Mantle of the Gods

We didn't have any weapons.

That didn't seem to deter our teacher from throwing us into a fight. From what I knew from being a Porter, while monsters on the first floor weren't very strong, they could still kill a Mundane pretty easily.

I raised my hand, “Aren't we going to get weapons? Or gear?”

The white-haired Caster shook his head, “I thought we would do this old school style.” He nodded at the underbrush around us, “I see plenty of things around here that you could use as a weapon.” He turned towards Rix, “Although I hope that knife of yours didn't hold any sentimental value.”

Rix knelt down and checked inside the boot of her left leg. “It's gone.” She looked up at the teacher, “What did you do?”

He held up his hands, “I didn't do anything. The dungeon does not like outside implements. While it does tolerate living organisms to an extent, it destroys most things from outside.” He tapped his chest, “Our mantles help to shield us somewhat, but it does tend to send monsters after the Mundane at a much higher frequency.” He looked over at me, “Which is why a lot of farming parties will bring a Mundane Porter along. There's usually a lot higher spawn rate of monsters when there is a Mundane Porter.”

My heart started being faster as I realized that for the last 4 years, part of my job had been a monster lure. I shook my head trying not to think about the numerous Adventurers I had been assigned to that seemed like they would have been more than happy to have not stopped any monsters that were coming for me. I tried to shake away those memories that were even now worming their way out of my head.

Trent looked around, “I don't sense any monsters close but I can't imagine that will be the case for long.” He smiled, “You better get started.”

“Without any gear, any information, any anything?” I blurted.

“Let's go through a hypothetical real quick.” Trent looked at me as Rix began rummaging around in the underbrush for sticks.

Ether and Edward joined her while Justia stayed by my side. Aelin seemed genuinely interested about the personal lesson we were about to get.

“Let's say for instance,” Trent began, “you are on an exploration and you run into a trap.” He looked around, “Suddenly you are in a different floor with a different environment and none of your weapons or gear were transported with you. How would you survive something like that?”

“That could really happen?” Aelin asked

Trent let out a sign and nodded, “I can tell you one-hundred percent that it has happened and that the Adventures in question did not all make it out alive.” He rubbed his wrist, “Which is why I would recommend you all get a storing stone as soon as you can.” The way that he talked about the situation left no question that he had been one of the Adventures in that party.

“But couldn't you just use your magic?” I asked

Trent nodded, “You could and your Buffer would still have all of their abilities as well as would your Healer.” He pointed at Justia, “But magic runs out and eventually the three of you wouldn't be able to keep up with the waves.” He closed his eyes as if he was traveling back to an old memory. “When that happens you need to be able to contribute something to the party.” He nodded at Justia, “You've already started the training of using Mundane techniques to tend minor wounds.”

He looked at Aelin, “Not every buff needs to be magical. There's a lot you can do with encouragement.”

He turned to me, “Most people believe that the tank or the Hitter should be the leader of the group.” He shook his head, “Both of those are too focused on what's in front of them.” He nodded over at Rix who was fitting a rock at the end of a stick to make a makeshift spear, “In my experience either the Shooter,” he then look back at me, “the Mage, or the Healer,” he turned to Justia, “are the ones who have the best grasp on the entire party and can see beyond the current fight at hand.” He shook his head. “My advice to you, Atlas, would be to learn everything you can because you never know when some obscure knowledge that might seem insignificant would suddenly have great bearing on saving those around you.”

I thought about his words and nodded.

“I'll do that, me too!” Aelin pumped her fist up in the air.

“Are we going to get spells or skills for this exercise?” I asked, “Because we don’t have any, which really limits our usefulness in a fight.”

Trent smiled, “Nobles will usually pass some down to their children when they first get mantles, but I always thought of that as a handicap rather than a help.” He looked at the three of us. “Since none of you have a skill or spell yet, let's consider this to be a situation where the three of you are out of magic and see how you handle yourselves.”

I thought about arguing but I knew it was a moot point. The monsters here were level one and before they could do any kind of serious damage to us I knew that he would step in. With that kind of safety net, he wasn’t going to do anything to make it easier for us. I looked over at Rix and asked, “How fast can you make another one of those?”