Loramus. Current age, 2020 years old.
A young Blood Elf in Eleven years, who Zevrad assumes got scouted and Invited by one of the court members of Prince Kael'thas.
Along with the rest of the Invites, Loramus was seen as Area 1's top contenders.
He displayed the habit of 'think first, act later' in how he performed at the trial, and his thoughts or decision-making would most likely be never swayed by emotions based on his [Character Window]. With his personality, he held no interest in other people's business which would probably be one of the causes of his current predicament. He enjoyed a certain amount of advantage for being an Invited guest, but once he lost his right arm, his situation drastically changed for the worse.
Loramus was too late to realize his weakness in the context of the environments of the Basic Realm, where cooperating with others was a must. Even Zevrad. So, after he received the injury, he focused solely on fixing his broken right arm for one month straight. Unfortunately, he had no choice but to revise his strategy and focus on strengthening his fitness level instead after learning his total sum of 317 silver coins. An amount that wouldn't cover the cost to heal his wounds.
As an Invited, Loramus already had acquired a fairly good understanding of what was going on in the Basic Realm before coming here. That was why, before his Awakening, he decided to focus on raising his physical stats. He knew that, as long as he could become a [Vengeance] Demon Hunter, then his problem would be solved.
Loramus did not let go of that sliver of hope, even when stuck in a hopeless situation. However, that got brutally cut off when his spec that he could choose from was only a [Havoc] and not [Vengeance]. He left the Chamber of Awakening as if being chased away, and as expected, there was literally nothing he could do in his current state. He had spent every silver coin he had by then. He even had to sell the contents of the bag he got as the starting bonus cheaply, too.
Even if Loramus wanted to earn some coins, no one wanted a cripple on their team. Staying in a proper sleeping quarter became a luxury he could only dream of. He couldn't even afford to eat one meal a day, and his health continued to deteriorate as a result. Starved of the necessary nutrients, his body got weaker and weaker with every passing day. And with his weakened body, he couldn't even attempt those [Basic] missions that did give out a small number of coins as a reward.
The determination Loramus held ran out a long time by then and even enduring through nothing but sheer malice also eventually reached its limit. If it weren't for the Kor'vas and, on occasion, Allari, Loramus would've died of starvation already. However, he knew that they were also struggling desperately as well. So, he could not depend on them forever.
Sensing Loramus's discomfort, Kor'vas spoke up carefully.
She said, 'How about we speak to 'Shan'do'? Since he's honest and hard-working, he wouldn't abandon us callously.'
It'd be a lie if Loramus wasn't tempted by that suggestion. In the end, though, he shook his head and said no. If he owed him a favor, the story might have been different. Sure, he saved his life by returning to his aid in the trials, but in return, it was a mutual benefit where they all survived. After that, their relationship came to an end.
At least, Loramus thought so that way.
Loramus didn't mind if others called him out on his petty pride. Actually, he was too ashamed to go and speak to him by then. Still, refusing to heed the suggestion of Kor'vas played heavily in his mind.
Not wanting to inconvenience them any further, Loramus discreetly changed his hiding place without telling them. However, that night, he ended up going through a terrifying and breathless ordeal.
"Hey, I heard that you're a cripple now."
He opened his eyes in the middle of the night and automatically reacted when he found three men sneaking about. Two of them rapidly approached him on his sides, while the other stood in front of him, as soon as their presence was discovered. Surrounded, the man standing in the front of Loramus walked closer to mock him while the others sneered to intimidate him.
"Hah! How the mighty have fallen."
"Indeed, look at how haggard he's become."
"I'm sure no one will miss him now that he's become useless trash."
Trash? The moment Loramus heard those words, all strength automatically seeped out of his body. Naturally, his fighting spirit weakened as well. By the time he realized his mistake, he felt a surge of pain as a sudden upper-cut landed on his stomach. He found himself slightly stumbling were it not for the wall that kept him from fully collapsing. When he regained his bearings, he found the two men, one on each of his sides, making their move to harm him.
In his defense, Loramus fought like a madman.
