A Summoner Awakens, Chapter 3 [Setting Out]

"You haven't even gotten your blade wet," I chuckled and ran my finger slowly across the sword's edge. This, like Rosie, was another family heirloom, and I had no clue where it came from. I'd had it appraised once, and the smith said the materials used to craft the Relic had come from a higher Floor. That's all I knew.

The weapon had played a significant role in my previous life, and walking from the Academy to the dorms without it made me realise how much a part of me the Relic had become. It was an integral part of my existence. Feeling the familiar cold of the silver handle on my palm, I decided it would also be my companion in this life.

I spun the sword slowly in my right hand while loosely gripping the shaft in my left. It would take time to familiarise myself with the reach and flexibility of my younger body. Training in the Academy mainly dealt with broad swords, spears, or a combination of the two with shields. Dual-wielding and the use of rapiers or other unusual weapons were additional classes only offered to those who could afford them.

I made a few gestures with the blade, using a technique I'd picked up in my forties. A quiet whistle sang as the edge cut through the air, a faint line of silver tracing behind it.

Slash, stab, parry.

Hmm. Seems to weigh more than I'm accustomed to. Levelling Strength should solve that.

My movements felt a bit stiff, but that was to be expected. I lacked almost every Foundation, including the necessary Dexterity to make my movements fluid. What I did have was eighty years of training under the Government's top fighters and a perfect recollection of every style I'd ever seen. Even without Cards, I felt comfortable taking on up to the Fourth Floor with just my blade if needed. I swung the sword a few more times before sliding the pieces together.

Click.

The cane was whole again, and it would take a very discerning eye to know that a weapon was hidden within. Satisfied, I propped the cane against my chair and dragged the second chest toward me.

Using the second key, I popped the lock and flipped open the lid. It didn't creak, and no dust escaped, showing that even as a young man, I had taken good care of the contents. The smell of cedar wafted from the interior, the fragrance filling the air like a strong perfume.

Perfectly arranged. Just as I remember.

One by one, I pulled the items from the trunk. A complete set of basic leather armour that I was told my grandfather once used. A canteen, a small throwing knife kit, and a pouch that jingled musically when I lifted it. I pulled the drawstring on the large bag, revealing more than a thousand Essence resting inside. Each Essence was a tiny, purple crystal that glowed with a dim light.

I recall there being just over twelve hundred Essence in here. Weighs about right.

I grimaced. It wasn't a terrible start, but there was plenty of work to do. Putting the pouch to the side, I reached into the corner of the chest and gently lifted the inner liner.

There, just beneath the felt, was a shining metal card. I pulled it out with a grin and scrutinised it. On the front was a picture of a small humanoid with light green skin floating lazily atop an oversized flower. Vines laced around the Card's border.

I'm sorry, Rosie, but you'll have to wait some time longer.

I ran my fingers over the beautiful artwork. The Card glowed briefly as if the being within were responding to my adoration. Summons were strange creatures. She very well could have been watching me from inside the frame.

I was informed my grandfather had a habit of casting Tame Creature before every fight, and by an incredible stroke of insane luck, the Plagued Beast he'd killed dropped this Card. It came into my father's possession before I was born.

She ended up getting my dad killed. A group of bandits assailed him on one of the lower Floors and stripped the majority of his Deck before a stranger stepped in. I never figured out why he was targeted, but I assumed the existence of this Card had somehow been leaked.

We were poor, and nothing my father carried was valuable. He wielded a basic sword and shield while wearing leather armour. His Deck box wasn't flashy, and he wasn't toting Relics. This Card was the only plausible explanation.

The only reason that I held this Card today was because of my benefactor. He was the stranger who happened upon my father's murder. The bandits ran when he appeared. This benefactor listened to my father's final words and brought the last of the Cards back to me on the Origin Floor.

I never doubted the strange man's story. He'd never told me his name, but looking back, I was sure he was from an influential family. Such a man hadn't the need to lie, especially to a child. He appeared young, possibly in his early twenties. Black hair. Black eyes.

I promised the man I would ascend and thank him properly, and I still remember the smile he'd given me before leaving. After that, I never saw the man again... my sickness hadn't allowed me to fulfil my promise. My time in the Network's archives never yielded any knowledge about the man, which I still found strange.

Not days after the encounter, a representative from the Academy came to retrieve me. He told me I had received a last-minute scholarship and would immediately be escorted to my new dormitory. It had been a bizarre few days, and I had no doubt the strange Wielder had played a part.

