The walk back to Kunora was filled with countless tests as Duncan tried to discover the ins and outs of his new Abilities. He’d already found some of the hidden intricacies of both [Quintessential Armory] and [Sword Kin].

  The first thing he discovered was that he couldn’t summon his swords from [Quintessential Armory] in any position he wanted. Any sword he summoned away from his hand would appear with its blade pointing directly down.

  The second thing he discovered about [Quintessential Armory] was that he couldn’t summon a sword directly inside or next to an opponent. At one point, he’d wandered close enough to Cinder for his new elven nephew to be within the three-meter radius of [Quintessential Armory]’s summoning effect. Naturally, Duncan tried to summon one of his crafted swords directly next to Cinder, with the blade already in contact with his skin. To Duncan’s annoyance, the sword not only didn’t appear where he wanted, it refused to leave his extradimensional space at all until he directed it to appear further away from Cinder. In the end, it seemed that whenever he summoned a sword anywhere other than his hand, no part of that sword could be within one meter of someone else.

  When he inquired about this peculiar limitation, and after Cinder had stopped pretending he was annoyed about being Duncan’s test subject, Neta provided an explanation.

  “Countless people have made it their mission in life to study the ins and outs of the Realms. They’ve discovered that the Realms try to keep Abilities somewhat fair. There should always be a way to counter an Ability. What could anyone do if you were able to summon swords directly on top of them with no warning? The Realms likely determined that one meter provides enough warning for people to react.

  After he was finished messing around with his new extradimensional space, Duncan moved on to his [Sword Kin], which turned out to be much more challenging to understand than [Quintessential Armory].

  At first, he used the same short sword he’d used to test out the Ability after he’d unlocked it. Just like the first time he’d activated [Sword Kin], he felt his speed and quickness increase, and it lasted for just under a minute. For his second test, he removed the other short sword he’d brought with him for his Subject Trial. This one, unlike the first, was not bonded to him with his Primordial Ability, [Sword Bond].

  Other than not being bonded to him, the second short sword was practically identical to the first, as he’d crafted them to be interchangeable with each other for certain dual-wielding sword forms that relied on symmetry.

  Duncan instantly felt multiple differences after he activated the Ability with his second short sword. First, the increase in his speed and quickness was almost half that of what he’d gotten when using his bonded sword. Second, he felt weak. Not sick or tired. Weak. He instinctively knew that if he were to try to pick up some of the heavier rocks he used during his morning exercises, he wouldn’t be able to lift them.

  After letting the second activation run its course, which only lasted 45 seconds this time, Duncan had a general grasp on his newest Ability. If used with an unbonded sword, [Sword Kin] took some of the advantages and disadvantages of using the chosen sword and applied them to his body for 45 seconds. If he used a bonded sword, it would only use the advantages, it would amplify those advantages, and it would extend the duration of the change by nearly 15 seconds.

  Also, any changes made to the body were applied without actually changing the look or dimensions of his body. This could change with different swords, but it had yet to occur.

  It took Duncan almost the entire trip back to the city gates to feel like he’d begun to grasp the basics of his Abilities. After he’d finished his tests, Duncan explained his discoveries to his masters, both of whom nodded like everything made sense.

  “So, just to list everything,” Cinder started, “First, with [Quintessential Armory], you can summon any sword you personally crafted out of your storage space. You can do this once every three seconds in a three-meter radius around you, and it will not work if you try to summon the sword anywhere within a meter of someone who isn’t you.”

  At Duncan’s nod, Cinder continued. “Second, you can bond with up to four swords with [Sword Bond]. You can feel the presence of any bonded sword that is not in a storage space, and when using a bonded sword, your QUINTESSENTIAL SWORD Abilities are enhanced.”

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  “The exact words are ‘additional and/or increased effects,’” Duncan reminded Cinder.

  “Right. So, not necessarily just enhanced, there could be different effects altogether when using a bonded sword.” Cinder nodded to himself as he thought for a while before returning to his list.

  “And third, you have [Sword Kin].” After another brief pause to think, he switched from nodding his head to shaking it. “There’s too much potential variance in the results to be certain with such a small sample size. For now, you know it’s best used with a bonded sword you have tested the effects with, so you’re not overwhelmed by the changes. You’ll have to do a lot of testing with that one. Every new sword you make, find, buy, and bond can potentially change the outcome.”