With a jolt of adrenaline, Loramus shook hard as if someone poured a bucket of freezing water on his head in the middle of a harsh winter. With all his might. Like the words of a hunter toying with its prey, the man who landed the punch encouraged his lackeys to mess him up. Several punches and kicks were dodged at first, but a few managed to connect, as they landed on his face and several parts of his body. Yet, he did not give up. The thought that the moment he yielded here, everything would really come to an end for him.
No, a simple ending would be alright, Loramus feared dying a dog's death without fighting back. And so, he did relent as he roared with everything he had. He punched, kicked, even bit, his opponents whenever the opportunity arose as he used his entire being to resist. Body, mind, and spirit.
Despite the odds of three to one, even then, Loramus did not let up his crazed resistance. Eventually, the men grew weary and worried that someone would come to witness their crime. And so, they abandoned him but not without a thick spit to his face.
"Bah, this ain't worth it. Let's go before someone arrives."
Loramus fixed himself and unsteadily made his way back to the fifth-floor lounge. He then fell to the floor and got into a huddle. A single drop of the warm, salty liquid he'd been holding back finally leaked out of his eye. Despite the mutilation of his eyes during the Dark Path, the tears he'd been shedding inwardly, began streaming out. Eventually, he burst out into uncontrollable sobs.
'I did it. Now, it'd be better if I just died.'
He was scared of falling asleep again because of the incident but forced his eyes shut regardless. He thought that if he died here, like this, then he might not have any regrets. He didn't care what happened anymore.
And so, Loramus fell into a fitful slumber. But, then...
"Loramus?"
...just as he was at Death's door in the lowest depths of Despair…
"Loramus."
...he took a look behind him.
And, he clearly saw him.
"Are you alright?"
He saw a certain man offering his hand to him.
***
While Zevrad was nursing Loramus back to health, Kor'vas, Allari, Belath, and his lackeys arrived at his quarters. At first, they entered his room hesitantly and couldn't keep their mouths shut while processing the grand and luxurious interior designs and furnishings. As it was a rarity to even experience such a sight. They recovered quickly from their astonishment after spotting Loramus whimpering on the bed. Deep frowns were etched on their faces as they approached him with worry, pity, and guilt.
"He wasn't this bad two days ago."
"Really?"
"Yes. How did he get like this?"
Kor'vas looked anxious whereas Zevrad lightly held his chin, contemplating.
'What could be his problem?'
With just a glance, Zevrad could clearly tell that Loramus was very sick. He even brought him to his quarters, thick perspiration continued to form on his forehead, and his breathing became rougher and rougher. He thought that the current situation was marginally better, compared to when he failed to respond to him gently shaking him around.
However, since Zevrad lacked the proper medical knowledge, he could only remain in the dark. He still recognized the fact that she needed help. His [Character Window] showed that he was depressed but even still, it didn't explain why his condition was like this.
Zevrad told the group that he'd be back soon and left his room. When facing a situation he didn't know how to solve, there was only one person he could rely on.
Ariana Felheart.
After hearing his explanation, they promptly returned to his quarters.
"This is… quite troublesome."
After checking out Loramus's condition, Ariana summarized her short assessment.
"It's that bad?"
"Never mind his right arm, it looks like he's been starving herself for the past month or so. On top of his malnourished body and nerves being weakened to this state, he even got beaten up recently as well, so yes. It's bad."
"He got beaten up?"
"Yes. I'm not sure who did this, but whoever they are, they really did a number on him."
Ariana shook her head after giving her assessment as she knew that cases like this were uncommon from the previous batches of the Basic Realm. Even in Azeroth, it was common practice for the strong to prey on the weak.
Hearing the real cause of Loramus's accelerated deterioration, Kor'vas covered her mouth in shock.
"You did the right thing by bringing him here. Without the effects of this room, he might have passed over to Belore's embrace by now."
"How do we go about healing him?"
"Honestly, if he spends the next couple of days in this room while eating and resting well, he'll fully recover."
"Does that mean his right arm will be healed, as well?"
Ariana suddenly went very quiet and gazed at Loramus as she studied his crippled right arm for a while before speaking up.
"Several stab wounds on the arm… hmmm... caused by a short but sharp dagger, it seems. The assailant even twisted the blade around in two of the wounds too."
"How long has it been?"
"Over one and a half to two months, now. Will it be possible to heal?"
