Chapter 42 — Whispered Summons
(Shadeblade POV)
The forest thickened as we approached the clearing, the air pulsing with an unfamiliar energy that made the hair along my neck stand on end. This wasn't the usual trick of shadows or the sway of branches—it was deliberate, precise, and… magical. My gloved hand rested lightly on the hilt of my sword, grounding myself in Volrag's lessons: stance, balance, grip. Observing first, panicking later.
Selia perched on a gnarled branch above, smirking. "Ah, Skeleton finally looks serious. Are you… thinking? Should we call the guild? Alert the world?"
Bran groaned theatrically. "Don't get used to it. One serious look and I'll have to re-evaluate all my bets on how long you survive without tripping."
I muttered beneath the mask, the crack from eye to cheek catching the dim light. Tier‑2 mid. Disciplined. And trying desperately not to step on every root in sight.
Korran adjusted his cloak, gaze sweeping the clearing. "Magical traces are strong. Someone—or something—is actively channeling mana here. Likely summoning. Watch your spacing."
Vaelric's arms were crossed, expression as sour as ever. "Of course, the skeleton notices first. It's as if chaos itself whispers warnings."
Lysara, hood low, scanned silently, her eyes cold and precise. She didn't speak often, but when she did, it cut through tension like a blade. For now, she watched.
The clearing opened up, revealing a perfectly etched summoning circle glowing with pulsing runes. The air shimmered as if reality itself had paused to glance. Shadows leaned unnaturally; the forest seemed to inhale.
And then I noticed her: hooded, silent, standing just beyond the edge of the circle. Mana flickered faintly around her hands—a subtle aura. She didn't move toward us, yet she watched everything: the circle, the creatures forming, our crew's every motion. My curiosity flickered like a candle in wind.
Selia tilted her head. "Ohhh… looks like we have company. Skeleton, you're not the only one with mysterious skills. Should I give her a nickname? How about… 'Mystery Girl Who Probably Kills People'? Works, right?"
Bran snorted. "I'd pay to see Skeleton interact with a 'probably lethal' stranger without accidentally stabbing himself."
Vaelric rolled his eyes. "You all are insufferable."
Korran remained composed. "Observe first. Anyone can be an asset—or a threat."
Suddenly, the black magician at the center of the circle noticed our presence. With a hiss, he gestured sharply, and the runes flared brighter. Two creatures, jagged, smoky, and vaguely humanoid, coalesced from the shadows.
Bran cracked his knuckles. "Ah, finally! Skeleton reflexes vs. monster reflexes. Let's see if your chaos can survive efficiency."
Step, pivot, slash—my sword danced through the air, precise. Not perfect, not graceful, but effective. One creature staggered back. Selia leapt from a branch, daggers whirring. Lysara's silent strikes were clean and sharp. Korran's calm voice guided each movement. Vaelric muttered suggestions while trying not to be impressed.
And then—classic me—I tripped over a root. But somehow, it caused a monster to stumble into the other one. Domino effect. Effective. Funny. Painful.
Selia hooted. "I'm crying! You're a walking disaster AND effective! Skeleton, I salute you!"
Bran doubled over. "Tier‑2 Disciplined… meets Tier‑2 Hilarity. Gold medal material."
Vaelric muttered, begrudging respect creeping into his tone. "Annoyingly… effective."
Korran's calm voice cut through. "Fundamentals intact. Improvised disruption… beneficial. Optional humor can increase morale."
Through the chaos, the hooded girl—Aris—finally acted. A faint shimmer of mana created a protective barrier around a falling tree branch. Quick, silent, subtle—but unmistakable. Tier‑2 mana, defensive style, precise.
I tilted my head beneath the mask, analyzing. No words. Just presence. Observation. Respect. Or maybe curiosity about the clumsy skeleton.
The creatures staggered under our combined assault. Bran tackled one fully into the ground; I sliced cleanly across another. Selia's daggers found soft spots, Lysara hit critical points, Korran orchestrated without moving much, and Vaelric reluctantly adjusted his position to cover openings.
And Aris? She didn't speak. She didn't reveal herself. Yet her subtle interventions made a difference.
The battle ended. Creatures dissipated into shadows, the black magician fleeing, cursing, and disappearing into the forest. Silence settled over the clearing. The mana circle dimmed. The forest exhaled.
Selia landed lightly beside me, tossing a piece of jerky. "Survived. Effective. Surprisingly graceful. For one who trips a lot, you're… improving."
I smirked beneath the mask. Tier‑2 mid. Disciplined. Still clumsy. Still learning. Still alive.
Bran laughed, nearly tipping the fire. "Alive, competent-ish, and entertaining. Good enough for me!"
Korran placed a hand on my shoulder. "Sword fundamentals intact. Improvised techniques effective. Tier‑2 mid within reach if rhythm continues to improve."
Vaelric muttered, "I hate admitting it… but yes. Impressive."
Aris disappeared silently into the forest shadows, leaving only a faint trail of residual mana. Mystery preserved, tension maintained. Curiosity piqued. For now, she was an observer, but one I was determined to study.
The crew settled around a small fire. Bread, stew, roasted meat—simple, but after surviving the summoning site, it felt like a royal feast. Laughter mixed with groans, teasing, and a few minor mishaps—Selia flicking a stray pea at me, Bran overreacting to a "dangerous-looking" twig, and Vaelric grumbling about "undisciplined chaos."
Somewhere beyond the dark hills, the academy waited: Tier‑5 legends, badass teachers, challenges that dwarfed even our forest encounters. For now, though, I allowed myself a moment of calm.
I glanced at my crew—misfits, mercenaries, friends. Maybe, just maybe, family. Tier‑2 mid wasn't the peak. It was the start. With these people at my side, clumsy, chaotic, absurd as I might be, I felt unstoppable.
And in the shadows, I knew Aris would watch again—curious, silent, and dangerous.