  Duncan nodded his understanding. He had started to realize just how much [Sword Kin] would change his fighting style. It was definitely a boon, and he could see himself using it in any fight he found himself in, but even a boon used without understanding could turn into a liability.

  “One question,” Duncan said, as he summoned his giant greatsword from [Quintessential Armory] and activated [Sword Kin]. The expected feeling of overwhelming strength didn’t come. Instead, he felt himself lighten, almost like gravity decided to stop trying so hard to keep him on the ground. Apparently, a sword’s enchantments could affect [Sword Kin]. This had to be the influence of his greatsword’s weight reduction enchantment. “Why doesn’t my Subject Interface give more detail about some of these nuances with my Abilities?”

  “The Realms don’t often give exact numbers or details in Ability descriptions for anything but cooldowns,” Neta said, watching Duncan jump around to test the extent of his reduced weight. “A lot of scholars think it’s to encourage experimentation and mastery. I personally think the Realms don’t always know exactly how every Ability works. There are so many different Subjects, and no two Subjects are truly the same because no two people have the same exact intent. Then you start introducing different Ability Slips and various Ability upgrades through the tiers, and who knows what an Ability might end up doing.”

  Duncan nodded his head. He supposed he’d want to test the exact working of his Abilities for himself, regardless of what the descriptions said. No description could explain every way an Ability could be used, so he’d make sure not to rely only on what the Realms told him about his Abilities.

  “Personally,” Neta spoke up with an interested tone, “I’m excited to see how [Sword Bond] interacts with the rest of your Combat Abilities once you’ve unlocked them. Primordial Abilities are meant to have a huge impact on how you fight, but [Sword Bond] has the potential to be much more influential than most Primordial Abilities. You’ll have a lot of training ahead of you to master every Ability.” Duncan only felt excitement at Neta’s words. He was having fun getting used to his new magic and was excited for more.

  Plus, he still had his SWORDSMITH Subject to learn about. He was beginning to realize just how vital his SWORDSMITH Subject would be for his future growth. The radial summoning effect of [Quintessential Armory] only worked with swords he crafted himself. If any of his future Combat Abilities synergized well with [Quintessential Armory], he’d likely want to use his own crafted swords almost exclusively. He had no problem with this. He was a sword fanatic. Any excuse to further hone his swordsmithing was a win in his book. More swords was never a bad thing.

  Unfortunately, in his fascination and excitement to test his new magic, he’d forgotten that the Abilities he’d been testing relied on his internal mana. The consequence of his forgetfulness was a slightly less-than-graceful fall as [Sword Kin] ran out of mana to use, followed by an extreme bout of dizziness and mental fatigue, resulting in a very much less-than-graceful face plant onto the road just outside the city gates. With his face firmly planted on the ground, Duncan heard Neta, Cinder, and all the guards and travelers around the gate cackling with laughter.

  Spitting out some of the dust he’d eaten during his fall, Duncan sat up and, in a defeated voice, asked, “I guess it’s a little late to ask how mana depletion and regeneration work, right?”

  Both of his masters just kept laughing.

  ***

  Duncan had already regenerated his entire mana pool by the time they passed through the front gate of the O’Leon estate. Phevona and her master, Boetin, were already there when the trio arrived. The look of victory that covered Duncan’s friend from head to toe told him everything he needed to know about how her own Subject Trial had gone.

  As the two groups approached each other in the courtyard outside the main house, Duncan noticed Boetin was giving him a strange look. “Duncan… O’Leon? What did I miss?”

  “See, Duncan,” Cinder said. “Identification Abilities.” Phevona’s expression turned from one of victory to confusion, so her father continued. “Duncan has officially been adopted into the O’Leon house.”

  Phevona’s expression changed again at his words, first into shock, then joy. “What? Why didn’t I know about this?” She ran forward to give Duncan a hug that was noticeably stronger than the one she’d given him that morning before they parted ways outside Kunora. “I always wanted a brother,” Phevona exclaimed.

