World Witout Wizards: Guard

It was a difficult choice. My perception became very poor after I lost my eye. The ability 'Repelling an Attack' had saved me many times, though not always. It would be great to level up my perception.

At the same time, stamina and strength were more useful in melee. One good hit would be enough to defeat an enemy. Dexterity was extremely important for such skills as throwing daggers, handling weapons and climbing walls.

I didn't know what characteristics I would need in the near future. I tried to weigh the pros and cons, but it was hard to think and focus. What if I have to fight multiple opponents at the same time? Then it dawned on me. Intelligence! I completely forgot about it. I jumped out of the bath from excitement.

Great! I decided! I unscrewed the cork and swallowed the golden liquid in one gulp. It tasted like floral honey—viscous and sweet. I felt warm and pleasant. What should I do next? Make a wish! I want to be a genius! I want to understand everything and talk to Lysandra on equal terms.

As soon as I made a wish, the warmth inside me began to turn into a burning sensation. I felt my blood boiling in my veins. Now I knew what the appraiser meant when he talked about pain. The pain was unbearable. I was terrified. I felt like fire was burning inside me.

I'm calm, nothing can scare me. I am a Black guard! I can take it! Oh, it hurts! I can take it. I'll be smart! I'll put that narcissistic girl in her place.

Stamina Check

Base 1

Bonus -1 (trauma)

Dice Roll 4

Requirement 4

Success

My whole body was on fire. I felt steam coming from the towel that I covered myself with. I continued to suffer excruciating pain. The hair on my head was dry. I saw circles and stars before my one eye, but I was still conscious. If my head burned any hotter, my brain would boil in its own fluid. It could be served right in my skull. I seemed to hear the honking of a thousand cars. What is a 'car'? What does this word mean? I don't know... Where did this association come from? Maybe from a previous life... Even when I was unconscious, I could only think of one thing. I will be smart.

Warning. System error. Waiting for calibration. 10, 9, 8…

The darkness suddenly erupted with bright flashes of light. It was the same room. I could see it much more clearly now. The whimsical fairy lights that filled the entire room, hung directly on the snow-white ceiling. There were angels in white clothes; my mother used to portray them. They had blond hair and bright eyes; they stood on both sides of me. They sounded angry.

"Every time you assure me that everything is under control, there is a failure…"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Nigel. We're doing everything we can to stabilize him, but his nervous system is too fragile. And now this request."

"What do you mean, Joseph?"

"The system is requesting 'Intelligence increase'.

"What's the problem? Just change his incoming data!"

"It's impossible. His brain is already at its limit. We have reduced degradation through the use of new gels and nutrients. But in general, he's just a teen."

"Did the audience see the request? Then it's out of the question. I don't care how you do it, he's the only one we can use to send and receive signals. It's not just his life that depends on it, I hope I don't have to remind you of that?"

"I'll do what I can."

"Oh, I really hope so."

System check done. Welcome back!

The light around me faded. The burning stopped, and I opened my eye with relief. Although I could bet I had both eyes in my vision. I distinctly remembered that.

The rest of my dream was, to put it mildly, not so beautiful. The people hovering above me were unfriendly.

"He's awake," the woman said. I recognized her instantly. Enmyra White, the vile woman. She wanted me to say that she was the one who had beaten the cultists.

"I don't know if that's good or bad," the Baron replied. He stood on the other side of me and absently stroked the hilt of his sword.

"You do understand, my dear, what you have done?"

I wanted to answer, but I was able to only slightly m.o.a.n and open my eye. Luckily, Riny wasn't talking to me, but to the appraiser, standing next to him. The appraiser was trembling and, for some reason, stood a lot shorter than I remembered. He's on his knees! He has a slave collar around his neck! What's going on here anyway?

"Your Excellency, I propose to kill both of them, while the Guard is weak," Enmyra pointed her finger at me, "you'll have too much problems if you leave them alive."

"It's too late," the Baron replied, frowning, "I acquitted him for using the Light magic, only a Viscount or a Duke can exonerate him for the second time. Otherwise, I'll be charged with perjury."

"You must execute him for embezzlement. For being a half-blood. For anything!"

"I'm not going to do that. Otherwise, my five years of training would go to waste because of this bastard."

"What are you supposed to do? Do you want to let this Black guard serve? He's just passed the magical initiation with the help of the elixir and levelled up his intelligence! He's not even a wild mage anymore. What the hell! How can you work with him? He can do anything. He doesn't control his own power and doesn't even understand how this happened."

Luck Check

Base 1

Bonus 0

Dice Roll 3

Requirement 1

Great

"We must use him to our advantage," Riny said. "I need someone who'll be able not only to control his power, but also teach him how to use it."

"So, do you want me to determine the boy's fate?" Enmyra asked smiling malignly.

"I think," the Baron said thoughtfully, "you could make him your apprentice."

"No," Enmyra White winced, "if he had been uninitialized, I would have discussed this option with you. But he's too dangerous now. Because of this jerk, who gave the boy the elixir of awakening, we've got a body and blood mage who doesn't know his abilities. Tell me, you prick, why the hell did you give him that bottle?"

"I'm sorry, your Highness," the appraiser g.r.o.a.n.e.d, "I hoped he would sell it to me if I told the Guard only part of its properties. I couldn't completely lie. I warned him about the pain. But this idiot drank it, instead of selling the dangerous thing."

"He's young. It was stupid to expect him to be careful," the Baron murmured, "but I know how to use him. Vabry!"

"Yes, your Excellency!" the Lieutenant responded immediately. I recognized his voice, though I didn't see him.

"Find fifty men for the Sergeant. Replace regular fighters with half-bloods, debtors and another rabble. In the morning they'll go to the Northern Gladiator Academy."

"Yes, sir!" the soldier answered; I could feel the fear in his voice and I heard the door closing.

"So, is it settled?" Enmyra asked grimly. "Have you decided to send him to the afterlife?"

"Yes," Riny nodded, "but I want to make money off him first."