"Why ask something you know the answer to already? Normally, higher-tiered potions would have sufficed if the wound was treated right away, but it's too late now. You know that a wound gets progressively harder to heal the longer it is left untreated. Besides, they're expensive and only a healer can tend to his wounds now. But most of them are outside. At Outland."
Ariana breathed out a soft sigh.
Meanwhile, Zevrad couldn't hide his admiration and shock at how Ariana was able to figure out what happened nearly two months ago with just one look. A certain sense of anxiety was blooming in the corner of his heart at the same time, as he understood that fixing the right arm would be very difficult.
'If only there was someone that could heal him.'
Ariana stood up straight and shook her head before shifting her gaze over to Zevrad.
"This arm is as good as dead. If this goes on for another month, it'll require a simple [Healing] spell, something on the higher-tiered level such as [Revival] from a Light-user. Which is rare and has a huge backlash on the healer. So much so that there were many who would be reluctant to perform. Instead of leaving it as is, I recommend amputation."
"Excuse me?"
"There's no helping it. We aren't in Outland. You won't find any healers within the Basic Realm. We Demon Hunters and demons aren't equipped to heal others, after all. You also explained that he couldn't leave the Basic Realm, so that's out of the option."
Zevrad was hoping, but just as expected, this injury couldn't be healed in the Basic Realm. Ariana didn't beat around the bush and conveyed the truth, the devastating truth. That wasn't the end of the bad news, though. There was still around a month left until the deadline, and Loramus's right arm could get even worse during this time.
"There has to be another way?"
In a world of magic and possibility, Zevrad wasn't expecting to hear impossible as the prognosis, and he could only chew on his blameless lower lip in frustration. It was then...
"There is one other way."
...a calm voice seemed to help him recover his senses.
"As I said, only a healer can heal his injury, but it just so happens that the Archives may have an alternative method."
"..."
"I told you, remember? We can apply two schools of magic into our specs."
Zevrad nodded his head.
"But didn't you say you wouldn't recommend going down that path? Since it's very difficult to dig just one well?"
"That was before I knew you had a gift in mastering [Demonic Application] and attained the [Vengeance] spec."
"How is that different?"
"Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be possible, but your abilities might just make the exception."
"Ariana?"
She only spared a confident glance as her words did not stop, "A being who walks on a path that no one dares to tread can be bestowed a unique class. When one achieves this change, they're given a special privilege."
"A special privilege?"
"Yes. That is the power to hold an [Authority]. It's like becoming one with the Divine."
***
The next day.
Zevrad's status within the Basic Realm is higher than most with a novice rank. Every demon hunter had a rank to show their status and authority amongst each other. With different categories such as servants, staff, and demon hunters. He belonged to the demon hunters category and the following ranks are as follows:
------
- Initiate
- Trainee
- Novice
- Veteran
- Great Elder
- Commander
- Slayer
- Lord of the Illidari
------
After the Awakening, Zevrad now had the right to enter their Archives containing knowledge of different skills, relics, and history of the demons. He had little to no time to invest his efforts to visit the place mainly because Ariana had been his main source of the required knowledge he needed to know.
Now, it was different.
For the sake of Loramus, Zevrad had come to visit the Archives in hopes of acquiring the knowledge to heal his deteriorating health.
The Archives was an important area for the demon hunters, therefore, it was staffed by librarians and researchers guarding their valuable knowledge. One of these staff members belonged to a race known as The Broken.
Rumors say that they're an ancient race from a destroyed civilization by the demons. Mutated beyond mending by their destructive magic. Many of their kind have joined the demon hunters to achieve their own personal vendetta.
This Golden-Robed Elder was one of them.
"Great Elder."
Zevrad held a polite and respectful tone with his greeting as he knew the Elder's worth.
From Zevrad's observation, even without the use of [Spectral Sight], he felt a mysterious aura emitting from him. Not the kind that informed him of their classification, but the defensive type that permeated around him between his blood and skin. As it was constantly moving through his veins and could attack him at any time.
Zevrad predicted that it could be projected through the air to set ablaze almost anything into powder. Such destructive might using demonic magic from his bound servants belonged to a warlock.
Zevrad took a bow and said, "Elder, I want to go into the second floor of the library."
