“Here’s your emblem,” the cleric handed Dallion a pendant on a silver chain. The pendant was composed of six gems placed on a circle of pale blue metal. “Wear it all times, don’t lose it.”

The materials alone were probably worth more than the entire village and everything in it. Dallion could see how a less scrupulous person would be tempted to grab a few pendants and run off to enjoy their ill-gotten gains. As the metal touched his skin, a sudden warmness enveloped him, feeling like a summer breeze.

“What does it do?” the boy asked.

“It makes sure you don’t get blocked if you lose an awakening fight. Here’s your dartbow.” He handed the boy what appeared to be a hand-sized metal crossbow. “Don’t lose it, don’t use it unless fighting or training.”

“I’m not even sure how to use it.”

Dallion examined the weapon. It was comfortably light, and smooth to touch. No string, or springs were visible, just a metal frame, a simple trigger, and a small limb. It seemed impossible that the device would shoot anything, even if it had bolts. The craftsmanship, though, was exquisite compared to anything the boy had seen in the village.

“You’ll have your first training after nightfall. Until then, you’ll just carry it.”

“No, I mean, I don’t know how to use ranged weapons.”

This response made the cleric pause. Moving a step closer, he removed his hood, revealing a very pale head completely deprived of body hair. Red eyes stared straight at Dallion, then at the group of people behind him.

An albino? Dallion shivered. This was the first time he had seen one outside of games or movies, and it made him feel uneasy.

“You have guard and attack skills,” the cleric said.

“That’s right. But I’ve only been using a short sword during my awakening trials. I didn’t even know you could get a crossbow…” his voice slowly trailed off.

“The items don’t matter. Hasn’t anyone explained this?”

“Well…” Funny story about that. “I guess not. There was a lot to do, so—”

“Items in the awakened state aren’t real. They’re only the reflection of the skills you’ve obtained. The sword becomes whatever weapon you take inside.”

“Nope, it doesn’t. I tried taking a pitchfork, and all I did was—”

Before Dallion could finish, the cleric grabbed his hand. The surroundings instantly disappeared, replaced by a stone courtyard stretching into the infinity.

Personal Awakening!

What the heck?

Dallion jumped back. Instinctively he reached for his sword, but the weapon wasn’t there. Instead, a dartgun was holstered on his side.

“Draw the dartbow,” the cleric ordered.

Dallion hesitated. It was clear that he was in an awakened state, but why wasn’t he in a room? This didn’t look like an area, and it definitely wasn’t the usual room he started in. The closest thing he could compare it to was the inside of an awakening shrine.

“Draw it.”

“Right.” Dallion did as he was told. Inside the awakened state, the weapon looked slightly different. A metal string had appeared connecting both sides of the limb as well as a single metal bolt on top. Now, the weapon looked much more like a miniature crossbow.

“Aim at me.”

“Are you sure?”

The cleric sighed, then gestured to Dallion to go ahead.

Okay, then…

The moment Dallion raised the dartbow, a series of red markers appeared. Two footprints had formed near the boy’s feet indicating what stance he should take, along with a line from the tip of the bolt continuing forward like a laser pointer.

That was new. Dallion moved the weapon about. It was just like the cones he saw when guarding against attacks, only reversed. There were no words to describe the sudden sensation of power that came with ranged combat. No longer would Dallion have to dance about in order to do an attack. The sensation was dwarfed by the greater realization that awakened skills were in fact groups. It was so obvious, and yet Dallion had never thought about it. It didn’t help that his grandfather was incapable of telling him.

“Aim,” the cleric repeated.

The moment the red line touched the cleric’s shoulder, though, he froze. This Dallion from this place didn’t particularly care, perceiving everything as normal. The Dallion from Earth, though, felt a deep reluctance to continue. The logical part of his mind told him that there was no danger, that the pendant would protect the albino from the bolt. All he had to do was get on with it. Before he could, the cleric drew a dartbow of his own and fired an arrow straight at Dallion’s chest.

Fatal Attack!

Health reduced by 100%

Awakening failed!

“What the?!” Dallion leapt back, only to trip and fall on his bottom. He’d just been cast out of his awakened state, defeated with such ease as if the cleric had swatted a fly.

Laughter could be heard nearby, including Veil’s.

“You’re no longer playing games,” the cleric pulled his hood back up. “Get some training. Improve or you won’t be coming back from this.”

“What did you do?” the boy asked, but the cleric had already started walking away.

Why had no guard markers appeared? They had always done so when he was under threat, even when half asleep. This time there had been nothing. Dallion never had a chance to react.

“You showed him.” Veil approached with a laugh. “Maybe teach me how you did that, okay?”

Confused, Dallion looked around, trying to make sense of his surroundings. To his surprise, Veil helped him up, then walked him to the others.

“Don’t worry, we’ve all gone through this,” Gloria whispered as the two approached. “It takes a bit getting used to.”

“He’s the only one that fell on his ass,” Veil snorted. Clearly, he wasn’t going to let that go anytime soon.

“He was fast.” Dallion swallowed. “I could barely see him attack.”

“That’s what it’s like fighting a double digit. Good thing we’ll be in the back.”

Any other day, that would be a relief. Considering the number of soldiers and the fact that they were gathering additional soldiers only raised questions. If a cleric of the Order could do that to Dallion, what was the creature they were chasing capable of?

“Pack up and get ready!” Dame Vesuvia shouted. “We’re leaving! Volunteers, follow the line!”