“Please don’t cause a scene,” the general said with a note of annoyance. “This isn’t a realm, and I really don’t want to ruin the chances of a rising star of the arena.”

The threat had already been issued. The sad thing was that there wasn’t much Dallion could do. After fighting a semi-fury it was obvious he was no match against one, let alone two. And even if the city guard managed to arrive on time, the general was still going to slime his way out of the mess, leaving Dallion to dry.

“What do you want?” Dallion asked.

“Always so hostile. Did you consider that maybe I’ve come here to help you?”

“No,” Dallion said straight up, causing the general to smile in response.

“In that case, did you consider that I’d come to help myself?”

In that Dallion had no doubt. It felt like the guild trials all over again. The general was no doubt going to offer a weapon or piece of gear with significant capabilities in exchange for the clearing of an item, or two, or ten. The fact that he had come with his guards meant that he wouldn’t be thrilled at getting no as an answer.

“Arriving at the arena is quite the feat,” the general went on after a while. “Most new faces don’t make it. In fact, the odds of you reaching the arena proper on your first attempt are quite low. Passing the third gate has fudged the numbers somewhat, but still there are more people betting against than in favor.”

“You want me to throw the match,” Dallion whispered.

“Throw the match? Why would I do that? I’m not born on a farm?” he smirked, deliberately aiming the insult at Dallion’s past. Jokes were on him, though, since Dallion was born in a city just as he was born in a village. “I want you to win.”

That wasn’t something Dallion expected. For one thing, it was next to impossible to guarantee. Dallion wasn’t a favorite by any means, but maybe that was precisely what the general was counting on.

“When you set foot in the arena, everything will change. The odds against you will be dozens to one, possibly a hundred, depending on who you get to face. And if you somehow manage to emerge victorious, the odds against you would double. This will continue all the way until the top eight are selected. At that point, the actual calculations will begin and your odds will return to single-digits.”

Dallion waited for the catch. He could tell this was only part of the prelude. Soon, the real topic of conversation would emerge.

“Statistically, there hasn’t been a contestant that made it to the top eight in the last decade. Even before that, the cases were rare. While only third gaters take part, the fights become quite spectacular near the end. There even are rumors that the countess sometimes has a mage be at the event so that the fighters can go all out.”

Is that true, Nil? Dallion asked.

There have been cases, unfortunately, the echo replied. With seers it’s considered more entertaining if there’s a little blood involved. A healing mage is invited to prevent fatalities. Since they’re a noble, their reaction speed is adequate for them to cast a spell before anything serious happens.

“Which is why I have brought this.” The general snapped his fingers. One of his fury guards took a large wooden box off his shoulder and opened it.

Inside there was a weapon, but it was a weapon that Dallion had only seen in computer games. The hilt of the sword was placed in the center. From it, a blade composed of sharp triangular pieces spiraled outwards. All the pieces were made of sky silver and linked together through a single wire of moon gold. Dallion had skimmed through several scrolls of weapons in his ring library; at the time, that was one of the few things that he found interesting, although even that interest waned after glancing through a few hundred weapons. Once Dallion improved his forging skills, that would have to change. For the moment, he continued focusing on the potential “gift” the general was offering. The fact that he had no memory seeing such a weapon meant that it wasn’t being commonly forged.

A blade whip, Nil said. Requires a good grasp of attack and athletics. Other than that, I can only say that it’s extremely expensive, as all artifact weapons are.

Its destiny isn’t fulfilled, Dallion thought.

True, but don’t get your hopes up. Like the trial daggers, chances are that it won’t provide anything too special.

“This is called a blade whip,” the general said with his usual flair. “It’s quite expensive for a collector’s item. Useless as a weapon, though.”

Figures you’d give me something useless, Dallion grumbled mentally.

“The reason for that is that it takes a lot of skill to handle it. In most cases, people swing it around as a rope doing nothing. Sometimes they even cut themselves up in the process. It’s not a pretty sight.” The man paused for a moment. “I have three of those. This particular one was given to me to make up the value difference in another exchange. Normally, I’d flat out refuse, but considering I want to remain in good relations with the person in question, I had no choice.”

Dallion could tell all that to be a lie. Most likely the general had demanded the item just for the sake of it, then was about to throw it on one shelf or another.

“Given how much you’ve improved, I think you’d be able to learn it, eventually. And that brings me to my offer.” The smile on the general’s face widened. “I’m willing to loan you this item free of charge for your fights at the arena. Reach the top eight and you get to keep it.”

That seemed untypically generous, which meant that there was something else in play.

“What’s the catch?” Dallion asked.

