Path Of Dreams

Chapter Eight: Rejected

                 CHAPTER EIGHT

“Wow.”

Oberon said under his breath as he looked around him, he could see all sorts of people going about their daily activities, from people in armour and all sorts of gear to people buying groceries selling goods in established stalls.

“I heard there were shelters set up in the void for mystics to stay in during expeditions but I never expected the shelters to be this big.”

Sam said looking ahead at the gargantuan white walls that surrounded the city, protecting it from stray beasts. If one looked closely, they could even see the tiny figures that manned the walls, puppets.

“Alright, enough sightseeing. I'll go gather our new party members, it's best we begin as soon as possible and saturate our cores.”

Sam said as he clapped his hands and turned to Oberon who nodded and replied.

“While you do that, I'll look around, there are a few things I want to get for myself.”

With that the two friends parted ways. Oberon walked through the crowd of people and headed towards the stalls where he could see all sorts of items being sold. 

He could see armour stalls, potion stalls weapon stalks and more. After wandering around for a while, he spotted a stall where bounded books of all sizes were being sold.

“Hey, good morning. Do you have manuals for sale?”

Oberon asked the old man within the stall who had a friendly vibe about him. 

“A manual you say, what sort of manual might you be interested in?”

The man asked gesturing at the bounded books stacked over one another in different sections and sizes.

“I'd like an intermediate mastery dagger art manual please.”

“I'm afraid I can't help you lad, I only have the basic things here. If you're looking for something like that, it's best to go there.”

The man said with a disappointed look as he pointed at a building in the distance. Oberon followed the man's finger and spotted a rather large building that seemed exquisite.

“Thanks.”

Oberon said and walked towards the building.

“I only have 40,000 credits in my possession, in the world of mysticism this is only a meager sum. It wouldn't suffice to buy the most efficient beginner gear and needed items.”

Oberon pondered. In the world of mysticism, one could only hope to advance but acquiring resources, and to acquire resources one needed money. The only way to earn money was to either hunt in the void and sell your finds or work. Oberon had chosen the hunting path even though he lacked efficient combat prowess 

Putting those thoughts at the back of his mind, Oberon pushed open the door and walked into the building. Upon walking in he looked around for a bit and upon spotting the receptionist, he immediately walked over to her.

“Hello there sir, how many I help you today.”

The receptionist asked with pleasant smile. Oberon looked at her name tag and then told her what he wanted. 

“I'd like an intermediate mastery dagger art manual please.”

“Sure thing, this way please.”

He was then led up the stairs and into the next floor. All around him, Oberon could see countless items placed in glass cases. Both weapons and armour and after walking further, bounded books that gleamed. 

The receptionist, Melissa, gestured towards several books, asking him to chose the one he wanted. He looked around for a bit and finally picked one.

“I'll take that one.”

Oberon said pointing at a black bounded book. Melissa nodded and immediately went to retrieve it. After doing so, they both headed back towards the reception to sort out the payment.

“That would be thirty-five thousand credits sir. Would you like to buy anything else?”

‘Aiiissshhhh’

Oberon sucked in a sharp breath upon hearing the price. 

‘Why is it so expensive?’

He thought before sighing.

“I'll also like one low grade healing potion.”

He said.

“That'll be a total of forty thousand credits, how will you like to pay?”

Melissa asked, her smile ever present.

“Do you have any discounts?”

“No discounts sir. The things being sold here are of the finest quality in the whole shelter, and besides, there are no ongoing special events.”

Oberon sighed dejectedly. He pulled out his bank card and slipped it across the desk before him. Melissa picked it up, swiped it against a flat device and after a resounding sharp ping that stung Oberon's heart, she slipped it across the desk.

“Thanks for your patronage, we hope to see you again.”

She said after placing a small glass bottle the size of an infant's fist on the desk. Oberon picked up his card and the bottle that stored them away in his record's inventory before walking out of the establishment with a still aching heart.

“I really can't believe I'm poor now. Well it's not a permanent predicament, I can always hunt beasts and replenish my credit reserves.”

He sighed as he looked around. 

“Oi, Oberon. Over here.”

Just then he heard his name being called and he looked over only to see Sam walking towards him with a group behind him. 

Oberon walked towards them to meet up only to regret ever doing so simply because, behind Sam were four people that had roused everyone's attention back at the awakening ceremony the previous day.

“Jane, Cliff, Bruce…. Edmund. Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my name is Oberon.”

Oberon said m, introducing himself respectfully while bending slightly. Edmund scoffed in displeasure, Jane looked at him indifferently like he didn't really matter and Cliff looked around nervously avoiding eye contact. Only one person seemed to care enough that Oberon was being polite and was introducing himself. 

