The Way Ahead

Chapter 32: Protagonist Syndrome

The interior of the what was the right word? It was clearly a multifunctional complex, but Tara had called it a garrison, so hed go with that. The interior of the garrison was even more impressive than the outside had been. Once he passed the outer walls and through a small courtyard, the building itself was a massive, cathedral-like structure. Inside was, unsurprisingly at this point, even bigger, and the vaults above seemed to stretch almost forever, to the point he could barely see the ceiling above. Avior ascended and descended like flocks of swallows, swarming to balconies on the sides of the garrison or out what Edwin could barely make out as openings to the sky. In the center of everything was a massive statue of an avior- no, the Avior, he felt certain, though he couldnt pinpoint why- holding aloft a staff and a triumphant expression. Everything, from the tip of the statues golden staff to its gray plumage to its taloned feet was colored and detailed to the point it looked like an actual, flesh-and-blood avior, just a hundred-foot-tall one.

No time to marvel at it too much, though, as Tara and Edwin made their way over to an arch inset into a nearby wall, venturing up a spiral staircase until it opened onto a rail-less balcony-like area. Sitting at a desk off to one side was a halfling-sized Lirasian Registrar with bright blue hair and skin just a little too pink to be human, consulting stacks upon stacks of papers and what had to have been a System notification.

Rizzali.

The gnome looked up, speaking with a bit of a scratchy and high-pitched but enthusiastic voice, Tara! Welcome! Back to Vinstead at last I see? he pointed at Edwin, this?

This is Edwin. He got on the wrong side of a continental teleport and needs an Adventurer License.

I see, I see. Polyglot? he asked

Edwin nodded, Yes. Level- he checked his status, Twenty five. He finished.

Not bad! not bad! Rizzial- Edwin tagged the gnome- nodded, can understand me! Right?

Yeah, at least for the most part. I have to lean on a few other skills to help me, though.

The gnome instantly perked up, Synergistic skills? Tell me, tell me! I know!

Tara chuckled, Good luck with him. Ill be back shortly, once I file my report on my mission. Rizzali, Edwin is cleared to keep a couple of his Paths and his Status advancement confidential.

Rizzalis- Edwin corrected his tag- eyes literally sparkled before returning to normal, Aww. But Tara

Tara sighed, Not this again, she headed further up the stairs, Let me know when you free Edwin. Ill try to not take too long, but you know how the Administrator is.

Then she vanished, leaving Edwin alone with a very eager gnome.

And last Micro-Biomancer path, Rizzali asked, and Edwin sighed.

They had been here for hours, and for every single one of his skills, Edwin had been quizzed on how he had unlocked it, what its effects were, what its description was and what it improved. Then, a similar set of questions for his Paths. How many points they took, how he had gotten them, if he had completed them and if so what benefit did it provide...

Most of the time, what he had was apparently fairly typicaland, despite his initial reservations about not wanting the Empire to know his exact capabilities, he had gotten a little carried away by talking to someone who clearly loved learning. It had been fun for the first hour or two, then Edwins throat had started to get dried out, and his social batteries were drained. Now, he was just happy to finally be done with the whole thing, though he couldnt say he regretted it.

I got Micro-Biomancer the same time I got Nutrition, by thinking about what makes up food. Takes ninety points to complete. He tiredly replied. Earlier in the discussion, he would have gone into more detail, but now he was just tired.

Fascinating, fascinating. What does make up food?

Oh lots of stuff. Sugars, fats, oils, fibers, and all kinds of things I dont have the time to explain and I also think Im not allowed to tell you about.

Hmm. So be it. Ummm, the gnome checked a piece of paper, fishing it out from a massive stack of freshly-filled sheets, Very well. That seems to be the last of your System abilities, which I ... our time together. Here is your license, Rizzali handed him a small stone token on a cord, Dont lose this. We can remake it, but tricky! It quite enjoyable speaking to another academic, please do return sometime!

Edwin had mostly tuned out Rizzals voice by then, his mind turning to his notifications before shutting down in protest.

Congratulations! For becoming officially licensed by the Liras Empire you have unlocked the Adventurer path!

Congratulations! For explaining the basics of science you have unlocked the Lecturer path!

Level Up!

