SIX MONTHS AGO

  “They are called Subjects for a reason,” Neta said. It was late evening, and as had been their habit for the past three months, Neta and Duncan were in the forge after dinner. Duncan was only just starting to feel like he was getting the hang of his new hobby, but Neta was more than happy to remind him he knew exactly nothing when it came to being a true swordsmith.

  Now, for some unknown reason, Neta had decided it was the perfect time to explain Subjects to Duncan. He wasn’t complaining, though.

  “One’s Subject is the very essence of their path. It’s the idea or topic their life will revolve around from the moment they choose it. For the few of us who pass the Subject trial, our path is split into two parts. One part will progress through combat, while the other will progress through creation or some other non-combat activity. Both of these parts will make up who you are and who you will become.”

  Duncan’s full attention was focused on Neta’s every word. This was the first time he’d actually had Subjects explained to him past the fact that they were how people obtained Abilities and progressed through the tiers.

  “When you pick your Subjects, you won’t be choosing a bunch of random words. You’ll be choosing the very definition of your power. Every Ability you gain will be influenced by the Subject you bind it to, and every time you advance a tier, your body’s capabilities will change to be more in line with your combat Subject.”

  “All of this means one thing in the grand scheme of your life. The decision you make at the end of your Subject trial will likely be the most important decision of your life. So, I’m going to give you three pieces of advice for choosing your Subjects. This is the same advice I’ve given all my students around this point in their training.”

  Duncan’s hands itched to find his journal, but he had left it in his room. He resolved to memorize every word Neta said for the next few minutes.

  Neta raised a single finger, pointing it straight up at the roof of the forge. “First, choosing a Subject is just as much about intent as it is about the actual words you choose. Two people can have the same combat Subject, but their functions can be completely different based on each person’s intent when they chose the Subject. For example, let's say two people have the Subject FORCE OF NATURE.”

  Duncan didn’t catch Neta’s brief smirk before it vanished, and she continued to explain. “One person could be trying to unlock Abilities related to literal forces of nature, like the tide or natural disasters. They would likely be choosing a combat Subject largely focused on large-scale mage Abilities.”

  “Now, let’s think about our second person who chose FORCE OF NATURE as a Subject. They could have been thinking about the abstract meaning of the phrase. People often refer to someone with a strong personality or endless social energy as a force of nature. Perhaps this person is choosing a non-combat Subject and wants to unlock Abilities related to social gatherings or political influence. Their Abilities would be completely different from the first person’s despite having the same Subject. That’s where the person’s intent when choosing their Subject or Subjects comes in.”

  “Now, intent also needs to be realistic. I know that’s a bit hard to quantify when magic and mana are involved, but think about it logically. Our first example of an individual who chose FORCE OF NATURE as their Subject can’t expect to receive devastating Abilities that can wipe out entire civilizations with a single thought. Their Subject might even punish them for overreaching by giving them less useful skills.”

  “So, make sure you don’t just think about what your Subjects will be. Also, think about how you intend to use them.”

  “My second piece of advice is don’t choose a Subject that’s too broad. I’ve met many people with Subjects like WEAPON MASTER or MASTER OF COMBAT in my life, and every single one of them has suffered from the same weakness. Their Abilities have to encompass such a broad range of weapons and concepts that they aren’t actually masters of anything. They become good with a broad range of weapons and Abilities, but they are exceptional with none of them. Their Subject can give them Abilities to bridge some of the gap, but it is nothing when faced with someone whose Abilities are all focused on enhancing a single form of combat.”

  “Many people wonder why our family only focuses on swords instead of multiple weapons. This is why. Because our ancestors knew that power focused on a single point is much more devastating than power applied over a wider area.”

  “Not everyone is meant to be so focused, however. I imagine Phevona will benefit greatly from having a wider range of Abilities since her role on your team will be to command and control the battlefield on top of being the healer. More options will likely serve her role well. You will be like Cinder and I, though. Your role in any team you’re on will be to deliver efficient death and destruction. You will be your team's weapon, so it’s only right that you focus on being a perfect sword.”

