Combat Path Awakened advance faster than non-Combat Path. This is mostly due to convenient access to risk and Energy. Of course certain Scions defy these estimates by being assisted at every turn, allowing them advancement beyond their abilities while leaving them weaker than those who advance through their own efforts.

  5 years to reach level 10, 10 to reach level 20 and then 10-15 years for every 10 levels thereafter is a pace only Elite Combat Paths will manage. Delays at the wall may result in slowed progression for some, only to accelerate once more after they find their way.

  To be seen as a Skilled combatant or Elite non-combatant, reaching those same points in half again the time is sufficient. Skilled non-combatants are half again slower once more.

  There is no shame in not reaching these heights. Talent alone will rarely be sufficient to be considered skilled and even the rarest genius will not reach elite status on talent alone. Dedication, call it obsession even, is the only answer.

  ~ * ~

  Phelann made her way into Valene's office the moment she was back at the Seer's Council Headquarters. She'd taken a few minutes to make sure she looked as composed as ever, the shocks those two had given her with their Advancement Options had made her worry she would look a fright. In the end it was only a few stray hairs but even that was not who she presented herself as.

  "Phelann," Valene said in way of greeting when he finally turned his attention to her.

  "They've made their Path selections and we've agreed to meet in a month to see what new questions they might have."

  "Sounds like it was all fairly routine then. Not a punishment in the end?"

  She sighed, he was right, it hadn't been a punishment, but it had been challenging.

  "No, not as such. Neither of them even knew what a Path was, or what Fragments were."

  "You know what the Feudals are like. Does that really surprise you?" he asked.

  "No, and I know why we don't interfere," she admitted. "It's just frustrating."

  "At least there should be hope for Holding Syl. They listened to you I take it?"

  "They asked questions. And I know they had more that they were kind enough to not ask."

  "Good. I'm sure they'll ask anything important in time. The fact that they asked anything is the first step. Their Gifts?"

  "Recorded in the archives. She's going to be a terrifying fighter. Energy Manipulation will self-optimize to a degree and she'll actively learn and adjust to her opponent's fighting style."

  "That's 2. What about her third, and her Seneschal's?"

  "Something to do with improving her Bond. It won't be a small improvement either I suspect. Seb on the other hand I'm not sure. He definitely has Seer Fragments, a Tagging or Tracking Gift, some way to memorize and recall Energy patterns and signatures, and," she hesitated, she still didn't believe what she'd seen, what she suspected. She hadn't lied to them when she said she wasn't sure what it was, but she also hadn't given voice to her suspicion before now.

  "If I had to guess, I think he's going to be able to use his presence as an aura for Energy manipulation, even this early on."

  She heard Valene's shock, she saw his surprise. He was her mentor and even if she didn't know exactly how powerful he was, she knew he was past the next wall at the very least. "Are you certain? Absolutely certain?"

  "Bubble where Energy is manipulated or detected around him. And he confirmed he can see Energy at a distance, see patterns and Husks, even with his eyes shut."

  "You told him what you suspected?" Valene pressed.

  "Of course not. I told him what I saw and that it was unfamiliar. He made those connections on his own."

  "Good. If it is what you think then he'll see signs soon enough once he starts diving. If it isn't then he'll hopefully figure out what it actually is."

  He turned back to his feed as though expecting her to be done, he rarely dismissed her, she would take up her research or leave as she saw fit.

  "You don't want to ask about their Paths?"

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  "Why? I'm assuming they were something suitably combat oriented."

  "You might say that," for once she made a point of being evasive. She wasn't going to deceive him but after the shock they'd given her, the shock he'd caused them to give her rather, she wanted to see his unguarded reaction.

  "He had a Note?"

  "All 3," she answered, pausing just long enough to see him go from acknowledgment to surprise. "They both did."

  "Both!?" Valene answered as his chair creaked.

  "Originally she did not, but they showed up after she saw his Notes."

  "That- Have you finally decided to tell a joke?"

  "Oh no Valene. Somehow my OverSeer Mentor triggered all three notes on an adult Awakened, and through him on his co-ruler."

  "Both of them…" Valene mumbled then focused. "Were you calling her a terrifying fighter because of this?"

  "No. Her Gifts alone will make her a terror. Her having been forced down a Monk Path by her upbringing and focusing on the Mystical, along with self-empowerment through self-awareness? That will make her a powerhouse." She smiled and added the last bit. "And her Note 3 benefit enhancing all her bonds as well as empowering her based on Bond growth."

