February ~ 18!

CHAPTER 18

It took well over an hour to get used to the changes that had swept through his body, and he ‘died’ a few times, but finally Grant was ready to re-enter society. He was pretty sure he wouldn’t accidentally smash anything.

As he walked down the hallway, the whistle of wind drew his attention as it blew through boarded up windows. Through the gaps in the wood, he could see out into the city that he was in, and was shocked at the state of the place. Previously vibrantly painted doors and fences were faded, their paint peeling and fluttering off on the breeze. The shocking emptiness felt wrong to Grant, and sent shivers down his spine. “What happened here? Did they come under attack?”

He hadn’t been expecting an answer, but Waylon came out of one of the doors in the hall just as Grant was muttering, “Kind of? They were ‘under attack’ by the drive towards physical cultivation. This city was once thriving with industry, and people came from near and far for their expertly crafted goods. When Lady February’s father came into power, there was a shift towards improvement via physical cultivation. Any business not aligned with this purpose… suffered.”

“Waylon! You’re okay!” Grant ran over to his friend and looked him over, seeing a few wounds, but the man was clearly well enough to move. Not wanting to put spidery thoughts in his mind right after their reunion, Grant nodded toward the window. “That makes sense, I suppose? That’s why it was… abandoned? Or do people live here still?”

“Normal people, not so much, no. This is now a House Wednesday enclave. Basically a quick-reaction force that is sent out against monsters and such that are threatening the area. It also serves as a marathon rest stop, but most people try to power through here and get through the woods as fast as possible.” Waylon didn’t seem sad about this information, so Grant assumed he had no real relation to this place. “The final nail in the coffin was when Lady February took over. Businesses not aligned with improving people—pretty much anything leisure—were consumed by February-approved establishments to pay for the equipment and supplies required for the numerous regulations that swept through the district.”

Grant wasn’t sure what to make of this information, so he went with the safe option, “That’s terrible for them, but… good for people in general? What happened to the people that lived and worked here?”

“Who knows? I assume they traveled to one of the other cities, such as Valentine, for work or training.” Waylon smirked slightly at Grant’s concern, “We don’t need them, Grant. Don't worry.”

“Don’t need them?” Something about that statement rang false, and Grant felt the need to voice it, “When all the businesses that paid taxes and supported the District are gone… what happens then? Who is growing food? Who is making gear, or selling it? Who repairs buildings, or builds them?”

“The Noble Houses will be in charge of infrastructure. House Wednesday’s income depends upon collecting monster parts, and there is a huge demand. A quality piece of armored running shoes can make all the difference in beating the various dangers during a challenge.” Waylon explained proudly.

“What’s the end game with all this cultivation, though? When does it end, and people get back to their regular lives? Does it have a point beyond power for power’s sake?” Grant’s question made Waylon search for an answer, and he failed to find one. “If that’s the case… it almost sounds like the entire District is preparing for war. But against who?”

“Um… childhood obesity?” Waylon faltered as they approached the end of the hallway where the pair of men had asked Grant to join them. The older of the two was berating the younger.

“How many times have I told you, boy? Defense!” The older gentleman jabbed a finger forward and poked the other in the head. “Seriously… If you weren’t my nephew, I’d have given up on you already.”

“Defense is just telling the world that you can’t take a hit.” The younger man muttered as he got back into a ready stance.

“Why does everyone nowadays act like getting hit is such a great proof that you’re strong?” The older man sighed at his trainee, then his eyes lit up as he noticed Grant and Waylon enter the room. “Good to see you both up and about! First things first, Sir Stinky, this is an alchemical solution that we want you to add to a bath and submerge yourself and your gear in for as long as you can tonight. It’s untested, but we think it’ll remove at least most of the scent marker on you.”

He pulled out a bottle and tossed it to Grant, who grimaced as he realized that tonight would be bath night—and tomorrow would be a long day of wet and chafing armor. “Right, introductions are in order. I’m Student Wednesday, and this is Novice Wednesday.”

Grant looked at the two men, then their nametags over their heads. Oddly enough, the strange names were confirmed by the system. “That’s a unique moniker… is it an, um, family thing?”

“Are you out of your mind?” Waylon questioned harshly, staring daggers at Grant. “Student Wednesday here is actually the Prime Vassal of Heavyweight Wednesday the Sixth. Student has proven his peerless mastery of wrestling time and again, and I certainly won’t allow you to besmirch-”

“Sir Waylon.” Student interrupted before the conversation could devolve further. “From the look of things, Grant doesn’t come from around these parts, and we certainly can’t hold that against him.”

“I didn’t mean to offend?” Grant’s confusion was practically palpable, but it seemed to be too touchy a subject for the older men to comment on. Luckily, Novice seemed to have no qualms about diving in.

“Vassals usually get pulled from the family of current Wielders.” Novice explained without looking at the others. “Houses Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday were practically the only Houses that didn’t lose positions, having proven to Lady February that they deserve to keep what they’ve been given. Now… a Wielded Weapon used to go to the direct descendant of the Wielder when they retired; but by order of Lady February, they instead go to the most qualified person. Student is by far the most qualified to take over if his Wielder falls, so insulting him-”

“I was only wondering why his name was ‘Student’.” Grant cut in while waving his hands wildly. “Everything else you're saying makes no sense. Why wouldn’t the weapon go to the person best suited for it?”

The three men looked at him strangely, then Student began to laugh wholeheartedly. “I like this one! As to my name, branch family members give up their name when they are in pursuit of power. When their main focus reaches a higher tier, their name changes and they are given consideration for higher positions in their House. They might hold a title if they earn one, such as Heavyweight Wednesday.”

“Then… you have a skill at the Student rank?” Grant gasped at the man, who nodded proudly.

“You clearly know what that means.” Student winked at Grant, then bragged, “I’m getting near a name change to ‘Journeyman’ Wednesday, if you’d believe it. Then there will be almost nothing that can’t be taken to the ground by me if I give it my all.”

Not knowing where to take the conversation from here, Grant smiled at the man and let the conversation lapse. Student coughed to clear the air, then motioned for them to follow. “The bathhouse is this way. We have your bounty ready, and are ready to offer you a fair price for the materials you’ve collected. Other than that, we had planned to send three Novices and one Beginner with you as an escort to Valentine. Both as a thanks to you for saving our Waylon, as well as protection from Gleam-Fangs, and experience for the chosen Vassals.”

The sudden storm of information took Grant off-guard, and he could only agree. Nothing in that deal sounded off to him, and the extra protection would be great. Student smiled as they exited the building, making a motion to someone. They were led directly to the baths, and he showed Grant to a private room. “Use the entire bottle, rub it into every part of yourself, then soak. I’m getting together your rewards now, and will send someone with meals to you as soon as they’re ready.”

Grant stood alone in the small room, with steam curling up and around him. Student stood in the doorway, and nodded at the young man. “Thank you, Grant, for your services to House Wednesday. Please relax and recuperate, knowing that you have the full protection and hospitality of House Wednesday to lean on until you leave in the morning.”

With that he shut the door, and Grant poured the bottle of pink fluid into the bath. He eased into the water, and fully relaxed for the first time in February.

<You were supposed to rub it onto yourself first.> Sarge grumbled at him. <Sword Saints, you’re bad at following instructions.>