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Chapter 98 - Dreadborne Harbinger
🕑 Added 2025-03-17 01:17:30 +0000 UTCThe sounds of his fellow scions shuffling out of the classroom gradually faded as Klarion remained seated, fingers drumming lightly on his desk. The lecture had been informative, but his mind still burned with questions. In considering the primer on the various Rare classes he might pursue, a good number of them had required only a single Essence to unlock, but all the ones he had felt drawn to had required two. With the advantages that the Academy gave for unlocking Essences, there was a part of him that was curious for what it might look like after unlocking two Essences. Could he keep going for more? How much potential did he truly have?
With the room finally empty except for himself and the professor, Klarion stood after gathering his notes, and approached Professor Stormcloak.
The professor noticed his approach but didn’t look up from a notebook that was open in front of him. ‘You have a question, Klarion?”
“Several,” Klarion said with a nod. “If you have the time.”
Professor Stormcloak closed his notebook and crossed his arms, finally looking up at him. “Speak.”
Klarion didn’t hesitate. “Is there a limit to how many Essences someone can unlock?”
Professor Stormcloak’s lips quirked, as if he found the question amusing. “That is an age-old debate among scholars, nobility, and fools seeking power beyond their reach.”
Klarion frowned. “Meaning?”
The professor exhaled, his expression becoming serious again. “As far as we have been able to determine—there is no hard limit. There is no known maximum number of Essences that a person can unlock and use.”
That was… surprising. Klarion had expected some sort of cap on the number of Essences someone could unlock.
Professor Stormcloak continued before Klarion could think too deeply on what that might mean, “However, there is a catch. Beyond the first Essence—or two, in the case of this Academy—unlocking additional Essences becomes exponentially harder.”
Klarion absorbed that for a moment. “How much harder?”
“We can’t say for sure, as it depends in part on the individual,” Professor Stormcloak said. “But think of it this way. Unlocking your first Essence is like breaking through a sealed door—difficult, but achievable with the right push. Unlocking a second Essence is like breaking through another door that has been reinforced. Unlocking a third…” The professor shook his head. “It is akin to punching through a wall of stone.”
Klarion narrowed his eyes. “So it’s possible… but rare.”
“Very rare,” Professor Stormcloak confirmed. “The vast majority of scions within the Empire never unlock more than one. Those who do often struggle to gain more than two. The amount of effort required after the second Essence is so extreme that only the most gifted—or the most desperate—succeed.”
That was not exactly what he had been hoping to hear from the professor. “Then why bother?”
Professor Stormcloak’s smirk returned. “Ah, now that is the real question, isn’t it?” He stepped around the lectern after closing his notes, leaning against it as he studied Klarion. “What drives people to reach beyond their limits? Why climb a mountain no one has reached the peak of? Why fight when surrender is easier?”
Klarion exhaled sharply. “Power.”
Professor Stormcloak nodded. “Exactly.”
“So, if someone were to keep trying to unlock more Essences, what would stop them?”
“Simple. The more Essences you attempt to unlock, the greater the risk. You see, an Essence is not like a skill or ability. Magic comes closer, but it still falls short. Essence—it is a fundamental force of existence that reshapes you. It alters the way your body and soul interact with the world in ways both simple and profound. Unlocking multiple Essences forces those forces to coexist, and the strain can be…” He paused. “Unstable.”
That was new. In everything Professor Stormcloak had said so far, not once had he brought up anything like a potential risk to attempting to unlock too many Essences. If anything, he had focused almost exclusively on the risks of not unlocking Essences while at the Academy.
“Unstable how?” Klarion asked, curious to know the answer.
Professor Stormcloak’s face took on a grim look. “The lucky ones fail and simply never unlock more. The unlucky ones… break.”
Klarion felt a slow, creeping chill at that. “Break?”
“Some people push too far,” Professor Stormcloak said with a shrug. “They try to force an Essence that does not align with them. The System, to put it simply, cannot be forced. In my time at the Academy, I have seen students collapse into seizures. A few of them lost control of their magic permanently. Others—the truly unfortunate—have their Essences collide in ways that render them powerless. Or worse.”
“Then why—”
“Because, scion, for those who succeed, the reward — the resulting potential for additional power — is rumored to be immense. I don’t know myself, having only unlocked two Essences before my class, but additional Essences always widen and deepen your potential.”
Klarion’s thoughts raced. That sounded exactly like what he needed if he was going to kill Chadwick in their duel. His thoughts about unlocking dozens of Essences were brought to a screeching halt, however, at the professor’s next words.
