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Chapter 5 [End of the Path]

"Ow! Could you watch where you're going?"

For the umpteenth time, I listened to Aurora gripe as the carriage collided with a fallen branch. The path was abounding with potholes and roots, none of which the coachman bothered to avoid. Though his cart wasn't crafted with comfort in mind, it was durable, as were the tethers linking it to his two well-fed horses. I glanced forward, admiring t...

Chapter 4 [Blood]

I Dashed from the second-story window and used Featherfall to land softly on one of the adjacent buildings. My steps made little noise against the wooden rooftops of the smaller businesses as I ventured away from the inn, and my body felt light from the Effects of my Cards working together in the dead of night.

"Shroud."

Tendrils of shade snaked out from the night, surrounding my sk...

Chapter 3 [I'll Show You Mine...]

The small door carved beside the heavy wooden gates creaked open slowly. I scanned the top of the wall, where a few guards with bows or crossbows stood staring out into the woodline. One glanced in our direction but returned to his post after a brief inspection.

"Let's see those registrations then, eh?" a grey-haired man poked his head through the small opening and glared toward us. "I do...

Chapter 2 [Rotten Luck]

Aurora swallowed and focused on the task ahead. She could do it. She had to do it, but... just what had she gotten herself into?

"Aurora! It'll die of starvation if it stands there any longer."

She glanced up at the young man lazing in a tree beside her before returning her attention to the present threat. A vast shadow surrounded her, and she gulped as she gazed at the cause.

Book 2, Chapter 1 [Exercise]

I shuffled the contents of the flaming red Deck Box back and forth as I considered what to do. The metal Cards clinked quietly beneath the wooden table with each motion. Though I'd done what was needed, it was impossible to chase away every shred of misplaced guilt. Even with his deep-rooted troubles, Zachary had been nothing more than a child who'd hardly taken a step into adulthood.

Sin...

Book 1: Complete

Summary if you don't wish to read the full post: Book 1 is finished! Doing a lot of edits. I will make them available and not expect you to have to pay a second time for the E-Book. You've all been loyal, even though I regularly post chaps a day late, and I wouldn't do that to you. Lots of changes will be listed below without a lot of detail for those who don't want to re-read ...

Chapter 36.5 [Rowan's Build: Book 1]

The Cards documented below are listed at base value for their Levels and Ranks. All figures are shown without the amplifying Effects of the Origin Card or Enhancements.

Origin (Prior Life)

[Card Name: Origin]

[Class: Origin]

[Rank: Origin]

[Level: X]

[Description: Steals the life energy of the Wielder. This Card Levels based on the W...

Chapter 36 [Perspectives]

From his perch in the Origin City trading quarters, a drunken man had a good view of the central bazaar. He took a long drink from an oddly crafted gourd and slammed it on the table.

"Baarkeep!" he shouted, attracting the disapproving gazes of passersby. "Gimme anuerone!"

Throwing an Essence on the counter, his crystal clear eyes took in the surroundings. It didn't seem he'd been no...

Chapter 35 [Party]

"It's almost morning," Nathaniel muttered, peeking through the heavy drapes of the common room. It was still dark, but a bit of orange was beginning to show in the sky. Beyond the iron gates, he could see the dull lights of the streetlamps in the distance.

His eyes weren't on the beautiful sunrise or the intricate purple circuits occasionally pulsing along the walk. No, his focus was on t...

Chapter 34 [Crimson]

We walked silently at this point, every step carrying us closer to the ambush that Zachary had set. I'd hoped that he would reconsider and change directions after a bit of conversation, but my hope seemed wasted on this young man. My few early attempts to steer the discussion toward understanding his reasons were met with a solid wall.

Our pace quickened as we left the powered Circuits of...

Chapter 33 [Pity]

"I'll return late this evening," I looked back at Nathaniel, who stood stalwart by the staircase. Making a gesture to the second floor, I added, "Keep an eye on her, alright?"

He nodded, "And who's going to keep an eye on you?"

"Hoho. No one needs to keep an eye on me," I chuckled at his hesitant look as I opened the door. "Anything else?"

"What you said to Aurora..." he shook...

Chapter 32 [Culprit]

As I sipped from a cup of freshly brewed tea, I reached for the morning paper I'd snagged from the post box. Now that the manor and grounds were wholly energised, the post would materialise in the box around six hours to noon. For the first time since my arrival, I had a day to myself, with no major plans other than relaxing and maybe paying a visit to the shop.

David floated in the air b...

Chapter 31 [Lost]

Breathing heavily, Aurora jumped into the next alley and turned to look behind her. Nothing. Again. Ever since she'd first followed the whim of Precognition into the back alleys of Grandhardt, she'd felt as if someone were following her. Yet the streets were empty no matter how often she turned back.

The wound she'd scratched into her neck still hadn't completely healed, though it was sca...

Chapter 30 [Preparations]

"Oi, lad!" my hand was on the door, ready to leave, but I heard Crook calling me back. I turned and gestured to him to continue, "Don't you forget about those Pearls. Wasted a favour on them, so make sure to put 'em to good use."

"Noted. Thank you for reminding me," I nodded in appreciation and stepped out of the store, admonishing myself for my forgetfulness. I'd meant to listen to the P...

Chapter 29 [Mask]

"This... isn't right..."

Tears formed under the eyes of a young woman as she looked down at the apathetic child before her. Her own visage was torn between sorrow and anger as she turned to face the blonde man beside her.