“No, catch. Rather, a condition. You’re to clear the item here and now. Consider it a goodwill down payment. Following that, it’s yours. Provided you don’t lose till the top eight.”

There were many ways to make a deal seem beneficial while it wasn’t. In effect, the general was offering that Dallion improve an artifact for free. Considering the nature of the weapon, it had to be at least a three-level item, possibly more. Since—as the general himself had said—the chances of Dallion reaching the top eight were incredibly small, that meant that he would be forced to return the weapon. The only difference was that the weapon would now be cleared, which would increase its value manifold. The proper thing was to refuse the deal outright. However, Dallion remained hesitant. His forging and music skills let him see the real value of the weapon—it was a masterpiece forged to perfection. Not only weren’t there any flaws, but the design was made in such fashion so that the pieces could assemble in a perfect blade with no cracks… provided one knew how to do that. There was more, though. One of the blade fragments was shimmering, indicating that there was something hidden within it. The general probably knew that and was using it to bait Dallion into accepting his offer.

Don’t get greedy, Nil said. It’s not worth it.

“I can’t clear it right now,” Dallion replied. “How about tomorrow?”

The box was instantly closed.

“Sorry.” The general remained smiling, but several frown lines had appeared on his forehead. “It’s either now or not at all. Time isn’t a luxury I have, and neither do you.”

Dallion took a step back, taking a defensive stance.

“You barely made the cut,” the general went on. “Even if you gain three levels until your first fight, the chances of you succeeding in your current state are pitiful. Your dartbow and armadil shield are useless in the real world, and you won’t be allowed to use music either.”

Thinking about it, that made sense. The music skill allowed Dallion to manipulate the entire crowd. There was no way the city guard would allow that—it would be too easy to cause a riot, if one was so inclined, and put the life of the countess at risk. Even worse, that was a certain way to ruin the festival.

“What does that leave you? A pair of cheap knives? Even if your guild gives you some second-rate hand-me-down it won’t compare to what I’m offering.”

“You only want me to clear it for free.”

“Of course I do.” The general laughed. “Let me ask you this, though. Are you convinced of your strength or not? You’re setting out to make a name for yourself at the tournament. If you really believe that you should be able to clear an item.”

It was obvious that the general was betting on Dallion’s vanity. However, despite the odds, he succeeded. Dallion was too impressed by the item to refuse, not to mention he had one more thing to consider—if he obtained the whip blade, he could also make it Gleam’s home.

“Alright, but I’d need something more,” Dallion said to Nil’s bitter regret.

“Bargaining? Please.” The general made a hand motion. “What else do you want in order to accept my gift?”

“Information. There are a few things I want to know, but cannot ask. I want some answer from you on the matter.”

“Afraid to ask?” The general mused, stroking his chin with a finger. “And why do you believe I’d have such knowledge? If it’s something you cannot ask, it must be… questionable.”

“You deal with questionable all the time. And to my knowledge, the things I’m going to ask aren’t illegal.”

“You’ve definitely intrigued me. What is it you want to know?”

“Not here. I just want you to vow you’ll tell me all you know when I ask.”

“And that’s all?”

“That’s all.”

There was a long moment of silence. Both Dallion and the general reevaluated their options. Neither side wanted to lose out. Dallion knew that there was a lot the general wasn’t telling him, however he also knew that the general had no way of knowing what information he would ask for. Being bound by a Moon vow wasn’t something to be done on a whim.

You couldn’t help yourself, could you? Nil grumbled.

There’s a chance I find something good in there. Besides, I need the practice.

You haven’t recovered from your last adventure. Going into a realm so soon after is a bad idea, not to mention harmful. Lux isn’t a cure all. There are things he cannot do.

I know.

“Very well. Information relating to a single topic,” the general said at last. “And just as much as I can easily obtain.”

“Define easily,” Dallion was quick to add.

“Something that doesn’t put me at risk and won’t ruin me financially. Is that good enough?”

There was a lot of wiggle room, but even so, Dallion believed he’d be able to get some basics on the matter. Also, knowing the general, he’d be interested as well, if he wasn’t already. After all, anyone dealing with secrets was certain to want to know more about the Moons.

“It’s enough.” Dallion nodded.

“In that case…”

The fury guard opened the box again. The weapon shined in the light of the moons. Dallion took a few steps forward and moved his hand towards the hilt. An inch away, he stopped. Was it too late to call it quits? There was no guarantee the weapon would provide him an advantage in the arena. One thing it was going to do was attract attention, and for the moment that was exactly what Dallion needed the most. That and a few more levels.

“It won’t bite.” The general laughed.

“I’m sure it will.” Dallion grabbed the hilt.

SPHERE ITEM AWAKENING