Chapter 42: Aleph

Chapter 42: Aleph

[Display name has been changed to Synrak Veralis.]

Tom was lost. Directionally too, perhaps, but that wasnt the important bit. He felt lost. Zakeran had tried to kill him, yes but that was only after diplomacy had failed. Tom had no intention to justify the intentions of someone that would have trampled over his corpse without any or perhaps with some regret but Zakerans pitiful expression as he knelt on the floor, defeated, did leave an impression upon him.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Was it a crime for an orphan to steal a loaf of bread if he was on the brink of succumbing to starvation?

The Nobles had access to resources and weaponry that allowed them to tackle and harvest the resources of the Zelez Dungeon.

Was it a crime for an individual to rail against the system if the system itself was broken?

Tom was beginning to understand the nature of the Nameless District. The people here were young, ambitious, daring and courageous otherwise they would not force themselves to live in a distant town with shoddy amenities, ludicrous expenses and a dungeon entrance, of all things.

That, atleast, was what Tom had managed to piece together from the conversations he had listened in on the towns main drag.

But what happened when that ambition was broken?

The appeal of this thrilling life wouldnt seem nearly as glorious after failing to get into the Noble District.

Zakeran was an outcome of that system and as a result of it failing him he now rebelled against it.

If the Royal Knights discovered that he was undermining their authority, Tom was rather certain that they would kill him without a trial.

Tom gazed at the two cards pinched between his index finger and his thumb, his expression thoughtful. One came from Zakeran, the other from the blonde haired woman.

Dont rob others if youre not prepared to receive the same treatment, Tom muttered under his breath, before he inspected the two [Deck Cards].

[Earth Manipulation (Common): Level 1

Ability:

Lesser Earth Manipulation: Reshape and solidify the Earth, direct its momentum with your thoughts. Requires feet to be in direct contact with an earthen surface. SP cost proportional to surface area and volume of reshaped Earth (1-10 SP consumed per cast).]

[Haste (Common): Level 1

Ability:

Fleet Footed: Let the wind aid your movements, boosting every aspect of your movement speed by 35%. The Haste Card must remain constantly active to use the Fleet Footed Ability. Drains 3SP per minute. ]

Another 2 SP were subtracted from his pool as Tom added the cards to his deck, before letting the gauntlet absorb them. That meant the [Revenant Claw] was now stretched to its absolute capacity, carrying a whopping eight [Deck Cards]. Even Tom had to admit that such a level of versatility was simply monstrous.

Withdrawing the [Elixir of Soul Restoration] from his inventory, Tom took another swig without a second of hesitation. He felt refreshed as his Soul Power skyrocketed back to a complete [38] points.

And then, without any warning, without even looking back, he stretched his left hand out and suddenly jerked it backwards, firing a torrent of compressed water.

A loud groan echoed followed by an ear-piercing crash as the ramshackle wooden hut hed aimed at collapsed onto itself. Of course, his intention hadnt been willful destruction of property, no that was merely collateral damage.

A silhouette draped in faded black robes had leapt from the top of the hut seconds before Toms attack had landed, a hood obscuring their facial features.

Tom pivoted on his right foot as the hooded figure landed upon the empty street placed somewhere in the backchannels of the Nameless District. If there had been any people here, they had fled after catching the distinct sounds of collapsing wooden huts and gouts of flame burning the oxygen in the atmosphere as Tom and Zakerans group fought.

I dont know who you are, Tom began, as he reached out inside his inventory. But even someone as incapable- as small-minded as ambitionless as me can smell what you want. You want a pawn, dont you. A pawn in another game. A piece you can command.

Tom himself didnt know how he could tell, but after experiencing his first Maya something in him had changed he could perceive peoples emotions behind their facade much more easily.

Though Aleph Longstradia didnt show it, inwardly she was shaken by his assessment.

This man isnt insane. hes frighteningly sharp.

Tom withdrew his second Nether Blade from his inventory.

Alephs eyes flashed with shock.

Is that- two Nether Blades? You cant you must stop! The Nether will consume you whole! Aleph pleaded, knowing that there was simply no way that Tom could handle two Nether Blades without turning into a Nether Demon.

My true name is [Thomas Lowe]. I am [The Fool]. I do not play your games. I refuse to play by your rules. If life is a game of chess. Thomas began, his [Revenant Claw] switching to the Haste Card.

Powerful winds swirled around him, guided by his motion. They would aid him in his cause, increasing his speed by a whole 35%.

[Dual Rend].

Both his Nether Blades flickered to life, a deep violet plasma-like energy radiating off them.

Rend

Toms first blade slammed against the crystalline sphere, sending sparks off purple lightning radiating off the impact site.

Rend

The second blade followed.

Rend. Rend. Rend. Rend. REND. REND! REND!...

With haste amplifying his speed, Toms hands became a blur of violet as he repeatedly smashed against the crystalline shield, each strike carrying the fury of being manipulated by people, by forces, by divinities and by the divine system.

A crack spread across the crystalline shield.

A second followed.

Aleph Longstradia watched on, clearly horrified.

.....then I will become the one who shatters the board, Tom whispered under his breath, as his blow bisected the supposedly impenetrable crystalline shield in half.

Aleph found her hands trembling as she backstepped away from Toms furious blow.

Trembling with excitement.

After all, she was a little crazy too.

Aleph Longstradia had found the man who could restore her house to its former glory.