Keke and I waited in the dining hall for Cailu to return with Zahra. It was nice to spend some extra time with Keke lately, but I had to admit, it was weird not having Ravyn’s snappy retorts, Cannoli’s soft voice, or Ceres’ melodic laugh with me. I missed them. If I was being honest, I was looking forward to getting the hell out of Rājadhānī so we could all be together again.

“Are you excited?” Keke asked suddenly.

“What?”

“To hit Second Class!” She grinned and bumped her shoulder against mine. “It’s about time we reached Level 10, hm?”

“Yeah. It’s been a hell of a ride,” I replied. It sounded a lot more tired than I’d intended.

Keke searched my face. “Are you feeling okay?”

Ravyn was at the bottom of a bottle. Cannoli was in a religious crisis. Ceres was healing from a near-fatal wound thanks to my possibly condemning someone’s soul. Both Tristan and Cailu were acting strange and seemed caught in their own heads. “I’m great. Really. Nowhere to go but up, right?”

She frowned, and her ears flattened against her hair. “Matt.”

I never was very good at hiding my emotions—my face always gave me away. “Just a little homesick for Ni, I think.”

“Really?” Keke’s expression softened. “That’s…really sweet, actually.”

“Why?”

Tinges of pink bloomed across her cheeks. “Just that you see Ni Island as home. It makes me happy to hear.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond, but Cailu and Zahra’s entrance saved me the trouble.

“Shouldn’t Tristan be here?” I asked once they’d taken seats at the table.

“As disdained as I am to admit it, Ravyn would be a better tutor in Nyarlean Magic.” Cailu adjusted his arm in his sling and rested his free hand on the table. “I have done little more than dabble in the ways of witchcraft.”

Sounds like someone’s superstitious.

“I’m sure Ravyn will be happy to teach him,” Keke said. “She seems to like teaching quite a bit.”

“Plaudits to her, then.” Cailu sniffed and waved his hand. “However, we are here to discuss Matt’s options.” He turned to face Zahra. “Would you please assist him in understanding [Myrmidon]?”

Zahra’s eyes widened, and a small gasp caught her tongue. “But, sir, you so expertly showed your skill as a [Myrmidon] in your duel against Magni. Are you certain you wish me to speak instead?”

Cailu nodded. “It is a Class I practice, but it is one you have dedicated your life to. Your experience surpasses mine.”

Zahra nodded, but I could see the excitement burning from her eyes and the pleased flick of her ears.

I couldn’t blame her. In my experience, Cailu rarely deferred to catgirls for anything. But, I’d watched him hand the city to Naeemah, Tristan had claimed he asked for Ravyn’s advice, and now this. What changed, Cailu?

“The first, and arguably the most important, aspect of [Myrmidon] is Perception.” Zahra straightened her back and clasped her hands on the table. “As you have witnessed, Perception warps how you perceive time, allowing you to make quicker movements than normal. This trait is vitally important when advancing to [Ninja] and [Samurai] Classes.”

“Right. That seems like it would take some getting used to,” I noted.

“It takes years of practice to grow comfortable with it. Timing its use and making precise strikes under Perception requires copious amounts of honing. Agility and Dexterity improve Perception’s effectiveness,” Zahra continued. “The second vital factor you must master for [Myrmidon] are the various stances. Each stance offers specific Skill enhancements depending on which stance you take. Some Skills require a certain stance to perform.”

“That must take a lot of set-up,” Keke said. “Anticipating your enemy’s moves that far in advance has to be hard.”

Not something I’ve been great with. Zahra and Cailu both used [Myrmidon] like it was second nature. Just how long had they been practicing? “Do you always have to use a sword?”

“Some Skills require a katana, but not all of them. There are a few axe Skills available, but the katana far outweighs them,” Zahra said.

“If you wish to continue with axe and shield, it may benefit you to select a different Class for the time being,” Cailu replied. “Keep in mind that Sub-Classing will be available to you, and knowledge of multiple weapons can only improve your ability to survive and adapt.”

Sounds like I’ll have a few weapons for Espada to work on. Gotta pinch my Bells. “It sounds like [Myrmidon] doesn’t have a lot of Strength. Does it not do much damage?”

