The presence of the king expanded around haven like a tattered cloak. Thoughts from the king cascaded over the aura like storms crossing a mighty ocean. This aura was the king’s way of spying on every mind within his territory. An open act of espionage used by kings from the dawn of time.

Markus had nothing to fear. His mind was safe layers of dark natural weaved through his mind from his bond with Trixie. The king’s attempts to read his mind fell away. Markus was like an air bubble rising from the ocean floor. The waves crash and the storms rage, but he continued to rise.

The other’s looked uncomfortable their minds were raped. The second they passed into the king’s territory their every secret was exposed. That was what it was rape in its truest form. A dishonorable act to be sure but a necessary evil, Markus was sure.

It lacked the subtle touch his mother took. No, it was more like a sledge hammer. Slamming into his cousins’ unprotected minds. Even Margarette’s sword of dark gave her no succor.

They went through checkpoints showing the guards their letters of acceptance. The second they crossed the walls a quest appeared.

Quest #100 Slay the king

reward 100,000,000points

Quest #39 Conquer the Four Apocalypse Dungeons of Haven

Reward 1,000,000points per dungeon

Quest #50 Force the Knight Orders to get along

Reward 100,000 per treaty

Quest 32 Enter the Pestilence Dungeon

Reward 10,000points

Quest 31 Find the Pestilence Dungeon

Reward 1000points

Quest #30 Purchase Challenges

Reward 5000points

For some reason the only thing that worried him was how much challenges cost and what did they do? He looked it up quickly and found they only cost 1000. Challenges unlocked purchasable abilities that were tied to stats or lowered their cost.

Gates of bone stood high before them. Towering over a hundred meters high the heads of mighty monsters and traitorous necromancers alike covered the gate. Yet the gate was not full. There was still enough room for the current demon lord or demon lords.

The guards are dressed in the finest plate. All knights who have conquered lesser dungeons though only a few have ever claimed the treasure. Its rumored that the elite of the elite guards could match a hero. Markus doubted the legitimacy of the rumors. If they were that strong, they wouldn’t be guarding a wall. He chalked it up as inflated rumors to lesson the chances of noble revolts.

The gates opened to thousands of venders. Thousands upon thousands of stands selling wears of all kinds. Gems to socket into weapons, armor, and spell books. This was Haven’s Bazar

Merchant families made up the outer most edge of the city. They were the most numerous. Though the least powerful. They crossed to the next rung. The apartment district this would be where they would live. Apartments of all kinds covered this ring of the city. Most would be empty before the year was out. The courses at the academy were said to be brutal. Almost as terrible as the tuition.

Next year it will be bumped up to 40,000points. With the points from the three eggs and what he could scrape together from his quests he had 1k after this year’s tuition. He needed to find this pestilence dungeon today. The next year’s tuition must be paid in advanced. He might have a month to make the points.

“How are you feeling after the mind rape?” Tristen asked.

“Tristen the king doesn’t rape anyone. Its his duty to see to the protection of the capital.” Margarette said.

Trixie burbled, and he nodded his head.

“The king’s mind must be fat with secrets.” Markus said. Margarette froze, the Tristen laughed.

“I like that mind flayer of yours. She has spunk.” Tristen said and gave her a look.

“Tell the food that my vagina is flexible not stab proof.” Markus nodded his head and decided to up the ante.

“She said she would love to peel your skull open with your spiky dick, thanks for the offer.” Tristen paled, and Trixie burbled.

“I didn’t say that and why would I want to touch his thingy.” Trixie said.

“I think we’re sharing some mixed signals.” Tristen said.

“No, I think she said exactly what she meant.” Margarette said. “Now, lets get to admissions.”

They went through a line showed their letter of admission was assigned a career counselor, an apartment, and went their separate ways. They would have to find a way to meet up after they get scheduled.

Markus hovered over the stairs and found a room with a cheap bed, running water, and stationary. There was a chair that would shatter under his weight and pencils that would snap in his hands. He would have to use psychic power for nearly everything.

Markus was getting to the point where he could establish floors of psychic energy. It was all that kept him from falling through the rooms. He swore to himself to learn enchanting and find a way to solve this problem.

He sat on the bed and it split in half. Realizing he wasn’t getting his security deposit back, he made his way to the career counselor.

“Please have a seat Mr. Might.” Markus nodded and sat down on psychic energy. He never touched the chair. The councilor raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.

