Click. Clack.
The sound broke the stillness like a hammer through glass. Victor's head snapped up, his senses sharpening.
Around him, the other children began to stir, some rubbing their eyes, others frozen in fear.
A door creaked open, and light pierced the darkness.
A man stood in the doorway, tall and broad, face hidden beneath a shadowed hood. A flickering lantern dangled from his hand, casting long, twisting shadows in the room.
"Up," the man barked. "All of you."
His voice was rough, impatient.
Victor stood slowly, helping a younger boy to his feet. The child's hand trembled in his.
They were herded through the door into a narrow corridor, damp and reeking of mold. Two more men followed behind, steel glinting at their waists.
Victor walked near the back, his eyes scanning every crack, every stone. His instincts had always been reliable. He'd have to trust them once again.
The corridor ended in a chamber—wide, drafty, and lined with wooden beams. A fire crackled in a large hearth, the only source of warmth.
At the end of the hall, a figure sat.
He was a large man with the air of one who'd never known hunger. His face was soft, bloated, but his eyes—those were sharp. Too sharp.
Victor could feel it. The scrutiny. The power. Like the baron was peeling layers from him with just a glance.
The man with the lantern stepped forward, his cold eyes sweeping over the children with a calculating gaze.
"You're in the presence of Baron Ormund," he said, his voice dripping with reverence.
"Show some respect!!!" Hisvoice boomed, and the air seemed to vibrate, then it felt like some immense mystical force pushed them down on their knees. All around he saw the 20 something teens get down on their knees with resounding thuds and pained grunts
escaping them. Clearly they were forced against their will. Victor felt it, but it felt like he could resist if he tried. He didn't.
"These are the new ones?" the baron asked, his voice was deep and and filled with authority.
"Yes, my lord," the man with the lantern said. "Strong stock. Just like you requested."
The baron's gaze passed over the line of children. When it landed on Victor, it paused.
Suddenly Victor felt the air around him change in a way he couldn't describe, as he looked up he caught the man's gaze staring directly at him. The baron looked slightly
surprised that he noticed his gaze, amused, he decided to inspect more.
Meanwhile Victor's heart stuttered. It was more than fear—something else was happening. His mind spun. The man's
presence pressed against him like a storm.
There was a ripple in theair. And then suddenly he felt like the very atmosphere was trying to dig intohis body and uncover his secrets.
As he felt his mind begin to falter under the suffocation and the uncomfortable feeling
was about to reach his head, the feeling of dread in his heart intensified and he could hear the drumming of his heart through his ears. He didn't know why he felt so uncomfortable being exposed like this, but his intuition told him if itwas allowed to continue this short new life would be over before he could even
enjoy it.
'Is this how it ends for me'. He thought with gritted teeth.
But then he suddenly felt a warm, consolatory feeling wash over him, originating from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet. As soon as the suffocating feeling came it left just as quickly, leaving him as tranquil as a still lake.
'That, just now… was that
just a gut feeling, intuition, or was it real.' He was confused, but if he had to guess he'd say it was probably the former.
[Quest Received: Raise charisma and Intelligence to 10. Reward: Ability - Analysis]
He nearly staggered. Not from the baron's gaze—but from the message. It felt... alive.
His thoughts raced. An ability? Analysis? Was it a way to break down data? No things were different now.
People? Magic?
He didn't know. But he wanted it.
He clenched his fists and looked up at the runes.
"I don't care what you are,"
he whispered. "I'll uncover all your secrets".