Elias walked beside Aysse through a series of immaculate, high-ceilinged corridors. The polished surfaces and austere decor exuded the prestige of House Veridan. Although the earlier flood of information had left Aysse feeling burdened, he noted a subtle shift in Elias's demeanor—a departure from rigid nobility toward a familiarity that made him feel like an equal rather than merely a subject of study.
Elias broke the silence in a measured tone.
Elias: "I expected you to be more… disoriented. Most Otherworlders wake up in a panic. You're oddly composed."
Aysse offered a slight shrug.
Aysse: "I think my body is still catching up. I won't say I'm fine, but breaking down won't help."
Elias chuckled softly, his sharp gaze never leaving Aysse's face.
Elias: "You carry yourself well for someone freshly inserted into our world."
Aysse stole a glance at his reflection in a nearby polished surface. Standing roughly 1.8 meters tall with a lean yet sturdy build, his sharp features and dark eyes—brimming with equal parts curiosity and calculation. His newly integrated tentacle twitched subtly with his thoughts, a constant reminder of his changed state.
As they continued walking, Elias explained the institute's dual purpose.
Elias: "The Veridan Institute isn't just a research facility. It serves two primary functions. First, it manages Faery insertion—preparing and fusing Faery with suitable hosts."
Aysse absorbed the information with a measured nod.
Aysse: "And the second function?"
Elias's voice grew weightier.
Elias: "Managing Otherworlders like yourself. Most of them don't arrive under favorable circumstances—they're criminals, exiles, or people their worlds cast aside."
Aysse frowned at the blunt practicality.
Aysse: "So, you study them?"
Elias gave a brisk nod.
Elias: "We study, train, and repurpose them. Eurory constantly needs manpower. Outside the kingdom's borders, creatures—some mindless, others terrifyingly intelligent—roam freely. Every resource must be put to use, or we risk being overrun."
The cold practicality made Aysse uneasy. It was survival, yes—but at what cost?
Turning a corner, Elias gestured toward a large set of imposing doors.
Elias: "Come. There's something you should see."
They stepped into an expansive, open-air training ground. The raw spectacle was visceral: four men struggled against a massive beast—a creature resembling a bear with thick, matted fur and a body twice the size of any human. Its claws gouged deep furrows into the earth as it lunged, its maw snapping at the air with lethal intent.
At the back of the fray, a knight clad in House Veridan's armor issued sharp commands. His presence kept the recruits from descending into chaos.
Elias: "They're Otherworlders. Likely being tested for recruitment as mercenaries. Notice the small crowd gathered around—they're not just here to watch. This is an examination."
Aysse's eyes narrowed as he took in every clash of weapon against hide and every strategic command. Each movement and decision resonated with the harsh reality of this new world—a preview of the path he might soon tread.
Elias continued, his tone analytical.
Elias: "They're resourceful, but they lack coordination. In a world like this, every advantage counts."
A brief pause followed as Aysse's gaze drifted back to the colossal beast.
Aysse: "That bear... it's enormous. Are all the creatures like that?"
Elias's eyes glinted as he replied.
Elias: "This creature is classified as a Greater-Class Creature. In Eurory, we rank creatures based on their equivalence to independent Faery and abilities. The ranking is as follows:
• Lesser-Class Creatures: Newborn Faery, Feral Beasts.
• Greater-Class Creatures: Wild Faery, Alpha Predators. (That bear is an example.)
• Grand-Class Creatures: Grand Faery, Titan Beasts.
• Elite-Class Creatures: Ancient Faery, Curseborn Abominations.
• Exalted-Class Beings: Celestial Faeries, Abyssborn Horrors.
• Arch-Class Beings: Primordial Faery, Wraithbound Leviathans.
• Overlord-Class Beings: Primordial Faery Lords, Colossi, Abyssal Wraiths.
• Divine Entities: Faery God, The Curse.
Each class represents a step up in raw power, resilience, and threat. While a Greater-Class beast like this bear is formidable, it isn't the pinnacle of power—but still, a serious challenge for anyone unprepared."
Aysse considered this, his mind racing.
Aysse: "So, while the bear is dangerous, there are creatures far more lethal out there."
Elias nodded, his tone somber.
Elias: "Exactly. That's why the training here is so critical. You must be ready for encounters with creatures of every class if you're to survive in Eurory."