Zahra shook her head. “[Myrmidon] requires a balance of Strength, Agility, and Dexterity to make it stand out. The attacks are swift and strike deep.”

“Oftentimes, a [Myrmidon]’s blows are not as violently gruesome as the blade of an axe. However, Perception is a desirable trait, and many Parties utilize a [Myrmidon] to have it on hand. It is a boon for both the user and their group,” Cailu added.

Death by a thousand cuts, then. It sounded like a powerful subclass, but I was having a hard time imagining myself with a katana. I’m cringe enough. I don’t need to add a weeb flair. “I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks, Zahra.” I turned back to Cailu. “Now, what about [Battleguard]?”

“[Battleguard]s have a dissentious reputation. They are overzealous in combat due to their Skills encouraging reckless behavior. They are known for their vicious tendencies,” Cailu began.

I thought of Erina, still ready to fight after losing her arm. Yeah, I can see that.

“Many of their Skills require a tribute of Health Points,” he said.

Keke blinked. “That sounds a little masochistic.” She looked at me. “You’d use it well, I think.”

What the hell is that supposed to mean? I coughed behind my hand.

“As I said. Dissentious,” Cailu continued. “Most Skills require an axe. They can use a shield, but some call for a two-handed weapon. [Battleguard]s have options that will allow you to perform offensively or as a protector for your Party. It is the only Class with a [Provoke] Skill that affects multiple targets.”

I thought about the minotaurs. I couldn’t decide if that would have helped or just gotten me killed. “Risky.”

“It is. To its credit, [Battleguard] is one of the strongest Sub-Class options. It can bridge the gap of survivability for Classes that suffer from low Health Points.”

I drummed the tabletop with my fingertips. “Honestly, that sounds more my style than [Myrmidon]. As great as you’ve both made [Myrmidon] look, I feel like I’d have to start over from the beginning to get the hang of it.”

Zahra nodded. “Wielding a katana in a fight is much different than using an axe.”

Cailu frowned. “If that is what you wish. However, Matt, if you do pursue [Battleguard], you will need to employ a capable healer.”

“I have a capable healer,” I snapped.

“You have a fledgling [Acolyte]. She may be able to stop your bleeding, but she cannot restore your Health Points—a reserve you will spend the duration of your combat draining,” Cailu retorted.

“I’m not leaving Cannoli behind.” I looked at Keke, who shook her head. Why aren’t you backing me up here?

“Matt, I want Cannoli to come with us as badly as you do. If she starts Leveling with us and ascends to Second Class, then I think we’ll be fine.” Keke laid a hand on my shoulder. “Cailu’s right.”

I wanted to shake her away. “You’re joking.”

“Nyarlothep is not for the weak-willed. You have come this far, do not squander your efforts on poor decisions and lack of observational awareness,” Cailu chided. “If you plan to bring Cannoli in her current state, you should choose [Myrmidon].”

Thanks, Dad. I hated what I was hearing. From both of them. Regardless of our disagreements, I wanted Cannoli to stay in my Party. We could get past this.

Right?

“We have some time before we depart. I could show you a few stances and help you learn the katana,” Zahra offered. “Whatever would help you make your decision.”

I worked my jaw, staring at each of them in turn. “I’ll talk to her,” I said at last. “Then I’ll choose.”

Cailu nodded, wearing the disappointed dad look well. “Our time here grows short. Do what you must. But, Matt, do not let trivial emotions withhold you from your potential.”

“Yeah. I’ll try,” I replied dryly. “Are we done here?”

Cailu shrugged his good shoulder. “If you have no further questions.”

Not for you, anyway. “I’m good.”

“Very well.” Cailu stood. “You are dismissed for the evening.”

Sir. Yes, sir. “Sure.” I pushed away from the table and stood.

“Matt, listen—” Keke started, reaching for my arm.

“I’m going to talk to Cannoli,” I interrupted. Her hand hesitated inches from my elbow. Nothing she could say would make me feel better about what had just happened. “I’ll take care of it.”

“Right. Of course.” She dropped her hand.

I left the room without another word.