Even the payments on our family estate had been covered for the first five years... until I was old enough to hunt on the First Floor with the Academy's permission. He never found out, but his actions influenced many of my decisions, including that to help others once I could no longer pursue my goals.

This time around will be different. I'll thank him properly and ask why he'd stick his neck out for an unknown boy.

I popped the latch on my Deck Box and slid the Card inside. When it was in place, I felt the connection being made between it and my soul. There was something odd, though. Usually, when equipping a new Card, particularly one of a higher Level, there would be pressure as the Essence pushed against my soul. That didn't happen this time... instead, it felt as if the Essence it provided filled part of an empty space.

Strange...

Deck boxes were Relics crafted explicitly to form a bridge with a Wielder's soul. They were designed to house the soul's maximum capacity of fifty-two Cards and make it easy for the Wielder to access their skills. There were no records of how Wielders handled the Cards before the creation of these Relics, and it wasn't often questioned.

There were rules to the Cards that kept Wielders from abusing them. For example, some people tried holding excess Cards on their person and quickly switching them out when the situation called for something different. The Relic would accept the Card, but whatever magic forced it to connect with the soul would cause a lethal backlash. There were other attempts at cheating the system, but they all failed similarly.

Eight Cards dwelled in my Deck. As far as students at the Academy were concerned, it was pathetic. Most of my classmates had already reached the maximum suggested for a Wielder who has yet to ascend. Once a Wielder began to invest, the Cards became more demanding to remove, so it wasn't the best idea to fill all the slots before discovering the nature of one's Origin Card.

I moved on to the small pouch, tying it securely to my belt. The Essence within was vital to my future. Essence was the currency used within the Tower. It could be used to Level Cards, giving them more power and allowing a Wielder to further ascend.

Every action in the Tower revolved around Essence... and there was only one way to get it. Slaying Plagued Beasts. When a Beast died, a reaction within caused its blood to move toward its heart and crystalise. The thought of hunting Beasts caused me to turn toward my grandpa's old gear. Looking over the sweaty attire reminded me that I went straight to class from the forest some days. In all the excitement, I hadn't noticed, but...

Phew... Eh... I think I'll bathe first. I'm not sure how I put up with it back then, but this just won't do.

After bathing and dressing in a fresh uniform, I lifted the stained leather padding. One of the teachers had refitted the old armour so it wouldn't slide off my slender figure. My current build wasn't ideal. I was toned with lean muscle. Gaining bulk was difficult without proper sustenance, and proper sustenance was unattainable without adequate funds. The Academy only provided what was needed to survive.

It took a few minutes to slide on the gear and clip the old Deck Box onto the custom-made belt slot. I lamented that I didn't have an Auto-Equip Card like in my previous life. It wasn't rare, but it simplified the mundane task of donning one's armour. I admired myself in the mirror before plopping down to make a plan.

I fingered the pouch on my side, making it jingle. At this age, I had to be very stingy with my finances. The payments on the estate were just fifteen hundred Essence per month, but it took everything I had to keep it in my name. Buying new Cards or purchasing better gear was out of the question.

Many nights I'd gone to bed hungry. Not for lack of the Academy feeding me, but because I was training diligently during class and spending my nights fighting Beasts. Selling the estate wasn't an option. It was family built, and I'd refused to relinquish it.

Aside from the miscellaneous items here with me, it was the only thing I had left that belonged to the Wilder family. With this undue stress, my school years were some of my worst. I leaned my head against the wall, thinking about everything that had happened.

Let's see. I woke up this morning to a warm cup of tea prepared by one of my attendees. Throughout the day, I sifted through the archives, preparing to load additional data into the Network. I had a pleasant visit with Crole, was nearly smashed by a monster, and then was sent hurtling through... time.

Just this morning, I'd been an old man on the brink of death, yet here I was, fiddling with a bit of Essence in my old dorm room. It just didn't make any sense. There were many powerful Cards and even rumours about Cards that could affect time and space. However, from what I'd heard through the Network, their effects were extremely limited.

So, where to start? I'm currently in danger of being late on my dues. The bank won't take kindly to my being late, so I must avoid that. The payment isn't due until just after the new century, so there's time.

My circumstances are a bit different now, aren't they? I chuckled and twirled my cane between my fingers. Fifteen hundred Essence won't be tough to earn before the... Now hold on a minute... Bloody hell! The century has yet to turn. That means there's still time!

