So, I actually noticed the review a while ago... like yesterday... or the day before... or, well, I honestly don't remember. It's summer, so I don't really have a good concept of time...
Anyways, since I was (and still am) suffering from writer's block, I decided to wait, but today I decided it was dumb since nothing is changing, so I'll try and force out a chapter.
Review:
Lilac Gemini: Wow. I really want to do that now... We need triplets: Spune, Forc, and Niv. Hey, I might end up actually doing it... we'll see. Thanks for the review! :D
I guess it's straight to the story now, even though I still have no idea what to write:
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING!
Gahhhh... I hate writer's block... T^T
Alright, time to actually do this:
WARNING: UNANOUNCED POV CHANGES INCOMING
"Apologies for the interruption, but I couldn't help but overhear that you were considering the orc extermination mission, and were short on numbers...?" inquired Len, surprised at his luck. Just as he had been looking to create a temporary party, he had overheard these people talking.
"And who are you?" asked the mage, suspicious. After all, Len was wearing a hood and a mask, so his face was pretty much completely concealed. It couldn't be helped that he wasn't judged as trustworthy.
"Ah, I am sorry for my rudeness. My name is Len, and I had been looking for a party for the orc extermination quest when I happened to hear your discussion, so I thought that I might try to join your party..."[Len]
"Indeed, we do need another member, but we would need someone to fulfill a tank role, not another attacker. So I have to apologize, but you wouldn't be of much help,"(1) the warrior, who seemed to be the leader, cut in.
"I should be able to fulfill your needs," replied Len. "Though I am F rank, it is because I decided it would be a bother to take the advancement test, and I am quite confident in my ability to at least hold back a couple orcs."
While Len did not wish to lie, as he had been taught that dishonesty was inconvenient in more permanent relationships, and he was uncertain if this would end up as one. However, he could not tell them that he was probably able to eliminate the entire orc race with ease, let alone keep a few busy, as he had also been taught that humans tended to fear those stronger than them. So he intentionally misled them to underestimate his strength.
"Sorry," returned the leader, upon hearing Len's rank. "While I would love to believe you, we're risking our lives here... If you could permit us to test you, then..."
"Of course," replied Len. "Rather, I would be doubtful of your leadership ability if you blindly trusted me."
And so, introducing themselves, the group headed out to a courtyard behind the guild, put there solely for advancement tests and parties testing new, or temporary, members. Using the provided training equipment, the warrior and the tank got into position to begin to test Len's abilities. Of course, Len did not draw any of his weapons, as he deemed none of them necessary or efficient for his situation.
"Where is your equipment?" asked the warrior, Gilles, thinking Surely he doesn't intend to do this bare-handed!?
To this Len replied: "As you can tell, those my body size and build are not generally suited for using heavy weapons. For this role, I would say that simply drawing the orcs to attack me, and then using speed to avoid their attacks, is enough to keep them busy. In an actual fight, though, I would use daggers, but we are testing my ability to avoid, no?" His words, however, were misleading once again. While it was true that "generally," people with his build did not use heavy equipment, Len could easily do so. He simply didn't want to pull a large pieces of equipment out of thin air, as he had not had the opportunity to do it discreetly. After all, the guild, wanting to cut back on costs, only provided training weapons, while shields and armor were not supplied. Of course, Len would argue that he was the weapon, or that shields could be used as weapons, but he had been taught to accept that "outworlders are weird." Thus, he faced them bare-handed.
Gilles frowned, uncertain. This style of "tanking" was possible, but no one actually used it, as evading without getting hit was very difficult, especially with multiple enemies. And this boy (for he was sure now that it was a boy: at first, he had not been sure, due to the divine voice, but when introducing themselves Kaiser had brazenly asked; the rest of the party had been mortified, but the boy had calmly answered) was claiming to be able to use it... Gilles, as a D ranked warrior, refused to underestimate his opponent(2), and simply resolved himself to go easy on Len at first, and if the boy was incompetent, then he would refuse to let him join the party.
Forc, who was acting as a referee, loudly declared "Start!", and so the two rushed at Len, who simply stood still.
As the two front-liners, using their full strength, would be equal to a couple of orcs, they were surprised as their blows hit only air. Len moved as if he was dancing; he didn't evade the attacks with pure speed, though he moved so quickly that the naked eye had trouble following him when he had to. He dodged completely with technique; he flowed around their movements. The D-rank party was struck with awe: these movements were on the level of and S ranked mercenary they had seen at the King's Tourney, and that person had been going all out, collapsing after she won the match. Len, meanwhile, was not even slightly out of breath; and despite it's impracticality for this situation, the tails of his bladed cloak were not touched by the swinging weapons, either. This, they knew, was an unforeseen prodigy.(3)
(1) lol
(2) You are, though
(3) If only that was all he was...
Sorry, readers, I know this is a pretty low quality chapter. Bear with me, though, maybe I'll be rid of this writer's block by next time.
