I walked down the street that was just beginning to come to life. People began leaving their homes, entering their stores, and doing all the necessary work required to open for a day of business. I arrived at the address, double-checked the sign that had a gemstone being polished on it as a stout Beastmen guard watched me carefully.
He gave me a single glance as he moved to the side to let me climb the short set of stairs. There was a slight ring of a bell as I pushed the shop door open. The sun had barely begun to light the world, and the small store was nestled among others, lit only by the few candles on the countertops.
"Good morning, Sir," I said as I closed the door behind me.
There was a shift of feet as some peered over the counter. "Ah, Lord Shadowheart, is it? Welcome, welcome. It's nice to finally meet face to face," the deep voice chuckled.
I approached the counter, and an old Dwarf waddled out from behind. His brown beard was tied into thick braids, banded together with silver bands. His apron had a dozen or so small pockets, each with various instruments and tools hanging from it.
"Mr. Ozglod, thank you for seeing me on short notice like this," I said with a short bow.
The Dwarf waved his hand at me and extended it for a handshake that I accepted. His hands were rough from what must have been decades of work.
"Think nothing of it. I often open this early anyway. And will you tell Lord Wyll to stop pestering me so much? I am just one man," he said with a chuckle.
"With how highly he recommended you, I'm starting to understand why. With such a work ethic, it would be difficult to find a replacement," I said.
"You flatter me, My Lord. I simply enjoy what I do," Ozglod said as he moved behind the counter. "Now…most of what you asked for has been retrieved. I've gone through and done some clean-up work where possible. How about you take a look?"
Ozglod hopped onto a stool and laid out three separate small cloths. One blue, green, and red. He grabbed some rectangular wooden boxes, unlocked them with a key, and began placing various pieces of jewellery onto them. Some were brooches, necklaces, and pins, but each piece was unique.
All of them had different finishes; some were made of gold or silver, and some looked to be made of plants like vines. A few seemed to be of very high quality, as they shone with a fresh metallic luster, while others appeared more old and worn. Some even looked slightly damaged, as if they had been passed down and repaired over generations. But they all had one thing in common.
"These are the dungeon items that met your specifications. Those on the red cloth are capable of producing a barrier that can stop physical attacks, those on the blue are magical, and those on green are both. I have had every one of these appraised, and each meets your requirements of being strong, but as you understand, they will be limited use," Ozglod explained.
There were plenty on the red and blue clothes, a small pile for each. It was the green that was limited to only three pieces. But that was to be expected. A dungeon item that could block a physical and magical attack was in high demand. They were not limited only by their cost but also by supply, being far rarer than either of the single types.
"I'll take all three on the green. As for others, make a set of the physical and magical barriers. I'll take a dozen sets of two," I said.
Ozglod nodded as he called for an assistant. A woman from the back came out and, with Ozglod's instructions, set to work on packing and wrapping them.
"I take it there is no news on the other one?" I asked.
Ozglod smiled wryly as he explained, "A dungeon item that moves the user after a barrier is broken is a rare commodity. They exist, but few are willing to part with them, I'm afraid. I'll continue searching on your behalf, My Lord."
"It's to be expected," I said with a shrug. "And the piece I have commissioned…?"
Ozglod's smile turned genuine as he chuckled, "Oh, it is coming along nicely. It's not very often I am given so many rare materials and told to work freely. I must admit, I am taking my time and enjoying every moment."
"That's fine with me. I'll be leaving the city for some time, so I'm in no rush. Please send your updates to this address instead of the current one," I said, slipping a note to the man.
Ozglod looked confused for a moment, and I smiled as I said, "She'll be at that office more frequently now that she is finishing school. I'd prefer this remain a surprise for the time being. The person at that new address is my brother. I trust him greatly, so take his feedback as mine or let him handle any problems that may arise."
The man took the note and slipped it into one of his pockets before nodding. "Understood, My Lord. I'll make the arrangements right away. Please, take a seat and relax while we see to your items. It will only be a short while. And I thank you for your patronage," he said with a bow.
Let's hope everyone enjoys their gifts.
—
The graduation was a grand spectacle. Parents, friends, students, and all those connected to those graduating were allowed to attend. The school's grounds were bustling with people. Everyone grouped together, chatting away, current and soon-to-be former students mingled, saying their goodbyes. Families gathered around their graduates, proud faces positively beaming from everyone.
However, because the main venue was destroyed by the attack, the ceremony was kept to a small number of people. But that didn't detract from the event at all. With three princes and plenty of nobles, there was enough flair to go around. The actual ceremony was handled by Bowen, but Lin, Ren, and Lauren each gave a short speech.
Each of them seemed to take a unique approach, yet all left many students, parents, and teachers in contemplative silence or tears. It was easy for me to forget that for all of them, that was the culmination of over a decade of schooling. Most of them had been together since they were young. It was that I simply jumped aboard the ship right at the end.
Even Sylvia took the whole school part far more seriously than I ever did.
Of course there weren't just young people. The university allowed almost everyone to attend classes for a wide range of studies. There were people graduating not just from academic courses but also from years of learning to be blacksmiths, traders, doctors, adventurers, and even cooks. And all of them would have their names placed in a national registry backed by the kingdom and school for their achievement, proving that they had completed their courses in their designated field.