I jumped up and paced the room.

Since the century hasn't turned, the achievements still haven't been performed. This is it... This is my chance to start making use of my knowledge. I know every one of them, even the last. That one'll be a bit dicey, but it'll be worth it.

All my reservations about my current situation flew out the window when I thought of this. I was an old man, and I'd lived a rough life. It wasn't going to happen again.

I'll be damned if I don't make the most of this second chance. If I can clear every task, my Origin Card in this life will surely be something that won't harm me, right? I'll need to start planning now. That final task, though. Where can I find... Oh! Oohhohoh. That'll do.

I snatched up the pack of throwing knives and attached them to another section of my belt. The First Floor was referred to by some as the Floor of Awakening or the Tutorial Floor for the Tower. The Plagued Beasts here were hardly infected, and a handful of simple tasks had to be performed before one could ascend to the Second Floor. The stairs leading up were blocked by a barrier that wouldn't allow anyone to pass unless they'd met the minimum requirements.

The better one performed on the First Floor, the more powerful their Origin Card would become. The Origin Card didn't count as part of the Deck and was unique since it was rewarded based on a combination of the Wielder's nature, their performance on the First Floor, and the methods used to handle their tasks.

Aside from the basic tasks, there were several more that hadn't been released to the public. Some of the Achievements were told to all who reached their senior year in the Academy. It was known that all graduates had slightly more powerful Origin Cards than their peers, which prompted much interest when the time for enrollment came around.

Beyond those, some were only known by a few influential families within the Tower. Going further, there were a few secret Achievements that no one knew about, but the families will somehow learn about them a few days from now.

I only had this information because, in around fifty years, it will be made public through the Network. The tasks reset every century, so this news had only been released to force Wielders to spend more time on the First Floor searching for the tasks of the final century.

In my previous life, I'd only completed the basic tasks and those provided by the Academy. This time, however... I'd complete these tasks. This time, I wouldn't pull a self-destructive Card. As much as I hated my previous Origin Card, it seemed to have become my salvation.

Or I'll at least have a decent life until the end...

Thoughts of the monsters that stormed the Tower before my death flooded my mind. There were only a hundred years before that catastrophe.

There's no way to fight that, but maybe... If I was strong enough... could I escape? Would I be willing to leave all those people behind if I could flee? Should I warn them..? Maybe in the future. Without influence, I'd just sound insane.

I sighed and rubbed my chin with my free hand, still spinning my cane with the other. As appalled as I was by my own thoughts, it just wasn't a simple decision.

I'll warn the populace, but not until I have what it takes to defend myself. There's no telling how the various factions will take it, so it's best to be prepared. I don't want to hide it, either... For now, I'll play it by ear.

With no time to waste, I double-checked my gear, ensuring that my Deck Box and throwing knives were clipped tightly to my belt. I pulled open the wardrobe and snagged my old backpack. It was a simple bag with a sturdy leather strap. Nothing fancy, but it would do.

I glanced through the contents and tossed my canteen inside before leaving. My cane tapped gently against the wooden floor, and I hummed a merry tune as I strutted out the door.

The dorms were empty since several classes were still ongoing. The tapping of my cane echoed in the silent halls. My humming filled the void, and my smile widened as I considered what I was setting out to do.

First, I strolled back along the cobble path, heading for the inner gates of the Academy. My eyes darted to and fro, observing the few guards and the constant silhouettes of my peers walking by the large glass windows. It seemed that they were all making their way to the next class.

My humming never stopped, and my mood didn't falter. I strode to the courtyard's large fountain while pulling the canteen from my bag. After filling it with the forever-clean water of the fountain, I tossed it into my bag and began my trek to the outer gates.

As I traced along my footsteps for the third time, walking through the outer courtyard, I admired the beauty and greenery of the surrounding land. Many statues of famous Wielders adorned the campus grounds, and it had been many years since I'd seen them last. The view didn't last long since I quickly made my way beyond the dormitory and walked up the cobblestone walk toward the exit.

My cane tapping the pebbles drew the guards' attention as I waltzed through the gate. One looked at the cane curiously while the others stayed unmoving. None tried to stop me from leaving. The Academy's students regularly went out to hunt for Essence, and it wasn't the guard's job to ensure that we stayed in class. They were there to escort anyone wishing to walk to the stairs and to protect the students.

