Chapter 7: Chapter 7- First Acts of a Lord

[Tutorial Quest #2 (out of 7): The Baron’s Wrath —— Completed!]

[Complete the Quest Chain to Earn a Special Reward!]

[Reward Claimed: 5 Points in Charm]

[CHARM: 1 → 6]

[Reward Claimed: 5 Points in Intellect]

[INTELLECT: 8 → 12]

[Reward Claimed: 2,000 Mana Fragments]

[Reward Claimed: Skill Upgrade Crystal (Bronze)]

[Skill Upgrade Crystal (Bronze): Upgrade any skill of choice to D-tier. Only usable for F-tier skills.]

———

[New Quest issued]

[Tutorial Quest #3 (out of 7): Build a War Chest ]

[Quest Type: Stewardship]

[Objective: Amass 5,000 Silver Talons (0/5000)]

———

[New Quest issued:]

[Tutorial Quest #4 (out of 7): The Warrior's Proof]

[Quest type: Prowess ]

[Objective: Win a Duel Against a Snow-Realm Combatant in the Barony. ]

———

Eirik felt the changes immediately.

Twelve Intellect. That’s beyond most scholars in the barony already. He instantly recalled Cedric’s exact phrasing, Ingrid’s micro-expressions, and the layout of the hall with near-perfect clarity. His thoughts felt clearer and his mind sharper.

Then, Charm. A subtle confidence now emerged in his posture that did not require him putting his full intentional effort into it as it previously required. Six points in charm weren’t great, but it was enough to avoid immediate disgust, perhaps even inspire a flicker of interest.

He still had 2,000 Manage Fragments to spend, as well as a skill upgrade card. Then he needed to strategize about completing the next two quests.

But first things first, he needed a complete picture of his assets.

System. Show Status.

Blue text shimmered before his eyes.

[NAME: EIRIK STORMCROW]

[TITLE: THE LEGITIMIZED THIRD SON OF LORD CEDRIC STORMCROW]

[AGE: 19]

[REALM: SNOW (RANK 1 of 5)]

[MANA FRAGMENTS NEEDED FOR SNOW REALM RANK 2: 2000/2000]

[NOTE: THE REALM TIERS ARE RANKED FROM LOW TO HIGH AS FOLLOWS:]

[UNINITIATED, SNOW, FROST, HAIL, GLACIER, BLIZZARD, EVERWINTER]

[STATS]

[STRENGTH: 13]

[ENDURANCE: 2]

[AGILITY: 3]

[INTELLECT: 12]

[CHARM: 6]

[MANA: 5/5]

[NOTE: THE STAT CAP FOR SNOW REALM IS 20]

[SKILLS]

[STRENGTH AFFECTED SKILLS]

[MELEE WEAPON PROFICIENCY: ALL TYPES (F)]

[SHIELDS PROFICIENCY: ALL TYPES (F)]

…

[AGILITY AFFECTED SKILLS]

[SNEAK (F)]

[LOCKPICK (F)]

[HORSE RIDING (F)]

…

[ENDURANCE AFFECTED SKILLS]

[ARMOR PROFICIENCY: ALL TYPES (F)]

…

[INTELLIGENCE AFFECTED SKILLS]

[ALCHEMY (F)]

…

[CHARM AFFECTED SKILLS]

[FIRST IMPRESSION (F)]

…

[MANA-AFFECTED ABILITIES]

[SLOT ONE: EMPTY]

[SLOT TWO: UNLOCKS AT SNOW REALM RANK 3]

[SLOT THREE: UNLOCKS AT SNOW REALM RANK 7]

…

[TALENTS]

[LOCKED]

Eirik analyzed the sheet coldly.

His overall stats had grown significantly, yet his endurance and agility were still abysmal.

Agility was key for dodging and sneaking, and endurance determines what type of armor and shield he could use. These were important survivability stats that he needed to improve in the future.

Moreover, he noticed something he hadn’t seen before: mana.

He had 5 mana, which meant that it wasn’t great either. Moreover, there are now mana-affected abilities that he still had no idea where to get his hands on one.

However, he’s sure that whatever Cedric had used during the trial, like leaving frost trials or making him suddenly unable to speak, had something to do with this. Maybe that’d be a good question for Gunnar tomorrow.