  Duncan rolled his eyes at Neta’s favorite adage. Neta’s smack to the back of his head only made him smile.

  Neta shook her head, then resumed her speech. “My last piece of advice is to think of yourself as a swordsman first and a swordsmith second. Don’t let your non-combat Subject distract you from becoming as powerful as possible.”

  Duncan looked around the forge, finding the advice ironic because of where his master had decided to have this conversation. His raised eyebrow told Neta exactly what he was thinking, and another smack to the back of his head threatened to send him into a fit of laughter.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “Enough, kid. Listen to me. I know it can be tempting to lean on your non-combat Subject a bit more when things are slow and you’re in between delves. There’s nothing wrong with advancing your Subjects in step with each other. But in the Realms, strength trumps everything. Especially at the start of your journey. You know what will happen after your trial.”

  Duncan nodded, his expression serious. “We’ll be on our own for the first three tiers. No external support. No special treatment. Just us.”

  Neta nodded back at her student. “That’s right—just you and your team.”

  ***

  PRESENT DAY

  Duncan stood over the prime monster’s corpse. The realm's power continued to flow through him, almost like it was searching for something. Then, the power flooded into his eyes and head, and something new manifested in his vision. A line of text filled not just his sight but also his mind, refusing to be ignored before it was acknowledged.

  Welcome, Delver. As no Subject interface has been detected, you are eligible for Subject selection. By clearing a temporary realm of a higher tier than yourself while alone, your reward has been upgraded to dual Subject selection. Please choose one combat Subject and one non-combat Subject.

  Duncan’s mind raced. Neta and Cinder had refused to comment about the actual experience of selecting and interacting with Subjects. This was not what he had expected. He’d heard multiple people mention something about a Subject interface, but he hadn’t known what it was, and everyone refused to explain it when he’d asked. When he’d asked Phevona about it, she hadn’t known any details either. She’d just mentioned that it was a tradition to go into the process without knowing what exactly to expect.

  The realm around Duncan seemed to shrink as the realm’s mana continued to flood into him. As he looked around, the earlier prompt refused to leave his vision. Even when he closed his eyes, they remained like stars lighting a night sky.

  ‘Well, I guess it’s time to choose,’ Duncan thought. Despite the strange experience, he was excited. It was finally time. He’d been thinking about the exact words and intent he’d use for each of his Subjects ever since Neta had given him her advice six months earlier. He’d known his choice for a while now.

  It was as simple as a thought, though that thought was anything but simple itself. It contained every aspect of what he wanted to accomplish with his new power. It held every intent and every word he’d chosen after months of lying awake in bed, thinking about this moment. It contained every ounce of his desire to become what his masters had trained him to be. Perfect.

  Congratulations, Delver! You have chosen. Your path as THE QUINTESSENTIAL SWORD has begun.

  Before he could read the rest of the latest message, the power that had been flowing through him started to change.

  Duncan’s world went white.

  ***

  Mikael Morozov missed his best friend. The straightforward and loyal swordsman had had his back for years at the Academy. They’d watched out for each other, and he could use that right now.

  Mikael felt a brief moment of guilt for not thinking about Duncan more often and only doing so now because of his situation, but then he dismissed it. Duncan would be the first person to tell him to stop dwelling on it and focus.

  Since the moment he’d arrived on Dintarnum, Mikael had been unsatisfied. Duncan had disappeared without a trace. No one could give him an explanation. The local nobility turned out to be ruthless and so factionalized that it wasn’t uncommon for fights to break out among the trainers and observers constantly watching the trainees’ progress. Now that he’d been there for two years, Mikael was happy Duncan didn’t have to experience this. He just hoped his best friend hadn’t died somehow on their way over to this horrible place.

  The sound of a door opening brought Mikael's attention to the other end of the waiting room he’d been escorted to just ten minutes earlier. Once he saw who entered, he immediately rose from the plush seat he’d been occupying and gave a sharp Corvelin salute, left fist pressed to left temple.

  “Sit down, mister Morozov,” the prince said, giving Mikael a soft smile as he reached the chair across from the Earthling and sat. The prince’s companion, the same tall masked man who had been following him the last time Mikael had met him on the practice field, stood directly behind and to the side of the prince’s chair.

