Chapter 586: The Nature of Bravery

Chapter 586: The Nature of Bravery

There were a lot of things that Alex wasnt shocked by anymore since hed come to the university of Generasi.UppTodated from nô/v/e/lb(i)n.c(o)/m

Monsters? Hed started growing numb to them from his early experiences in the Art of the Wizard in combat and day to day life in Generasi. Mind-bending magic? Simply being around Baelin ensured that it became fairly normal, though he still marvelled at what the heights of true wizardly power could do. Even blood and death didnt paralyse him with fear like they once might have; hed lived through enough to understand that they were part of living in a dangerous world.

But what had just shocked him was hearing Tyris Goldtooth say the words, how much spine shes gotten lately in a sentence referring to, Carey London.

Carey? Did you say Carey London? Really? Alex whispered, cocking his head. I mean, shes determined, yeah, and bravenot like how a warriors brave, of course, but in her own way. I cant see her grabbing something sharp and sticking monsters with it, or throwing fireballs around. So, whats changed, whats she been up to lately?

Well, heres the thing: she has been throwing fireballs around, Tyris said, in the pridefilled voice of a mother talking about her accomplished daughter. I dont know when she learned the spells, but shes using combat magic.

Really? Alex was having a hard time processing the news. Carey Londonsa battlemage?

Oh gods, no, Tyris giggled. Definitely not that extreme. Shes lacking a certain She licked her upper lip. Bloodthirstiness that people like you, me, your girlfriend, and Redfletcher have.

What? Bloodthirsty? Me? Alex scoffed. I am not bloodthirsty!

FatherI think that what Tyris is saying is not blood thirst literally. She is not saying that you are thirsting for blood like a vampire. She means that you areeager to shed blood. And by shed bloodI dont mean literallyI mean

Yeah, yeah, I get it, Alex grumbled. Still doesnt match me.

Yousay you are a vengeance enthusiastyou take delight in killing enemies. You seek combat

Not for the hell of it.

Fatheryou kill when you need to. You celebrate your killsand then you congratulate me on my kills

Yeah not going to lie, that does sounds preeeetty bloodthirsty to me, Tyris chuckled. You trained your body to get yourself looking like a berserker didnt you? Face it, youre basically a monster butcher. Hold your head high! Embrace it!

Alex rolled his eyes. Look, theres nuance here that I suspect youre both purposefully ignoring to make it look like Im the sort of person who likes to chop up people in a secret lab, but were not talking about me, were talking about Carey!

Fine, fine, Ill stop teasing you, dont have a heart attack. Tyris rolled her eyes. But right, Careys not bloodthirsty. She doesnt really go looking for fights, but shes started preparing for them. No more hesitating when we find monsters, shes still got some fearfrom the look in her eyebut shes started hitting back and even hitting first.

Wow, good for her, Alex said.

I wonder if her new boyfriends influencing her. Tyris tapped her chin playfully.

Wait, new boyfriend? What new boyfriend? Alex asked, imagining Derek returning to Careys life like some massive disease.

A certain Saint of Uldar.

The Thameish wizard fought the urge to flinch. Oh reallyare you serious? He kept his tone neutral.

One of those tasks was getting closer.

He swallowed. You know, maybe we really should enjoy these Games while we can. Might be the last time we get to just relax. You never know.

Tyris snorted. Now youre the one talking all the depressing shit.

The fires of a burning alehouse returned to Alexs mind. Dark days arent polite enough to warn you when theyre coming.

There was a time when Alex Roth was obsessed with teaching Claygon to juggle.

It had all started one quiet evening when hed passed a young busker on a street corner who was balanced on a ball while juggling wooden pins for coin tossed into a bucket beside him.

At first, Alex had to get rid of strong feelings of contempt at the thought of juggling: since getting Marked, juggling had been something hed decided never to have anything to do with. He knew why the activity felt very foolish to him, like hed be admitting defeat to Uldars demands if he learned the skill.

Hed firmly stuck to his decision for a long timedespite being around jugglers at Patrizia dePaolos ball and other celebrations and festivals. But that was up until the very first time hed fought alongside Guntile. The mercenary was a badass through and through, watching her juggle her explosive stones made Alex forget his prejudice against juggling.

Suddenly, he was able to see the skill in a whole new light andsoon after he got back to Generasihed decided to give it a try and by using the Mark, hed learned how to juggle three balls in less than a few hours.

Within a few days, hed become as good as the professional jugglers at Patrizia dePaolos ball. But he wanted more: he wanted to do something more meaningful with his newfound skill. Maybe use it as a stress reliever while he juggled school, business, the possible betrayal of his old god, and trying to empower a new god.

And then hed decided to teach Claygon to juggle.

Youll be great at it! hed promised, shoving some large discs into his golems hands. Youve got four arms! Four!

FatherI am nomaster of dexterity The golem had looked at the discs reluctantly. Dontbother wastingyour time!

Nonsense, buddy! Alex had chuckled, now completely obsessed with a four-armed Claygon that could juggle. Juggling is not only about dexterity. Theres some coordination, sure, but its more about practise and patience! And you have loads of both!

AlalrightI will try.father The golem had said with very little enthusiasm.

It had taken a whileespecially since Alex couldnt dedicate too much time to teaching Claygonbut hed eventually picked it up. He wasnt the most skilled juggler in the world, even with four arms, but he still managed to rotate the discs from hand to hand, while tossing them in the air.

In short, that was how Claygon was able to know how to juggle his opponent in his third match.

Fatherlook! the golem said proudly, only twohands!

His top pair of limbs were busily juggling a several ton iron golem as though it weighed no more than a few waterskins.

You know, that line only sounds impressive when its coming from someone like you, Alex murmured as the crowds roars of laughter echoed through the arena.

Claygon and Alexs third match was off to a rousing start.