Stormy Aether
"You have done well on the war mech project," my father said.
He had made a rare visit to the College to check on our massive investment in technology. While the dwarves were naturally untrustworthy, their technological ability was second to none.
"We are carefully tracking its skills. Only time will show if it was a wise investment." I wasn't sure about the entire project. The depths were unpredictable. But there was a massive gap between the Elves and the supreme legends of the humans.
The living war mech was one of many avenues that our people were pursuing, my family in particular.
"There are always risks, but we control the core production process. Once it proves itself in a warmech, we can look towards other objects and construct our own war mechs."
While the Withers Corporation had kept many key metallurgical and runic details secret, I had been slowly unraveling them one alloy and runic structure at a time. I knew they were trying to do the same for the core. It was an amusing game we were both playing, thinking that we would outresearch the other side. Betrayal was expected, so it wasn't really a betrayal.
"If things go poorly in the dungeon, I will extract the core and escape."
"Good but preserve your own life. You are not as easily replaceable. Already the human forces are merging. The Eldarin Empire is on the verge of being reborn. What of Justin?"
"He has limited to no contact with his father. My understanding is that they mainly send letters discussing skills, but he is completely uninterested in politics. He plans to follow in his mother's footsteps and become an adventurer."
"His mother crushed the Second Coalition. While it is rarely spoken of, never forget that. She shattered our army and the Dwarven army when we sought to reclaim land that had been lost, killing thousands."
I nodded at this and bowed my head. "She was hired for that job by the nobility in the bordering territories for equipment." That was all I could do to defend my teammate.
"True. But that makes him even more dangerous. If he inherits that mercenary mindset…"
"Do you want an accident to occur?"
"No. Dangle certain skills; that is what adventurers like. What is he interested in?"
"Finding a member of the Dark Cabal. He has casually mentioned that there is a grudge between him and one of its leaders."
"That is known. His mother confronted Legend Xanatos over Undercraft and collapsed the mountain during the battle. Support or just tracking?"
"Both seem likely."
"Then make him aware that the Elves would consider assisting him. Offer nothing specific. Just make him aware that we possess powerful legacies and are open to an exchange."
"And what do we desire?"
"That is the question. We will see what his father does. If his mother were still alive, we could request an action from her. But she was notorious for hating negotiations and being difficult to deal with. For now, keep the dialogue open and the relations friendly."
April Withers
"The elves are scheming, I feel it in my blood," my mother said.
She had come to see the war mech turned on.
I was proud to be its first pilot. My name would go down in history. I have already gotten a new skill, Mech Operator. That the System recognized it as different from driving held immense implications about possible other skills related to living war mechs.
"Of course they are. I get asked carefully worded questions constantly. I know Stormy is reporting everything to her father," I replied, and my mother nodded.
"Good, you have your senses about you. The Elves are a product of betrayal. It is in their nature to scheme and betray. While you can work with them, never trust them," my mother said, and I nodded. Our history was full of Elven betrayal, and I won't forget that. "Tell me about your other team members besides that elf."
"Harren Axefall. A fifth generational legacy of the Axefall family. They are an adventurer family that regularly moves about as a group. Harren is expected to become a legend, focusing on close-range axe skills and skilled in one-on-one Champion combat. He is straightforward but has strong social skills that are immediately obvious."
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"His father and grandfather are both alive. An adventuring patriarchy, quite rare. Having children for legends is not cheap, but they can afford such an expense," my mother said before I continued.
"Sam Whitesmith. He had a legendary grand-uncle, Steadfast Sam, and inherited his legacy of traps and illusions. His skill is very narrow, but within that range he is quite competent. He is often quiet, deferring to others. He also has a crush on Stormy."
"That is not good. In a team of five, she is forming a power bloc."
"That brings in the last member of our team. Justin Burnstock. The only child of the supreme legend Elena Burnstock and former noble Darren Burnstock. He is focusing on a wide range of skills but has been progressing quickly as the top student and is close friends with Harren. He also has a pet, a Winged Serpent skilled in healing and Alchemy.”
"His father is a concern with the large group of legends he has drawn together. While he is purchasing more war material, I can tell he is eyeing the entire continent. One doesn't amass so many legends just to take a country or two. So, two power blocs and you are the fifth."
My grandfather let out a soft grunt. "Gossimer purchased an orange soul fruit for 500 platinum coins. I guess we know where it went. A nation's ransom at that price. But I am guessing the competition for first is fierce?"
I nodded.
Initially, I had held some hope of taking first place, but after seeing the two of them compete over the years, I had lost confidence in surpassing them. Their backgrounds were stronger than mine.
"Yes. But Justin is planning something to take first place. I don't know what. He waited to work on his rune skills until this last semester. That helped him quite a bit, but he has something else planned. I believe he will take first."
"A shame, but understandable. Even on my best day, I would have had no hope against Elena on her worst. Even with your grandfather," my father said, and my grandfather let out a grunt.
"I guess you aren't here just to ask about my progress?"
"No. We have received an invitation from Darren Burnstock. He already has 36 legends at last count and is rapidly taking over the continent with his armies, dwarven war machines, and the greatest fighting force ever assembled."
"Are we considering joining?"
"No. We are adventurers and always will be adventurers. The College has done right by us. Getting caught up in politics and empire building is not what legends should do."
"You know that I have formed a team with Justin and several other people, including an Elf and a Dwarf, piloting the war mech, right?"
"I have watched some of the testing and listened to others. What do you think?"
"A long-term gamble. Just as likely to be lost in the dungeon as it is to be a powerful inheritable weapon. It will be decades before it proves its worth. Even if it struggles in the dungeon, adjustments will be made, and if it can truly gain skills, then it will adapt. But in the end, it would just be one more soul on the path to greatness," I replied, and my father nodded.
"Good, you haven't lost your common sense studying here. Power comes from skills and oneself, not fancy contraptions or pets."
"Justin has taken a pet, which is part of the latest trend."
"Foolishness. You aren't planning to do so?"
"No. But I can see the synergy possible with his if someone will invest a lot of money and resources."
"Then let them waste such resources on something that might die. A weapon in hand is a thousand times better than any pet. We found some metal in the dungeon to make you a proper axe. Tier 4."
"Thank you!" I said happily.
"You worked hard, and you are the future of this family. Your siblings were disappointments. One day we hope that the Axefall name will resonate throughout the world as a supreme legend. It is a long road, but you have done well."
"Are you going back in the dungeon?"
"For another ten years after your graduation, then we will meet at the College again. And if this place is no longer around, then at the family retreat. Your grandfather and I haven't given up hope of going the distance just yet."
In ten years, I would be expected to have some children to carry on with the family name, and my progress would be assessed. The idea behind our family was to build up an accumulation of power and natural treasures to push future generations ahead. I was still young, but I had over 30 siblings. Several had died; more didn't have the resolve to be adventurers. But I had endured so my father and grandfather had arranged a soul fruit and for me to come to the College of Advancement.
But even with everything my family had invested in me, it was nothing compared to the legacy of an Elven family or a supreme legend.