“That being said, unlocking Essences is difficult. As I said before, even here, at the Imperial Academy, with its structured environment, tailored guidance, and the unique properties of this pocket plane, scions will struggle. If you step beyond this pocket plane into the broader Empire, the challenge only magnifies."
“So, wielders of Essences are rare?” Klarion asked.
Professor Stormcloak nodded, “Indeed, outside of places like this Academy, coming across anyone who has unlocked an Essence is an exceedingly rare occurrence. I do not say this to discourage you, Klarion, but to contextualize what you are attempting. You must understand that the mere possession of a single Essence places an individual into an entirely different class of existence. One Essence alone is enough to elevate someone above the common man. For this reason, among the nobility of the Empire, having a single Essence is the norm.”
Klarion’s face went through several expressions as he digested that information, only to have Professor Stormcloak become amused at his reaction.
“Yes,” Professor Stormcloak said, again misinterpreting what Klarion was thinking. “It is not simply bloodline or tradition that elevates the noble houses of the Empire—it is power. The ability to wield an Essence is what allows the nobility to dominate the military, the bureaucracy, and even the economy. It provides advantages that no commoner could ever hope to replicate. And should the lowest of the Empire ever unlock an Essence, they will be brought under the control of the nobility. Or eliminated.”
Professor Stormcloak briefly paused to pack the rest of his things away, then turned back to Klarion. “Among noble families, possessing a second Essence is even rarer, but far from unheard of. Those who possess two Essences are considered the true elite within Imperial society. Many of those at the rank of Count and above hold that distinction, which is why they wield influence beyond mere land or wealth.”
Klarion hesitated only briefly before asking the question that he most wanted to ask. “And those with more than two?”
“Those are the monsters of the Empire,” Professor Stormcloak said bluntly. “The Archducal Houses and higher—the true powers behind the Empire—are almost exclusively led by those who have unlocked three or more Essences,” Stormcloak elaborated. “It is not a requirement, per se, but it is a trend that cannot be ignored. The more Essences one possesses, the greater their natural gifts, their power, and their overall potential. It is only natural that such become the protectors of the Empire.”
Professor Stormcloak motioned for Klarion to follow him as he made his way to the door. “I think we are getting somewhat afield of your original questions and my purpose with this class. So let me return to another point I wish to impress upon you. Normally, I introduce this to the class as a whole in the coming sessions, but I sense that you might be the type to attempt unlocking Essences, and a class, sooner rather than later.”
Professor Stormcloak paused just before the door, motioning for Klarion to pause for a moment. “Unlocking additional Essences after obtaining a class is… exceedingly difficult,” he said. “I do not say this lightly, Scion Blacksword. Many have attempted it. Most fail. Do not run the risk of losing out on attaining additional Essences in the rush to gain a class.” He held a hand up to cut off Klarion’s response. “Even if you manage to unlock an additional Essence after obtaining your class, you will not receive the same benefits as if you had acquired it beforehand.”
“So, I really should work to unlock as many Essences as I can before unlocking his class.” He said the words knowing that he wouldn’t be able to change his plans, given his agreement with Chadwick. For the first time, he was starting to think he might have made a mistake agreeing to his enemies’ terms without at least attempting to negotiate more time first.
Professor Stormcloak nodded. "Exactly. That is why I strongly suggest you focus on obtaining at least two, and if you have the will, three or more, before you finalize your class."
Klarion exhaled. That just meant he had to push harder. “Then where do you suggest I go? Beyond the Arena, I mean. I was hoping for other options.” Klarion asked.
For the first time in their conversation, Professor Stormcloak blinked in surprise. “You’re asking me?”
Klarion narrowed his eyes. Had he made a mistake asking him? Well, it was too late now to take the question back. All he could do was commit. “Is that strange?”
Professor Stormcloak chuckled. "Let’s just say that most scions don’t ask for advice on this matter. Certainly not one of your rank."
Klarion fought the urge to scowl. Even if he did have a lot more knowledge about Essences, classes, hell, even the System, Klarion still would ask questions of others he thought might know more. The arrogance of so many scions he had observed was a weakness, one he refused to share. He wasn’t about to stumble blindly into a situation when there were those far more experienced who could provide insight.
"So?" Klarion prompted.