Naturally, that wasn't the only thing given to students. Each graduating student was given a plaque with their name, the year they graduated, and what they graduated in, to do with as they pleased. Many chose to leave their plaques on campus benches or on designated walls of buildings.
I looked down at my plaque and wondered what I would do with it. It felt more like a participation award than anything. But perhaps it would look in the office?
"You should wear it around your neck. I can make you a matching chain if you'd like," Padraic said with a chuckle.
I sent the plaque away into my ring and smiled at the short man. "I think you're slightly upset you didn't get one. I can pull some favors for you if you want. Mark up those tests you failed on," I said calmly.
Padraic snorted at me. "I didn't want one to begin with. I have better things to attend to, you know? Changing the world and all that," he grumbled.
"Not for a lack of trying though…" I said with a sigh.
"Whatever you say. Are you talking to the others or what?" he asked.
I shrugged, and a small wooden box appeared from thin air in my hand. I handed the box to him and said, "Of course. I'm just giving them some time to speak with their families and teachers. This day is more for them than for me. Ah, but I do have these for you. Wear them, will you?"
Padraic looked confused for a moment as he opened the lid slightly. "What are these…you didn't have these made, right?"
"Critiquing the craftsmanship of a gift, huh? I can already see your beard growing longer. And no. They are barriers, one for magic, the other physical. Might save your life one day," I answered as I handed him a second box.
"Got it. Thanks, Kal. But uh…what's with the second one?" Padraic asked as he grabbed the other box.
"Don't you have someone to go see and congratulate? Make sure you give that to her. You can say it's from me or not. It's all the same to me," I said with a grin.
He shook his head and glared at me. "Acting like I wouldn't give her a gift…who do you think I am? But I'm sure Jen will love it anyway. Thanks," he said as he walked toward Jen, who was speaking with a teacher.
"Standing off to the side at such an event? Makes it feel as if you are just a bystander, Kaladin," Professor Garrison said with a warm smile.
"Well…you know how it is," I said with a shrug.
He chuckled as Varnir and Tsarra walked over. "Congratulations, you two," Professor Garrison said.
"Thank you, Professor," Varnir said as Tsarra nodded with a smile.
"Here, for you two. They'll protect you from a physical and magical attack," I said, handing them their gifts.
Varnir smirked as he accepted the gift. "Thank you, Kaladin. Although…we didn't get you anything," Tsarra said softly.
"Of course. Don't mention it. I just did what I wanted," I said with a wave.
Professor Garrison cleared his throat as he eyed Tsarra and Varnir. "Now that I'm no longer your teacher and you've graduated…I'll be looking forward to the wedding invitation," he said.
Varnir's face went pink as Tsarra's eyes widened and jaw opened slowly, "Pp—professor! You!"
I smirked as I turned to face the new group. Lin, Sylas, and the princesses greeted me, as we all took turns congratulating each other.
"Seems like the professor is already having a good time teasing us," Lauren commented as she looked over at the still red Tsarra.
"Not a completely unsurprising turn of events," Sylas said.
Two boxes appeared in both my hands as I handed them over. "Here, for each of you. Put them to good use," I said.
Sylas cracked his box open and asked, "Dungeon items…for defense, I assume?"
"Correct. One for magic, the other physical. Perhaps the four of you may already have something, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared just in case," I said.
"If you bought this for all of us, it must have cost you a fortune. We don't need it, Kaladin," Ren said in disbelief.
I let out a grin as I said, "I've been told I have a spending problem recently. So it's just me indulging in it some more. At worst, you can keep it as a family heirloom. A gift given by the Dragonslayer."
"So this is where you were at," Sylvia muttered.
"Daddy!" Mila shouted as she leapt from Cerila's arms.
I picked her up in one swift motion as she giggled to herself. I quickly set the chain around her neck and clasped it. Mila looked down at it with a hint of confusion.
"It's a gift. Make sure to wear it all the time, okay?" I said.
"A tree branch?" Mila asked, confused.
Well…it does sort of look like a silver twig.
"Something like that. It'll keep you safe if you wear it every day," I said while putting her down.
"Daddy's gift! I'll wear it forever!" Mila said excitedly.
Another white, silvery item appeared in my hand as I turned to Sylvia. I made sure to carefully place it and clasp it where her hair was already set. It was in the shape of a broad figure eight with grooves cut into it. Other than that, it didn't seem to have much thought behind its design.
But dungeons weren't exactly known for producing the most thoughtful creations at every turn. Regardless, it was still oddly beautiful in its simplicity.
Congratulations on graduating. You've worked hard," I said softly.
Sylvia smiled with her fangs as her face reddened. "T—thank you, Kaladin. You didn't have to get me anything," she muttered.
"It's just a small memento," I said.
I raised an eyebrow at Cerila, who had a lot to look in her eyes as I signed,
A bronze chain with a leaf at the end fell into my hands as I reached around her neck and clasped it. Cerila looked down at the item she was inspecting. A smile bloomed across her face.
There…now I feel much better about things. Everyone is a little safer.
"With all these gifts, I'm starting to feel bad that we didn't get you anything," Lin said.
"It's fine, so don't think you have to give me anything in return. Seeing all of you here is a gift in and of itself for me. And besides, you've all earned it," I said.
"Almost feels like you're going away forever," Lauren muttered.
I just chuckled as I said, "Sadly you won't be getting rid of me that easily. I plan on living for a very long time."