Azure: Gunner

Skill gems are among the most valuable items imaginable, though most never will never see one. On a pound-for-pound basis, the only competition is high-Tier mana crystals – but you can’t find those without venturing into a high-Tier area or dungeon yourself. Skill gems can, in theory, be found in any System chest or even hidden away in a dungeon somewhere.

Not only are Skill gems rare, most of those who find one use it immediately. Often this is for the increase in power that comes with the new Skill, but in other cases it’s out of fear. Fear of the gem being stolen outright, or of being forced into selling it for a fraction of its true value.

Should you find yourself among the very, very lucky, the Guild’s recommendation is simple. Tell no one outside your team. Get yourself to Delver HQ as soon as possible. Turn the gem in there, and the Guild will take care of the auction, subtracting only a small, fixed fee.

- Delver’s Guild Handbook, Section 3.3 – "Learning Skills”

Thompson had to remove Yuri’s manacles for him to access his Inventory, but he was smart enough not to try anything. He’d have had no more chance against the Tier 4 instructor than I had against her pet spiderwolf. One by one, he removed three fist-sized gems and placed them on Thompson’s desk. Unlike the multifaceted Spell gems I’d seen before, these were cube-shaped, glowing softly in different colors.

“That’s all of them,” he said with a sneer, and Thompson nodded in satisfaction. I tried Identifying them, but all I learned was that two of them were Tier 0 and the last one, glowing more brightly than the others, was Tier 1.

“What Skills are they?” I asked, and Thompson replied, indicating each one in turn.

“Concentration – Tier 0, Stealth – Tier 0, and Backstab – Tier 1. I suggest that a reasonable compensation would be one of the Tier 0 gems.”

“What’s Concentration?” I asked, not ready to agree with her right away.

She picked up the first gem, which was shifting colors subtly as I watched.

“This is a common Skill for Mages. It improves your ability to focus while forming non-System-supported runes.”

Huh, that actually sounds pretty interesting for me… But I’m not going to let Yuri know that!

“Well, I guess that’s… ok-ish. I think I should take Backstab, though, or I’m afraid he’ll use it on me when he hits Tier 1!”

Yuri looked at me with an expression that told me I was absolutely fucking right about that.

“That gem is worth three times the Tier 0 gems, combined!” he hissed.

“All the more reason for me to – “

“Let me make a proposal, then,” Thompson cut me off mid sentence. “Azure, your concern is understandable, given the events of last night. However, that Skill is likely of no use to you, as it only impacts melee attacks. So, I propose you take a Tier 0 gem, and to ensure your safety, I will hold the Backstab gem in escrow pending your graduations.”

“What does escrow mean?” I was sure I’d never heard the term before.

“It means that I will keep the gem in my possession, and hold it as surety of Yuri’s good behavior going forward. If he takes no further action against you outside of school rules, then I will return it to him when he graduates. If he violates the agreement, then I will confiscate the gem. Do you agree?”

We argued for several minutes before we reached terms that I was comfortable with. I wanted both Tier 0 gems, but he argued against it and frustratingly Thompson didn’t force the issue. Instead, she said she would hold onto both remaining gems, not just the Tier 1.

I finally gave in, but I insisted that he promise that the protection extended to my current – and former – teammates. I wanted to make sure Alex and Alyssa were protected, just in case. He agreed, with the exception that he wouldn’t be held responsible for anything one of his teammates did without his knowledge.

That was a big fucking loophole, but Thompson actually agreed with Yuri and I was forced to concede. At least him and his team were banned from our dorm under any circumstances, even if some idiot invited them in. Finally, we shook hands on the deal, neither of us happy.

Thompson stored Backstab into her Inventory, and I picked up the other two gems, weighing them in my hands. They felt identical, but I was drawn to the shimmering Concentration more than the dark Stealth.

Concentration fits my Aspect better, since I’d be able to use more different runes more easily. Stealth is probably more powerful, but I’m not really the sneaky type. I wish I could take it for Raylan, though… Fuck, I want both. Why wouldn’t Thompson support me on that?

“I’ll take this one,” I said, placing the Stealth gem back on the desk.