"Ah, I've heard of you. Utilizing demonic magic and achieving a novice rank in a matter of a few weeks. Although unprecedented, it is not unheard of. Unfortunately, your new rank can only grant you access to the first floor as the second floor is separated for higher-ranking staff members. Such as Mother Malevolence."
When Zevrad heard this, he paused, but then thought that it made sense. His progress was faster than average and that the information found on the second floor is meant for those with the rank who have familiarized themselves with demonic magic for many years.
"I see. Elder, please go on."
Zevrad knew that before having absolute power, he didn't have the might to bend the rules… not yet anyways.
The Golden-Robed Elder said with an expressionless face, "those with the novice rank and below can only enter the first floor of the archives. The first floor is designed to contain the necessary knowledge befitting your rank to strengthen your foundations. Here you can find the basic knowledge of demonic history, practices, skills, and theories. Novice ranks can choose two scrolls or books to borrow for either two days. Note that the Archives will be closing at the start of the week before the Basic Realm ends. So I advise you to choose carefully.
Zevrad took a deep breath and replied, "I understand."
The Golden-Robed Elder nodded and continued "Mm! You can go in now, but the time limit is an hour and a half."
Under the Elder's guidance, Zevrad slowly stepped into the designated area of the Archives. A place he desired to come to for many moons. It was a place filled with knowledge that his hometown, even his homeworld, labeled as taboo. As the knowledge kept was destructive and corruptive by nature. Deeming too dangerous to practice, anyone who tampered or delved in that school of magic was branded with a name synonymous to evil.
This was not the case in this world, Outland. Once a savage land filled with primal spirits and creatures, brimming with life and light, it has now become a remnant of its former self caused by the demons.
The demonic beings have been said to invade countless worlds to conquer and subjugate to expand their armies. Their motives and goals remain a mystery to Zevrad but what he knows is that they're united under one name, The Burning Legion.
It was during this thought when they arrived at their destination, he could see a few others studying within this floor but all of them were using their time to choose which material to study.
It was natural as time was limited.
Zevrad said his goodbyes to the Golden-Robed Elder, before they departed, and took a deep breath as his senses scanned along the shelves. Although this was the first floor, it contained thousands of scrolls and books. He distinguished that scrolls were older and books were newer based on the age and appearance of it being worn or not.
Different kinds of titles and subjects were observed as Zevrad's eyes flickered.
Zevrad took a book that he found interesting and quickly flipped through the pages to find the section that had its summary.
*Shuah! Shuah!*
Something that was more advantageous compared to scrolls and so, he continued to do this with several books. After only looking through over ten books, his heart had already been moved on several occasions. However, the archives had rules and he could only take two materials with him.
To increase his speed in choosing, Zevrad started to focus his senses.
His speed in flipping the pages increased more than 10 times!
*Shuah! Shuah! Shuah!*
Looking at over twenty books, Zevrad fully memorized the contents of all of them and compared them with one another. It was when he scanned over twenty books that he realized something as he became aware from his trance. Only now did he realize that his comprehension increased by leaps and bounds since he only needed one look to understand the pages.
In his mind, the contents of the book's appeared and not a single word was wrong.
"This… what is this?"
Zevrad pondered on the idea that perhaps this was an inherent trait from the demon he consumed?
He knew that those that consumed the heart of a demon during their initiation ritual would gain traits and abilities based on the demon. Most of them were physical and magical characteristics such as scales, horns, or magical prowess.
[2. Passive Abilities (2)]
-Fast Analysis (High)
-Improved Vision (High)
Zevrad never imagined that comprehension was one of them! He trembled with excitement as someone who was familiar with the importance of the newfound ability. As someone akin to studying after several hours, sometimes days, had been transformed into someone who needed only a quick glance to never forget what he read. If focuses his senses to the max, he could even take a few minutes to understand it.
This level of comprehension would make him a genius back in his homeworld! It was recognized for a genius to have high comprehension in any school of magic but they can only memorize and attain around 70% of the contents. Compared to Zevrad, he was clearly much stronger!
With this new trait, Zevrad's progression rate could be much faster than he originally expected. He took a look at a few more books as he started to memorize all the books he could.
