Data & Magic

The two weeks that followed their arrival in the Aver Capital felt, paradoxically, like both an eternity and a fleeting moment. It was a period of tense waiting, of preparation and uncertainty, a lull before the inevitable storm. The city, despite its outward appearance of bustling activity, held its breath, the shadow of the Dark Legion looming large, a constant, unspoken threat. William found himself in a strange limbo, caught between the urgency of the impending war and the enforced idleness of awaiting orders.

News from the front lines trickled in, each report more dire than the last. Goran, accompanied by two of the Guild's most formidable S-rank adventurers – Aiden, known as "Brightshield" for his legendary ability to deflect any attack, both physical and magical, by imbuing his massive shield with potent defensive enchantments, and Jessica, the "Ice Maiden," whose mastery over ice magic was said to be capable of freezing entire legions in their tracks – had reached Oakenfall. They were joined by a small army of adventurers of varying ranks, a desperate attempt to bolster the town's defences against the anticipated onslaught.

Edward, true to Borin's command, had returned to Sharwood, leading a contingent of low- to mid-rank adventurers, a reinforcement meant to provide some measure of protection to the town. There orders were to bolster the defences at Sharwood, and when if necessary to provide supplementary support to Oakenfall with skirmish attacks, quick hit and run tactics on the Dark Legion army to divert their attention and cause confusion. After setting up the military tactics in Sharwood, Edward travelled to Oakenfall to regroup with Goran and provide any further assistance.

Lord Marshal Sir Gerald, the supreme commander of Aver's military forces, had immediately dispatched several units of soldiers to Oakenfall, a significant commitment of troops, but still a fraction of the kingdom's total strength. The reports from the front lines, combined with the intelligence gathered by Julia and Edward, had painted a clear picture: Oakenfall was the primary target, the linchpin in Neverus' plan to conquer the western territories and open a path to the heart of Aver.

Borin, tirelessly working to coordinate the Guild's efforts, had managed to secure a promise of a meeting with the Lord Marshal and, hopefully, King Bartam himself. But the wheels of bureaucracy turned slowly, even in times of war. The King and his Lord Marshal were understandably preoccupied with the monumental task of preparing the kingdom for a full-scale invasion, their days consumed by strategy meetings, troop deployments, and desperate pleas for aid from besieged settlements. The meeting was constantly delayed, pushed back day after day, a frustrating reminder of the political complexities that often hampered decisive action.

Julia, at Borin's request, remained within the relative safety of the Aver Capital, awaiting the summons to the royal court. She spent her days in the Guild's library, poring over ancient texts, researching obscure lore, seeking any scrap of information that might offer an advantage against the Dark Legion, any forgotten strategy, any hidden weakness that could be exploited. She also, to William's relief, had no unexpected run-ins with her family. It was as though the Blackcombes, despite the spies and informants, remained blissfully unaware of her presence. Or chose to ignore it. However, it wasn't hard for news of the Blackcombe family's questionable dealings to reach Julia's ears. Blackcombe was ruthless in its approach to expanding, buying out businesses and families. The family was rapidly expanding from fabrics and raw materials, into a wide range of industries such as weapons, armour, food and many more. It was something that they had prepared for, like they had known about this invasion years in advance and set their businesses up to be able to prosper in the chaos. Upon hearing this, Julia continued to hole herself up within the safe confines of the Adventurers Guild, not yet ready to face her family.

William, despite his lack of official duties, made a point of visiting Julia regularly, offering his support, his companionship, his surprisingly insightful observations on the political machinations within the capital. He saw the conflict that still raged within her, the pain of her family's betrayal, the fear of a potential confrontation. He couldn't offer solutions, couldn't erase her past, but he could listen, he could understand, he could be a friend. And Julia, in turn, seemed to appreciate his presence, his quiet strength, his unwavering support. She found solace in his company, a respite from the anxieties that plagued her.

For William, these two weeks were a period of intense learning and self-discovery. Freed from the immediate pressures of survival, he had the time and the opportunity to explore his newfound abilities, to hone his skills, to prepare himself for whatever challenges lay ahead. He divided his time between physical training, sword practice, and the exploration of his magical potential, a rigorous regimen that pushed him to his limits, both physically and mentally.

The Adventurers Guild, with its extensive training facilities and its diverse membership, proved to be the perfect environment for his self-improvement. He sparred with other adventurers, learning the brutal realities of combat, the painful lessons of mistakes made, the exhilarating rush of a well-executed manoeuvre. He wasn't a natural warrior, not by any stretch of the imagination, but he was a quick learner, his analytical mind absorbing the intricacies of swordsmanship, his body gradually adapting to the demands of physical exertion.

He was nowhere near Edward's level, of course. The veteran swordsman was a force of nature, a whirlwind of steel and skill, a master of his craft. But William was no longer a complete novice, no longer the clumsy, awkward outsider who'd stumbled into this world. He could hold his own against most of the lower-ranked adventurers, parrying their blows, dodging their attacks, even landing a few hits of his own. He was improving, steadily, consistently, driven by a combination of fear, determination, and a newfound sense of purpose.

But it was the exploration of his magical abilities, particularly the enigmatic "data system" that had manifested during his first successful spellcasting, that truly consumed his attention. He spent hours in the confines of his room within the Guild, experimenting, testing, pushing the boundaries of this strange, new power.