"Ahhh..." I breathed deeply and stretched my arms.

The sun shone brightly, a light breeze brushed against my skin, and I felt like a new man. An abundance of land spread out before me. I could see everything with the Academy's placement atop an elevated hill in the centre of the Floor. The small town and farmland that extended below. A vast forest behind the cultivated fields. Harder to make out were the rolling hills before the foot of the mountains that lorded over the land.

It only took a bit of walking for the sound of voices to catch my ear. The wind carried the chatter of the labourers and shopkeeps, and I could smell the aroma of freshly grilled meat from a not-so-distant tavern. Within minutes, I was walking through the inner ring of Academy Town.

It was a simple place, matching its simple name. The soil on the First Floor was fertile, and the resources that could be found were more abundant than those of the Origin Floor. Many labourers, blacksmiths, or other craftsmen preferred to make their life on the First Floor rather than dwell in the foggy, crowded cities below. These people made up the majority of Academy Town, though there were still plenty of wealthy folks who took up residence as well.

The muddy side streets were worn by the constant travel of carriages. Excess trash lay on the sides of the unpaved road, proving that the Government still hadn't bothered to develop this place after hundreds of years. I grimaced and trudged down the filthy path, doing my best to avoid getting grime on my tattered boots.

It was a shame that the same care given to some of the cities on the Origin Floor couldn't be extended to the area around the Academy. If it weren't for these men and women residing here, the cities below wouldn't be as advanced as they were today.

A horse-drawn carriage barrelled down the road, and I jumped to the side to avoid the splashing muck. If there was one thing I couldn't stand... it was filth. At this time, the younger me had yet to discover the magnificence of the Cleanse Spell.

Even in my old, decrepit state, maintaining an immaculate appearance and keeping away germs were of the utmost priority. After all, any disease could have ended someone like me, and one's appearance spoke volumes.

It took some time to make it to the main street, where cobblestone once again replaced the muddy roads. This was the only paved road outside of the Academy. It was wide enough for three carriages to pass and ran in one massive ring around the Academy.

My pace quickened once I'd left the run-down inns and the shabby homes of the labourers behind me. On either side of the ring, there were spotless taverns, friendly shops, and Guild Halls that were quite active during the day. Many of the smaller Guilds set up shop to pull in young Wielders before they made a name for themselves. It was just a gimmick to look for potential early and underpay those with talent.

Ignoring the calls from these recruiters, I made my way along the much cleaner sidewalk. Though these Guilds were usually stingy, they had worked with the Academy to pay for a portion of this roadwork.

Looking around, I saw men and women of all shapes and sizes dressed in robes, armour, and leather. Some wore masks, but not many. It was a far cry from the Origin Floor, where fine suits and ornate masks were commonplace. In the Tower, it wasn't unusual for individuals to walk the street in strange attire. No one cast a second glance toward my leathers or cane, but a few eyed my Academy uniform warily.

Eventually, I stepped off the clean road with a frown and made my way to a small butcher's shop a couple of rings back. Those shops on the main street were too expensive for me now, though I was tempted to fork out the extra Essence, anyway. A thick scent of blood radiated from a nearby open-air shop, and flies buzzed around the area. A bulky, scarred man chopped meat while a younger man tended to the customers.

Looking at the flies and rotten meat tossed to the side, I couldn't help but sigh. Doing my best to keep a straight face, I joined the queue and waited my turn as several customers left the place with bags of meat. When it was finally my turn, I slipped my pack around, so it was ready to store my purchase.

"Mornin' Sir! Welcome to Lacier's Butchery," the young clerk smiled happily as he wiped snot from his nose with the back of his hand. His teeth were slightly rotten, and it didn't look like he'd bathed in a long time.

"Ugh... Hi there. I'd like to get two days' rations of jerky, please," I made a show of fiddling with my pouch, looking down, so the lad wouldn't see my grimace. He seemed a kind boy, and I didn't want my fixation with cleanliness to hurt his feelings. When I pulled out the smaller bag, the boy's smile widened, and he turned to a side table.

I looked on in horror as I watched him wrap the meat with the hand that he had just used to wipe away his snot. His grungy nails pushed into the dried meat as he packed it and wrapped it in the white paper. Without caring for my thoughts, the lad returned to the counter and slid over the six individual packs.

''30 Essence, please.''