“Alright, I’ve barely had a chance to go over your file but from what I can tell you’re from a disgraced noble family. By law you’re related to house Leonidas and a lesser house of Vitas on your mother’s side. Your father is a hero which came with lands and an honorary noble title. He was later stripped of the title, lands, and works as a farmer. Are you here to reclaim honor for the family name?” Markus went from calm to seething in less than sixty seconds. A new record in his opinion. A smile stretched across his face. He was beginning to like this councilor.

“No, I’m here to learn everything I can get my hands on. I want to learn enchanting, alchemy, ritual circles, inscription, glyphs, and spells to start. How many classes am I allowed to take?” The councilor smiled pleasantly.

“Not one to be bound by family, very well. None of those classes are open to first years. You can acquire books on the subject, request materials, practice, and read journals from student who have taken the classes. Until your fourteen and have passed a year of the academy, you can’t learn from a professor on the subject.” The councilor said.

Markus read her name from the desk. “Ms. Armond are professors masters?” She shook her head.

“Adepts or experts, masters are rare only a handful exist in the capital. Now as for subjects, I’m going to start you on Mathematics of Magic 101, the Formulaic languages of magic, bestiary 101, monster care, economics, history, and Battle Magic.” Markus nodded his head.

“Are there any other classes I can take?” Markus asked.

“You have time for two electives and that’s it if you want any time to yourself. These subjects are no joke. Power is one thing you have that in spades. Knowledge and theory, that can set you above the rest. These classes can allow you to branch into the magic crafting subjects quickly.” Markus nodded.

“Can I take potions 101, and phantasms 101.” She nodded.

“Potions is basically a cooking class. No real theory until you get to the professional stuff. Phantasm is just a lore class a little too deep for bestiary 101. Alright, I’m done now get out of here. Classes start in a week. Go explore the city or whatever young boys do.” Ms. Armond said.

Just outside the academy, there were knights of various orders offering to handle student debts in exchange for 10 years of service in a knight order when their out. The order of might was absent so, he let them dishonor themselves.

“Boy, you look like a powerful warrior. Do you want to join the knights of Gilford?” Gilford was an ancient Hero who boasted of loyalty to the king and kingdom. Anything for the kingdom maybe done and honor is kept. They are thieves, assassins, child murderers, and Markus was about a second from pummeling the knight who spoke to him into scrap metal and meat.

“Sir knight your order is honorable to their cause, but I won’t join a group of scum. No matter how great their honor.” The knight was about to draw his mace when another stopped him.

“He’s the boy who wrecked the Might’s recruiters. Besides he hasn’t said anything untrue.” The man looked him in the eyes. “What’s wrong boy can’t handle getting your hands dirty?” The knight said.

“Ever shall we kill for the kingdom, no lives too many, and no one an innocent for the King and the kingdom. It’s in your motto, if it means wiping out an orphanage you will do it on the king’s order and never second guess the orders. Your honor is unending because you follow every order to the letter. That makes you no more than tools. Something I want no part of.” Markus said. The knight spat at his feet and they parted ways.

“Making friends everywhere you go.” Tristen said happily.

“Do you disagree with me?” Markus asked.

“No, those guys scare me to death. But they are a necessary evil to hold the kingdom together.” Markus nodded his head.

“I know, but that doesn’t make them any less filthy, it just gives citizens a reason to turn a blind eye. They are doing the kings work and it is bloody.” Markus said.

“Are you saying you are any better? At least they follow a cause.” Tristen said.

“They do what the strings tell them. That’s how puppets work. Its easy when the sins belong to the king and not the man holding the knife. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to always say the king made me do it?” Markus said. “When I kill, its my decision. I way the consequences of my actions. That’s what being a man is all about.” Markus said. His Pa’s words ring in his ear like bells from Angelus Fragmentus. They don’t just echo through his mind but seem to sear his skin.

“You hate them.” Tristen said, as a statement instead of a question.

“No, you don’t hate knives and swords. You hate their wielder. Weren’t you paying attention. They gave up their free will and became tools. Free will for honor unending it’s a knight’s dream.” He glared at the catman. “What I hate is that they exist in the first place. If a member ever rebelled they would be killed for the order’s honor. Let’s go and explore the book stores.” Markus said.

There was only one academy book store. Every book was thousands of points. The books he wanted were even worse. Markus Dracul’s Enchanting For The Beginner, was 15kpoints it was the cheapest book on the subject. He needed to find a dungeon now.

Markus left Tristen who had money from James his father. The waves of psychic energy from the king were annoying. Markus sat in his room and started meditating. He needed to find a way to find a dungeon.

As he meditated his mind slowly crept out beneath the king’s waves. After hours of meditation, he found a trickle of mana coming from the sewers. This was it, his hint. Markus ran out of his apartment and followed the sewers to where the mana was strongest.