Now, the spoils of war.

He accessed the Mana Fragments menu.

[MANA FRAGMENTS: 2,000]

He mentally hovered on the tooltip, hoping to see a more extensive explanation of its various uses.

The system granted his wish.

[MANA FRAGMENTS]

[USE FOR:]

[REALM UPGRADE (SNOW RANK 1 → SNOW RANK 2) COST: 2,000 MF]

[SKILL UPGRADE (F → E) COST: 500 MF PER SKILL]

[SKILL UPGRADE (E → D) COST: 1000 MF PER SKILL]

[SKILL UPGRADE (D → C) COST: 2000 MF PER SKILL]

[SKILLS CAP LOCKED AT C-TIER UNTIL NEXT REALM]

[STAT POINT PURCHASE COST: 100 MF PER POINT FOR STATS <= 10]

[STAT POINT PURCHASE COST: 200 MF PER POINT FOR STATS <= 20]

[STAT POINT LOCKED AT 20 UNTIL NEXT REALM]

[OTHERS: (LOCKED)]

The list was quite long, but it essentially meant that Eirik could either upgrade a realm, or upgrade a couple skills, or purchase a bunch of stat points.

His most immediate objective, besides finding a way to convince Cedric to let him leave for the Northern Wastes, would be finishing those two new quests.

Getting that 10,000 silver wouldn’t necessarily require him to be super strong, but winning a duel against the strongest snow realm warrior would mean that he’s got to be a lot more deadly than he currently was.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Realm upgrade seemed to be the best choice again, Eirik thought. This would give him some stat points to spend, as well as increase his mana cap and make him just one rank lower to unlock a second ability slot.

Or, alternatively, he could use the [Skill Upgrade Crystal (Bronze)] to upgrade a given skill to D-tier, and then upgrade it with 2,000 MP to make it C-tier.

A C-tier in anything in the Snow realm would mean that he’d reached the ceiling, since B-tier skills won’t unlock until reaching the Frost realm. This would also be a good option.

But…

Even though he hadn’t had access to a mana-influenced ability yet, he’s sure that this is going to be a big factor in that fight. He thought about the frost spiraling at Cedric’s feet, and decided that raw skill alone unaided by mana wasn’t going to be sufficient.

Realm upgrade first, Eirik decided.

He focused on the Realm Upgrade option.

[UPGRADE TO SNOW REALM RANK 2?]

[COST: 2,000 MANA FRAGMENTS]

[Y/N?]

Yes.

The familiar, biting cold slammed into him again, deeper this time. Not the shock of the first awakening, but a profound, marrow-deep chill that settled into his bones. He saw not just falling snow, but vast ice fields.

Power surged. His muscles felt like coiled springs ready to explode. The lingering aches from the earlier scuffle with Garrick vanished entirely.

[REALM ASCENDED: SNOW (RANK 2)]

[5 STAT POINTS AWARDED!]

[MAX MANA INCREASED TO 10]

[MANA FRAGMENTS NEEDED FOR SNOW (RANK 3): 0/4000]

[POINTS AVAILABLE: 5]

His current endurance was at 2.

This meant that one solid hit from the opponent could incapacitate him. 5 points wouldn’t fix it completely, but it would make a huge difference.

[5 STAT POINTS ALLOCATED TO ENDURANCE!]

[ENDURANCE: 2 → 7 ]

The effect wasn’t a surge of power like Strength. It was… resilience. Eirik felt like he could run for leagues, ensure a beating, and stand firm against a stiff wind without flinching. The lingering exhaustion from the day’s high-stakes drama ebbed away, replaced by a steady, unwavering stamina.

Much better.

Now, the Skill Upgrade Crystal. He cycled through options mentally.

[MELEE WEAPON PROFICIENCY: ALL TYPES (F)]

[SHIELDS PROFICIENCY: ALL TYPES (F)]

[ALCHEMY (F)]

[HORSE RIDING (F)]

…

He definitely needs to upgrade his weapon proficiency first. And, in the context of winning a duel, Swordsmanship seems to be his only choice. It is the most versatile weapon to deal against all other types, which specialize one form of combat or another.