"Something has to be wrong with him, Aldis!" she hissed, still keeping her voice down, though she wasn't careful enough to keep the others present from hearing. Bl...

Chapter 28 [Wielder's Wonders]

I whistled a tune and twirled my cane while strolling down the paved walk. On one shoulder, I carried a small wooden trunk, weighed down with the goods I'd acquired on the First Floor. It was a fine day. The cool, early morning air teased my skin as it blew, and the streets were nearly empty.

Grandhardt was quiet in the mornings, one of my favourite things about the place. With the popula...

Chapter 27 [Precognition]

Aurora heaved a deep sigh, stopping in front of a small patio. Two rocking chairs teetered back and forth squeakily beside an old stone table. The low-cut grass and flowers in the small garden swayed back and forth in the gentle breeze.

Shoulder-height wooden fences stubbed out from the ground in every direction, partially obscuring the captivating scene from nosey onlookers. Aurora breat...

Chapter 26 [Chains]

My eyes darted between the five mirrors set in a semi-circle around a low dais. I smiled, admiring the new garments Mr Mikelian himself had prepared for me.

The suit pants and jacket were a pleasant, light brown that perfectly complimented the darker brown vest beneath it. I donned a collared white undershirt, and a red tie with silver plaid stripes tied the ensemble neatly together.

Chapter 25 [Luxton]

"Why does it feel so awkward..?"

Sunlight filtered through the sash windows of a large hall where three figures sat at a long wooden dining table. Though there were plenty of seats, the individuals were as far apart as could be. A sumptuous breakfast was spread before them, consisting of all varieties of food. Cups of steaming tea sat before each of them.

"Shh, don't speak so loudly...

Chapter 24 [Scrap of Truth]

I breathed heavily as I focused on the link and removed the Inspection Spell from my Deck. Sweat dripped down my brow, and I clenched my teeth, wishing I had a Relic to ease the pain. Inspection had been part of my Deck for years, having been one of the Cards passed down from my father, and though it didn't have as much influence as Levels, removing a Card that had been ingrained in my soul for...

Chapter 23 [Gains]

The bandit was long gone by the time I reached the window, my Tracking Enhancement not even picking up the dull glow of the figure's footsteps. That was troubling. I looked carefully down the hallway before pulling shut the window and securing the latch. It seemed that I would need to work on the manor's security in the near future.

A thief? But what were they after?

I poke...

Chapter 22 [Returning Home]

Being back on the Origin Floor, I felt uncomfortable toting around the heavy strongbox. Due to the inferior benefits available on the First Floor, there were few Wielders with powerful Cards lurking about, excluding those from the Academy. Parading about on the First Floor wasn't too risky, and aside from a few outliers, I shouldn't face any significant threats until I reached the Tenth.

...

Chartography

This was supposed to go out with the chapter before I fell asleep, but I was dead tired. Cheers!  🍻

Chapter 21 [Origin]

With an hour left until the century's end, the most spectacular display of Spells were fired off in the farmer's fields. The night turned to day, and even the great mountain to the north of the city had the chance to bask in its glow.

The magnificent courtyard of the Academy was not exempt from this luminous exposition. Its grass was bathed in a whirlwind of hues while the fountain in the...

Chapter 20 [Promotion]

I turned a corner and jogged down another back alley, stepping from one shadow to the next while avoiding the scattered bottles and mugs from the day's festivities. It was already nearing midnight, and the city was still going strong.

Massive fires controlled by Spells were lit by the Churches at every major intersection. Deacons from the Church of Liberation and Acolytes from the Church ...

Chapter 19 [Graduation]

I yawned and pulled back the thick drapes blocking the window in my bedroom. The sun trickled lazily in through the window, warming my bare skin as I stood there in my knickers. My timepiece lay with my clothing in the next room, but reckoning by the sun, I knew it had to be nearing noon.

It was the last day of the century, and celebrations had already commenced. The Guilds were hurling S...

First Goal Achieved!

Sorry to bother you ladies and gents on your Sunday! Just wanted to inform you that our Patreon has reached its first Goal of 300 Patrons! For reaching this goal, we will be expanding the chapters available from 4 weeks ahead of Royal Road to 5 weeks ahead.

So that I won't give myself an aneurysm or reduce the quality of the content, we will be releasing the two bonus chapters over the n...

A Summoner Awakens, Chapter 18 [Kasimira's Charm]

"Squueeaaaa!"

*squelch*

"So much for having a month's supply," I grumbled and pulled my blade from the boar-sized rat I'd just skewered. I grieved for my dwindling supply of Infernal Wash as I wiped the blade clean. It was dark, and the dimly lit area around me was littered with various-sized rat corpses.

My memories of the reports weren't wrong, so it seemed the Network hadn'...

A Summoner Awakens, Chapter 17 [Family Gathering]

"Silence!" a blaring voice boomed in the circular chamber, followed by a chilling aura, instantly settling down the cacophony of ancient voices. Nine heads snapped to the head of a long, marble table. Piercing silver eyes passed over the nine elders at the table, and the man who possessed those eyes frowned at each member in turn for their outburst. He looked no older than twenty, had cropped h...

A Summoner Awakens, Chapter 16 [Achievements]

Stones rolled down the cliff as I lost my grip for what had to be the hundredth time. My hands slid down the rock face, searching for a grip while my pack threatened to tilt me back and toss me from the mountain. My Strength hadn't been great enough to use the climbing picks, so this was unavoidable.

Eighteen... I struggled to find a handhold while gravity tried to get the better of me. N...