'I was so close to the next level that l could taste it. Now I'm powerless.'
Shinra missed his old life. He missed the power that was growing in him, missed spending time with his sister, and missed being in control of his life. He'd already been in the Capital with Wintersbane for 3 weeks.
He looked down at his new clothes, definitely the nicest he’d ever owned. The slim dark pants were a material that had a little stretch and no wrinkles. His simple white shirt had clever little buttons going up all the way to the neck. The dark jacket that finished his working outfit had a fine satin finish that shimmered in the light, and was covered with many flat pockets. Its high collar looked formal, but could be folded down into a lapel that would fit in with working class mages.
“Seriously, how rich was this guy?” Shinra couldn’t help but say out loud. The more he saw of Mage life, the more he hated them. He suspected Wintersbane hated them all a little too, that is why he pursued mage criminals so doggedly.They were standing in the sealed library and magical laboratory of the Muskox family, a prestigious and old family of mages. Every wall was a floor to ceiling bookcase, and they reached more than 20 ft in the air to the edge of the vaulted ceiling. More cases were found in the middle of the expansive space, as were many tables filled with scrolls and papers and curious artefacts. Some of these tables and artefacts were covered in cobwebs, lending the whole area an aor of frantic disuse and history.Mr. Nole Muskox lay face up at a cluttered table, a few metres in
Wintersbane and the Butler were trying to gently keep the women apart as Shinra stepped back into the hallway.“All of my children are leeches. You’ve never worked a day in your life, but expect your father and I to pay for your lavish lifestyles.”“You’re one to talk. You were just married off to the Muskox family like a prized breeding mare!” The daughter yelled. They looked like they were going to come to blows.Wintersbane took a step back and turned to the butler, Mr. Slats. “So, the only way into the vault is if Nole opens the door.”“Yes sir. The door was locked tight this morning, so I decided to come check
The Deputies’ salon was a large space, but it was filled with tables, large tomes and several large artefacts used in crime solving. There was a mop in the corner too. Shinra looked at it as a glorified supply closet. The other deputies all viewed this room as a stepping stone. Service in the Sheriff’s office could lead to good things further down the road for these youths. Even if they didn’t stay in policing, they could jump to the military, or find a role in politics. The parents of these kids had impressed on them the importance of making all the right connections while they are here, and to be perceived as the best.‘Why do these shits all care about ‘who looks the best’, rather than just working hard?’ Shinra wondered. Maybe because he had to work his entire life just to eat, but the games and posturing of these young mages didn’t make any sense to him. He watched as Dave leaned against a desk, laughing and chatting with one of the female deputies. Hannah. She was beau
.....“I know you’re anxious to read about how much better I am than you Dave, but be patient, please. The best things always take longer,” Shinra said, a wide dumb smirk plastered over his face. “What did you say!” Dave said. He couldn’t believe this little zombie was trash talking to him. Did he think it would impress Hannah? No way would she be interested in a zombie. ‘Sure, he gets to work with the best Sheriff, but I’m better in every way. Everyone will see eventually,’ Dave thought. His full cheeks shook a bit with his anger.“Shhhhh, I need to concentrate. I’m at the best part,” Shinra said.“Hahahah,” escaped Hannah, though she tried to cover her mouth to suppress it. ‘Snap,’ it was the sound of Dave’s last nerve breaking. ‘Who the hell did this Zombie think he was? I’m from aristocratic stock! My great grandfather was a Baron!’ Dave thought. Though his grandfather had disgraced the family and lost their holdings and titles, Dave believed he could turn their
Shinra shrugged Dave off, but Dave didn't really notice. He had gone from full on murderer to young child seeking approval in the span of a moment.Captain Spars was a big man, not strong like Wintersbane, big like a bureaucrat. Big like a mage. He rarely saw the deputies because, as far as they knew, he was in his office all night. He took his job very seriously, he’d been a captain for 80 years, and a sheriff for well over 100.Dave thought the man just lacked ambition. As a captain of the police, he could surely have used his influence to progress politically and be appointed to a better role somewhere. But he had stayed in the Sheriff's office, slowly growing older. Chump. Dave wouldn't be here long, and this commendation was just the first step.‘Why I might even become a Sheriff right n
Wintersbane had mixed feelings about Shinra being promoted to Deputy level 2, which was a constable, 4th class. For one thing, it meant that he was officially on track to become an actual Sheriff. This opened up serious and awkward questions for Wintersbane, not the least of which was that he had brought him in as a murderer and instead entered into the deputy program.The Deputy program was designed as a place for families to put their kids who didn’t have other promising opportunities, so there were nearly no entry requirements. What no one told these pups, was that the barrier to become a regular Constable was likely insurmountable for most of them. It took effort and luck.‘Damn this Zombie, he’s just made me more complicit in covering up his potential crimes,’ Wintersbane thought. He still needed him to get the jum
Shinra was a little intimidated. He wouldn't admit it, but he was shocked at Wintersbane's martial arts display. In a world of unstoppable magic, even the strongest 'knights' only practised with swords.Shinra's father had told him that martial arts were the domain of the oppressed. He never said it could overcome magic, but he felt it was shameful to stay weak. The unspoken assumption Shinra had was that mages didn’t need martial arts, so they didn’t use them. ‘What was the point of all that training if mages could be this good at Martial Arts too?’Shinra had been trained by his father for as long as he could remember, and he continued his practice even after his father was killed. He wasn't sure he could do what Wintersbane had done so easily though. Not that he was admitting he was better.“I didn't think mages knew how to sully their hands like that. What would your friends think if they saw you fighting without using any magic?”“Haha, well I'm sure they would laugh. That
‘Death Walker?’ He’d almost forgotten about the title the System had given him. He assumed it was related to nearly dying. Did it give him any special abilities, or buffs? So far, he hadn't noticed anything.Not that Shinra had time to think about a meaningless title, as a kick whistled towards his head. He didn’t dodge so much as fall backwards. The wind from its passage pressed against his face with a force he could feel. ‘That would have killed me. I’m a Zombie, I don’t have physical wards.’‘If the System is here, I can use my skills!’ The thought energised him, and he almost started to Fade out of sight, but stopped. Wintersbane was right there. Somehow Wintersbane tolerated him as a suspected murderer, but a Zombie wi