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Chapter 18- Gacha!

  Clank! The sound rings out through the field. This was the fifth time this had happened in the last 3 days of training. Azarath looks down at his hands in disbelief. Shattered pieces of gold are everywhere. Azarath then looks up at Aric's staff, which he just hit. No visible damage was done to the staff. Azarath slams the ground, creating a giant crater. Aric puts his hand to his chin and thinks.

  [Aric: You appear too strong for golden gauntlets. If we continue this way, we'll deplete our supply... I believe no weapon suits you right now. It's best you take a break. I’ll head over to Peak and Harpstein for their training.] Aric says with a sigh. Azarath gazes up, feeling disappointed.

  [Azarath: They would have looked so good, though…] Azarath wallows away, accepting the reality that he is just too physically strong for any weapons. As Azarath makes his way into the castle, he sees Pax sitting down outside of Blake's room and looking defeated. Pax is murmuring [It’s impossible] to himself over and over again. Azarath, seeing a chance to get a jab in, doesn't miss a beat.

  [Azarath: Oh? The rat is missing his home sewer, perhaps?] Azarath says in a joking tone. Pax just gets up, grabs Azarath by the shoulders, and says [Not now!] Azarath is confused now.

  [Azarath: Tell me about whatever is going on. I guarantee I can fix it.] Pax just stares at Azarath before relenting.

  [Pax: Aric tasked me to get Blake for today's training. However, there is one huge problem. Blake won’t leave his room! Just try to get him out! I’ve been here for hours! I know our first paycheck was yesterday, but damn. What the hell is he buying to spend this much time in his room!?!] Pax is at the edge of his rope. Azarath just laughs.

  [Azarath: Clearly, you haven't experienced the pleasure of a hefty paycheck. Blake has, thanks to graduating from college. Move aside, commoner! I'll handle this!] Fed up with the situation, Pax simply says to Azarath, [Good luck.] before walking away.

  *Azarath: It can’t be that terrible. He's likely just considering all the nice things he can buy now that he has money!* Azarath thinks as he opens the door and enters Blake's room. He finds Blake seated in a chair, fixated on a small rectangle, one side glowing while Blake taps on it.

  [Azarath: It’s time for train- Wait, what the hell is that thing?!?] Blake looks up from this device with a dead stare. After realizing the situation, Blake explains.

  [Blake: My father went on a lot of business trips to various places. One day, he came back with this device he called a “phone” and gave it to me. Never mind that I can’t go! Not right now!] Blake runs up to the confused Azarath and shows him the screen. It had a bunch of 2D women with stars under them with the words “Roll x1” and “Roll x10.”

  [Blake: This is a gacha game! Basically, I roll for rare people from banners and use them to fight!] Azarath responds [Ok? What does that have to do with-] Azarath gets cut off by Blake. [Ok, so you see this timer. This banner will only be up for 24 hours! I just got paid, so I need to capitalize!!!] Blake scrolls to a woman that has five stars under her. She also has the number 0.0001% under her. [This is “Jiko”; she is the five-star fighter I need to get before this event ends! Now get out! You are running my luck streak!] Azarath feels a looming presence behind him. He turns around to see Bracken.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  [Bracken: Sorry, bruh. I don make da rules.] Suddenly, Azarath is blown through the door, which promptly shuts. Azarath just stares at the door in disbelief.

  ____________________________________________________________________________

  Back with Aric, he is training Peak and Harpstein. He ordered them both to try and hit him without using their abilities. They both rush at Aric and start slashing, and Aric dodges and blocks with his staff.

  Clank

  Aric sighs as Peak's sword shatters into a million pieces upon hitting the staff. Harpstein jumps back. Peak looks at his sword in defeat; he is having the same problem as Azarath. However, Peak is undeterred. He will have a katana.

  [Aric: Listen, Peak, maybe gloves would be better? I don’t see any weapon currently available that is not breaking because of your strength.] Aric looks up to see Peak, still not relenting.

