From Real to Realm

The next morning came much quicker than Val would have preferred.

The light leaking through the gaps in her curtains slowly roused her.

For a few minutes she laid there, enjoying the comfort of the bed around her.

I can’t stay in bed—even if I wanted to.

With a groan of resistance she slowly tossed the blankets aside.

Throwing her legs over the side of the bed the cold floor welcomed her. With a sigh, she stood and stretched in anticipation for the day’s events.

After opening her curtains fully she noticed the sun was a little higher than she originally thought.

“I might have overslept.”

Val rushed to get dressed for the day. It was a good thing she laid out clothes the night before, even through the exhaustion.

Within minutes she was lacing her boots up once more and stepping into the hallway, where Celestia greeted her with food.

“Hey sis, I figured you were still asleep so I was bringing you some breakfast.”

“I overslept a little.” Val smiled, taking the plate from her sister. “Thank you for bringing me something to eat. Did everyone else already finish?”

Val began eating as Celestia explained what happened at breakfast.

Nothing of note had happened. Maxwell originally wanted to wake her up but thankfully Vesperia talked him out of it. Turns out her mother was beginning to worry about what Val was really doing everyday.

Especially after seeing how dirty Val was last night. Not to mention how exhausted she looked.

Celestia sighed. “So mother is kind of on alert now.”

Val nodded. “I take it that’s why you brought more meat and bread this time around?”

Celestia nodded. “Yep. She wanted to make sure you had enough to fuel you for the day.”

Val handed Celestia the plate before giving her a small side hug.

“Thank you for bringing it to me. I hate to rush out but I do have something I need to do.”

As she was about to descend the stairs Celestia called out, worry lacing her words.

“Valnarei… Y—you’re alright, right?”

Val stopped, her grip tightening on the railing.

I don’t want to lie, but I can’t tell her what’s going on.

“Of course,” she said, turning. “I couldn’t be happier.”

Val didn’t really wait for a reply, but the smile she showed her sister was genuine.

Val really was happier than ever. However, the reason behind that, couldn’t be given.

Either Celestia believed her, or was too scared to pry, because Val was able to walk out of her house without issue.

The walk to the guildhall was needed.

Val hadn’t realized it at first, but she was sore. Even just rotating her shoulder made her wince slightly.

By the time she arrived at the guildhall she had worked some of the tension out of her body.

However, standing guard once again was the jerk who was constantly giving her shit.

Even as she approached she watched his steps match her direction, obviously intent on interfering.

“Just you today?” he asked. “Nope, meeting the same group inside.”

Val didn’t feel like talking to him.

So without another word she tried sidestepping him but a shield was placed in front of her.

Great. Thing two is joining in now.

“I don’t see a badge, miss.”

The second guard’s voice was rough. It sounded like a smoker’s voice from Val’s original world.

“I’m getting one today.”

“Well that’s too bad,” the first guard said. “I guess you’ll have to wait to get it another time, because we aren’t letting you through.”

Val sighed. “Just move, alright?”

She motioned behind her. “At least I’m willing to put my life on the line for this city and its people. You really plan on hamming me up with this bureaucratic bullshit every time until I get my badge? I mean don’t you dolts need to be more focused on people with bad intentions?”

The guards looked between each other.

Val’s words had cut deep, but she could see it in their eyes. They didn’t like her.

For whatever reason, they planned on being a thorn in her side for as long as they could.

“Good speech kid, but we aren’t letting you in.”

Val threw her hands up, turning away from them.

However, without a word she darted to the side before they could react.

I can’t fight them. But if I can make it inside the hall… surely someone will vouch for me, right?!

The sudden change in direction and burst of speed was enough for her to just barely slip by them.

Before she could make it deeper into the courtyard though, she slammed into something.

Once again she was on her ass staring up at a “wall”.

“You’re late Val,” Cyrus tutted, smirking.

She grinned. “Sorry, was dealing with assholes again.”

Cyrus held a hand out and helped her up, just as the guards rushed in to grab her arms.

“We’re taking you to the city guard,” the first jerk said.

Before they could begin “escorting” Val, a strong hand gripped his wrist.

“Excuse me? She’s here with me, so you’ll let her go. Now.”

Val hadn’t heard Cyrus get serious before.

The guy was always smiles, laughs, and a bit goofy in ways.

However, the voice that she heard right now sent a chill up her spine. It sounded like his voice had dropped an octave lower, at least.

“Cyrus!” the guard yelled. “Let me go this instant!”

“She. Is. With. Me.”

“Us,” Irina corrected him.

The guy looked past Cyrus to see the group all there.

Irina, Zennia, and Dolf. And boy did Dolf look like he wanted a fight right now.