Still, he’s quite tempted by a few other skills. Alchemy could help him make potions that better prepare for a life in the Wastes or turn them for profit. That could be his path to the Warchest in the long run.

But right now, his sole focus was winning the duel.

[Use Skill Upgrade Crystal (Bronze) on MELEE WEAPON PROFICIENCY: SWORDSMANSHIP (F)?]

[Y/N]

Yes.

The crystal vanished from his inventory. A warm, tingling sensation flowed down his arms, settling into his hands and shoulders. It wasn’t painful, but profoundly strange. Suddenly, the balance point of an imaginary sword in his grip felt instinctive. Footwork patterns — advances, retreats, pivots — flashed through his mind like half-remembered dreams.

In a matter of seconds, Eirik understood the different angles of attack and defense — high-line, low-line, inside, outside — as ingrained reflexes. The mechanics of a proper thrust, cut, and parry settled into his muscle memory.

It was the knowledge and instinct of hundreds of hours of dedicated practice, internalized in an instant.

[MELEE WEAPON PROFICIENCY: SWORDSMANSHIP (F) → (D)]

[SKILL UPGRADED!]

[MANA FRAGMENTS NEEDED FOR SWORDSMANSHIP (C): 0/2000]

The great hall’s massive oak doors groaned shut behind Eirik.

Three figures waited in the dim corridor—Harkin, Jens, and Yorick.

They’re here to say goodbye, Eirik realized. They think I’m moving to the noble quarters and won’t need them anymore.

“Lord Eirik.”

Harkin executed a surprising crisp salute for an old man — fist over heart, forearm parallel to the ground. A solder’s salute. Jens hurriedly copied the gesture, awkwardly. Yorick just bowed his head so low his chin touched his chest.

Eirik stopped before them, his gaze sweeping over each man.

This is the foundation I have, he thought, Broken men, but men who chose loyalty when it mattered the most.

“You stood up for me,” Eirik stated. “That took courage.”

Harkin met his gaze directly, a spark of fierce pride igniting in his tired eyes. “T’was only right.”

Jens nodded vigorously, “Aye, milord. Couldn’t… couldn’t let him win.”

Yorick just trembled, unable to speak.

Eirik analyzed them swiftly. Harkin’s loyalty is genuine, Jens acts from guilt and a sudden, desperate hope. Yorick… is terrified of consequences.

“You’ve sworn loyalty to me and proved it with actions today,” Eirik continued, “and I will see to it that your loyalty is rewarded. That you join the ranks of those protected under the Stormcrow name — my name.”

Eirik focused first on Harkin. The old guard deserved recognition for his unwavering stance.

“Harkin. Your service to me was critical. That service will be recognized. Marshal Gunnar trains the guard. I will speak to him. A position training new recruits, perhaps. Something befitting your experience and loyalty. A stable post, decent quarters, proper rations.”

Harkin’s breath hitched. His eyes, watery and rheumy, widened. A position? Training recruits? At his age? Decent quarters? He expected a dismissal with a few coins at best… this…

But…

Harkin saluted again, harder this time. “Lord Eirik… I thank you, Milord. If that’s your wish, then I won’t fail you.” His voice was thick. “But… I’m an old sword, milord. My place… my best place… is guardian’ doors and walkin’ walls. If… it pleases you, I’d rather keep my duty as a houseguard. Standin’ watch, like I know. That’s honor enough for me.”

He held his breath, hoping his refusal wasn’t seen as ungratefulness.

Eirik analyzed the old soldier. Duty. A man defines himself by vigilance and direct service. Whose loyalty is performed as an end to itself not just a means to seek reward.

And Eirik is of a certain mind to reward this rare trait abundantly.

He looked at Harkin for a few heartbeats, and gave a single, sharp nod.

“Done. You retain your post as my houseguard. Your loyalty will be remembered in your wages and rations.”

Harkin gave a grateful nod as Eirik turned to Jens. The woodcutter flinched slightly.

“Jens.” EIrik’s voice was cooler. “You followed orders. Garrick’s orders. The firewood you shorted me caused suffering.”

