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Chapter 13 - Assessment and Whispers of the Weave
The Echo of Infinity: Chapter 13 - Assessment and Whispers of the Weave
After a week of menial tasks, Elara summoned Kael. "Time for your initial assessment and basic training," she stated, leading him not to the public training yards, but to a private, heavily warded room deep within the Guild Hall.
Inside, a stern-looking High Elf woman with silver hair waited. Her Weave status identified her as 'Instructor Lyraelle - [Weapon Master Lv. 45 (Tier 2)], [Tactician Lv. 40 (Tier 2)], [Weave Analyst Lv. 38 (Tier 2)]'. The name 'Lyraelle' sounded familiar, but Kael couldn't place it.
"Kael, this is Instructor Lyraelle," Elara introduced. "She oversees provisional member assessments and specialized training. Lyraelle, this is the recruit I mentioned. Displaying Tier 1 [Swift Blade] and [Shadow Scout], attributed to artifact activation."
Lyraelle's gaze was sharp, analytical. "Unconventional," she clipped, her voice melodious but cold. "Show me your status."
Kael focused, projecting the fabricated status Elara knew: Lv. 11 in both classes, Lv. 6 Gatherer. Lyraelle scanned it, her expression unreadable. "Attributes seem low for claimed Tier 1 classes, even newly acquired ones. Artifact interference, perhaps?"
"Perhaps," Kael mumbled, relieved she had found a plausible excuse for the discrepancy his partial lie created. His *real* stats were far higher.
"Assessment begins," Lyraelle announced. "First, combat proficiency. Engage the training construct." She gestured towards a humanoid automaton made of wood and metal runes, standing inert in the center of the room. "Standard Tier 1 parameters. Do not destroy it; aim to incapacitate."
Kael drew his Guild-issue sword. He knew he had to show competence appropriate for Lv. 11 [Swift Blade], but not *too* much competence. No Tier 1 skills that weren't default for the class or easily explained. He definitely couldn't use [Flowing Strikes] or [Twin Strike] at their current leveled-up efficiency.
The construct activated, runes glowing, and moved towards him with mechanical steps, swinging a wooden practice sword. Kael met the attack, parrying clumsily at first, mimicking someone still learning. He focused on basic strikes, decent footwork, and the occasional burst of speed he could attribute to the class's passives. He deliberately let the construct score glancing blows, reinforcing his 'newbie' image.
*‘This is ridiculous,’* he thought, easily dodging a swing that should have connected if he were truly only Lv. 11. *‘I could dismantle this thing in seconds.’*
He fought for several minutes, showcasing basic swordsmanship, adequate reflexes, and believable stamina. Finally, feigning exertion, he executed a slightly faster maneuver, slipping past the construct's guard and tapping its primary rune core with the pommel of his sword. The construct deactivated.
Lyraelle made notes on a data slate. "Passable," she commented without inflection. "Crude, relies on speed over technique, consistent with a newly manifested class. Needs significant refinement."
Next came the [Shadow Scout] assessment. Stealth trials involving navigating laser grids (simulated magical traps), detecting hidden objects, and following Lyraelle through a simulated environment without being spotted. Kael performed adequately, using basic [Silent Movement] and [Detect Presence] equivalents, deliberately missing a few cues, acting surprised when Lyraelle 'caught' him once. He couldn't use [Shadow Meld] or his [Enhanced Hearing].
"Again, passable baseline," Lyraelle concluded. "Instincts are present but unrefined. Relies on artifact-granted senses rather than learned technique." She turned to Elara. "He meets the minimum threshold for Tier 1 classification, though barely. His potential depends entirely on the nature and stability of this 'artifact'."
Elara nodded. "Thank you, Instructor. We'll assign him standard Tier 1 training modules."
As they left the assessment room, Kael felt drained, not from exertion, but from the constant mental effort of holding back.
Lyraelle paused at the door. "One more thing, Kael." Her piercing eyes locked onto him. "The Weave... it feels... *quiet* around you. Almost too quiet. As if something is buffering your connection."
Kael froze. *Buffering? Did she sense the Accumulator?*
"Artifact interference often causes unusual Weave signatures," Elara interjected smoothly, stepping slightly between Kael and the instructor. "We'll monitor it."
Lyraelle gave a curt nod, unconvinced, and swept away.
Kael looked at Elara, unnerved. "What did she mean, 'buffering'?"
"Lyraelle has a rare [Weave Analyst] class," Elara explained quietly as they walked. "She can perceive nuances in System interactions others miss. Your 'artifact' likely creates ripples. Just be careful. Not all attention is beneficial."
That night, Kael couldn't sleep. Lyraelle's words echoed in his mind. *Buffering.* Did the Accumulator act as some kind of filter between him and the Aetherium Weave, processing the EXP before the main System registered it? Was that something others could detect? The incident was a stark reminder: his secret wasn't just about numbers; it might have a tangible, detectable effect on his very connection to the world's fundamental System.
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Publishment Date: 6/4/2025
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