Free Web NovelChapter 14: Trust Milestone
Luke opened his eyes to the morning rays of sunshine, but also a system screen blocking said rays.
[Trust has reached a milestone!]
[Trust 20/100]
[You are now someone your wife can rely on!]
[Reward: Spouse Ability - Shared Growth, F-Rank Utility Spell - Pattern Recognition, Mana +3]
’Spouse Ability?’
[Yes Host, a spouse ability is different from a spell, as it is a power from the system. Spouse abilities are powerful, but require certain conditions to activate. Until you find the activation condition for ’Shared Growth’, the system is unable to give you a description of its powers.]
’Sweet, I get rewards I can’t even use.’
[Name: Lucius Kreuger]
[Rank: F]
[Mana: 16]
[Spells: Defense Increase (F), Pattern Recognition (F), Frost Spike (D)]
[Bonded Spouse: Valeria Kreuger]
[Spouse Abilities: Shared Growth (Not Activated)]
[Trust: 20/100]
[Affection: 3/100]
[Milestones Completed: 2/14]
Luke’s focus on the system was broken when he heard the shower turn on in the bathroom.
’Shoot, I must have overslept.’
Luke had thought about testing Pattern Recognition, but breakfast came first. He scoured the pantry and fridge for simple ingredients, finding a simple meal to cook up. Luke settled on some breakfast sausage and eggs, which he prepared with lightning speed.
He had finished cooking before Valeria had even finished her shower, so he spent the time searching for another pair of clothes.
When he entered the bedroom the blinds were still shut; Luke opened them first thing. The closet was just as full of women’s clothes as it had been the previous two days, but with some light he could see the end where his clothes hung.
He owned a few dress shirts and similarly fancy pants, but he only owned one uniform; perks of having parents in debt. Luke could only panic, fearing that he would be out of clean clothes for the rest of the week, but then he remembered Lucius’s memories.
Laundry machines worked differently in this world, with one press of a button the clothes inside would turn back to their cleanest form, it was some sort of reversing time enchantment that went beyond Lucius’s knowledge, but was even capable of fixing holes and missing pieces.
Unfortunately, he would have to wait to test out the machine as it was inside the bathroom. With nothing more to do as he waited, Luke grabbed the ASL for Dummies book from the living room, plated their breakfast, and started to practice.
His practice was only around ten minutes long before Valeria came out, dressed in a pants-blouse combo.
Good morning, Valeria.
Good morning, Luke.
Their signing had become more natural after the lessons from the previous night. Valeria wheeled to the open spot around the table and ate with Luke. When they were finished Luke rushed to clean the dishes, so he would have time to test the laundry machine.
Luke Bathroom.
He signed to Valeria, who seemed to get a chuckle out of his terrible grammar.
Luke reached the bathroom in moments where he promptly located the machine, sitting in a corner on its lonesome. He lifted the lid, noticing the runes printed on the underside, and threw in his clothes. The metal lid rattled as he shut it, before pressing the only button on its panel.
It whirred loudly for a moment before making a ding noise when it finished. Luke cautiously opened the door, but just found his clothes lying perfectly clean inside. Satisfied with the machine, he turned on the shower and cleaned himself.
***
Before long, the two were already walking toward the train station. This time Valeria asked for Luke to push her, which he happily agreed to do.
They waited on the train platform, watching the magic-propelled train come to a loud stop. Once inside, the train hummed to life and zoomed along the tracks towards the academy.
There were still whispers from nearby students, but nothing like the amount from the previous day. Valeria quietly sat, writing on a folded piece of paper, yet every time he tried to sneak a glance at the words she would use her body to block his view.
After a few attempts, and realizing that Valeria had eyes on the back of her head, Luke just patiently waited until the train pulled into the academy station.
He listened as the humming stopped and the doors opened, again he pushed her out before any other students could exit.
It didn’t take long before Valeria and Luke were standing in the same spot as yesterday. They signed their goodbyes before Valeria handed him a note.
Making sure she had cleared the current of students, Luke unfolded the note:
Good luck today, Luke.
F-Rank rifts are easy, but can become deadly if you relax. Keep your guard up and eyes peeled. Make sure to take a weapon before entering.
P.S. I believe in you.
He smiled as he read the last line before freezing as he remembered the practical.
’I am going to be fighting monsters after only two days in another world. I shouldn’t be this excited.’
Luke could feel his heart pounding, the kind of rush he would get when he would spar in his MMA practices. Except now his life was on the line.
Feeling as though his heart might burst from his chest, Luke headed to his first class of the day.
Inside the lecture there was an even louder bustle than before. Everyone was just as excited about their first rift. This test was significant for explorers, as a poor performance could limit their own growth. Those deemed incompetent would only be allowed to enter F-Rank rifts, as a preventive measure to keep more explorers alive
"Settle down class. I know everyone is excited about the practical exam today, but you still have classes to pay attention to."
Professor Kreiser paused, letting students return to their seats.
"I thought it would be fitting to go over the history of the academy’s very own Rift Park. As you all know F-Rank rifts make up the majority of currently stable rifts. What you probably didn’t know is that the academy rift park contains 0.1% of all stable F-Rank rifts. The total comes out to roughly a thousand."
A couple students gasped, before the professor continued again.
"This is the largest educational Rift Park in the country, and yet it barely scratches the surface of the number of stable rifts throughout the world."
Professor Kreiser let the statement settle before looking across the room.
"Many of you probably think that because these are F-Rank rifts, today will be easy."
A few students nodded.
His expression hardened.
"It isn’t."
"Now, I think I should share the death rate for academy students during the practical."
"Statically speaking, one percent of you will be dead before the sunset"
