nothing has happened. Tomorrow youll be at the arena and fight your fight. There will be no snooping around, no trying to sneak into the sword, no hunting copyettes or chainlings in public. I dont want to hear a peep concerning you during the end of the festival. Am I making myself clear?

Understood, sir.

Good. Now, get out of here.