Jens paled further, his huge shoulders slumping. “Aye, milord,” he mumbled, staring at his calloused hands. “I… I were afraid. My family…”

“I understand fear,” Eirik cut in. “But loyalty requires actions despite that fear. Today, you acted. That mitigates your past failure.” He paused, his gaze lingering on Jen’s powerful build. “You will be assigned directly to my new quarters. Proper wages. A cottage near the inner wall for your family. Our previous agreement on you chopping double firewood for an entire year still stands.”

Jens looked utterly stunned.

Inner wall cottage? Protection for his family? Tears welled in his eyes. “Milord! I… I swear on the Frost Mother’s tears, I’ll cut enough wood to burn Stormkeep twice over! My family… thank you!”

Eirik shifted his icy gaze to Yorick.

“Yorick.”

The scribe whimpered. “M-mlord! I… I beg forgiveness! I was weak! Greedy! Lord Garrick threatened me! He—”

“Silence.” Eirik raised a hand, and Yorick snapped his jaw shut. “Your crimes are significant. You actively siphoned my meager resources. For years.”

Yorick crumpled to his knees, pressing his forehead to the cold stone floor. “Mercy, Lord Eirik! Mercy! I will serve! I will do anything!”

“I don’t need your groveling, Yorick.” Eirik said coldly. “Your punishment is ongoing service until you repay every coin you’ve stolen from me. Your loyalty, Yorick, must be proven daily. Every hour. There will be no coin stolen from my coffers from now on. Not a single copper. You will report to me directly on any discrepancies, any whispers, anything… unusual… concerning my finances or household.”

“Do not mistake this for forgiveness. Your wage will be basic until you’ve earned your trust back, Yorick.”He leaned down slightly. “And if you even think of betraying me again… if you breathe a word of my business to Garrick or Ingrid…”

“Thank you… Lord Eirik!” Yorick stayed on the floor, trembling.

Satisfied he’d dealt with the immediate retinue, Eirik’s thoughts turned to the missing piece—

Marta.

“Harkin. Where is Marta?”

“Milord. Think she might’ve… fled. Saw her scuttlin’ out the servant’s passage soon as Lord Cedric left. Looked like a ghost chased her.”

“She implicated Garrick directly, about the poisoning." Eirik stated, however briefly. “More importantly, she knows things Garrick might not wish to have revealed. He will hunt her.”

Jens growled, a low rumble in his chest. “That bastard. He’ll gut her like a fish.”

“Find her, Harkin.” Eirik commanded. “Discreetly. Offer her two paths, from me.”

He looked at Jens, ensuring he understood the gravity.

“Path one: flight. if she wishes to flee Stormkeep entirely, she may. I will provide a pouch of silver — enough to get her far away. I will arrange for an escort — someone reliable — to see her and her son safely across the border into the neighboring barony.”

He saw the understanding in Harkin’s eyes. “Path two: stay. If she wants to stay, she comes under my protection. Tell her that she and her son will have quarters within the inner keep, guarded. But she will not work in the kitchens. Not yet. She will perform heavy and undesirable duties like emptying piss buckets within my household. But she and her son will be safe. On one condition… ”

Eirik’s gaze hardened.

“Make it clear, Jens. The condition is her absolute loyalty.”

Harkin met his gaze squarely. “Understood, milord. I’ll find her. Quiet-like. Offer the choices. Your word will be passed.” He hesitated. “What… what of the silver, milord? For her flight? And the possible escort?”

The Warchest quest starts now. Eirik mentally accessed his system. His new stipend wouldn’t start immediately, and he had only the pittance he’d saved from his old three-copper allowance. He needed funds, fast.

“Yorick. Get up.”

He has the answer right here, whimpering on the floor, Eirik thought.

Yorick flinched, scrambling upright like a puppet on jerky strings. He couldn’t meet Eirik’s eyes, staring instead at the lord’s worn boots.

“You’ve been siphoning my funds. That money, Yorick. My money. Where is it?”

That question slammed into Yorick. “M-milord… I… Lord Garrick, he… he took most! The coin, it went to him! I only kept the silver talons he paid me for the work! The rest… I just recorded the entries! I held nothing back! I swear!”

“Interesting,” Eirik murmured. “That is embezzlement and conspiracy, Yorick. Punishable by flogging and exile. Steward Brynn is currently receiving twenty lashes before being sent to the mines. Do you feel fortunate?”