“F—fine! But I am reporting this to the guild master!”

Cyrus grinned. “Do it then.”

The assholes let go of Val before stepping to the side and walking off towards the hall.

“Thanks.”

“You need your badge,” Zennia said, sighing. “Or else they will have it out for you even worse now.”

Cyrus slapped Val on the back, harder than he likely meant to. “No reason to worry! She’s a Hybrid type for sure!”

He grinned, mischievously. “Dolf and I have a plan to prove it today.”

Val could see the two of them share a look and she shuddered.

What did I sign up for?

Val was standing in the same pit as yesterday. The same halberd resting in her hands.

The only difference was the gear she was wearing. She wasn’t just in her clothes anymore.

Now she wore light leather pieces. “So what is the armor for?”

Dolf wrapped his fists, smirking as he looked up. “Let’s just say—you’ll want it.”

Cyrus nodded.

Val rolled the haft of her halberd and tested the weight once more.

It felt just like yesterday—but something had changed. The weapon wasn’t just a weapon to her anymore. It felt more like an extension of herself.

It was the first time Val felt this pull—this connection.

“Looks like you’re feeling something,” Irina called from the side.

Val smiled. “Definitely.”

Cyrus chuckled. “Good, because you’re going to need it.”

Val tilted her head. “What do you me—“

Her words were cut off as Dolf rushed her without warning.

She barely dodged his punch, already forced on the defensive. However, that wasn’t where it stopped. The dwarf was able to plant his foot and then kick her in the side hard.

“Fuck!”

Val rolled a few times before getting back to her feet ready to try and counter-attack.

Only this time she was face to face with a tall tower shield. In seconds she was ducking just low enough for a wooden blade to sweep through her hair.

I don’t even have time to think!

Val rotated on her weak leg using her right to sweep at Cyrus’.

It worked, but not enough to knock him down.

As Cyrus stumbled slightly, Dolf replaced him. Neither man was saying a word.

The chemistry was mind-blowing and Val was getting a front row seat to it.

Cyrus was easy to track. His large stature was hard to miss and from what Val could tell, he didn’t have much agility.

Dolf, on the other hand. His attacks were accurate, hit hard, and he was able to dip in and out with ease. Val couldn’t keep up with his speed, or his strength.

“You can’t just take hits! You need to fight back!”

I fucking know that!

Val barely had time to glance at Irina after she shouted.

But I can barely dodge let alone attack!

Val barely caught movement from her peripheral before feeling the connection.

Her ribs ached as the breath was knocked from her lungs. Even as she struggled to stay standing, and breathing, they didn’t stop.

Val weakly offered a thrust toward Cyrus as he pushed in.

Val was lying on her back now, halberd laying a few feet away. Her eyes were struggling to focus on a flock of birds flying overhead.Her breathing was ragged and her body hurt.

I thought I had it figured out yesterday… I thought I made progress.

Cyrus and Dolf were standing on their side of the arena, waiting, watching.

“Get up Val,” Zennia said, crouching next to her. “You need to learn how to fight without preparation. I’m sorry but I can’t heal you until they say so.”

Val slowly sat up. “I can’t keep up.”

Zennia glanced at the guys, smiling. “They’re strong. I know. But you’ve got promise, we all see it.”

She slowly helped Val to her feet as Irina approached, Val’s halberd in hand.

“She’s right. You have something raw, unrefined, but strong and determined about you,” she said.

Zennia nodded. “Now show the boys you’ve got this.”

As soon as Val had her halberd in her grip it was on.

Dolf rushed once more, barely giving Irina and Zennia time to get out of the way. Val felt it before she saw it.

His fist connected with her stomach, causing her to almost lose her breakfast. She wasn’t able to keep up as he twisted, his foot careening for her head.

“Wha—“

Dolf was laying on the ground, eyes wide.

Val was still coughing but had her halberd’s blade pressed to his chest.

Everyone saw what happened. Val lacked the same speed Dolf had so her movements were easy to track.

Irina jumped up. “That a girl!”

Val barely had time to try and smile at Irina before Cyrus slammed into her. As she rolled backwards and made her way to her feet she saw something. Dolf was looking at her differently. Even Cyrus was smiling now.

Alright. Let’s go…

Val didn’t have a hope in hell of winning.

Dolf and Cyrus were not only much higher levels than her, but had chemistry. Plus, it was two on one. If Val had a success, even a minor one, they would swap or cover for each other.

The back and forth continued for what felt like forever.

Val was constantly on the defensive, trying to get hits in when she could. Neither of the guys were letting up, even as she struggled to get to her feet.