Professor Stormcloak hummed in thought, considering him for a moment before answering. “There are still many mysteries surrounding how and why Essences unlock. Much as I hinted to the class, no scholar has managed to document a precise, foolproof method, and believe me, we have tried. I can only repeat what I said already: all available evidence points to one undeniable truth—Essences emerge through struggle. You must push yourself into situations that force you to grow, that demand you either become stronger or fail. The stronger the emotions, the deeper the struggle, the greater the risk to your life, the higher the chances of unlocking an Essence." Professor Stormcloak gave him a deliberate look, hand reaching up to the door. “Now, if there was nothing else…?”
As much as he might want to spend the rest of the day picking the professor’s mind on the topic of unlocking Essences, Klarion could tell he was starting to push his luck. And he had the sense he didn’t want to be on the professor’s bad side. “Just one more question, Professor Stormcloak, the one I already asked you: what other options would you recommend beyond the Arena?”
“Oh, right, my apologies, scion,” Professor Stormcloak said after he realized he actually hadn’t answered Klarion’s previous question due to the novelty of the request. “Combat is one of the most direct methods, but it is not the only one. What matters the most is that, whatever method you choose, it either puts you at substantial risk of harm, or pushes your mental and emotional boundaries far past the normal. That being said, if you are looking for controlled ways to force growth without recklessly throwing yourself into a death trap,” Professor Stormcloak continued, “then I suggest looking at the Mission Board in the Expeditionary Hall, near the Central Archives. When you are ready, of course.”
“The Mission Board?”
Professor Stormcloak nodded. “It serves multiple purposes. It provides opportunities for students to earn Academy currencies, and to obtain rare materials and other things of value. Some missions are combat-oriented, some involve exploration, and others require resource gathering or specialized skills. But all of them—if chosen wisely—can provide you with the conditions necessary to trigger an Essence awakening.”
Klarion filed that away immediately as somewhere he would need to go in the next few days. “Mission Board in the Expeditionary Hall. Got it.”
“I would not recommend attempting a mission immediately—you are still adjusting to the Academy, after all. But once you feel prepared? Yes. It would be a valuable tool in your pursuit of power.” The professor glanced down at what Klarion took to be some sort of wristwatch that had previously been covered by his sleeve. “Now, Scion Blacksword, I really must take my leave. There are more than a few other matters that require my undivided attention and only so many hours in the day.”
Klarion inclined his head and said with complete honesty, "Of course, Professor Stormcloak. I appreciate you taking the extra time to talk with me.”
Stormcloak gave a lazy wave as he pushed the classroom door open to leave, saying over his shoulder as he did so, "I will watch your progress with interest. Do not disappoint."
With that, Klarion was left standing alone. Everything he had learned today had confirmed his suspicions—Essences were more than just power. They were the foundation upon which strength was built. He already had his minimum goal: the Essences of Fire and Might were necessary to ensure his class, the Valiant Sunlord, would be unlocked properly. But with everything that Professor Stormcloak had said, both in class and after? Now, he wasn’t going to be content with just two.
He was going to make the attempt to unlock at least three. Maybe more, though that would be truly ambitious. The only reason he had any hope whatsoever was how, according to the professor, there were no innate restrictions, and the only thing stopping someone from wielding more Essences was their own capability—especially their willpower.
That only made sense given what he now knew, as having that many seemed to be the difference between being strong and being a true monster.
But unlocking them wouldn’t be easy. He needed heightened emotions. Struggle. Real pressure. He needed to force himself into a situation that would demand he transcend his current limits. Despite the professor saying that there were other options beyond combat to consider, he knew that those avenues would take too long, given the timeframe he was working with.
As Klarion left the classroom in search of Hatsune, he considered for one last time how everything Professor Stormcloak had told him confirmed what Klarion had suspected: Essence wielders weren’t simply powerful, they were different—transcendent. If he could claim more Essences, he would gain more than just strength. He would reshape himself into something greater, something beyond the reach of those who sought to kill him because of the House he belonged to. But that process took time.
And Klarion did not have that luxury.
The moment he had agreed to Chadwick’s duel, he had set a countdown in motion. There would be no delaying, no sidestepping the inevitable. With the agreement, he had only weeks—not months, not the rest of the year—to unlock Essences, to then unlock a class, and then become someone capable of facing a scion of Chadwick’s background.
Klarion exhaled sharply, his hands clenching into fists as he made his way down the hallway. He couldn’t afford failure. No matter the cost, he would claim every scrap of power within his reach.
Because if he didn’t… he was already dead.