Aysse exhaled slowly, grounding himself in the present as the training fight raged on around him.
Aysse: "And if they fail?" (referring to the trainees)
Elias shrugged.
Elias: "They'll either train harder, get assigned elsewhere, or... well, disappear into obscurity. Not everyone can make it."
The training ground roiled with the sound of clashing metal, roars, and sizzling bursts of concentrated Faeriar energy. As the Greater-Class bear roared its challenge, its massive form pulsed with raw Faeriar. Occasional flares from its body reminded all that each strike landed on the creature could yield precious—but volatile—energy.
Then, over the din, Sir Veydran's deep voice rang out, both commanding and instructive.
Sir Veydran: "Remember, recruits: Faeriar is the essence of power. Use every collection opportunity to fuel your abilities—but balance it carefully. Overabsorption will freeze your Faery, and overuse will overheat your systems!"
He scanned his team as the recruits braced themselves. Each fighter had been trained to manage their limited $125 Faeriar cache—every skill came at a cost, pushing their Faery temperature to dangerous extremes if mismanaged.
Recruit 1, the Rookie Striker, was first to engage. He launched a Simple Slash (costing roughly $27) at the bear's flank, his blade shimmering briefly as it was infused with a controlled burst of Faeriar energy. The slash cut into the bear's thick hide, releasing a spurt of energy that his Faery OS immediately began to harvest via indirect collection. His limited cache quivered with the newly absorbed energy as he adjusted his stance to avoid overcooling—a common risk when absorbing too much too quickly.
At the same time, Recruit 2, the Defensive Enthusiast, met a sweeping claw with his Basic Shielding (set at $20 per minute), deflecting the blow. In fluid motion, he activated his Counter Block (around $47) when a glancing strike came his way. The counter redirected part of the bear's kinetic force back at it, and a faint aura of gathered Faeriar glowed around his arm—evidence of energy recycled through his maneuver.
Recruit 3, the Balanced Fighter, stepped forward with measured precision. He unleashed a Standard Strike (costing $33) aimed at the creature's underbelly—a softer target where the beast's natural insulation was lower. Almost simultaneously, he executed a Minor Counter (around $17) when the bear attempted a retaliatory lunge. Each move was calculated not only to damage the beast but also to capture small bursts of Faeriar, replenishing his Faery OS just enough to keep his system stable.
Meanwhile, Recruit 4, the Quick Striker, exploited his agility. Activating Agile Boost continuously at a low cost ($10 per minute), he zipped around the combat zone's periphery. With a well-timed Rapid Slash ($23) followed by a Swift Step ($33), he darted in to strike the bear's side before retreating—ensuring he never lingered long enough to risk overheating his energy reserves.
As the recruits combined their assault, the bear staggered. Its massive form, though imbued with vast quantities of Faeriar, shuddered under the precision of coordinated strikes. With every hit, indirect collection of Faeriar from the creature's disrupted cellular structure occurred, its roars punctuating the cycle of energy exchange.
Sir Veydran, ever the tactician, ordered the final phase.
Sir Veydran: "Now, recruits—channel everything you have! Concentrate your power and bring it down!"
In unison, the fighters surged forward. The synchronized onslaught rocked the bear with another series of strikes—a combination of enhanced blade surges and adaptive counters. Faeriar flared between blows as the beast's internal equilibrium faltered. Its roar turned into a final, shuddering bellow as it collapsed heavily onto the training ground, part of its vast reserves of Faeriar scattering into the air—an indirect collection bonus for those who had fought it well. That creature possessed around 800 Faeriar; later, a specialized team would collect the remainder directly from its carcass.
A tense silence followed the carnage, broken only by the combatants' labored breathing. Sir Veydran surveyed his team with a measured nod.
Sir Veydran: "Excellent work. Today, you've learned that power isn't just about raw strength—it's about managing the very essence of our world. Every move, every harvested spark of Faeriar, must be carefully balanced. Too much can freeze you; too little leaves you defenseless."
At that moment, as the dust settled and the lingering warmth of discharged Faeriar energy filled the air, Aysse and the recruits understood that mastery over Faeriar—and over themselves—was the key to survival in Eurory. The lessons learned on this training ground would serve them well in the challenges yet to come.