  Duncan’s already beaming smile almost grew out of control. “Who said anything about being your brother? Personally, I always wanted a great-niece, and now my wish has come true.” Phevona, who had been animatedly slapping Duncan on the back during their embrace, froze. Seconds passed, and only Neta’s not-so-restrained laughter could be heard in the courtyard.

  In a movement faster than any tier zero could have possibly made, Phevona separated from Duncan. “What?!” The shriek was loud enough to bring Pheobe out of the main house and into the courtyard with a burst of her tier nine speed.

  “What’s wrong?” Pheobe asked, looking over everyone in the courtyard. She relaxed after seeing everyone was okay and feeling the tier one power coming off Duncan and Phevona. “It looks like you both succeeded. Phevona, what’s with that look?”

  “Ask your new uncle-in-law,” Phevona responded, pointing at Duncan.

  “Oh! You accepted.” Pheobe happily walked over to Duncan and gave him a hug of her own. “Welcome to the family, uncle!” She said the last word with a knowing tone.

  “Am I the only one who didn’t know about this?” Phevona yelled.

  “Of course, dear,” Pheobe said.

  “Yup,” Cinder happily responded.

  “Boetin didn’t know,” Neta added.

  “Didn’t you know our family is fond of pranks?” Duncan asked with a straight face.

  Phevona’s fist passed through the space Duncan’s head had occupied a moment earlier. She looked around to see him standing three meters away, holding his bonded short sword and a grin once again splitting his face in two. Phevona could feel the mana of an active skill coming off Duncan thanks to her newly unlocked mana channels.

  “You are so lucky I haven’t gotten my first Ability Slip yet,” Phevona said through gritted teeth. Later, she’d be excited to learn about Duncan’s new Abilities. For now, though, she was just aggravated she’d given her old wand to her master and that none of her new Abilities were useful until she had some actual combat Abilities.

  “Speaking of your first Slip,” Pheobe said, holding an Ability Slip in her hand and waving it at her daughter. “Let’s see what you get?”

  “Yes! Please be something I can use to strangle my new great-uncle.”

  Duncan started running.

  ***

  The mood in the main house that night was one of celebration. After Phevona used her first Slip and chased Duncan around the estate in an attempt to test her newest Ability, everyone assembled in the kitchen and dining room. It took another hour for Sonny and DJ to arrive, along with Sonny’s master, Zebona, and his mother, Jen.

  All three of the young delvers had successfully completed their Subject Trials. As soon as they had a chance, they began discussing their new Abilities, but their masters and parents brought an immediate stop to it. There would be plenty of time to plan and train. Tonight was a night of celebration.

  So, that’s what they did. Cinder made a feast unlike anything Duncan had seen. Monster meat, three different kinds of bread, mana-infused vegetables, and more covered the bar in the kitchen for everyone to enjoy. More than one glass was filled with various spirits, most of which were deadly to anyone under tier eight.

  Laughter and stories filled the house as the group celebrated long after Dintarnum’s sister moons rose in the night sky. Duncan, Phevona, and Sonny told the stories of their first delves. Everyone drank in every detail along with their beverages, and some of the more experienced delvers even told the stories of their own Subject Trials.

  It was a night Duncan would have loved to share with his family back on Earth. However, he was happy to now have a family on Dintarnum who could share it with him in their stead.

  Long after midnight, all those not named O’Leon left the estate. Sonny was forced to carry his drunken mother while DJ had Zebona draped over his back. Sonny waved back at Duncan and Phevona, promising to come by the next day to start making plans.

  Then, it was only the family. Each of them had their own spot in the living room. Neta sat in a plush chair at the head of two equally comfortable couches. Duncan and Phevona sat in one while Pheobe and Cinder took the other. Countless nights over the last two years had been spent in this exact configuration.

  “I think it’s about time I tell you more about my family,” Duncan said nervously. “I know I’ve mentioned my parents and siblings back on Earth, but there are some things I haven’t told you all.”

  Despite knowing what he’d see, Duncan looked around at everyone present. There was only acceptance and the slightest bit of concern. Not concern for any of themselves, concern for Duncan. Concern for what he’d been through and maybe what he was still going through.

  He took a deep breath, letting go of the last of his apprehension, then began his story. “I’ve been told it all started when my birth mother, Rhona Tell, met a noble boy named Roger Mayfield at the Academy on Earth.”