She spat blood into the sand.

A thin line of blood was running down her face. It wasn’t anything serious, but it was the first time she truly had been injured.

However, even Cyrus was sporting a nice welt and Dolf was favoring his good leg.

I’m not going down without a fight.

Zennia had stayed true to her word. She wasn’t healing Val, or the boys.

Val pushed forward rushing the guys as they stood there.

Dolf immediately flanked out to the side as Val slammed her halberd against Cyrus’ shield. Cyrus deflected. Val stumbled, but recovered well enough.

Dolf came in from the side, aiming to take out her legs again.

Val jumped, easily clearing his height as he soared by. Cyrus used her temporary position to push her away.

However, Val expected that this time.

With a twist she hooked her halberd on his shield.

With the momentum from his push, Val was able to pull him off center. She never expected to tear the shield from his hands, but even getting him off kilter was a win in her book.

When she landed on her feet she planted hard.

Then, with all her strength she lunged.

Using the top of his shield as a guide, her halberd slammed into his shoulder. It wasn’t a glancing blow either.

The thud of his sword hitting the ground was music to her ears.

“Agh. Fuck…”

Val glanced down at the wooden sword laying in the sand. Then looked up—right into Cyrus’ pained expression.

I—I disarmed him!

It was the first time Cyrus had spoken during the entire spar.

He was in real pain right now.

Without realizing it, Val had softened up, worry coloring her expression.

A sudden fist to her lower back reminded her that this wasn’t meant to stop just yet.

Even if she had disarmed the big guy, there was a shifty little fuck flying around behind her right now. Letting her guard down meant he was able to connect a trio of strong attacks before shifting out of reach again.

Val groaned as pain sprouted in her lower back.

Without thinking she swung her halberd blindly. It was stupid to open herself up so much, but she was getting pissed.

Dolf didn’t hesitate to capitalize on the bad judgment though.

Val ended up flat on her back, Dolf holding her down and panting. As he held her down Cyrus finally spoke up once more.

“I think that’s enough.”

Dolf looked up to him, releasing Val. She looked in his direction before he held out his weak hand.

Whatever she had done to his shoulder, was enough to be bothering him.

Irina and Zennia approached as she got to her feet.

“You need refinement, badly,” Dolf said. “But, with the right perseverance and grit, you could do some serious damage.”

Cyrus nodded.

“Even with a wooden halberd, you dislocated my shoulder. You used my shove as a way to capitalize. Don’t get me wrong, we messed you up good. But for someone without an official class?” He smiled. “You did a damn good job.”

Val felt warmth suffuse her body as Zennia placed a glowing green hand against her lower back. Within seconds she could feel the aches and pain dissolving.

“Irina was right,” Zennia said softly. “You’re without a doubt a hybrid.”

“Kind of hard to nail down your fighting style though,” Irina chimed in. “You don’t really favor one style, at least not yet.”

It didn’t take Zennia long to finish healing everyone.

Cyrus took the longest, especially since Dolf had to reset his shoulder for Zennia. Val really did feel bad about doing that but Cyrus assured her he loved it.

“I’m not another no level adventurer. You dislocated my shoulder. With a wooden weapon no less. That’s not exactly easy to do.”

“I still feel bad,” she said, frowning.

Cyrus placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing lightly.

He smiled. “I’d be more upset if you had held back.”

Val nodded. “Alright, if you say so.”

As a group they returned all of the borrowed gear to the racks.

As Val set the halberd in place she brushed her hand along the wooden blade.

It’s time…

After taking a deep breath she spoke one word.

“Status.”

A familiar translucent window appeared before her.

[Name:]

Valnarei Rose Strouss

[Age:] 19

[Race:] Half-Elf

[Combat Type:] None

[Archetype:] Locked

[Level:] Zero

[Strength:] D

[Endurance:] D

[Agility:] E

[Dexterity:] E

[Resolve:] D

[Resilience:] E

[Arcana:] ?

[Mana:] ?

[Learned Techniques:]

None

[Passive Traits:]

None

Her eyes locked onto Combat Type.

Her pulse quickened in anticipation.

She knew what to say, she knew how to get there, but even now she was hesitant.

What if I regret my choice?

“Val? You alright?” Zennia asked.

Val closed the window before turning to the group.

They were all looking at her, smiles and everything.

“You’re a Hybrid,” Cyrus reminded her.

“We all saw it,” Irina chimed in.

“You aren’t rushing anymore. You’ve got your path,” Dolf said, presenting his fist in her direction.

Val’s heart swelled. Tears stung the corners of her eyes, but she nodded, smiling.

“You’re right. This is me, and I’m a hybrid.”

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