Loopbreaker

The position of the sun had surprised Francis. It was not as high as it had been when he left the army. Upon mentioning it to Kaelith, who was leading him across a large stone courtyard, the man sighed.

“You do realize that the sun and our world… no… obviously you don’t, otherwise you wouldn’t ask that question. How… how did you convince the General and the King to send you here if you don’t even know how the sun works around the kingdom and the rest of the world?”

“I’m good with a sword,” Francis replied.

“And I could kill you before that sword ever reached me,” the man shot back, not bothering to look at him as their pace increased. “Do you realize that weapons are only useful in certain situations? Magic has power that can be used in multiple ways. Sometimes I wonder why we bother training such large armies. I mean… I know why, but still.”

“And yet the Kingdom of Shenzen is struggling just as much as we are against this enemy, while having the strongest mages in all four kingdoms,” Francis replied.

Kaelith spun far quicker than Francis had anticipated and thrust a finger into his chest.

“Do not speak of that or say such lies!”

Francis didn’t want to back down, no matter how much the man’s nostrils flared or his eyes looked ready to cast flames at him.

“Forgive me, sir, I was only repeating what the General had told me.”

Kaelith's lips began to twitch as he prepared to reply, but the man clamped his mouth shut. There came a hmph as the man spun and began walking purposefully toward a street.

I guess he didn’t like that reply. Seems Stenson was right. These people really do try to get under your skin.

Without missing a beat, Francis quickly caught up and stayed just a step behind, not wanting to find himself deeper in a hole he hadn’t planned on digging.

***

“Forgive me, sir, but are you sure that is wise?” A voice from inside the office reached Francis’ ears.

Still pretending not to listen, Francis stared down the hallway at the teens and young men moving through it. Some were carrying armor and weapons, while others had backpacks that seemed ready to burst.

“Avelis herself ordered this. Now make sure this is done, Dorian or so help me, you’ll find yourself wishing you’d never been born.” Kaelith’s voice could be heard over the men in the hall.

A grunt came from the room; a second later, Kaelith exited and faced Francis.

“You are in good hands,” Kaelith said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other duties to attend to.”

With that, the mage strode off, leaving Francis standing there outside the office of the one who had just been told to make his life difficult.

“Lancaster, get in here!” a voice shouted from within.

Ignoring the looks that some of the others in the hall had been giving him, Francis turned and entered, amazed at how disorganized the room was.

This is almost as bad as Dexter’s room.

Papers, books, weapons, armor, and other objects were scattered everywhere. A chair and a long couch were covered in supplies, and standing behind a small desk with more paper stacked up than seemed possible was a thin man pushing up his glasses as he moved.

“I’m Master Dorian, and you will do whatever I tell you. Is that understood?”

Francis nodded, not wanting to argue but feeling he could snap the older man in half.

He’s so thin, I swear a strong breeze could knock him over.

A grunt came from his new master of pain as the older man scrutinized him.

“Where are your other clothes?” Dorian asked.

“This is all I have,” Francis replied.

“Weapons? Armor?”

“No, sir,” Francis said. “My coming here was rapid enough that I didn’t get to prepare.

Snorting, the master of the dorms groaned. “I guess that is why I have been instructed to ensure you have outfits and equipment. Why no one ever brings anything is beyond me,” Dorian muttered as he began digging through different piles. Hold this!”

A backpack was tossed at him, and Francis grabbed it without missing a beat, holding it open.

Clothes were deposited quickly. Next came leather armor, which was also stuffed inside. Six books were added to the growing pack before the gift giver stopped.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to NovelFire for the genuine story.

“What weapon do you use?” Dorian asked.

“I’m best with a sword and can use a shield, but don’t always. The only other weapon skill I have is a mace, but that’s not worth mentioning.”

The weathered man's face showed a slight look of surprise, and he had to push his glasses back up his nose.

“You… actually have the mace skill?”

“I do,” Francis replied.

“Interesting. Still, I’m only required to give you one weapon and it wouldn’t be worth either of our time giving you a mace. For now, take your bag to your room and I’ll ensure you have a weapon tomorrow when you show up to sparring.”

“And my room is…”

Grunting, Dorian moved past Francis and toward the door.

“Come, I’ll show you,” the man said, not waiting for Francis.

Slinging his backpack over his shoulder, Francis followed the keeper of what he knew was a dorm. He watched the older man take long strides. Each step was silent along the carpet that ran the length of the hallway.

Everyone present watched as the two of them made their way to the stairs and began to climb.

Dorian took them two at a time, not missing a beat, and Francis followed. Two more flights of stairs led him to the fourth floor; it quickly became obvious that the rooms and levels got nicer with each subsequent flight of stairs.

“Never go to the fifth floor,” Dorian said, motioning toward the left. “You do not possess the value, money, or blood that allows for one to reside up there.”

“Understood,” Francis replied, not bothering to worry about that right now.

I don’t have time for that kind of drama. I mean, I do, but I really don’t want it.

Someone had announced their presence as a few doors opened and older teens and young men stepped out, each getting a look at Francis as they walked down the hallway.

