It didn’t take long for Levi to quell the fires with the help of the other adventurers and soldiers. It appeared there were some good people in the forces, at least. During it, he made another discovery about his Incite ability.

  Instead of having to manually connect to the fire element, all he had to do was ‘speak’ to it. And it listened. The things he could Incite were no longer limited to people, but mana as well. What else could he accomplish with his magic? Those were the thoughts spinning in his mind as he finished taking out one of the last fires.

  “All finished up?” Gregory asked, approaching in a suave manner with his hands in his pockets.

  “Yeah,” Levi said, wiping the sweat and ash from his face. “Thanks for the help, by the way,” he said sarcastically.

  “Oh, no problem.” Gregory smiled. “We were going to have some ale. Care to join us? We’ll be talking about your future, after all.”

  “My future?” he replied, chasing after the captain as he started walking away.

  “There’s 4 months to reach the Academy. That gives you 4 months or so to spend it as you like. You said you wanted to go on your own way, to become stronger. And I agree with that.”

  “You do?”

  Gregory looked around then leaned in closer to Levi, and lowered his voice, “You’re not exactly a child, Levi. Feel better about sending out because of that.” he straightened his back, and continued. “Originally you were going to hunt here for a while, get on a train, then head to the Imperial City, right?”

  Levi nodded.

  “You’re not going to do that.”

  Levi avoided a large piece of rubble. “I’m not?”

  “No, you’re not. By the gods, you’ve reached the 3rd Tier at what, 12, 13 years old? Don’t know how you did it, but you did. So, as a challenge, I want you to not rely on the train for transport.”

  “Wait,” Levi said, catching up to him and meeting his gaze. “You want me to travel through the wilderness?”

  “Scared?”

  “Yes,” he replied as a matter of fact. “The monsters are fine. It’s the Krag I’m worried about. What if I can’t find a safe place to hide?”

  “Well it wouldn’t be considered a challenge if it was easy now, would it?”

  Levi paused for a moment, then said, “I feel like you’re trying to get rid of me.”

  Gregory laughed. “Now why would I do that? You’re my ticket for the future, lad. A baby 3rd Tier… You’d be lucky to find any on this planet.”

  “Aleric said there’s others like me,” Levi said. “That I’m not special.”

  Gregory frowned, then said. “Well, if he said that, then that’s probably the truth. I only know what I can see. And the noble families of the Imperial City are very protective over their children. Well, does that break your heart knowing you ain’t a little special boy.”

  Levi grinned. “Screw you. And no, it doesn’t affect me.”

  The captain laughed and slung his arm over Levi’s shoulder. “Look, what do you see around you?”

  “Death. Destruction.”

  “Right,” he said. “You’ll be seeing a lot more of it. This ain’t a world for strolling in the park, lad.”

  “I’m beginning to realise that.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Come on, we’re almost at the inn. I’ll even buy you a drink.”

  “It’s been a while since I’ve had one.”

  Gregory grinned.

  ***

  Levi, Gregory, Elias, Kara, and Paul sat at the table. An assortment of sausages and pickled vegetables were sprawled over the table on plates. Sitting amongst them were various cups of ale—most empty.

  Levi had a full stomach of both. He took another, last sip of his drink, before placing the cup made of bone down with a thud. He wiped his mouth and let out a belch.

  “Have you ever seen a little lad drink like that?” Gregory laughed, slapping his thigh. The people around, most of which were still covered in ash and blood, tutted at the scene.

  Because of his new body and powers, the ale had little effect. Worse, is that Levi discovered something new about his body. His insides were so hot because of the latent fire mana in his container, that it evaporated most of the liquid inside. He had to actively think about reducing the destructive element hidden inside so that the food and liquid wouldn’t just spontaneously combust.

  He didn’t know the physics behind it, but it was a startling discovery. He was literally burning from the inside, and he didn’t even realise it.

  Finally, the drink was starting to take effect. That familiar swirl in his head, the slur in his speech. It was just like being back on Earth, drowning in his misery. But he was a new person now. He had torn off his shackles and was now reborn.

  Levi grunted and cycled the fire mana in his container. All the drowsiness in his head evaporated. He shook his head, and took another cup. At least the taste was bearable. It had an apple undertone. It didn’t taste like ale, or beer, more like cider. A beer cider?

  “Tomorrow,” Gregory said suddenly. “We’re leaving for the Imperial City.”

  Kara sighed. “Finally.”

  “Oh,” Paul said in excitement. “Then we should make it back in time for the bakery festival.”

  “Bakery festival?” Levi asked.

  Elias downed the rest of his drink, and explained, “Every year the Imperial City hosts a competition to see who can bake the best, tastiest goods. The winner receives government subsidies.”

  “And it’s an easy mark to know where to go for lunch,” Paul added.

  “Aye, you’re always thinking about that stomach of yours,” Gregory said, chuckling.

  “Keeps me strong,” he replied. “Levi, you’ll love it. There’s a meat pie that a rather grumpy old git makes. It’s the best pie you’ll ever taste. He’s won it three years running. Will make your tastebuds dance, I’m telling you.”

  “The lad will have to wait for next year, I’m afraid,” said Gregory.

  “What do you mean, Captain?” Kara frowned. “Is Levi not coming with us?”

  “Afraid not,” he said. “I’ve tasked him with travelling on foot.”

  “On foot?!” Kara stood up, chair sliding back across the wooden floor. People looked over. She lowered her voice in anger. “I know he’s in the 3rd Tier now, but that’s insanity. He’s a Krag-Born.”

  “Bram’s been teaching him.”

  “And? Bram, is Levi ready for a 4 month hike to the Imperial City with nothing but a bag on his back, against the most vicious enemies imaginable?”

  Bram shifted in his chair, looking at Gregory then back to Kara.

  Levi thought it was time to speak for himself. “If the captain trusts in my ability to make it, then I’m confident in his decision in me.”

  Kara sat down, sighing. “You really are wise beyond your years, Levi. Stupid, too. Or is it child-like bravery. It’s hard to tell. But your power is undeniable.”

  Levi met Gregory’s gaze, who then smiled wider. Levi shook his head.

  “So…” Paul said, scratching his head. “We’re really sending a child out to hike the desolate lands?”

  “Yup,” Gregory said, drinking from his cup.

  “This world is messed up,” he added helplessly.

  Gregory laughed and stood up, cup extended. “I can toast to that! Everyone, cheers!”

  Everyone flashed a wry smile, stood up, and clashed their cups together.

  “Now,” Gregory said. “Lets get absolutely shit faced to send off our little warrior.”

  And, so, that’s what they did. Everyone but Levi. At some point, he extracted himself from the hustle and bustle of the inn floor and made his way into the bedroom. For it was time for something he was rather looking forward to—a reminder that he truly was in a strange, alien-like world.

  You have been called to the Round Table.

  Levi smiled, grabbed the bed sheet, and let the words take over his mind. His vision turned blurry, his eyes heavy. When his vision returned, he was at the Round Table.

  Glancing around, he noticed one person was missing: Darian, the leader of one of the parties. So, it appeared that it wasn’t only Levi that failed to respond to the call. Thankfully. If he was the only one, that’d feel awkward. Like turning up to class late and everyone watches as you enter.

  “Traveller, welcome,” the Lord of the Round Table said, his voice ethereal and commanding.

  Levi refused to bow his head. “Thank you.”

  “Now, let’s begin.”