“Absorb it now,” she instructed me, taking Stealth and storing it as well.

“Why?” I asked, confused. Part of me felt that I should at least consider giving it to one of the Mages on my team, like Zaire.

“Don’t argue, just do it!” she snapped, and I tried to conceal a flinch.

It took only a few moments and felt exactly the same as what I’d experienced when getting a new Skill after Leveling up. I had hoped for something more exciting to happen, but I was getting used to disappointment when dealing with PAST. I put off Inspecting my new Skill until I was alone.

“Good,” said the Head Instructor. “I’m glad we’ve been able to put this… unpleasantness behind us. I will make an announcement that there was a confrontation in which both parties were injured, and that a settlement has been reached. Now, Recruit Azure, please excuse us while I clarify a few more things with Trainee Kalmár.”

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I started to stand, but Yuri broke in.

“There is one more thing,” he added, and my heartrate accelerated. He turned to look at me with an expression resembling his usual arrogance. “I want my knife back. It is a family heirloom.”

“Why do you think I have it?” I responded defensively. “I haven’t even seen your stupid dagger.”

“Lie,” Thompson cut in. My teeth clicked shut in shock.

What the fuck? She’s supposed to be helping me, or rather, I’m trying to help her! Despite the fact that she won’t even expel him!

“I mean, I haven’t seen it since I shot you and you dropped it,” I tried again, and this time Thompson nodded. Yuri frowned and then looked at Thompson, who shook her head.

“I didn’t see any daggers in Azure’s room last night. I presumed that the weapon used was your Class Weapon, which would have dematerialized upon your death.”

“Then it must be still in her room! I will retrieve it.”

“That won’t be possible at the moment,” Thompson cut in, and Yuri started to object, but she talked right over him. “There is no need to rush, as I placed a ward on the room. I will need to arrange for the room to be cleaned and repaired before Az can return to it. I will inform you both before permitting anyone else access.”

The grey-haired woman paused briefly before glancing at me.

“Azure, please see yourself out and I will send Wilson to find you if there is anything more. Trainee Kalmár, we must discuss what to communicate to your family about this matter.”

I sagged in relief as soon I was outside, then immediately straightened when I felt Wilson’s curious gaze on me. I walked quickly out of the administration building, and when I checked the time I saw that it was the middle of breakfast. I found my team gathered in the dining hall.

A hush fell across the room when I entered, and I stopped briefly, giving everyone an awkward wave as I grabbed some food and joined my friends.

<Well?> demanded Tara. <What the fuck is going on? Is Yuri getting expelled?>

<No,> I replied with genuine anger.

I had expected that to be the least of his punishment, but Thompson had ordered me to go along with her. She wanted Yuri around where she could keep an eye on him, apparently hoping that there was some connection to the mysterious assassinations that she could use.

<Thompson didn’t want to kick him out, so she had him buy me off instead. At least he’s agreed not to come after any of us as long as we’re students here. She said that’s the best we’re going to get!>

<FUCK!> Tara yelled into the Comms, smashing her fist on the table in frustration and drawing stares from around the room. <That shithead gets away with everything!>

<Well, he got away with one less Skill gem than he had this morning,> I put in, with a grin. Jaws dropped around the table.

<What?> Jayce’s voice was choked. <You got a Skill gem from him?!>

<He did try to kill me… Thompson told him the alternative was going to jail for attempted murder, and he eventually caved.>

<Fuck…> Tara’s voice was a whisper in my ear, and I shivered. Bad Az!

<Tier 0 Skill gem?> she asked, and I nodded. <Damn Az, those are worth easily five thousand eagles and up, assuming you can even get your hands on one, which is hard. They’re rare in the first place, and almost everyone who finds one uses it right away. I guess that’s something that at least even Yuri can’t just replace with a wave of his daddy’s hand…>

<What Skill is it?> H’ruk asked eagerly.

I felt a rush of guilt. Obviously there was no way I could share a single gem, but if Thompson had backed me up, maybe I could have gotten both the Tier 0s! There was nothing I could do about it now, though. I Inspected the Skill, and read the description to my team.