Leveling up the World

Chapter 173: The Thank You Gift

Back on Earth it was said that sometimes a second was enough to completely change a person. In the world of the awakened, that was especially true. Standing in the trial selection room felt like returning to a class reunion. It wasnt only the time that had passed in that single instant Dallion had touched the dagger, it was the experiences hed gone through. In terms of his awakened nature, that was the journey that had transformed him into a man. Awakening wasnt just a cool ability or superhero power. This wasnt the carefree fantasy world Dallion initially believed it to be. Everything was much more complicated. There were deep conflicts hidden beneath the shiny surface of which Dallion knew nothing until now.

The mirror pool, the Crippled Star, the wars between nobles all these were things Dallion had read and heard mentioned many times, but none of them had had any real meaning. The evil wasnt a metaphor, it was very real walking about in human form with very specific plans for the Icepicker Guild and the whole city itself.

When Dallion had shared his experience in the dagger before the three senior members of the guild, the trial quickly came to an end. Dallion was taken to one of the training rooms in the basement level, while March and the other two captains went to inform the guild master.

Youve nothing to worry about, Nil said. These things dont take more than a few minutes.

Its been ten minutes already, Dallion said.

It didnt help that they had taken his shield and harpsisword as well. According to Vend, it was standard procedure to question the weapon guardians, since they normally had a better understanding of events than their owners. That didnt stop Dallion from feeling concerned. Thankfully, his link to Harp let him know that everything was alright.

Thats normal. Sometimes people want to have some private conversations in groups. Awakened meetings dont eliminate all the time wastes. Nil sighed.

Anything you can share?

Sadly, Im not privy to the conversations.

That much was true. During the time Dallion was waiting, he had lost his link to Harp several times. Quite probably limiting artifacts were involved. That made him think of the ring Eury had given him. At present, the item was wrapped in a piece of cloth in his room at the inn. The way things were going, Dallion might have to keep it with him at all times. While it remained uncertain whether it would protect him against the Stars next attempt to chainling him, at least it was proven to render him invisible to guardians.

Another minute later, Dallion heard approaching steps from above. Eager, he stood up. As expected, Vend appeared shortly after.

Have you been standing all this time? The elite shook his head. You need to learn to relax. Being an Icepicker is stressful enough.

The man placed a new emblem on the table. It was made entirely of star silver with the guild emblem. Turning it around, Dallion found that his name was etched on the back in perfectly stylized letters.

Congratulations, youre an official part of the guild now. Vend gave him a pat on the back.

Dallion kept staring at the emblem, uncertain what to say.

Id have brought your stuff, but Adzorg is being obsessive again, and wants to have a longer conversation with your guardians.

Yes, I can definitely see that, Nil concurred.

So what happens now? Dallion asked.

Youre a bundle of joy today, arent you? Today, you go rest. Normally there would be a feast planned to celebrate the occasion, but due to what happened the guild master decided to keep things on the low. Tomorrow it will be announced that you passed your trial and have your very own mentorme.

The last sentence rekindled Dallions spark of excitement, although it also brought with it a sensation of guilt. He had hoped that Euryale would return from the wilderness before the trial. That way, he would get to become her apprentice before the selection trial was over. Now he had no choice on the matter.

And Arthurows?

Things get a bit more complicated there. Officially, he remains part of the guild. After a week, well start making it a point that he hasnt shown up for a while. After that well try to find himwhich will failand after the celebration hell be quietly booted out of the guild. Given that hes always been a slacker, itll come to no ones surprise. Its no secret that hes been poking his nose in a few other guilds, including the top five.

Poking his nose in a few other guilds, Dallion thought. Whatever the Stars plan was, apparently it involved more than one guild. Dallion was determined to find out what that was. Before that, though, he had to get stronger.

So, thats it? We continue as if nothing never happened, he sighed. Any good jobs, at least?

A lot of better-paying jobs. Vend chose his words carefully. As for the other thing I know you can handle it. March knows that you can handle it. The people that were in the room during your trial, werent just high-ranking snobs. Theyve all been through a similar experience. Just as I have.

Dallion nodded. Being at the position they were, it was normal for the higher echelons to have gone through similar experiences, possibly worse. And still, he could never tell looking at them. They remained ordinary people with their flaws, inner demons, and eccentricities.

We all know about the things that lie beneath the surface. The trick is not to let it determine your life. The more you increase your level, the more things youll realize. What you do with that knowledge is up to you.

That was the trick, wasnt it? To continue to live his life as before despite what he had learned. In a way, Dallion felt as if he were in a bubble, like he was back in his village. The city didnt resort to echoes, and the bubble was far biggerso big that Dallion hadnt reached the limits, yetbut it was there protecting the city from the dangers outside.

I expect you to be here at eight tomorrow, Vend suddenly changed the topic.

Wha?

Ive spoken to Hannah, so I know your schedule. Also, youll be going deliveries from now on, so be sure to check the guild ring for orders, then bring them in the morning.

Great, Ive become a food courier. Sure thing.

