Beyond The System
Chapter 115: Idiot

“Here we are,” the driver called back to us.

I opened the flap, expecting something grand, and I guess it was, in a way.

A huge wall, maybe ten meters high, stretched out ahead, built from smooth, limestone-like stone, but that was it. No gate, no drawbridge, just a solid wall.

Two guards stood where the road ended at the wall. Marcus gently nudged me aside and hopped down first.

“Stop there!” one of the guards barked, but he froze when Marcus pulled out his orb.

The guard stared for a second longer before his partner snapped to attention and bowed slightly, making a clasped-hand salute. “Commander.”

“I need to use a Gate,” Marcus said, his voice sharp with authority. “Also, I need to access my vault. This citizen assisted me.”

The guards exchanged a quick look as the dogs and I hopped down behind him. “This way, sir,” said the taller one.

He placed a hand on the wall. It rumbled, then shifted, stone sliding into itself, revealing a tunnel just tall enough for a grown man to walk through.

Marcus turned to the carriage driver. “You’ve helped me more than you know. May I see your orb?”

The man shook his head modestly. “It was my privilege to help someone who’s sacrificed so much.” Still, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an orb, deep blue like a polished sapphire.

Marcus tapped it against his own, but no numbers were exchanged, just a simple touch. He handed it back with a respectful nod. “Goodbye.”

The man nodded back.

“Let’s go, Peter,” Marcus said. I followed, the six familiars trotting happily behind him while I brought up the rear.

One guard stayed behind, and as I passed through, the wall shifted again, sealing us in.

“It’s an honor to meet a Starborn warrior, sir,” the guard said to Marcus, his voice full of awe. “I never thought I’d see one in my lifetime.”

Marcus chuckled, but there was something in his voice, something heavier than amusement. “I’m not that special. Just lucky enough to survive the frontlines a few times.”

“But the power you must have... I only heard about your squads recently. Some say you guys are strong enough to split boulders,” the guard added, clearly trying to flatter him.

I thought about Marcus’ strength. He’d told me once that his captain was truly strong. Wonder how Marcus stacks up now.

“Some of us could,” Marcus admitted. “Not me. Still a lot of training left to do. Just keep working hard, kid. Stay safe. It's all just time and effort.”

“YES, SIR!” the guard barked, practically vibrating with excitement.

We walked deeper into the corridor, lit by torch-like sconces holding small, colorless stones that glowed steadily. 

We passed a few doorways, catching bits and pieces of conversation, words like “taxes,” “scheduling,” and “incoming recruits.” Nothing worth paying attention to.

Finally, we stopped in front of a door.

“You can access your vault in here,” the guard said.

Marcus turned to me. “Stay here. I’ll be back in a minute.”

He disappeared through the door, leaving me alone with the dogs and guard, staring awkwardly at my toes.

“Sooo, um... what’s guard work like?” I asked, trying to break the silence.

“What? Oh. Uh, not bad. A little boring, but better than my time in the frontlines,” the guard answered. “What about you? How’d you get lucky enough to meet him?”

I shrugged. “Luck. Honestly, I didn’t even know he was anything special. Strong, sure, but important? Had no clue.”

The guy leaned against the wall. “I get it. Until I saw one of their squads myself, I didn’t even know they existed,” he said, glancing at one of the glowing torches.

“A total turn in the tide. Six people, taking out... Well, anyway, if you can, try to get close.”

I nodded. “Thanks.”

Another brief silence fell between us.

‘Ask him if he knows the origins of the Starborn,’ Wyrem suggested, startling me. ‘I remember inhabiting someone who spoke of them.’

I opened my mouth to ask but before I could, Marcus came out of the vault room. “Thanks. Now to the gate, if you don’t mind,” Marcus said, cutting off the conversation.

‘I’ll just ask Marcus later,’ I promised internally.

‘Good,’ Wyrem approved.

‘Hey, I should be done with the three foundations soon!’ Luna chimed in excitedly.

That felt fast, but I guess she'd been working steadily for a while now. ‘How soon?’ I asked.

‘At this rate, a couple days,’ Wyrem answered for her.

I smiled a little, feeling excited. ‘Let me know when you’re close.’

‘Got it!’ Luna replied.

We continued down the hall until we reached a familiar horror, the so-called ‘gate’ with a panel beside it.

Instant dread seeped into my bones at the sight of the most horrific invention of this world.

“Where do you need to go, sir?” the guard asked.

Marcus leaned in close and whispered, “I can’t just head straight to a recruitment center. It’ll look suspicious.”

Those words made something unpleasant click into place. “Gates are monitored?” I hissed.

He nodded grimly.

I quickly stepped forward. “Drake Ama. Tell him Peter has returned.”

Marcus’ eyes widened in shock.

“A—Ama? I can’t just—” the guard stammered.

“I’ll take full responsibility. Contact him,” Marcus reinforced, still clearly rattled.

Still hesitating, the guardsman finally moved his hand over the panel with practiced ease.

Then... “Holy gods. Uh. Step into the Gate. Prince Ama has granted an audience.” The guard's face turned a shade paler as he stepped aside, giving me a look of genuine fear.