“Hey there, nice to meet you. My name is Bruce.”

Bruce said as he walked towards Oberon and slapped him across the back, almost throwing the poor boy to the floor. Bruce was another student from a renowned legacy family that owned the War god guild, another prosperous and popular guild second only to the Golden Cyclops guild.

‘Did he really have to gather all the legacies together in one party?’

“What are you doing here? Don't tell me you'll be joining the party?”

Edmund inquired as he walked forward, his hands folded before him and his charming face scrunched up in a frown.

“Of course he'll be joining the party, he is an essential member if I do say so myself.”

Sam replied in Oberon's stead which earned him a prideful glare from Edmund and a scoff from Jane. 

“You've got to be kidding me. Caldwell, I need to remind you that I joined this party because I saw enough potential in its members. I didn't join because it was made up of friends or familiar faces. 

Last time I checked, your friend here is not fit for the party, he probably has no combat skills or efficient support skills, neither does he have the capability to provide resources from the party in times of need which frankly speaking we already have covered. He is not bringing anything to the table.”

Edmund argued. Oberon clenched his fist, not because he was angry at Edmund's blunt words but because he knew they were the truth. He couldn't argue and couldn't say that all Edmund had said was a lie.

However……

“That's not true. Oberon is not as useless as you make him out to be, his skills might not be combat efficient but they're very versatile and useful in rather strange situations. I only brought this team together because I saw potential in him.”

Sam retorted standing up for his friend. 

“Ugh! Who would have thought a Caldwell could be so stupid. I can't believe your reasoning is being influenced by emotions built upon friendship. This party is being formed because we all have the potential to raise each other's ranks and help one another pass the qualification assessments. We don't have time to carry someone like him along just because he's a friend.”

Edmund said emphasizing his point for all to hear, at this point, even Bruce had a frown on his face. Sam opened his mouth to say something but was instantly interrupted by Jane who finally seemed to care about the direction in which the conversation was heading.

“I agree with Edmund, if a burden is going to be on the team then I'm afraid I'll have to leave, my hope is that this party would help me grow stronger and get me that recommendation. I'm afraid he'll just drag us down if he is on the team.”

“I think so too.”

Cliff said, raising his hand up timidly, only Bruce didn't say a thing but he still had a frown on his face. Sam had an expression of disbelief on his face as he listened to their arguments.

“But I just said he is not a burden. He has the ability to interpret dreams, I think that's a skill we might need in the near future.”

Sam said once again, almost pleading however Edmund scoffed and replied sarcastically. 

“Yeah right. A dream Oracle is exactly what we need to increase our strength at the moment.”

Oberon sighed and placed his hand on Sam's shoulder, stopping him from arguing any further. 

“They're right Sam. Me being on the team is a distraction and disadvantage, I'll look for another party to join.”

“No. That's not why I created the party in the first place.”

“It's okay, don't make a decision you'll come to regret just because we're friends, I'll find my way.”

With that Sam seemed to finally accept as Oberon turned around about to leave. 

“I'll go with the dreamer.”

Bruce said with a serious expression as he stepped away from the other legacies and stood beside Oberon. 

“Oh come on. Bruce, don't make a stupid decision. There's no way he'll help you pass the assessment, he'll only drag you down.”

Edmund said.

“He won't drag me down, I think he's very interesting and capable and besides….the dreamer is what I need the most at this moment.”

Bruce replied, shocking Oberon and Sam. Even Jane had a surprised look on her face but it instantly vanished just as it had appeared. Oberon couldn't understand why such a person wanted to team up with him. 

‘And what does he mean by the dreamer is what he needs the most?”

He wondered, he however quickly threw this thought at the back of his mind. He wasn't going to let go of an opportunity as good as this, it might be one he wouldn't come across in a long time.

“Thanks for teaming up with me, I really appreciate it.”

Oberon said as he and Bruce separated from Sam's group.

“There's no need to thank me, bedsides I didn't do it for you. I did it for myself.”

Bruce replied, walking forward and leaving Oberon with questions. However Oberon soon realized that Bruce was shirtless and had left his muscles and biceps which were gleaming with sweat for all to see. He quickly walked in haste to catch up to the physically fit legacy.

“Also where are we going? Don't we need to prepare? Or are we just going outside the shelter to hunt? Just like that?”

Oberon asked. 

“Going to prepare is exactly what we are going to do, we are going to my family's guild branch in this shelter to learn how to work as a team and to find other promising party members.”

Bruce replied.