Search Results
ID: aooptCs5/qst/6216695#6217049
3/23/2025, 6:57:59 PM
>>6217047
“Oh I didn’t do that well.” Elric says blushing. “Just hard work and practice, I guess.”
>“Still…I’ve got to say I’m a bit surprised. I always thought you were something of a pacifist. I mean, when we first met here, you talked about winning the competition through intellect. Scholarly pursuits and uhh…poetry. Now you’re out here swinging around a sword and chopping down men twice your size. I’ve got to say it’s all a bit…different?” You offer, hoping Elric would take the bait.
“Hmm…did I say that?” Elric questions, a puzzled looking drawn on his face. “If I did…I don’t remember. But…I think my feelings have changed a bit.” Elric settles on his answer, the doubt clearing in an instant. “I realize now that Morfis isn’t the scholarly land I’d thought it was. It is a brutal, savage desert wasteland. Despite what they might say, the people here only respect strength. Trite philosophy will only take one so far here. If one wishes to rise above the human refuse that populates this country, they must be prepared to exert their might, and cut down any who stand in their path.”
>“Geeze kid, that’s depressing.” You grimace. “If Lila heard you talking like this she’d think you were a total weirdo.”
“Lila?” Elric’s face once again grimaces in confusion.
>“Yeah, idiot. Lila. My cousin. The one you had a crush on.”
“Oh, of course. Sorry, I guess I’m a bit tired after all that practice. I certainly can’t wait to see her again.” The boy laughs. “So, when are we leaving for Shangri-La. We’ll want to go soon, no?”
You examine Elric. This close, you could tell plain as day he was hiding a great strength. You could feel the weight of his swings earlier even from afar. It was the same sort of strength that allowed him to butcher those cultists a few days ago. Only, if Elric really was growing more powerful with each passing day he held that sword, it might be safe to assume he’d already surpassed the level he’d shown in the battle against the Cult. You consider your options carefully. The way he clutched onto that sword reminded you of a mother holding her newborn. He’d never part with it willingly, and to do so would risk a battle. One where if you were forced to fight all out, you could not guarantee his safety.
You could perhaps offer the boy another “friendly” spar, where your main goal would be to knock the blade out of his hand. Cuthbert could then try to either restrain him or grab the sword. But that idea had its own potential drawbacks. If the sword really was cursed, what would happen if you or Cuthbert grabbed it?
Maybe the best course of action was to continue to keep a close eye on the boy? Once you reached Morfis, Alvin could figure out what the deal was with Mystletainn. Bronte might be able to help too.
>A): Demand Elric hand you the sword.
>B): Offer Elric a “friendly” spar.
>C): Do nothing and continue to keep an eye on him.
“Oh I didn’t do that well.” Elric says blushing. “Just hard work and practice, I guess.”
>“Still…I’ve got to say I’m a bit surprised. I always thought you were something of a pacifist. I mean, when we first met here, you talked about winning the competition through intellect. Scholarly pursuits and uhh…poetry. Now you’re out here swinging around a sword and chopping down men twice your size. I’ve got to say it’s all a bit…different?” You offer, hoping Elric would take the bait.
“Hmm…did I say that?” Elric questions, a puzzled looking drawn on his face. “If I did…I don’t remember. But…I think my feelings have changed a bit.” Elric settles on his answer, the doubt clearing in an instant. “I realize now that Morfis isn’t the scholarly land I’d thought it was. It is a brutal, savage desert wasteland. Despite what they might say, the people here only respect strength. Trite philosophy will only take one so far here. If one wishes to rise above the human refuse that populates this country, they must be prepared to exert their might, and cut down any who stand in their path.”
>“Geeze kid, that’s depressing.” You grimace. “If Lila heard you talking like this she’d think you were a total weirdo.”
“Lila?” Elric’s face once again grimaces in confusion.
>“Yeah, idiot. Lila. My cousin. The one you had a crush on.”
“Oh, of course. Sorry, I guess I’m a bit tired after all that practice. I certainly can’t wait to see her again.” The boy laughs. “So, when are we leaving for Shangri-La. We’ll want to go soon, no?”
You examine Elric. This close, you could tell plain as day he was hiding a great strength. You could feel the weight of his swings earlier even from afar. It was the same sort of strength that allowed him to butcher those cultists a few days ago. Only, if Elric really was growing more powerful with each passing day he held that sword, it might be safe to assume he’d already surpassed the level he’d shown in the battle against the Cult. You consider your options carefully. The way he clutched onto that sword reminded you of a mother holding her newborn. He’d never part with it willingly, and to do so would risk a battle. One where if you were forced to fight all out, you could not guarantee his safety.
You could perhaps offer the boy another “friendly” spar, where your main goal would be to knock the blade out of his hand. Cuthbert could then try to either restrain him or grab the sword. But that idea had its own potential drawbacks. If the sword really was cursed, what would happen if you or Cuthbert grabbed it?
Maybe the best course of action was to continue to keep a close eye on the boy? Once you reached Morfis, Alvin could figure out what the deal was with Mystletainn. Bronte might be able to help too.
>A): Demand Elric hand you the sword.
>B): Offer Elric a “friendly” spar.
>C): Do nothing and continue to keep an eye on him.
Page 1