Yorick whimpered, shrinking back. “N-no, milord! Please! I… I have some coin! Saved… saved a little! My wages… and… small things…”

“How much?” Eirik demanded. “The truth, Yorick. Lie to me now, and the path forward narrows considerably. How much, in total silver talons, did you help Garrick steal from me?”

Yorick’s eyes darted wildly. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the corridor’s chill.

“Milord… it… it varied. Some months… ten, fifteen talons for fodder. Others… the beef… that was fifty talons worth! And… and small bits… your stipend… two copper per month siphoned… that’s… that’s…” He was terrified to give a final number, Eirik observed. He knows the sum is damning.

“The number. Now.” Eirik commanded.

The pressure was unbearable. Yorick blurted out, “F-Four hundred! Maybe… maybe four hundred fifty talons, milord! Over the three years! But Garrick took it! I only got my one talon per month! Thirty-six talons! That’s all I have! I swear by the Frost Mother!”

Four hundred fifty talons stolen. Minus his cut of thirty-six… Garrick profited four hundred fourteen talons from starving and freezing me.

“So,” Eirik stated calmly, “Garrick stole four hundred and fifty talons worth of resources designated for my household. You enabled it and profited from the theft. Therefore, you owe me two hundred and twenty-five talons. That is the debt you incurred through your actions against your lord.”

Yorick’s face turned ashen. His jaw dropped. “T-two hundred…? Milord! No! I didn’t take it! I only recorded! Garrick took the coin! I can’t pay that! It’s impossible! Please!” He looked ready to collapse again.

Eirik held up a hand, silencing the rising panic.

“Impossible? Perhaps. But debt must be paid. However much you gained from your thievery was between you and Garrick. You answer for the damage you’ve done as a major conspirator, not the reward you reaped from it.”

Yorik looked physically ill. Harkin and Jens exchanged grim looks. This seemed like a death sentence for the scribe.

“However,” Eirik continued, his tone shifting fractionally. “I am willing to extend your debt on account of certain conditions. Here are your terms, my scribe.”

Yorick looked at him with fearful and confusing eyes.

“One: You will immediately surrender to me the thirty-six silver talons you illegally obtained. Consider it a down payment.”

Yorick nodded frantically, desperate to comply with anything. “Yes, milord! At once! I’ll show you where I stored it in my quarters!”

“Two: You will produce a ledger, a true account of everything you’ve helped Garrick steal from me, including every single transaction and must be as accurate as a ledger could be. It shall be done within three days for an official submission to Lord Cedric.”

“Y-Yes… lord! It will be done!”

“Three: after that ledger is finished. You shall report to me with a separate account on any financial irregularities concerning Lady Ingrid and Garrick. I somehow have a feeling that I am not the sole victim of their… greedy efforts.”

Eirik leaned forward slightly to face Yorik directly.

“Accurate valuable information will earn you silver bonuses applied directly against your debt. Significant intelligence means substantial debt cuts, and even a bonus for you.”

“Y-yes, Lord Eirik!” Yorick bobbed his head in frantic agreement. “I understand! I accept! Thank you for your mercy! I will serve faithfully! The coin… I’ll fetch it now?”

Eirik smirked a little. Yorick would fetch it, that’s for sure, but afterwards he’d likely bolt like a leopard if Eirik took his eyes off of him even just for a second.

Not going to happen.

“Harkin will fetch it on your behalf. You have work to do with me.” Eirik turned to Harkin. “Go to Yorick’s quarters and secure his funds. Take anything of value, anything, then deliver my offer to Marta. Jens, go with Harkin.”

Harkin saluted again. “Understood, milord.” He shot Yorick a stern look. “Serve well, scribe.” They moved off down the corridor, leaving Eirk alone with the trembling Yorick.

Eirik watched Harkin and Jens stride down the corridor, their forms shirking in the gloom until they vanished around a bend. Since when did it turn dark? Silence pressed in, thick and cold, broken only by the frantic, shallow breaths of Yorick beside him. The torchlight flickered, painting long, dancing shadows on the damp stone walls.

This is the calm he’d always enjoyed.

Eirik placed a hand on Yorick’s trembling shoulder. The scribe flinched as if it burned.

“Well,” Eirik said, “Aren’t you excited to see our new quarters?”