Chapter 20: The Lay of the Land
It was the second class since their arrival at the Stone Tower, and Abel felt the weight of anticipation in the air. This class followed the last gathering where he had acquired the Luck Ritual—a valuable yet dangerous boon that would require careful timing and execution. Today, they were to learn more about their surroundings and the territories outside the safety of the Tower’s walls. A new faculty member stood at the front of the class—a man Abel had never seen before.
Professor Poole was a dark-skinned man with a chiseled jawline that gave his face a stern, authoritative appearance. His hazel eyes were sharp and observant, and his dreadlocks were tied back into a thick bundle between his shoulder blades. His presence was commanding, but there was a certain warmth to his demeanor that kept the recruits'' attention.
"Today," Poole began, his deep voice resonating throughout the room, "we will be discussing the geography surrounding the Stone Tower and the dangers you might face within these lands. Understanding the lay of the land is crucial, especially for those of you who wish to undertake tasks in the near future."
He moved his hand over a large, rolled-out parchment on the desk behind him, revealing a detailed map of the surrounding regions. His fingers traced the edges of the Tower''s location, which was centrally placed within the Stone Forest—a vast, dense woodland filled with towering, moss-covered trees that extended far beyond the eye could see.
“First, we have the Inner Perimeter,” Poole explained. “This is the area immediately surrounding the Tower that remains under its direct protection. It''s mostly comprised of the Stone Forest, which stretches out for several miles in every direction. Here, within this perimeter, magical creatures do exist, but their power is limited by the Tower’s protective wards.”
The recruits leaned forward, listening intently.
“Then there is the Outer Perimeter,” he continued, pointing to several locations beyond the forest. “This encompasses five distinct regions around the Stone Forest. To the west, we have the rugged Highlands, known for their harsh cliffs and treacherous slopes. To the south, a dense, almost impenetrable forest. To the east lie the lake-filled plains, an area dotted with deep bodies of water that house all sorts of hidden dangers. And to the farthest south… well, there’s still more land that we’ve yet to fully explore.”
The recruits exchanged glances, excitement and anxiety flitting across their faces. Abel’s mind buzzed with the new information, already trying to formulate strategies for his future explorations.
“The south and east are of particular importance to us,” Poole added, his tone more serious. “These are the areas the Stone Tower focuses on exploring and expanding our influence. However, for most of you recruits, your time will be spent within the Inner Perimeter. And while there are magical creatures here, the strongest among them are only as powerful as a newly promoted Apostle. Anything stronger wouldn’t survive within the Stone Forest—it would be swiftly dealt with by the Tower’s protections.”
Poole paused and looked over the room, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Now, who among you can name a creature found within the Inner Perimeter?”
Isabella’s hand shot up with confidence. “The Sleepwalker, Eyesnatcher, and Acid Worms,” she said, her voice steady.
Poole nodded approvingly. “Good. You''ve been making good use of the library, I see. The Sleepwalker is a spirit-like creature known to wander aimlessly through the forest at night, luring the curious or foolish into its grasp. The Eyesnatcher… well, the name speaks for itself. And Acid Worms are nasty critters; best avoided if you value your skin.”
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
The class chuckled nervously, but there was a collective sense of respect for Isabella’s knowledge.
“But,” Poole continued, “the most common creature you’ll encounter is the Forest Gremlin. They are mischievous little beasts, similar to goblins but even more treacherous. They aren’t particularly strong, but they are smart. They prey on the weak or those injured during exploration. The only thing they fear is Black Garlic. Make sure you always carry some when venturing into the Inner Perimeter. It could save your life.”
The recruits listened closely, absorbing every word. Abel was fascinated, his mind already working through how he could use this information. Suddenly, Nando raised his hand, his expression serious.
“Professor,” he began, “have you heard of a creature…?” Nando began to explain the hand he possessed in great detail, from the stench it produced to the way it looked. Ever since he had acquired the hand from the creature, he had analyzed it in detail, so describing it wasn’t much of an issue.
Poole’s eyes narrowed slightly as he heard the description, his expression darkening. “That looks like a Tomb Walker''s hand. Highly aggressive creatures, capable of driving the mundane mad just by the scent they exude. If you encounter one, run. If you ever feel like you might encounter one, carry Aurora Water with you. These are usually found on the side of certain lakes to the west. Even Apostles that have just broken through find Tomb Walkers challenging.”
A shiver ran through the room. Nando nodded slowly, taking mental notes. Abel and the others exchanged uneasy glances.
The class continued for another hour as Poole provided more insights into the surrounding areas, the dangers that lurked in both the day and night and the Tower’s policies regarding exploration. “Be cautious at night,” he warned. “Strange occurrences have been reported—things that even the Apostles struggle to explain.”
The gravity of his words hung in the air as the class ended.
Afterward, the four members of Room Eighty—Abel, Sena, Isabella, and Nando—decided to head to the task office. As they approached, they noticed that the area was bustling with recruits. The room was filled to the brim, bodies pressed together, all vying to get a look at the available tasks. Abel could feel the energy in the air—their desire to prove themselves, to earn contribution points, to survive.
After waiting for some of the crowd to disperse, they finally made their way to the task board. The tasks varied significantly, ranging from mundane jobs like collecting herbs to more dangerous assignments like assisting in the arcane workshops or even performing basic guard duty. Abel noticed that some of the tasks were posted by Apostles, their names marked in elegant script—Apostle Windcaller, Apostle Essence, and even some faculty members like Poole and Glandel.
Each task was marked with stars—one to three. “Only one-star tasks are available for you lot,” Glandel reminded them as he stood by, overseeing the chaotic scene. “Two-star tasks are for Apostles and above.”
Abel nodded, scanning the board carefully already hearing it all before. One-star tasks offered three to ten contribution points, while the higher-star tasks boasted additional rewards—exotic items or rare artifacts.
Among the many listings, something caught his eye: Assist Marcella in the Library Archives. One-star task. Five contribution points.
Abel stared at the posting. No one had grabbed it. Perhaps the recruits found the library work dull or Marcella intimidating, but for Abel, this seemed like an opportunity. He quickly reached out and grabbed the parchment before anyone else could take it.
He turned to Glandel, holding the task slip. “I’d like to take this one.”
Glandel raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting from the slip to Abel. “You’re sure about this? Marcella can be… particular.”
Abel nodded, undeterred. “I’m sure.”
Glandel let out a small chuckle. “Alright, then. Go see Marcella. If she allows it, the task is yours.”
With a nod of thanks, Abel folded the parchment and tucked it into his robe. His heart raced with excitement. This could be the first step toward uncovering the deeper mysteries hidden within the Tower. He left the task office, eager to meet with Marcella and begin his work.