Calm yourself.” Kaz-Mowang snorted, rolling his eyes. “Remember, I’m trying to capture you, not kill you. What happened with your orc friend was unfortunate, as most accidents are,” his eyes were focused on the swiftling cradled under the pazuzite’s arm. Rather than die or serve other Heroes like past Fools, he takes a stand, rejects divine decree…and leaves. With his little sister, his childhood friend, and her cerberus, Alex flees for the university, hoping to research the mystery of the Ravener. He’ll make lifelong friends, learn magic from mad wizards, practice alchemy, fight mana vampires and try to pay tuition. Pain shot through his side; the Mark’s interference rose, breaking his concentration for an instant when a bone spike scraped along his torso. After that rough beginning though, the story glistened. While the dungeon fight was a cut & paste job, the battle at the windmill was clever, creative, and novel. There was just a hint of repetition, but it was done deliberately with a nod to the Mark in the process. Which is why it ended up getting its full four stars. The progression of Alex's skills is well thought out and logically developed. There is a glimmer of hope (to be played out in the next book?) that

Mark of the Fool 4 - Goodreads Mark of the Fool 4 - Goodreads

It would have annoyed me if it was a bigger deal, but as I said it was barely hinted at. And is something I'm looking forward to developing. I was just considering that.” he glared up at Kaz-Mowang as he skewered another tiashiva like an overripe fruit. “What is your plan?” As it passed, Alex spied what he was looking for: two guardsmen sitting on the side of the fountain. They were bleary-eyed from the night watch, and squinted at Alex as he strolled up as light-footed as a pleased cat.Ultimately, I'm glad I read it, but also glad I skimmed past the several chapters worth of the main character's thoughts and feelings which leant little if anything to the story. Alex flew toward them, planning to take advantage of Ripp’s distraction…when a huge mana shift fanned out. Ellina is an expanded universe character who appears only within the Hollow Knight Wanderer's Journal- acting as the fictional author of the book. Her book details her experiences within the kingdom of Hallownest and acts as an outside source providing some unique reflections, accounts, and opinions on her findings. Ellina's character beyond her time spent in Hallownest is not explored and is unknown.

Mark of the Fool | Royal Road Chapter 1: Fools and Inheritance - Mark of the Fool | Royal Road

I loved this story. I think it did a lot of things well. It wasn't a story that instantly captivated me, but a slow simmer of enjoyment that slowly grew with the story. Something I think fits, because this story had large slice-of-life elements to it. Whistling a jaunty tune as the guards grappled with McHarris somewhere in the bakeshop, he strolled down the street with spirits higher than they’d been since before he and his sister were orphaned.

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I have a plan for that, Paul, don’t you worry,” Alex said. “But thanks for asking. You’re good people.” Serves you right, you old bully. That’s for browbeating every helper who’s ever worked for you.” He smirked, tossing his last pay into the fountain. As of sunrise this morning, he no longer needed McHarris’ coin. He turned to say silent prayers of thanks to Heroes’ Fountain—one of the many that had been raised in the kingdom of Thameland. This street was usually one of the last to go dark. The Bear’s Bowl tavern would usually be spitting out drunken, brawling farmhands by now. As Alex passed by, the entire building was already dark and silent. The Lu Family inn would have firelight and laughter booming as the last diners finished up for the night, yet now there was only a small light burning through the shuttered windows. No guests could be heard. With the help of Dream Wielder it is possible to get a handful of soul and heal a decent amount afterward.

Mark of the Fool | Aethon Books Mark of the Fool | Aethon Books

Alex flew up, hovering over his golem. ‘Claygon,’ he called through their link. ‘Prepare a blast of fire.’ Energy flooded out, meeting Kaz-Mowang’s natural resistance to magic and ancient will of steel. For a terrible moment Alex found himself in a contest within a mind that might have been older than his entire kingdom. Ah, my friend! You are just in time for what is not my last stand!” the warrior stabbed a blazing sword through a tiashiva, blowing it to bits.I don’t think the merchants or nobles that shop there would see it that way, and I don’t have time to run to the guild before he cleans up the evidence.”