  Mikael followed the orders and returned to his seat. He’d only met the prince once before, on the practice field. Mikael hadn’t known who he was then, so he’d treated the prince as he would any other opponent… with no mercy. Their sparring session had been enjoyable for Mikael, at least until he learned who he’d been up against.

  “I called you here today to make you an offer,” the prince said, wasting no time. “I find myself in need of some trustworthy people to fill out my delving team. Like you, I’ll be unlocking my Subjects this cycle, and I will be leading a delve team of my own for the foreseeable future. I found you extremely capable, and your attitude was refreshing compared to most others our age. So, I thought I’d make the offer before you finished your training and got snatched up by one of the noble houses.”

  Mikael didn’t know what to think. He’d only met the prince once, and it had only been to spar. Why would he want a non-native like him when he could likely have his pick of the best youths his nation had to offer?

  Despite his better judgment, Mikael decided to just go ahead and ask. “Why me, your highness? Surely, countless others would fight to the death for the chance to join your team.”

  The prince smiled, though Mikael thought he saw something like disgust in his eyes. “Let’s just say I’m looking for people I can trust. You aren’t from here. I know your house has heavy ties with some nobility here, but from what I’ve heard, you don’t get along with your family.”

  Mikael struggled not to snort with bitter laughter. “You could say that, yes.”

  “So, I’ve got more reason to trust you than I do most of my own countrymen and countrywomen. The noble houses want nothing more than to position a spy close to me, so I’m looking for other options. You can provide both ranged offensive magic and some battlefield control.” The prince then gestured over his shoulder at his guard. “Lance will act as a front-line attacker, and I will serve as the team's defense.”

  Mikael didn’t know about the guard, Lance’s, capabilities, but he knew from their spars that the prince was an extremely capable front-line defender. It was one of the things that surprised Mikael the most when he’d found out who he’d been fighting at the time. What kind of prince stood at the front of the fight?

  This prince, Mikael had to admit, was built for the role. He was even taller than Duncan had been two years ago and was covered in muscle. Where Mikael’s best friend had been built for athleticism and graceful power, the prince was built for holding ground.

  “If you decide to accept my offer, that would leave us looking for a support, a scout, and perhaps another front liner or mage, depending on who we could find.” The prince gave Mikael another one of his soft smiles. Despite his position, Mikael found that the prince reminded him of Duncan. Straightforward and, hopefully, loyal.

  “I can give you some time to think about it, but now that I’ve made the offer, it won’t be long before the noble houses find out. They will likely approach you with offers of their own. They may even try to recruit you to spy on me for them. I’m sorry about that, but it’s unfortunately the reality of my situation.”

  Mikael didn’t need time. He had always trusted his gut. It’s what had led him to Duncan back at the Academy and kept him from getting close to any of the nobles once he’d arrived in Corvelin. At that moment, his gut was telling him that joining the prince was the right move. The only move. Plus, maybe he could find out what happened to Duncan with the prince’s help.

  “I’m in,” Mikael blurted out as the prince began to stand up. The surprise on the prince’s face was evident as he returned to his seat.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, concern lacing his words. “This is completely up to you, so don’t feel obligated to join just because of who I am.”

  “I’m sure, Your Highness,” Mikael responded without hesitation. “I don’t want anything to do with the noble houses, and from what I can tell, neither do you.”

  The smile that spread across the prince’s face was full of relief. “You’ve got that right. And please, from now on, call me Konwell when we aren’t in public.”

  Mikael smiled back at the prince. “Alright, Konwell. I do have one quick question, though, if you don’t mind,” Mikael said.

  “Of course. What is it?”

  “Before, you mentioned unlocking your Subjects this cycle like me. You said Subjects, not Subject. You made it sound like we could have more than one.”

  The look of confusion on Konwell’s face at Mikael’s question melted away after Lance briefly whispered something into his ear. “Ah, right. I forget how stupid our country can be sometimes. Let me tell you about something called the Subject trial.”