Book 9. Chapter 36: The Crucible and the Grace
Jake and Bree arrived in the training area, an expanse of thick stone tiles resting beneath their feet with the numerous areas surrounding them. There was a gauntlet, a few environmental practice areas, and individual training rooms or areas meant for different groups to participate at the same time. Those were mostly for Jake’s kids, but even people like Yona could spend time blasting things if they wanted in a target range or practice room.
Ahead of them was the main simulator. It had been upgraded to the peak that Jake’s Refuge could allow, which now reached up to the peak of Early Tier 3. The two of them moved close enough to the simulator, a small, monolithic, computer-like fixture meant to accomplish something similar to Jake in summoning templates.
Bree suddenly said, “I know you need to vent, but before we fight in this simulator…you should know something. You didn’t fight in any tournament before I arrived, did you?”
“Not…really. Ophelia and I had fought in a few matches at our own coliseums in Life’s Haven and a little bit with cultivators. I take it that’s not exactly what you’re referring to?”
Bree shook her head. “Depends, but I know your arenas didn’t have a sophisticated setup yet, as I had spent a lot of time there. The reason I ask… is that my sisters are definitely going to require the Law of Marrow, or a variation of it. Such is common in any serious tournament or duel administered by The Framework or just any larger authority.”
“The what now?”
Bree chuckled. “You might have heard of it as the ARC–The Auxiliary Resource Cap. I’ll explain the Law of Marrow first, because it’s simpler. It’s a rule that squeezes out everything that isn't innately yours, not allowing it for the match. It leaves you only with the power that lives deep in your own bones, and nothing else. No bringing your weapons, armor, gods, or your endless pockets, or your granddaddy’s ghosts to fight your battles for you. Your own teeth and fangs only. Get it?”
Jake’s eyes widened, but he nodded as he understood. There were all sorts of power types that could have strength reserved to be unleashed, and Champions were far from the only ones with a big pool of something that could potentially be unfair in something like a duel. He could just imagine how unfair it would be for him to talk smack to some warrior about a duel and just call upon Hestia to blast them. It would be fun but incredibly shameless, and not his own strength at all.
All of these things were often limited by the Framework for major events, such as the odd competition scenarios within the Dungeon Raid or the numerous Greater Rifts and Fortress Assaults they had participated in. These items were typically listed in the huge amount of Script that they saw establishing those limitations–how many items they could bring, how they may or may not be able to build a structure, and so on–before the matches started.