Polyglot Level 2527

He was oh so very tired, his brain run through the wringer with all his speaking and in desparate need of some alone time, but he was at least done with it all, So where do I go now?

Wait wait. Tara will be back! Soon!

Great. Well, at least he had a bit of time to kill. Wouldnt quite be alone time per se, but he could manage the next-best thing. He settled into his chair, closing his eyes and lightly tugging on his Sleeping skill to take a quick nap.

Edwin was woken by someone jostling his shoulder, slowly bringing him back to wakefulness. It took a moment, but he eventually opened his eyes to see Taras stern face impatiently waiting on him to rouse himself. As he stood up, trying to work out the crick in his neck, he yawned and grabbed his bag, Am I good to go now? he asked, Can I meet this mentor-person yet, or did something go wrong there?

An amused smile flickered onto Taras face for a brief moment before vanishing, No, hell be... eagerly awaiting your arrival.

Something was clearly going on- was she pulling a prank on a coworker or something?- but Edwin quickly decided he didnt care enough to ask. Hed find out a few minutes anyway. He groggily followed Tara down a couple flights of stairs until he was in an underground section of the garrison, lit by heatless torches shedding an oddly steady light.

She rapped on a door and opened it, motioning for Edwin to enter. He hesitated, not wanting to go through an unknown doorway in an underground dungeon, which only prompted Tara to sigh.

Gods, youre impossible, she reached out, grabbed Edwins forearm, and yanked him through the opening, following right behind him as he yelped in surprise.

Inside the room was a guy who both seemed incredibly familiar yet Edwin was sure he had never seen before. He looked basically human, but his hair, flickering animatedly like tongues of fire, was a bright gold in color and so utterly alien, even compared to what hed seen so far, Lefi almost certainly couldnt have been actually human, right?

Anime hair, Edwin amusedly considered, He literally has anime hair.

Wake up! Tara kneed the chair he was snoozing in, What is with men and sleeping every chance they get?

The jolt to the chair got the man- an Adventurer-Mage- to start awake, his head snapping around to determine what disturbed his rest, and quickly found the appropriate target.

Tara! he excitedly exclaimed, his voice rich and intriguing, though also annoyingly loud, And here I thought you didnt care!

Shut it, idiot. Its your lucky day. Ive settled on your sentence, now that Ive come back. Community service, as usual. She shoved Edwin forward, making him stagger into a position between Tara and the mage from his previous location, solidly hiding behind the Silver Blade, But different than normal. This is Edwin. Your job is to youre not listening.

Oh? the man seemed eager, sizing up Edwin, So lightly? And I get a baby adventurer to take care of?

Well. Its only fair. I picked up a stray after I sent you back thanks in large part to your meddling. He is officially now your problem. I solve two problems at one time, and would it kill you to pay attention to more than half of my sentences?.

Edwin sorely wished he had some sort of invisibility skill, or whatever it was that the one thief had had, because Lefi- actually, he may well have been a couple years younger than Edwin- was intensely studying him.

So, you found some poor sap and figured youd want to punish me with him? a statement which made Edwin feel decidedly uncomfortable, but Tara ignored, Whats your name? Howd you end up with an Alchemist class? Do you have any idea how long Ive been trying to get the Alchemy skill? he gasped, and he got a far-off yet greedy look in his eyes, You can help me!

No. Edwin is forbidden from helping you get more skills. You are in a strictly consulting position, and your monetary fee is going to take the form of kitting him out. Two gold minimum, and I will find out if you try to short-change him.

Edwin, eh? Where are you from?

He is also not to tell you anything about his background save what you already know; he originated from Fierisal and was caught in a teleport mishap.

Pity. Can he at least tell me about his skills from it?

No.

Could somebody please tell me whats going on? Edwin protested, I am so very lost.

Tara huffed, Very well. Lefi?

You honor me, dearest Tara, Lefi turned back to Edwin, I! Am Lefi Forolorzal! Adventurer-Mage extraordinaire! As a mere child, I managed to gain the Exceptional skill, which showed me that I was never destined to be another mere farmboy. No, I gained Skill after Skill and managed to accumulate so many skills they didnt know what to do with me! So, I became a brave adventurer he puffed his chest out, Righting wrongs and slaying brave monsters! Er, slaying monsters bravely!