A few murmurs came, and then as Francis and Dorian neared the end of the hall, a door swung open, and the sight of an emerging person made Francis miss a step.

“You?! What the hell are you doing here?!”

Francis turned, seeing his oversized brother puffing out his chest, and the scowl that always seemed present during his childhood, still in place. Derrek’s white hair stood against his tanned skin and a pair of silver eyes was hidden between furled brows. It had been years since Francis had seen his brother, but he had put on at least forty pounds of muscle since they last spoke.

“I guess it’s good to see you too, Derrek,” Francis said, grinning.

His brother’s jaw tightened and two fists formed as they approached.

“Now would not be a good time for this,” Dorrian said as he stopped at the door across from his Derrek’s. “Francis will be staying directly across–”

“WHAT? Why is he–”

The older man’s hand rose and Francis watched as his brother was thrown back by nothing, slamming into the wall with a thud.

“Do not ever raise your voice to me, is that understood?” Gone was the tone the keeper of this place had used this entire time. Now, it had an edge; Francis knew whoever Dorian was, the man had magic capable of causing harm.

A grunt and a nod came from Derrek as he was still pressed against the dark wood walls.

“Very good. Now as I was saying, your brother will be staying across from you. I expect you to help him find his classes tomorrow. After that, he is on his own. Do you have any questions?”

His brother’s eyes bulged, but a single bob of his head was all that Derrek gave.

Immediately, Derrek’s body fell from the wall.

A key appeared in Dorian’s hand. “Do not lose this, as it costs a gold each time. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir,” Francis replied.

“I suggest you get moved in. Today you will have no classes. Feel free to explore the Spires, but do not enter any of the Magical classrooms, dorms, or leave this area. Mealtimes are listed on the paper I put inside the top book. Your schedule is also written down. The bells will ring to announce the call to wake up, lunch, and dinner. Beyond that, try not to get in trouble.”

Taking the key from the outstretched hand, Francis nodded and moved to the door, slipping it into the hole and turning it. A click sounded, and the door opened.

Retrieving his key, Francis stood in the open doorway; he was surprised to find a bed with a thick mattress, blankets, an empty desk, and a chair along with a window that had light streaming in.

This thing is bigger than the room I shared with Michael at the inn!

Lost in the moment of appreciating his new room, Francis was sent lurching forward after being pushed from behind.

“What in the gods are you doing here? ” Derrek growled.

Catching himself mid-stumble, Francis set his bag on the bed and slipped the key into his pocket, turning to see his brother approaching.

It had been six years since he had last seen Derrek, and the man had put on some serious muscle since then. Whatever he was doing to improve his body had been paying off.

“I’m talking to you!” his brother roared when no answer came immediately.

“General Stenson personally sent me–” Francis started.

“Lies! You’re nothing but a–”

Having been bullied by Derrek for most of his childhood, Francis believed he knew how Derrek felt about him. What made things worse was that each of his brothers had endured beatings whenever Derrek felt slighted. In fact, if Derrek was upset in any way, someone got the brunt of the deal.

So, like any sibling who finally grew up and was ready to show they wouldn’t take it anymore, Francis did just that.

He sent a punch at his brother’s stomach, glad that Derrek had felt the need to get close. A poor attempt at a block came, but Francis wouldn’t let that stop this moment of revenge. Having beat Cutter to death, Francis had a pretty good idea how hard he was about to hit his brother and was okay with that.

[ Power Strike ]

Derrek flew backward and rolled into the hallway, where he landed on his back for a moment. Then a hand found his stomach as he started retching on the carpet.

Laughter, followed by a single whistle, silenced them all. There were only the sounds of retching until Dorian stood over the one making a mess on the floor. “You’re going to pay for this mess, Mr. Lancaster.”

“I’m fine with that,” Francis replied.

Dorian turned his head and stared. “No, Francis. Your brother will pay for this mess. If you bleed, ensure that you do not stain my carpet. If you shit yourself, do not dirty my carpet. You can destroy your possessions and I won’t give it a second thought. However, if you track mud or any other debris on this carpet, I will hold you responsible. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

A single nod came from the man, and for a second, Francis swore a tiny smile had appeared on the older man’s face.

“Now then, Mr. Lancaster, please clean up your mess and then ensure that my instructions are carried out. Do you understand?”

Francis’ older brother gave a weak grunt, and the keeper of this building left, leaving Derrek in a pile of his vomit.

Wanting to make sure he took a moment to convey how this would go down if anyone else felt the need to be an arse, Francis moved to the door and stood over his brother.

“Next time you try to be a jerk and bully me, I’ll break your jaw. I’m not your bitch, and I often wish I wasn’t your brother, but family or not, so help me, by the gods, if you screw with me, I will make you regret it. Understand?”

His brother blinked multiple times, pain and rage filling his face, but Francis didn’t care.

Glancing at the other men in the hallway, Derrek finally nodded. Francis turned, quickly shutting the door behind him to hide the wide smile on his face.