*Shuah! Shuah! Shuah!*
He didn't bother with the scrolls since books were a lot faster and durable to flip through in the short time he has left. His concentration was put to the max as he flipped through the contents and the number of books he memorized had now reached over fifty! It didn't matter if they were words, formulas, diagrams, or drawings.
Zevrad memorized them all.
It took around a minute to fully remember a book with over fifty pages.
'Haha! Amazing, this is absolutely unreal."
Zevrad felt nice, but his actions obviously caused other people nearby to look at him in disdain or disbelief.
"I think this guy's gone insane."
"Maybe it's his first time coming to the archives and he is just too excited."
Some of them shook their heads and refocused on their own priorities.
Time passed by and he had five minutes left for his stay.
Zevrad let out a long breath, he felt mentally fatigued, but it couldn't be helped due to his excitement of discovering a new ability and allotted time limit. At this point, he had 'stolen' nearly one hundred books.
These books were main subjects on demonic techniques and practices, history, and relics. Anything that would prove useful to be useful to Zevrad's journey by strengthening his foundations in demonic magic. Not before he had long found the books related to healing, of course.
He still had a few minutes left before he had to leave the Archives until his sight caught attention to a book. A subconscious feeling was guiding him onto this book as he felt that this book was different from the rest of them.
Zevrad activated [Spectral Sight] and the book was emitting yellow color, [Attention]. Making him pick up the book and to read the title on its cover, 'Demonic Physiology.' He began flipping through the first page and read the following information. What he found was that most demonic creatures can move through snow without leaving marks or can drift across the river and make the person feel like a bird.
How? By double jumping and even flying for short moments. The details in the book show that demon hunters must have adequate control in their demonic magic to manipulate their physiology to increase the agility of their physical bodies. Zevrad thought that this was an ordinary skill back on Azeroth, but after he saw 'double jump' added with flight by control, his eyes flickered with faint sparks emitting from his sockets.
Double jump exceeded the limits of what an average person can do that not even a skilled and agile rogue or common hunter could not do. In addition to flight, this skill would allow him to pass through difficult places. Even as a means of escape. The most exciting part was the [Agility] involved, as it will allow him to efficiently utilize the stats when traversing burdensome terrain or against an opponent.
Zevrad decided to read this book with the remaining time that he has without hesitation. He had a question in his heart, however, why would such a strong skill be put at the bottom floor? And why would no one learn it? Soon, he found the reason as he flipped through the pages. The book started to blur as it was either too worn or old with molds on it. That meant that this book only had a fraction of its original contents.
'How unfortunate.'
Zevrad was severely disappointed, however, he did not give up and continued to focus his senses on the blurred-out words. Using all of his mental strength, he could just about see the words under the mold. This was already exceeding a mortal's eyesight by at least 30 times.
After reading a couple of pages, Zevrad felt his mind might collapse and his senses started to revert back to normal.
'If I take this book back, I can slowly comprehend its later contents.'
Zevrad decided that he would borrow this book and bring it to his room to study after he tended to Loramus's wounds. Why would he bother to comprehend this book? Because he tended to have a soft spot for broken things.
He should know, he is one.
Zevad made his way back to where the Golden-Robed Elder was at and brought it to his attention as his selection to borrow.
"Demonic Physiology? You want this book."
"Yes, please."
The Golden-Robed Elder sighed and warned him, "This book has been around for centuries and there are parts in it that contain useful knowledge to strengthen one's abilities. However, only a portion of its contents can be seen. On an important note, it is difficult to train even for the veteran rank. I'd advise you to change a book, or else your progress will stagnate as you waste your time."
"Thank you Elder for your warning, but my heart is decided."
Zevrad held a calm and resolute expression.
The Elder looked at the departing Zevrad's figure as he shook his head, "There's always at least one new recruit who has always taken the highest-ranked books." He believed that Zevrad would not be able to fully learn the contents of this book, let alone apply it. How could a book that even the Lord of Outland was unable to interpret?
Little did he know that this was the beginning when the change within the demon hunter faction began.
***
Having such a big supply of techniques gave Zevrad endless excitement. He couldn't hold in his happiness and laughed with his head raised. Quite a period of time passed until he calmed his heart down.