Could I have bartered a bit? Sure... but I wanted to get to the street as soon as possible. I dropped the Essence into his waiting palm without touching his filthy hand, tossed the rations into my pack, bid him a fine day, and hurried away from the stall.

I quickly returned to Main Street and took a deep breath. That had been a terrible experience. The thought of the dirtied rations in my pack made me shiver. With some effort, I calmed down and studied my surroundings.

There was a nice-looking store across the street with a large glass window. On display were a handful of Cards and a few pieces of adventuring gear. I smiled mischievously.

There it is. And today’s even the right day, innit? Lucky me. I'll need to put on a show, but this should set me up for later.

After crossing the street, I peeked in the window and saw a plump clerk rubbing his hands together, almost nervously. A customer walked around, looking over the displays. A few vivid memories crossed my mind while I watched the chubby man. After a few moments, the client finished his transaction and left.

When the man walked out, I slipped through the open door to keep the bell from ringing. The merchant had already slunk to the back, giving me time to browse his wares. This place had an impressive amount of exotic items on display.

"Oh, I didn't hear you come in. What do you w-" The little merchant was rude, openly judging my attire. Though, when his eyes landed on my cane, his brow raised. "I mean, how may I help you, sir?"

This man was nothing more than a crook. I remembered once buying a Card from here for 2500 Essence, just to find out later that it was only worth a thousand. Less if I'd gone to the local Church. This little man constantly scammed students and other Wielders that had just begun their adventures. Though I was aware of the price gouging, I'd chosen this particular shop for another reason...

"Good afternoon," I decided to test the waters first. Currently, my needs were limited to the Foundation Cards that I was missing. Reinforcing my body and mind was more important than attaining skills for now. "At the moment, I require a Strength Foundation. It doesn't seem that you have any Foundation on display."

My cane tapped lightly on the polished floor as I stepped confidently to the counter. The man gulped as he eyed the silver handle in my grasp, clearly intrigued by the item. The charlatan smiled, and I could tell he thought he was dealing with some naive boy.

This man, who, funnily enough, was named Crook, widened his smile, "Please wait here for a moment."

He walked to the back room, and I could hear him rummaging around. Eventually, the sound subsided, and the fat man returned, looking quite pleased with himself. I almost laughed when he placed a glass display case on the counter, with a simple Level 1 Strength Card propped on a soft cushion within.

Strength Cards were the most common of the Foundation Cards and one of the least expensive in the Tower. He probably had a stack of them sitting just around the corner. It seemed that this little man really thought I was naive and that he could con me by dressing it up. Still, I played along and examined the Card, forcing myself not to laugh. The image in the centre was of a bulky man flexing his muscles.

"About how much are you charging?" I asked, making my Essence pounce jingle.

Crook beamed, revealing a perfect row of white teeth, "Only 2500 Essence for you, young man."

"Is that all?" I pretended to count out the Essence before I stopped and looked at the man, "Are your prices negotiable?"

"I'm sure you know the importance of a Foundation Card," Crook stroked his chin. "I'm sorry, but I can't go any lower."

"That simply won't do," I rolled my cane between my fingers. "Would you be willing to make an exchange?"

His eyes flashed greedily, "Y-yes. I think we could come to some sort of arrangement."

"Good. Then, I'll accept that Card in exchange for my silence," my face remained the same, but my eyes turned cold as I leaned in. "I can assure you this is more than a fair offer."

The man scoffed, and I held up a hand before he could speak, "I'm sure the guards would love to hear about the items you're overcharging for here in your shop and where they come from. It's a fine establishment. I wonder what they'd find in your books... Skimming Essence from the Skull must be lucrative, eh?"

"W-what?!" Crook's face turned white as the colour was drained. He stammered for several seconds before putting on a forced smile, "Y-yes, yes. In fact, I just remembered that we were having a sale on Foundation Cards this week. I believe that this trade is of equal value."

The man's mouth opened and shut several times as I plucked the Card from the case. Heading to the door, I spotted a wooden case that contained twelve vials of translucent, green liquid. Sitting beside the container, another Card was on display.

"I'm afraid I'll have to cause you further trouble," I said merrily, taking the box and Card off the shelf and placing them in my bag. "I hope we can continue doing business in the future."

I turned and nodded slightly to the still-dumbfounded man before backing into the door. The little man's jaw hung open, eliciting a chuckle from me. With a wave of goodbye, I stepped out onto the street and put the shop to my back.