Oh, and this is for you. Vend took a flimsy-looking stiletto knife from his belt and handed it to Dallion. Captain Adzorg wanted it to be a sword, but as your mentor, I thought this would be better.

Thanks? Dallion looked at the weapon. What is it?

This is your training weapon. Its made of tin, so they dont get any worse.

Dallion arched a brow as he gave his mentor a confused glance.

No need to thank me. The last task March gave me before I stopped being her disciple was to find a level zero weapon for the day I have an apprentice of my own. This will help you stack a few skill levels, but thats not its main goal. This is the means by which you try to push your limit.

Of course. It sounded so logical now. When it came to awakened training, flimsy items were better. Now Dallion had a lot of leveling up to look forward to. At his current state, he estimated he could get the weapon to level ten without issue. Afterwards, things were going to get a bit more difficult, though not impossible.

It is said that every item in existence has its maximum level, Vend went on. No one knows whether thats true, but this stiletto does. The more you improve it, the more you prove to yourself and the rest of the world how good you are.

Thanks. I

Theres a single rule, Vent interrupted him. You can only do a level per day. This isnt some random limitation, its for the sake of the item. Guardians are a bit confused after they are leveled up. You probably already thought you could get this to double digits in a day, and you can, but the item will never live to its potential if you do. The more you confuse the guardian, the more the item will change to the worst.

A level a day. That wasnt going to be a problem. Somehow Dallion suspected that his daily schedule was going to get a lot more packed.

Keep it on you at all times. And dont break it!

Sure. Carefully, Dallion tucked it away. Do you kick me out if it breaks?

That would be stupid. Just low-quality tin is difficult to come by. Theres so much demand that the blacksmiths cant keep up. Anyway, take good care of it and he paused, then took another dagger from behind his back. This one Dallion recognizedit was the same one he had fought so hard to get. Heres the prize for your trial.

Looking at it, the dagger didnt seem overly special in any single way, or rather it was nowhere as near as Dallions other weapons. The craftsmanship was fine, and the material it was made of caught the eye, but that was all. The weapon was hollow and incapable of being improved.

Its awakening special is durability. Vend placed the dagger in Dallions hands. So, you wont have to mend it, but thats all. As I told you, awakening daggers are not worth the effort. Its more the chase rather than the catch.

Its fine. Dallion smiled. Thanks, mentor.

Keep that up and Ill have you mend my room. Vend crossed his arms. Still, good job, Dal. Youve earned your spot.

Does that mean I get to stop being a packrat?

Well see. For the moment, have some fun.

Vend left soon after. A few more people passed to discreetly congratulate Dal. Soon his gear was returned. Both items were in perfect shape, though refused to share what their conversations with the guild higher-ups were about. Possibly that was for the better.

Dallion thanked each of the guardians in their realms, doing the same to Nox, Lux, and Nil, then left the guildhall.

So, how do you feel? Nil asked as they made their way to the Gremlins Timepiece.

Calm, Dallion said. Relieved. Happy. Im not exactly sure.

You can always use your music skills on you. I must say that Adzorg tried to get you to be his apprentice, but there were too many rules that needed changing, so he relented. He thinks highly of you.

Ive heard.

And Vend is not as bad as some of the rest. At least it isnt March. Still, theres one thing he forgot to mention.

Such as?

The new guild emblem comes with one major benefit. Now, this might be difficult for you to grasp, so Ill explain it very slowly. You. Dont. Need. To. Talk. For. Me. To. Hear. You.

Wait, what? Dallion thought.

Precisely. Now we can lead a proper conversation without you having to talk to yourself like an idiot. And by we, I mean everyone youre linked to.

Undoubtedly it was quite an improvement. Dallion also suspected that Vend had omitted that on purpose just to have him make a fool of himself a few days longer.

Upon returning to the inn, Hannah was nowhere to be seen. What Dallion found instead was a large selection of food along with a hastily written note containing one single word: Congratulations! It seemed that the innkeeper was a softy after all, at least during one percent of the time.

Thanks, Hannah! Dallion said loudly. Thanks to his improved senses, he had heard her hiding in the kitchen, to Aspans annoyance. Ill be sure to eat up and get some rest before work.

Before that, there was one last thing he had to do.

ITEM AWAKENING.

Dallion entered the dagger. The realm continued to be lit up, but the sphere item description was no longer there. For that matter, there wasnt any description present. Apparently, once an item fulfilled its destiny, it stopped being interesting as far as the rectangles were concerned.

Taking a look around the starting spot, Dallion then linked the dagger to his awakening realm. A doorway emerged on the wall.

Nox! Dallion shouted.

Barely had he done so than the crackling rushed in. It had returned to its original small, cuddly self. Naturally, the first thing it did was to clump onto Dallions shoulder.

You never change, do you? He thought.

The crackling mewed in response.

Take a good look, Nox. From now on all this belongs to you. Dallion said. An unbreakable dagger with a crackling inside sounded like the perfect combination. Youre the guardian of this place now. Welcome to your new home.