Tara sighed, He managed to somehow get past the Management as a six-year-old and took a ton of skills, now nobody wants him around so he goes around killing predators and interfering with Empire work.

And yet I do so magnificently!

He also has a head bigger than his skills list. Yet somehow, he isnt a completely hopeless buffoon. Well, in terms of efficacy. Hes still an idiot.

Edwin raised an eyebrow incredulously, dying internally slightly about having to be trapped with an extrovert for the near future, And Im supposed to learn from this guy?

Tara sighed, He somehow manages to avoid ever interfering with anything extensively enough or important enough for me to do any worse for him than drop him in prison for a few days and give him a community service project, Huh. Apparently Tara wasnt the complete rule of law in this province, if that were the case, but the idiot just takes it as a challenge and seems to enjoy being sent into the Verdant to chop down a few trees, and despite my best efforts, he keeps surviving.

Well but of course, my fairest lady! I could never possibly fail such a monumental quest when I have your faith behind me!

Ive been trying for three years, yet having faith against you doesnt do anything, Tara muttered, which Lefi seemed to be wholly oblivious to. She took a deep breath, But yes. Hes good at what he does, turning to Lefi, she very pointedly cleared her throat until he was actually paying attention to her, You have until tomorrow evening to get Edwin all kitted up, then I dont want to see you back in Vinstead for at least two moons. Give him some pointers, help him optimize his skills, assist him in getting his feet.

Are you sure this is a good idea? Edwin warily asked, You think hell actually be able to help me? You dont sound confident in his capabilities. Am I really able to tell him my skills and be fine?

Tara rolled her eyes, Ive yet to see him fail a task-

-a Quest!

Huh, so he was listening.

-a task that Ive given him. I figure best-case scenario he might actually learn how to be responsible, but thats not about to happen any time soon. Still, you will be in safe hands. He can also keep a secret, cant he? the last part was asked very pointedly, and Lefi nodded furiously.

Indeed!

See? Youll be fine. I imagine Ill be seeing you around at some point, Edwin. Please try to not make me regret this, her voice took on an almost pleading tone as she started to move out of the room, I already have to deal with him.

After the door latched behind Tara, Edwin had a blessed two seconds of peace before the extrovert switched his attention from the now-absent Enforcer onto him, and it was far too short.

So! Edwin! My dearest friend. You are an alchemist, yes? From the long-lost continent of Fierisal,

I dont think its really-

From the long-lost continent of Fierisal! And what sorts of secrets have you brought to this side of Joriah, pray tell?

I think thats the sort of thing Im not allowed to tell you.

Ah, but thats the mentality of one who cares! They dont care about us, why should we care about them? Lefi asked with a ridiculous grin on his face, clapping his arm around Edwin.

In this instance? Because I want to keep quiet about it too, he responded, ducking out of the half-hug, And I dont want to annoy Tara besides.

Ah, that softie! Lefi flicked his hand, She likes to talk a big talk but she really isnt as tough as she acts! All protocols and formalities, it was only a little bit of an obstruction, no need for her overreaction.

Right. Anyway, I need help with my skills.

Sadly, you will never be as Exceptional as I! I have tried many times to share my greatness with others, yet none are as destined for greatness as I! He looked off into the distance (really just a stone wall) and his hairs motion changed from being like tongues of fire to blowing in an imaginary wind. It wasnt quite long enough to flutter properly, but it certainly tried.

Whatever you say. But I more just bumbled my way into having a lot of skills, and youre supposed to be good at that sort of thing?

Naturally! Let us leave this dreary hole and find a more suitable establishment for our magnificence! Though perhaps Skills must wait until the morn, today we shall prepare for our departure! he strode to the door and grasped its latch, finding that it wouldnt budge. He deflated slightly before propping himself back up, After you, fine sir! he sheepishly motioned for Edwin to open the door, It seems as though I havent been properly keyed out of the locks, if you would do the honors?

Edwin sighed but swung the door open anyway, letting Lefi by him, who immediately turned to the right, before swinging around, and going to the left, This way! I must retrieve my possessions! Then he changed his mind again, heading back once more to the right, confidently striding down the hallway.

Edwin let out a low whine. This was going to be great, he could tell.