I passed him without much thought.

“I meant no disrespect earlier!” he blurted quickly.

“Huh? Oh, no problem, man,” I said, waving it off as Marcus and I stepped into the Gate.

The doors shut behind us, and I dropped to the floor without hesitation, bracing myself for the horror to come.

Neither of us spoke as the madness began.

And this was so much worse than before. We weren’t just moving through space; we were being dragged through it, tossed sideways, hurled up and down, yanked around like a chew toy.

It went on far longer than felt remotely reasonable.

Finally, the doors slid open with a sigh, and a familiar voice greeted us. “I can’t believe it. Elric said you got left behind in a labyrinth.”

I cracked my eyes open, clutching my stomach. “He—urp.”

Deep breaths. In… out… in… “Help. Me.” I croaked.

Marcus started to respond, his voice full of formality. “Your Highness, it is my great honor to—”

Drake cut him off sharply. “Get him up, if you would.”

A strong, not-so-gentle hand grabbed my left arm and hauled me upright, dragging me across a deliciously cold floor.

So nice. I let my face melt into it, savoring the chill against my queasy body.

“Peter,” Drake continued casually, ignoring my tragic state. “Elric and the rest thought you were dead.”

“Nope. Not dead. Or it didn’t take anyway.” I weakly lifted my right arm for emphasis. “Just more… plant-like.”

I turned my head and spotted Marcus kneeling, his gaze locked on the floor with soldierly discipline. “Ugh,” I groaned, forcing myself upright, limbs heavy as stone.

“He said he can’t just travel to the recruit camp. Can you help?” I asked, rubbing my aching temples and gesturing to Marcus.

“Oh, and me too. I, uh, also don’t have my orb anymore.”

Drake didn’t answer immediately. His gaze pinned me in place instead. “I need an explanation, Peter. It’s been over two months.”

That sobered me instantly. “H-How long?” I stammered. A few weeks, sure, maybe. But months? There was no way cultivation, even slowed down with the Water Force, had eaten up that much time.

Did the trial really last that long?

“Just over a couple months,” Drake repeated. His voice dipped lower. “And... I heard something strange.”

I raised an eyebrow, my nerves already sharpening.

“A man entered a... special place reserved for royals,” Drake said slowly. “He killed a noble from Voxter. Then went on to score the highest marks in the second round of a special exam.”

My stomach twisted. He knew. He knew about the trial ground.

I guess he was more involved than I thought in royal matters.

“It was strange,” Drake continued, his eyes narrowing slightly. “This individual, he was both physically and magically capable. The way they described his movements... the techniques used… It sounded very familiar to me.”

I clenched my jaw. “What do you want me to say?” I asked, tension leaking into my voice.

“Nothing. Say nothing if you know nothing,” Drake said immediately, waving a hand before performing a familiar technique. “*You were trapped. That’s all anyone needs to know. You learned nothing. No one saw anything except an avatar. Unless...*” 

He leaned back slightly. “Unless that person wanted to get involved with other royals.”

He let the weight of the words settle between us, then sighed heavily.

“Before meeting you, I didn’t know the potential of your practice,” he admitted. “But that avatar... it must’ve been some rare blessing, right? Some hidden gift? No way the rumors about a Bloodless are true... right?”

At the word, my heart kicked painfully in my chest. Bloodless.

A word I’d only heard from Synthia and Callum, from Voxter.

Could they have? No, well not Synthia anyway. But maybe Callum’s subordinates had overheard my unique condition.

Maybe even spies in Voxter in the Bal family alerted people here. It made sense during war, but for the rumors to travel this fast?

I met Drake’s gaze, and to my surprise, saw something almost pleading in his expression.

Was he... protecting me? No, not me. Maybe Elric.

He knows plenty of my secrets, my abilities. I mean, he invented a few of them himself. Is he in trouble?

I swallowed hard. “Must be,” I said, forcing a shrug. “You can ask Marcus here. We were stuck in some cursed forest trying to survive, nothing more.”

Drake’s attention shifted to Marcus, his tone cooling. “Yes... the deserter.”

WHAT?!

“For such a crime, you deserve death… but considering your years of service, I will grant you mercy in my father's place,” Drake declared, voice steady.

“Drake, it’s not what—” I tried to jump in, but Marcus cut me off.

“Thank you, your Highness. I’ve heard of your kindness, but only now do I truly understand it.” He bowed even deeper, voice calm.

“I hereby demote you to the lowest civilian rank,” Drake continued smoothly. “You will serve as an attendant at the Hall of Heroes.”

I spun back to Drake, catching the smug smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. A second later, he used the power invented by his brother again. His voice echoed directly into my head.

“You should really learn tact, moron, and for the love of all things holy, keep your mouth shut around people like me. If it had been any other noble or royal, you’d already be dead. Just… stop being an idiot.”

It felt unnecessarily rude, but probably, most certainly... fair.

‘Peter…’ Luna’s voice drifted into my mind, gentle and pitying, like a mother consoling her hopeless child.

‘Does everyone think you’re an idiot?’

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