  [Peak: Come on! Every hero needs a katana! That is hero 101!] Peak shouts with determination.

  [???: How about we give him this one?] A voice booms out from behind them. Aric turns around to see King Valerian standing there. He immediately bows to the king.

  [Valerian: I was walking by to give Harpstein something when I overheard your conversation. So, I got this from my own personal treasury.] Valerian pulls out a blood-red katana. Aric quickly perks up [We are not giving him that, are we? He is not ready for a weapon that strong.] The king just smiles and throws the sword to Peak. Peak catches the sword with ease. Valerian continues

  [Valerian: This is one of the mythical swords belonging to the strongest swordsman in history, Akon. It was said he was so powerful that as he died, his soul was split into mythical katanas representing his person. This is one of those swords. Specifically, this sword represents Akon's bloodlust. In order to use its ability, you need to cut yourself with the blade.] Without missing a beat, Peak cuts his own arm.

  [Peak: AHHH!] Peak feels an intense pain; it feels like all of Peak's blood is being drained from his body. Peak looks down to see his arm mummified and it moving up the rest of his body. Peak quickly throws the sword away and looks back at his arm. It is back to normal. Peak looks confused.

  [Aric: I told you he couldn’t handle its power.] Aric says with a snarky voice. Valerian just sighs. Peak looks disappointed. Peak slowly walks over to the sword and picks it up. Peak looks at the blade with disappointment in his own abilities before sheathing the sword.

  [Valerian: It is a katana that won’t break from your strength, that’s for sure. Just hold off on using its ability until you are stronger. There are fourteen other Katanas Akon personalities that were split into. Now onto you.] Valerian turns to Harpstein and holds out a light blue spear. It has a sharp point at one end and at the other end is a floating ball. The spear has various engravings held within it.

  [Valerian: This is a weapon I thought would benefit you because I used this weapon when I was at your level of proficiency with Golden Hour. It is called “Spear of One Thousand Screams.” When you say the command “Scream!” A powerful shockwave will ring out from the spear and throw off projectiles and enemies.] Valerian tosses the spear to his son, who catches it and swirls it around a little.

  [Valerian: I want you both to train with your weapons, learn them. As you will be fighting alongside them. Train them well, Aric.] Aric just bows as King Valerian starts to leave. Peak and Harpstein walk up.

  [Harpstein: Thank you for the spear!]

  [Peak: Yeah, thanks, boss man for the katana!]

  They both shout enthusiastically as they get back to training.

  ____________________________________________________________________________

  Selene is practicing her aim at the shooting range in the field. Selene shoots a bullseye three times in a row. Aric walks up behind her.

  [Aric: Seems your aim has been improving a ton! That’s great!] Aric says. Selene just sighs.

  [Selene: I don’t think this is going to be enough. If I want to beat an aspect, I need to get to at least grade 1!] Aric is surprised at Selene's enthusiasm for getting stronger.

  [Aric: Just don’t push yourself too hard.] Selene just goes back to shooting arrows

  ____________________________________________________________________________

  One day later…

  Blake is sitting in his seat at the roundtable, looking extremely defeated. Blake can’t even manage to look up. Selene and the rest of the vassals peak into the room.

  [Selene: What’s wrong with him?] Selene asks with a puzzled expression. Pax chimes in.

  [Pax: If I had to guess… He didn’t roll Jiko, and the banner went away.] Selene just responds [Jiko?] while Azarath silently agrees. Peak runs into the room while shouting [I know the perfect way to cheer him up!] The rest of the vassals follow Peak into the room. Peak bounces in front of Blake, but before we can put on a show.

  [WHAT?!?!?!]

  A voice rings out through the entire castle. It is coming from King Valerian's room. It is not a scream, annoyance, or joke. This is serious; this voice is genuinely concerned. All of the vassals immediately run to King Valerian's door when they hear the words.

  [WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE KING OF AURORIUM WAS ASSASSINATED?!?!]

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