  "I wish you'd told me this sooner, I might have reconsidered my words to an old friend." Valene sighed then before she could question he waved his own comment off. "No matter. Sebastian?"

  "Skirmisher. Stalker Archetype but focused on Bladesong control."

  "You didn't talk him out of Bladesong? You know how difficult that will be to-"

  "Sir. His Note 3 gives his bound weapon intrinsic Bladesong and increases range. His Enhancements clearly favored hindrance and stacked that with Bladesong benefits. His other choices were Imbuement or Crystallizing. I told him it would be challenging and nothing more."

  "I'm not criticizing you Phelann. It is a rare choice for a reason, especially if it came from a Stalker origin."

  She nodded her head, still seething at his implied rebuke, no matter that he had tried to pretend it had not been meant that way. She'd done exactly as he'd trained her and yet he had acted like she had failed.

  "I did have one more question for you. Seb's questioning nature made me clarify the lack of knowledge on how Advancement Options take effect. Do you know anything more?"

  "Nothing I can tell you," he answered after a brief pause. "It sounds as though you had a few surprises while you were there. Would you like me to find someone else now that the hardest part is over?"

  She stiffened, he knew something but wouldn't tell her, and then immediately offered her an escape from what he knew she would be seeing as a burden? When he had made it clear it was an opportunity for growth at first? And only suggesting it after she asked him this question, only after she had questioned even though he had been ready for her to leave.

  "No Sir. I believe working with them will be instructive. They ask the right questions and a single monthly visit will not be an undue burden."

  "Very well. I would suggest making some contact with the local Seers though. Ensure they know how to reach you if anything comes up, maybe even offer them some advice about their own projects. As long as it does not interfere with your other duties of course."

  "Of course. If I may?"

  "Of course Phelann. You're welcome to stay if you wish though."

  "Thank you OverSeer. I do need to return to my research however. Farewell."

  ~ * ~

  Phelann let herself into the Senior Seer Dorms and rushed through the common areas. The background buzz of dozens of Seers talking to one another grated on her more than usual tonight. Staring straight ahead she pretended not to notice the scant few friendly faces, if she stopped or even looked at them they would try to pull her into conversation, to get her to join them in some discussion or argument.

  Better that than dealing with the rest she admitted as she slipped into the hallways, there might be two other Seers in any of the dorms who had even hit level 20 at age 45, everyone else was likely years away. Those who had reached level 25 were often worse, 20 or more years older than her at the best of times. Her position as the protege of an OverSeer, especially one as famous as Valene, since before she had hit level 20 did her no favors either. Everyone conveniently forgot she had been a rising star before that, now they just hinted at her earning benefits.

  Making it to her room she closed and locked the door before crossing to her desk. Her EDN feed was active as always but she ignored it, instead dropping her head onto the wood with a frown. Why did no one understand that she liked what she did, that she wanted to know, needed to know. That she was curious about how Energy worked, that Awakened lore was so much more interesting than an argument about which athlete was more talented, or which entertainment icon was enamored with which idiot this week.

  Why had Valene tried to take her off the mission he claimed she was perfect for. He told her he trusted her, took her report and barely paid any attention, and then when she tried to find out something he knew bothered her, something she had asked about in the past and been told no one was sure, he told her he could not tell her. He admitted he knew something, he admitted there was knowledge that she wasn't allowed to have. She'd gone to Earth for him, she'd used Unawakened transportation, she'd dealt with two children who didn't know the first thing about- No, she corrected herself. That was not their fault. They'd asked intelligent questions after all, they hadn't had her repeat stupid platitudes, only build on what she'd said. She could respect that.

  Yes they had made her return a second time, but portals were civilized things, convenient and private, not at all like hub transit, let alone being driven by a stranger.

  Then they'd offered her coffee. It wasn't kaf, but it was close. They'd poured the cup for her and allowed her to taste it before doing business. Her thoughts went back to her childhood, to discussions she was never allowed to join in to, to adults sipping kaf while business was done. She blocked the memory back out before it went further, before she thought about why she had left. But kaf and business went together, and coffee was an acceptable substitute.

  She realized she was pacing, that she had gotten up and was wandering aimlessly back and forth through her room. Beyond her bed, desk and wardrobe there were no personal touches, nothing to show this room belong to Seer Feh-Lan, and certainly nothing to mark her as Clan Daughter Fay-lahn, nothing to tie her to the past. Her work was her life, her research was her focus. If Valene could not tell her the truth then she would need to become someone who could be told. She would need to push, to strive, to advance. How else would she ever be seen and recognized, be welcome at the table?

  How else would she be accepted, where else would she be welcome no matter what?

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